The Breeders with J Mascis - "Divine Mascis"

Photo by K Rector

Way back in June I first discovered there was a version of The Breeders' "Divine Hammer" featuring J Mascis, and I desperately wanted to hear it. I assumed I'd have to wait until Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition to be released on September 22, but The Breeders decided to release it a couple of days early! "Divine Mascis" features Mascis on guitar and lead vocals for this version of "Divine Hammer," and the song is basically reworked around him. It sounds more dreamy and pop than the original, and less Dinosaur Jr than I ever would have expected. The bass also seems to kick a little harder on "Divine Mascis," which is fairly unexpected. It's a fun re-imagining of an iconic song from the 90's and makes me wonder what could have been if this ended up on Last Splash.

Kelley Deal says of the newly released song:

“At the time, J Mascis was a guitar god… we sent him the tape to put guitar on, so when it came back and he’s got rid of our voices and just put his vocal on, we were like, ‘Wha?!’ But it’s really cute. There’s a freshness to it, and it’s just so weird. I like his voice and the idiosyncratic way he sings and delivers lines. So I thought it was really neat.”

You can watch the video for "Divine Mascis" below. Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition) will be out September 22 on 4AD, and is available for pre-order here. For more on The Breeders, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

21 September – SILVER SPRINGS, MD, USA, Fillmore %

23 September – BROOKLYN, NY, USA, Kings Theater %

24 September – BOSTON, MA, USA, House of Blues %

3 October – PHOENIX, AZ, USA, Talking Stick Resort *

5 October – EL PASO, TX, USA, Don Haskins Center *

7 October – FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall

8 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Austin City Limits Music Festival

13 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheater

15 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Austin City Limits Music Festival

18 October – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

19 October – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Wiltern #

20 October – SAN DIEGO, CA, USA, Observatory #

22 October – BIG SUR, CA, USA, Henry Miller Library #

23 October – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, The Warfield #

25 October – SEATTLE, WA, USA, Paramount #

20 January 2024 – AUCKLAND, NZ, Go Media Stadium *

24 January 2024 – CHRISTCHURCH, NZ, Apollo Projects Stadium *

27 January 2024 – WELLINGTON, NZ, Sky Stadium *

5 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

6 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

8 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

9 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

13 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

14 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

16 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

17 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

* with Foo Fighters

% with Screaming Females 

# with Belly

^ with Olivia Rodrigo