Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis announces new band: Sweet Apple

Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis has launched a new band, the gently named Sweet Apple. The group, featuring members of Cobra Verde and Witch, are to release their debut album on 30 March 2010 (TeePee Records).

Their formation was announced with suitably dramatic language, claiming to have “been born by accident and friendship – out of death, after a cross-country drive”. Apparently, singer-guitarist John Petkovic went on a road trip after the death of his mother; he headed east from Cleveland, smoking cigarettes, not knowing where he was headed. Eventually, he met up with Mascis and Witch bassist Dave Sweetapple, both old friends. And Mascis told him to write some songs. “I tell people that I saved John’s life by starting this band,” he said. “But they don’t believe me.”

Petkovic enlisted guitarist Tim Parnin, his band-mate from Cobra Verde, and before long they were recording the album Love and Desperation in Cleveland and Massachusetts. “I hadn’t even played guitar for months,” Petkovic explained, “and then, out of the blue, there were all these songs.” The record was mixed by Don Depew and long-time Dinosaur Jr producer John Agnello.

Sweet Apple plans to tour and play South by Southwest. The band is also planning a video for Do You Remember, the straight-ahead classic-rock banger of an opening track. You can stream and download Do You Remember right HERE (courtesy of Pitchfork)

Continue Reading: Guardian.co.uk: Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis announces new band

Tags: Cobra Verde, Dave Sweetapple, Dinosaur Jr., guardian.co.uk, J Mascis, John Petkovic, pitchfork, Sean Michaels, Sweet Apple, TeePee Records, Witch

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