Here’s one for the ’90s indie rock lovers: The Breeders have shared “Divine Mascis,” a long-lost version of their Last Splash cut “Divine Hammer” that features Dinosaur Jr. axeman J Mascis on lead vocals. Check it out below.
You’d think Mascis would be playing guitar on the song, since he’s one of the most inventive and beloved players of the original indie rock scene. That’s what The Breeders expected, too, when they sent “Divine Hammer” to the artist way back in the day.
“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?!’” Kelley Deal told Uncut. “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.”
Even without his guitar tone, “Divine Mascis” has the Dinosaur Jr. singer all over it, from his inimitable drawl to a general lackadaisical quality that the original, slightly faster “Divine Hammer” lacks. The track even comes with a brand new music video, directed by Sabrina Nichols, featuring Mascis himself playing the song.
“Divine Mascis” is part of The Breeders’ upcoming Last Splash reissue Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition), out in full September 22nd. In addition to two 12-inch, 45rpm vinyl discs of the original album, the box set also features an etched 12-inch disc containing the Mascis cut and “Go Man Go,” a track that Breeders leader Kim Deal co-wrote with her Pixies bandmate Black Francis. Both songs were long forgotten amid the Last Splash analog tapes, which were previously thought to be lost.
The Breeders will perform Last Splash in its entirety on an upcoming tour that sees them joined by guitar innovators of past and present, including Belly, Horsegirl, and Screaming Females. Additionally, the band is slated to open up for Foo Fighters and Olivia Rodrigo on tour. Tickets to all of their upcoming shows are on sale now via here.
