Dinosaur Jr. - "Thumb" (MTV 1993; 3 from 3)

MTV Europe live session, 5 songs; 1993

[@incircles1975]

One of, if not THE all time most underrated guitarist and musician of all time. Nobody can make such a structured and beautiful musical car crash like J Mascis. His solos are perfection and give me the same chills today as when I was in high school. Thank you!!

[@incircles1975]

@Arthur Frayn Amen

[@bmaluginthevanishingman6034]

That just shows you half the world is asleep.. if it doesn't come on Casey kasem or top 40 charts they probably won't understand it. I've always told my dad, him being a Old hippie J. Mas is was the Neil Young of our time. When he listen to where you been they said I hear a lot of Neil Young

[@swankybeebop8449]

he never plays showoff guitar licks, solos, he's got his own guitar solo language, they have meaning to him, that's why it glows

[@incircles1975]

@@swankybeebop8449 You know, you’re so right. I wonder if it’s because he was a drummer first? Because the solos are always very rhythmic and embedded and never sound like they were sitting in a booth mastering like “we should throw in a sick squeal right there”. It feels more like lyrics or better yet a fourth instrument; Drums, Guitar, Bass and ‘Solophone’ or whatever 😀. Whenever I think of a Dinosaur Jr song in my head it’s always the solos and guitar sound first. Any song. Take care man!

[@santanajackson8829]

Hell yeah J mascis is solid guitarist . I'm more into heavy metal and thrash metal but dinosaur jr back in 94 and they kicked ass and they were loud as hell and it was pretty good show . J always got them sweet fender jaguar guitars

[@beauyerks7413]

One of the few natural lead guitarists of the indie/grunge era

[@JustinPiper-dl7wj]

I fully agree 👍

[@JustinPiper-dl7wj]

J Mascis was and still is a massive inspiration for me since I was a little boy and when I wanted to get my dream guitar, fender jazz master.i finally bought myself a jazz master at the age of 45 so 30 odd years later.j thanks for the tunes so mellow.have a good 2025 everyone and also take care and stay strong and healthy and happy 😊

[@anthonyannigoni2949]

This band has gotten me through some tuff times

[@RobertBushnik]

Tight?

[@andrewfallon7963]

Murph is a criminally underrated drummer.

[@matthewbuxton4476]

Agee! 🥁!

[@joelfortenberry7865]

Murph!!!!!!!!!!!!¡! Everytime.

[@Jspnj85]

Yes he is, he’s over shadowed by J. J is great but he has alot of fanboys that don’t see the full band. All of the musicians have talent. Murph is the engine behind the band

[@TheDis4Diamonds]

Fuckin A. Legend

[@MisterGrooves]

J writes all the drum parts for Murph to learn

[@reginareviere2517]

If you saw this when it aired you KNOW it! He may as well have been playing a flaming dynamite chainsaw. I still can't handle it.

[@indigowizardmusic]

He's making that Jazzmaster cry. Pure soul on display.

[@robertmiller8689]

This music 🎶 makes me cry 😢!

[@joelfortenberry7865]

Notice how theres no applause at 6:25 - everyone where stunned and they're arms where paralyzed i swear

[@SoftDrinksOfChoice]

Dinosaur Jr always envoked the strangest feeling for me that I haven't quite gotten from any other band.

[@smallfaucet]

I agree, they always stood out for sure.

[@lillianf.5021]

I started every single morning of high school with this song blasting through my headphones. One of my all time favorite songs by one of my all time favorite bands.

[@clumsiii]

really one of the best ever - i wann go karaoke with it now!

[@tonysalas99]

me too im a senior right now😁😁😁

[@clicker967]

Same here haha. For a brief time in my senior year I would always blast the whole Green Mind album in my car on my way to school.

[@POPNDOUGH]

Senior year '90-91 I played "The Wagon", and Ride's "Vaportrail" every morning. Both taped off WFNX. If I hit rewind as soon as I started my car, I'd get through both songs just as I arrived at school.

[@RyDawg084]

Yesssssss

[@felix-rb1oe]

this is one of the best live recordings of thumb i’ve ever heard

[@skibezos]

This is one of the best live recordings period

[@skibezos]

I get teary eyed every time I hear this guitar solo

[@WhoahVal]

I wish they actually did play for '120 minutes.' I could have taken another 116 of that solo.

[@maryellenleach7457]

Mine and my husband's song. We were 15 and this and Muck off of Green Mind was our shit...still together...93-17...J . MAS is our hero.

[@ladybird260]

THATS SO AWESOME!

[@Caribou1983]

I wish I had a girl with such music taste

[@maryellenleach7457]

Try doing the down and dirty to “Muck” and then “Thumb” with someone you’re REALLY into. It’s a seriously SICK/SEXY combo. This live 1 works as well as the OG studio V. You’ll thank me...Uz welcomez!🤟

[@wyattkadwit7538]

respect

[@maryellenleach7457]

@@wyattkadwit7538 BET.

[@tremoo5987]

Hard to say, but maybe one of my favorite Dinosaur Jr songs.

[@klinkerkk]

Yeah! Mike Johnson did so good to the Dino's Music. He recorded the whole "Where You Been", IMHO, their masterpiece.

[@mlawlerau]

True dat

[@dudedude8931]

Mike is incredible. Lou is too. Different approaches to bass but both amazing for the Dino sound

[@uncharted-desert-isle]

Mike flows, just beautiful playing.

[@mikeramsey6175]

I've been a dinosaur jr fan since the 1980's. Some people get them and some don't. Great guitar player. I appreciate it.

[@PatrickBuchmann-tt3ip]

Same here.since'87

[@ill-shapedtransmitter4309]

I remember watching this on 120 minutes and recording it to VHS. Then I watched it so many times, I litterally destroyed the tape.

[@crazyrogerking]

he destroyed that guitar on that monster solo....just completely shredded it into pieces! It was so natural too, he wasnt even thinking, just flowing his thoughts and feelings up and down and all around that guitar neck.

[@thevx5640]

1994.....back when MTV used to play music.

[@welcometotheresistence2651]

"...reality TV shows, killed the video-star..." MTV airs everything BUT music. Kurt Loder is pissed-off about the whole thing too. that's how he used to get all the chicks, by telling them he's an MTV-VJ. he blames dr.dre, ed lover and 'yo mtv raps' for the demise of mtv..............ah, the 90's.

[@homeoxygen3098]

MTV plays what they think people will watch... Back in the 90s this stuff was popular, fashionable even. We don't need MTV anymore anyway- can find pretty much everything on here for free. Let them stew in their own shittyness!

[@klinkerkk]

Sam Brightwell Your comment rules the whole world. Fuck MTV and all that "look how millionaire i'm as miserable you're" shit. We can really have a lot of good stuff any other place around.

[@NameNotAlreadyTaken2]

Honestly MTV always sucked. Dead Kennedys had the song "MTV Get Off The Air" back in 85. It was never actually good or even acceptable, it was just all we had.

[@maryellenleach7457]

THE VX HELLS YEAH

[@camstewart4425]

It's insane they were the best ! Never got the cred better than all 90s bands. They get better they fade away !

[@camstewart4425]

Others fade ! They grow !!

[@nigeldpablo]

Getting up most everyday......there never is a good time....dude these lyrics are such amazing honesty.....way more heavy then slayer or hum...just a honest dude trying to be part of this weird world we all are a part of. such honesty....this is such a slap in the face of truth....I am thankful He never gave up. Such feels straight to the soul....

[@jacobfowler4426]

too true

[@averyadrian1534]

This song is my reality

[@mikemathlete]

This exact vibe is the essence of why I love this band

[@creepycraig73]

Back when Jay's stacks would knock the breath out of you for an hour and the door prize was being near stone deaf for a week after.

[@andrewfallon7963]

That's still a thing. I saw them two years ago and I don't think my hearing has ever been the same.

[@strictlydubwise]

@@andrewfallon7963 Nonetheless -- back in the '90s they were exponentially louder than they are now. J & the Fog too. On the other hand, their shows these days tend to sound better because they're not as loud.

[@dougtrapp4631]

I can 2nd this. I've seen them the last two times they've came through Minneapolis, most recently last year. I go to a lot of shows, but this one was different. It must have been 4-5 days of constant ringing in the ears, most irritable when I tried to sleep. I was generally concerned it'd last forever.. 😳😂 My next Dino show I may shamefully wear some plugs for the first time. Fuck I'm getting old..

[@mackeydirk8643]

Been there my brother.....saw DJ play at the Electric Factory in Philly......couldn't hear anything for days!

[@brandonbailey8649]

Truth. He doesn't play nearly as loud now. Either that or I have permanent hearing loss.

[@amandacorrin]

Working on an audit and it's mind numbing. Was listening to Green Mind and Thumb is playing. I put the pen down and closed my eyes and thought what a fucking perfect piece of music if ever I heard...

[@johnnypotseed4614]

Green Mind is one of my personal favorite DJ songs EFFIN Brilliant

[@bluesdjben]

Doing the same thing right now at work. This is great.

[@jasonbetcher2159]

I would marry you.

[@RyDawg084]

Love the drumming in this tune...

[@strace67]

Murph!!

[@andreastestori5072]

He has the fucking talent to make his guitar sounds like crying

[@alex_dambrosio]

I love how at the end J is beating the crap out of his guitar then at 7:19 he's like "Alright, that's good." Great song. Good song to jam to as well, I never realized that.

[@averyadrian1534]

We had so much good music in the 90’s

[@notone4029]

J Mascis really loves playing this song you can just tell. My favorite Dino jr song EVER!!!

[@StrangeMachines1]

I love it too. Look at that solo man :D

[@codymcgrew94]

The first time I heard this drumbeat, I became so enamored with it.. and this song. I was so obsessed, I wouldn’t turn it off until I had the beat memorized. I can just put this song on repeat and sink into relaxation. Best live version by far.

[@joninocerino1990]

+1

[@Lokeacola]

I love the casual double bass for the fuck of it in a song I think most would not expect. This band just effortlessly rips in a non hair metal Jack off way in a lane all their own.

[@sstaners1234]

I was introduced to this song by the Whatever’s Cool With Me EP. “Oh, we got another tune for you.” And then they launched into pure sonic beauty. I was hooked.

[@kalbi]

5:26 is just epic, beautiful noise.

[@teresathomley3703]

Mascis causing the whammy bar to scream like children- it does sound really good, no doubt.

[@massimotria4827]

This masterpiece is beyond time.

[@TheTrueKailash]

great bass on this, he was a good bassist

[@skystudios2474]

Yeah Mike Johnson, wish he had never left. Different, but also better than Lou in my opinion.

[@dudedude8931]

No way.. total opinion, however Lou is much more dynamic in his playing. Johnson is amazing however, he hits those notes with some authority. Better though?...Nah... Just different.

[@creepycraig73]

Mike has a really great solo discography. A voice deeper than a bottomless pit. Bandcamp will sort you out.

[@getmassivede322]

@@skystudios2474 hell nah!

[@JeffreySykes]

Do you guys think he really understands how much we love him? I hope he does. Twenty plus years of bittersweet bliss coming from j's hands and mind.

[@canondare]

love that fast double kicking part

[@RyDawg084]

+Snatco Me Too

[@NameNotAlreadyTaken2]

+Snatco absolutely

[@brentlohr3394]

J’s solo is soul crushing, yet beautiful at the same time which is exactly how a guitarist should play

[@melfrog29]

Mine and my husband's first song )since 1993). Never got the chance to see you since we are in the Southeast. We are married now over 8 years now… And this is still our song! Thank you J Mascis and Dinosaur Jr!! Much love and blessings upon you all and your fans and families!

[@selfgen2]

MEL29 what’s the song about? Is that what makes it special to you and your husband. Just wondering, hearing song for first time.

[@averyadrian1534]

You have a sister?

[@JeffreySykes]

Because of this song I can take on the world. I love you J!

[@averyadrian1534]

I saw these guys in ‘93 amazing guitarist - magical

[@Jspnj85]

Whenever I see the speaker Mike Johnson on tv I think of this bass player

[@KneedleKnees]

this is how electric guitar should be played: sloppy as fuck but emotive as hell.

[@maryellenleach7457]

KneedleKnees well said sir.

[@txzz4688]

KneedleKnees sloppy lol no brilliant

[@smoofest]

that´s exactly fucking right

[@swankybeebop8449]

It's been 7 years, but your so right

[@Yogurt0107]

Live version is better than studio recording

[@amandacorrin]

Agreed! So good.

[@jixxxxer17]

DJ Yogurt def way cooler awesome

[@richardg5301]

I feel that way about that entire album.

[@jessop-]

@@richardg5301 a live album of green mind would be amazing. It's probably my favourite dino album, but this song & the wagon are definitely better live.

[@lukeheins123]

Fully agree

[@ryanries4063]

This is it, my absolute favorite KZbin vid.

[@maryellenleach7457]

ryan ries I'm kinda in love with you

[@kristiemcconathy4604]

Same here

[@DavidNorinsky]

I love J's solos, they always take a left turn and send you in a different direction but never go outside the lines.

[@markolivas7172]

still cool over 20 years later.

[@christco120]

Murph is dressed like he just spent the day laying tile or carpet or something.

[@freeecountryy]

+christco120 He looks like he just finished his shift at the Sunoco and got to the studio just in time.

[@WMG98]

He laid the foundation of this performance :D

[@shiznicks74]

I think that's George Berz, not Murph. I could be wrong though. They kinda look alike.

[@captaintifany]

shiznicks74 that is Murph

[@paulitik7]

The audio quality on this is pretty remarkable for KZbin

[@hiwattbob]

I was in 9th grade when I heard the live version of this song on Whatever’s cool with me. Changed the way I thought about guitar (I play by ear mainly). J made it cool to shred in the era of no-wanking. (Cue Sinatra…) and did it his way.

[@theeeediotr]

Oh, shit. They're on fire! The rhythm section is killing it - so tight.

[@mountainsuperstudio167]

What a great live. Caught them in 91 somewhere in the Belgian countryside, their sound muffled through the wind in the open field. Unforgettable.

[@dawsonnichols3166]

Ahhh the moment when J hits the distortion takes me head off everytime.

[@NVGTO]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@davidphilipsmusic]

Ah man I remember when this was on TV. I recorded it on VHS and watched it over and over. I am always grateful to have been around at this time, and to have been the age I was, just starting to play guitar and be in bands. I also remember when Pearl Jam came on MTV and just blew my mind an changed my life. Fuckin amazing time to be young. I feel sorry for kids now days.

[@minusonegirl616]

are you serious about pearl jam? I will keep all other thoughts about that time in music to myself....

[@slothedog]

Good idea, no one's interested.

[@minusonegirl616]

I was just considering all the incredible bands from a half a decade earlier like husker du, dinosaur, minutemen, etc. who didn't receive the attention they deserved and could barely make it from show to show. whereas, as a result of the grunge scene, bands like pearl jam who were musically inferior in the eyes of many independent music fans seemingly hit the scene with relative ease. also, many of the bands from this era including nirvana caused underground music to become mainstream. so, I don't think that was such a harmful thing to say. I apologize for the slight dis on pearl jam.... each to their own. take care all

[@johnnypotseed4614]

Great point! When you started naming bands off I thought you were going through my record collection.

[@felix-rb1oe]

J’s solos might not be the most technically inclined, I find that he knows how to pour feeling and soul into them

[@predeterminedmeat5024]

Some of his solo's actually are kinda hard.

[@stevensavage7870]

He made it work even though the the G string went out of tune

[@mattaki]

this bassline is officially BADASS!

[@carlcruysberghs2298]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jimmcilwham3431]

Holy crap, I thought the "Whatever's Cool With Me" was the best live version but this is excellent. Thanks for posting.

[@mackeydirk8643]

This is an epic song used to elevate the bass in the mix and play this walking to class in college. Love it!

[@lonboomer8147]

Mike Johnson is still my fave bassist in Dino. this version of the band and then with George is just fantastic. i like Lou but he really came thru in the albums for me in terms of bass sound and i didn't see the original line up until 2006

[@jaymerino1912]

Was curious who that was. Looks like john tibbles.

[@averyadrian1534]

Modern day blues song

[@Huelogy]

love all the noise

[@RB939393]

Huelogy love ur picture. Best band ever

[@Huelogy]

Reid Betten hey pizza huts good too

[@rollacoasta9676]

just the best song ever

[@franmoreiracascante932]

I love this song ❤ there's nothing much to say.

[@bobl.1439]

mike johnson forever!

[@facundozalazar]

Max Headroom on bass!

[@r11j21s71]

Facundo Zalazar lol totally

[@joeyrogerson83]

Hahaha nailed it

[@slightreturner2655]

LOL

[@strace67]

all hail the Murph! What a great tune. all of them at the peak of their game So damn good

[@ShepTheBep]

Great band. Glad J, Lou and Murph are back making music together.

[@quentincollins9338]

This never gets old, amazing!

[@rogerdittus2952]

That.Was..Beautiful....(teardrop falls)

[@smallfaucet]

Ahhh......my youth ❤

[@Chris197980CH]

J is not from this world, unbelievable guitar playing...

[@madzen112]

They were so grunge. Even before grunge.

[@joshuawade777]

never tired of listening to this

[@michaellminto5272]

All hail this band! Simply the best!

[@UntitledPanda]

What is this? MTV playing....MUSIC? And not just any music...but GOOD music? Takes me back...

[@atwoodvscondor]

I'm pretty sure this is from early 1993. I remember watching this on Sunday March 14, 1993. I had a massive stomach pain - massive - and 12 hours later was having my appendix out. I was 19. Another great session on 120 Minutes.

[@nomad1713]

What was it like being a teen in the early 90s? Was it as amazing as they say it was?

[@chrisytfc879]

It sucked, because being a teenager always sucks, but the music was great!

[@FridgeRoast]

Always loved the snare sound on this track.. some kind of hollow echo so cool

[@averyadrian1534]

Woah that tone!!!

[@strace67]

Love every thing about this. So damn good But have to say... Murph steals the show Magic feet

[@howardthemelvin09]

solo... (6:26) STOP (wtf?) and he just brings it back...beautiful

[@JeffreySykes]

Seven people don't know just what is in store.

[@koos7025]

lowkey masterpiece

[@BrettMorin]

I feel like the angst and what I felt in high school is basically Dinosaur Jr in a bottle. Some people like Pearl Jam, Dinosaur Jr was my jam in high school in the 90's.

[@mathiasjonsson8222]

The bass sound/tone is spot on.

[@xntruth9131]

Best version of this song

[@RyDawg084]

Hey guy's it's me again...Just got off a 12-hr shift, and ready to start the weekend right!...Best guitar player in the world..self-taught, no lessons.....

[@teresathomley3703]

J Mascis and his hair look so impossibly cool. Great stage presence.

[@Kakolotan00]

Murph is incredible!

[@minusonegirl616]

couldn't agree more and j is no slouch either on the skins as you know.

[@cerebral-sound]

Murph was taught by J who originally played drums when forming Dinosaur after their early days in Deep Wound.

[@double2neck342]

Miss 120 Minutes...D Jr. made it that much better!!

[@TunaSoda]

Recently released on vinyl, just picked it up :)

[@antoniogarciaujaque7661]

Esto es único lo escuche por primera vez con 16 o 17 años y todavía me sigue gustando

[@bitterwaterblue]

This wails so hard

[@jaymerino1912]

a true legend.

[@rrbh]

Deep Wound legend.

[@TheLaurenbentley1]

This makes me sooooooooo happy. Best memories from the old days

[@Waxy_Lou]

Dat tone!

[@Riza31417]

They are so cool....

[@stuartharrison165]

The master of the Jazz master .

[@setasan]

This live version is so good. God i wish those guys come to play in my town.

[@JBmusicart]

🤘👽🤘