J Mascis (/ˈmæskɪs/ MASS-kiss; born Joseph Donald Mascis Jr., December 10, 1965) is an American musician, best known as the singer, guitarist and main songwriter for the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. He has also released several albums as a solo artist and played drums and guitar on other projects. His most recent solo album, Tied to a Star, was released in August 2014.He was ranked number 86 in a Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists",and number 5 in a similar list for Spin magazine in 2012. 　　In 2000 he began producing albums with his new band, J Mascis + The Fog. In 2003, the house and studio he owned burned down. In August 2005 Mascis released J and Friends Sing and Chant For Amma, a solo album under the J Mascis and Friends banner. The album consists of devotional songs dedicated to Hindu religious leader Mata Amritanandamayi, or Ammachi, about whom he had written "Ammaring" on the first J Mascis + The Fog album More Light. The proceeds from the album are being donated to tsunami relief efforts Ammachi's organization is spearheading. In 2008 the six-track album was made available digitally on his own Baked Goods label. In 2006 Mascis returned to drumming with his newly formed heavy metal band Witch for their self-titled debut album.Also that year, he collaborated with Evan Dando on a new Lemonheads album. The Lemonheads was released that September, featuring Mascis playing lead guitar. 　　In 2010 Mascis joined with John Petkovic and Tim Parnin of Cobra Verde and Dave Sweetapple of Witch to form Sweet Apple. The self-titled debut album was released on Tee Pee Records.Mascis plays drums, guitar, and sings on the album. 　　Mascis released a mostly acoustic album in March 2011 titled Several Shades of Why on Sub Pop Records.He was joined in the studio by several guest musicians, including Kurt Vile, Ben Bridwell and Sophie Trudeau.[19] Mascis toured North America with Vile as support act to promote the album.[20][21] In 2013 Richard Ayoade cast J Mascis in a small role, a caretaker, in his film The Double. Mascis's electric guitar work is featured on the 2014 Strand of Oaks album Heal. 　　In April 2014 he played with reunited Nirvana on a secret gig after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions. He sang the songs School, Pennyroyal Tea and Drain You.[23] In August 2014 he released the solo album Tied to a Star on Sub Pop and toured in support of it.