Freak Scene

Dinosaur Jr’s video for “Freak Scene” from the album Bug.

In the late 1980s, John Robb’s band, The Membranes, was signed to Homestead Records in the U.S., alongside acts like Sonic Youth, Big Black, and Dinosaur Jr. They befriended Dinosaur Jr through touring and mutual interests, especially in punk and oi music. When Dinosaur Jr toured the UK with Steve Albini’s band Rapeman, John saw them perform in Leeds and Chester. After the Chester gig, Dinosaur Jr stayed at the his chaotic shared house in Manchester, decorated with odd art and full of colorful mayhem. The band, fond of sweets and late-night chats, especially about obscure punk bands, stayed for a few days. Lou Barlow racked up a huge phone bill calling his girlfriend. A week later, Dinosaur Jr returned to film their “Freak Scene” video in the house’s quirky garden, using props from around the home.

• read the full backstory direct from Joh Robb at the great LouderThanWar.com