Dinosaur Jr., reunited after years of band infighting, has lost none of its fire.

The band, a pioneer of '90s alternative rock and key influence for bands such as Nirvana, tore into its old and new material alike on Tuesday night at Lulu's Nightspot, 129 1/2 S. Pugh St. Opening bands Awesome Color and Illinois played about 45-minute sets before Dinosaur Jr. took the stage.

Dinosaur Jr.'s stop in State College was part of a tour that finds the band playing a number of college towns.

"We grew up in college towns, so we know what it's like," bassist Lou Barlow said. "We love college towns!"

That was the extent of the night's banter. The members of the band appeared completely focused on the music, barely glancing up to look at the crowd. Guitarist J Mascis and Barlow stood with their faces obscured by their hair, with Barlow often turning his back to the audience entirely and facing his amp.

Dinosaur Jr. is known for its volume, and the band delivered.

Though the band has only three members, the sheer force of the music shook the venue. Mascis stood ensconced in three full amplifier stacks, feedback humming from the speakers between songs, while drummer Murph pounded away with ferocious intensity.

Chris Archibald, lead singer for opening band Illinois, commented on Dinosaur Jr.'s massive amount of equipment, which was already onstage during the openers' sets. He pointed to the tiny Peavey amplifier he had borrowed for the show, which was dwarfed by Mascis's amps.

Though the band released an album, Beyond, following its reunion in 2005, shouted song requests from the crowd focused mostly on older material. Each song featured at least one extended guitar solo, including a rendition of "Pick Me Up" that lasted more than 10 minutes.