Hey.

Paging Mr. Brock

2009-12-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Dec. 17, 2009

Glacial Pace Recordings
c/o Isaac K. Brock
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
PO Box No. 448
Portland, OR 97214

Isaac:

I would like to write a Modest Mouse compendium, with your permission.
Obviously, you didn't prefer the liberties a previous writer took when attempting to "document" the band's story by piecing together a book from questionable, if not wholly inaccurate, articles.
That is not what I am proposing.
The compendium would simply be a print companion for Modest Mouse fans, musicologists, and guitar nuts. It would include, with permission, session notes from: the shed, Dub Narcotic, Moon, Clava, Sweet Tea, Glacial Pace - among other studios - and any other home studio recording notes you would be willing to provide.
The Modest Mouse-like compendium would also include album release dates, any permissible artwork I can track down, Pat and Naheed photos, and notes on the approach the band took before, during and after the works' release.
It would be the kind of book that I scour the music section of book stores for - detailed, accurate and concise. It would shed light on the more technical aspects of your recording career.
Topics would include: Why you first screamed into your pick-ups; use of Floyd Rose and the delay; the shed recordings; Eric's bass technique and foray into other stringed instruments; Jeremiah and Joe's progressive drumming approach; Tom and Johnny's composition additions and would include some of your favorite production techniques and tricks.
Ultimately, I also envision it as a way for true friends and fans to better understand your guys' work, your personal influence and a brief history behind and somewhat beyond the records.
I don't want it to get too personal beyond inclusion of some selected lyrics and three of your favorite culinary recipes to close the book.
For now, this is a developing idea. I am prepared to take my time and wait for your ideas and edits that would better mold the compendium any way you see fit.

Thank you for thinking about this. I think the compendium would tandem nicely with the planned re-release of MM works on Glacial Pace. And I look forward to hearing from you.

Steve

Self-addressed stamped envelope enclosed.

Trimming the edges - A Modest Mouse-like compendium.

2009-12-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

A compendium: is a concise, yet comprehensive compilation of a body of knowledge. A compendium may summarize a larger work.

And this is the idea I've been kicking around: A Modest Mouse-like Compendium.

A short book that would work in tandem with the group's music catalog. It would give dates and back stories to their recordings. It would, in all likelihood, not include any input from the band. Which, I have to say, is unfortunate. But, I'm going to write Isaac a letter, asking him what he thinks, and if it's OK.

While I don't need his permission, I'd certainly appreciate it.

Jeremiah Green

2009-10-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Green's drumming is comparable to an out-of-work habachi chef.
He feels comfortable - at home even - with fire at his fingertips. He deftly manages to balance workmanlike performances with brash flashes of creativity.
You can tell he's in the pocket when he brandishes an outlaw, bank-robbin' bandana look.

The chef is constantly in preparation - dicing and slicing his musical cuisine - but still in synchronized symbiosis with fellow drummer Joe Plummer. Green oftentimes matches his sous chef beat-for-beat, producing a cauchopnous display of percusssion not seen or heard since the days of The Dead.
Green, however, is a bit more free and wild-eyed than the placid Plummer. His creations are a delight; wild, spicy and served on time.

So that'sssssss what he was talking about

2009-07-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

In an earlier post MM guitar tech Brian Watson referred to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's contribution to the new Modest Mouse tunes.
At first I had no idea what he was talking about. Until I heard this, the latest single "Perpetual Motion Machine".
More Cosby intro than vintage MM, the single features the eight-piece brass ensemble Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
I have preordered the single (which features the as-of yet unreleased track "History Sticks To Your Feet") just like 4,000 of my friends and am anticipating the final 7-inch vinyl's release, due July 21.

Re-vid

2009-07-14T07:26:00.001-07:00

Great video, decent fidelity. Check it.

Taking in the recycling

2009-07-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Isaac's guitar tech of the last three years, Brian Watson, has been kind to this site.

Most recently, we asked him what effects, if any, Isaac was using on the band's recent release "Whale Song". Here's his nearly unedited reply.

"those pedals are pretty much the same as used on these recent live tours; the boss PS-5 is one of the only pedals being used in that song. i think he recorded some overdubs with a '64 fender deluxe, but not sure, and don't know what johnny was using on that. for as much as is going on in that song, there aren't that many effects on isaac's parts. that part and maybe 1-2 others were recorded in the studio, the rest were tracked in isaac's home studio. many of the songs on the new EP feature outtakes from the "good news" sessions that have been re-written, including some recycled DDBB [Dirty Dozen Brass Band?] parts."

Some rad video of PS-5 in action.
Good to know ... wondering if Isaac's "home studio" is actually home to Glacial Pace Recordings. One has to assume ...

He's in the band, and he's not in the band

2009-06-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Johnny Marr is a great guitarist whose skills are always in demand.
But in this June 13 interview w/BBC, Marr hinted that he'll be spending the forseeable future playing guitar out of the back of a Cribs van.
Marr was also quoted as saying Modest Mouse was on a "vague hiatus" due to Isacc's involvement on what is, presumably, a music soundtrack.
Hmmm ... I know Isaac was involved with The Flaming Lips' "Christmas on Mars", a recent surf documentary "180 Degrees South" and, most recently, the music documentary "The Heart Is A Drum Machine" ... but a nice block of tour dates that begins in August goes against Marr's comments that Modest Mouse is being vague or on hiatus.
Isaac's really diggin' on film projects lately. I've been meaning to see them, but as of yet have been unable to do so ...
Nonetheless, Sounds like Marr ain't going to show up with the band anytime soon. Jim Fairchild will, no doubt, provide solid backing as he did on the last tour.
Hat tip: Johnny's comments were first reported by www.interstate-8.com.

The final vinyl (CD)

2009-06-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's here (almost).
The true, full-length version of Modest Mouse's latest studio album will be released Aug. 4 on CD and Aug. 17 on vinyl according to the fine folks over at Interstate-8.com
Have to say that after luke-warm initial impressions of the live versions, the alubum is shaping up to be/become an expansive rock statement.
As usual - you've got the somewhat quiet ones (Autumn Beds) which devolve into loud ones (again, Autumn Beds and Guilty Cocker Spaniels), among others.
In another positive move IMO, the band's corp. site www.modestmousemusic.com has inserted what appears to be your own personal, iTunes style player that delves into the band's catalog as far back as Nasty Parlour Tricks (a truly great roadtrip album just like all the early records).
Currently I'm diggin' on "Baron Von Bullshit Rides Again" a snapshot of the band's live performance. If you don't own this album (or any live MM for that matter) it comes highly recommended. It's a much better purchase than The Moon & Antarctica's reissue (which contains only two live songs, w/bleeped lyrics).
I know Isaac wanted to remix and reissue the Moon with his own money and Sony eventually agreed to reissue the classic indie album, w/the addition of a few songs recorded during BBC radio sessions.
But again - not worth it. Go with the Baron.

MoMoPhotos

2009-06-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

These are a few select photos from Twin Cities photographer Kyle Dreher, who shot the Mouse at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul when the band opened for R.E.M. this past winter. Show was a little flat, but the pics are pretty good.
On a related topic, I sent some questions to Modest Mouse photographer Pat Graham ...

Banjomama: Isaac and crew run through Satin in a Coffin

Isaac and the sunray:
Oi! Tom Peloso (multi-instrumentalist) and Eric Judy (multi-instrumentalist) run through a tune.

Hey.

2009-05-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

With the impeding release of the new Modest Mouse EP, and its prerequisite single containing "Satellite Skin" and "Guilty Cocker Spaniels", it got me thinking:
What are the best back-to-back Modest Mouse songs?
For my money, "Positive Negative (You Breathe Out, I Breathe In)" and "Other People's Lives" off of Building Nothing Out of Something are, perhaps, the best one-two punch in the Modest Mouse catalog.
The tunes drip with a general malaise of melancholia. Isaac's guitar has never sounded better, and his doubled vocals sound young and fresh.
Granted, these tunes weren't released as singles, and they are the final two songs on the album. However, it's worth noting that nothing Modest Mouse has released before or since has been as stellar and originally heart-breaking as these two songs.
Check them out, let me know what you think ...

A surf. Rock. Band.

2009-05-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Electric guitarist Isaac K. Brock, multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Judy collaborated with Shins' lead singer James Mercer (probable payback for Mercer's vocal additions on We Were Dead ...) last spring, apparently adding some grooves to a soon-to-be released and striking surf flick "180 Degrees South".
Chances are the Surf Rock Band From The Land of Plenty aren't going to sound much like Jack Johnson. Probably just a shake of Floyd Rose and a dab of accordian and violin.

Here's a relavant excerpt from the Pitchfork (James Mercer) interview (in lieu of link):

However, one collaboration with another famous indie band that he would talk about was a film soundtrack he worked on with Modest Mouse. It's for the film 180 Degrees South, a documentary by surfing filmmakers the Malloy Brothers. Mercer explained, "Early last spring I went to Chile with a production company that was doing a documentary about a guy who travels to Chile and he runs in with these people who are doing some environmental work down there. So I was invited to come down to Chile while they were filming it because they thought that I might be able to write some music for it. I worked with Isaac Brock on it. We just kind of watched footage after I came back and got inspired and we put together some music."

In addition to Brock, Mercer worked on the soundtrack with Modest Mouse members Plummer, Eric Judy, and Tom Peloso. Mercer described the soundtrack as, "Definitely more soundscapes. I did a lot of acoustic guitar work, Isaac did some electric guitar, Eric Judy has like an accordion thing he was doing and of course playing bass, and then violin." You can hear a snippet of the mostly instrumental soundtrack in the film's trailer here.

Oh, yeah. Interview says Joe "The" Plummer is now a member of The Shins. MM Photog Pat Graham says, however, he's still a member of Modest Mouse. As is Johnny Marr. And Isaac K. Brock.
Full interview if you really want it.

Do you really live in a VW Bus?

2009-03-31T22:20:00.001-07:00

No One's First And You're Next August

2009-03-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Pat's!

Brooklyn Vegan is reporting that Modest Mouse will release an eight-song EP "No One's First And You're Next" in August.
Update: Interstate 8 says its Aug. 4.
But first, a 7-inch vinyl with "Satellite Skin" and "Guilty Cocker Spaniels" is likely to be released April 18 (out digitally April 21), the site reports. It will be the first of four 7-in vinyls containing the singles before the EP is released.

Sounds like the Mouse is maximizing its profits here ...

Though the band hasn't confirmed any other releases, New Jersey record store Vintage Vinyl reports MM will offer three more singles before releasing the eight-song EP.
"Modest Mouse will be releasing four 7-inch singles, 2 songs on each single, all leading up to the 8-song EP No One’s First and You’re Next in early August. The first 7” will be on orange vinyl, is housed in a three-panel embossed sleeve and arrives just in time for Record Store Day."

Modest Mouse will also perform on Letterman on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Modest Mouse's previous EPs (Interstate 8, Building Nothing Out of Something, Everywhere and His Nasty Parlor Tricks) have arguably outdone their full-length studio records, so I'm interested to hear this BECAUSE it's an EP.

Interstate-8.com reports likely tracks:
1. Satellite Skin
2. Guilty Cocker Spaniels
3. Whale Song
4. King Rat
5. I've Got It All (Most)
6. Tie The Lake Down?
7. History?
8. Something else?

Others?

Brock appears on Mimicking Birds' latest?

2009-03-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

Modest Mouse lead singer/guitarist sneaks his way on to Mimicking Birds lead singer/guitarists latest song "The Loop".

Perhaps by now you have heard of Mimicking Birds, the Portland-based easy-indie band that has seemingly appropriated a Brockian guitar part for "The Loop's" main hook. But what you may not have heard is the subtle vocal additions to the song on the Glacial Pace site.
For one reason or another, Brock's vocals show up in the form of a faint howl. Later, a creeky door closes and a few subtly textured Wicks Guitar parts seem to work their way into the mix.

Did Brock add them? I'm assuming so. Does Lacy know? I'm sure he does. What does this mean? Who the eff knows. But one thing's for sure: The Loop streaming on Glacial Pace is different than the version on MySpace. Just enjoy the music. It is my hope that Isaac Brock and the meaning of life will soon reveal themselves.

The Dude: on the road with Modest Mouse roadie

2009-03-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Isaac Brock's "half moon" guitar pedal set-up. Shown here at Visalia Fox Theatre soundcheck.

If you haven't seen it yet, perhaps the best "inside look" at the Modest Mouse stage show can be seen from MM guitar tech Brian's road blog. His smooth, concise writing and capable pictures already make it more interesting than A Pretty Good (HA!) Read.
Whether he's lifting weights on a mic box or trading Big Lebowski quotes with fellow roadeyes, Brian manages to deftly allow the average fan/guitar nerd close access to a notoriously closed-door band.

News Cut: Modest Mouse news and notes

2009-03-02T07:32:00.000-08:00

Modest Mouse photog all a-Twitter:
Standout photog and all-around cool guy Pat Graham has begun posting blow-by-blow accounts of the latest Modest Mouse mini tour on Twitter. No, Isaac Brock hasn't been picking fights this tour ... yet. But Graham has done a Yeoman's work, posting tidbits from the bus and links to his latest shots (The Londoner has been shooting the band since the 90s).

This is in addition to Graham's sweet Modest Mouse concert prints available for purchase on ImageKind.
And you can see his work, of course, on the mimimalist band site, which Graham all but owns.
On top of ALL of this, Graham's "photo zine" documenting Modest Mouse's 2008 tour arrived Saturday at my office (apartment).

He's been a busy man and we hope he keeps up the good Tweets (God, I hate that word).

In other news I just sent questions to the Mimicking Birds' Nate Lacy ...

Adam Sandler vs. Isaac Brock

2009-02-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

So I have to get this off my chest: I'm assuming Isaac was watching "The Wedding Singer" on the bus when he came up with "Satellite Skin". Let me know if you agree.
First, Adam Sandler

Next, Isaac Brock

Hmm ... intros sounds quite alike ... thoughts?

Modest Mouse v. 4.5

2009-02-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

Note new "member" Jim Fairchild.
Photo illustration by yours truly.

Great success!

2009-02-09T20:09:00.001-08:00

I've been added to Modest Mouse's press release list. So hopefully more news is good news for people who love bad news.
News.

Mouse scratch tour date, seek more cheese

2009-02-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

The Mouse's scheduled performance at Langerado Festival has been cancelled, along with every band's performances, due to "dismal ticket sales." No word yet on whether the tour stop will made up, scrapped all together. Still haven't heard back from MM publicist world world weekly. Thinking about cancelling my subscription.
I wonder if the EP will be released before tour? Or at all?
P.S. Looks like the band is now planning a 20-date tour that starts in Eugune, Ore. Friday, Feb. 20 and ends in NYC March 15.
But will they pick up Johnny along the way? Let's hope not. Will they stop in the great Midwest on their way back to the ORE? Why not.

Mouse and the Birds head south

2009-01-30T09:08:00.000-08:00

Pitchfork is announcing a 12-date Modest Mouse bus tour from early Feb.-early March.
The tour starts in Oakland and ends in Atlanta. Heads south.
Not surprisingly, the tour is without Johnny Marr, busy working on The Cribs's new record.
In his sted will be former Grandaddy guitarist and fellow Oregonian Jim Fairchild, Pitchfork reports. That rhymed.
Mimicking Birds will provide tour support. I'm assuming the fans will dig him/them, much as they did when Isaac had Mason Jennings open up a few years back.
More later ...

Isaac's haberdashery

2009-01-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Photo by Pat Graham. www.modestmouse.com

Welcome. You may have seen him wear this hat. Pretty sweet. Water fowl proof.

Brock signs Mimicking Birds

2009-01-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Isaac Brock's own label, Glacial Pace Recordings, has reportedly signed yet another band, Mimicking Birds, to its growing canon of Love As Laughter (who released "Holy," in 2008) and former label-mate Mason Jennings (whose one-and-done "Boneclouds," was released in 2006).

The latest signing (apparently, the 'Birds were signed earlier this year) was not announced on Glacial Pace's website, or really even discussed in the blogosphere, as best I can tell.

Initial reaction to the 'Birds' EP "Not an album, just songs": lead singer, songwriter, composer Nate Lacy (pictured) sounds like a more barren Shannon Hoon, his lyrics dreamy, rich, and his delivery quite dry. Lacy, who layed down the sparce recordings on a four-track, has added a few backups for live shows. Tim Skellenger provides "supplementary/lead guitar" and Aaron Hanson, drums.

Not a whole lot more information is available on the Portland-based Mimicking Birds. Will update when I receive more info from Isaac's publicist.

Brock is back!

2008-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Well, at least he's playing in public again. This time with Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene. In Toronto. Clip courtesy of Katuwapitiwa.

I've gotta ask: what does this mean? Is Brock joining BSS?
Chances are: no.
But considering Johnny Marr is an alleged member of numerous bands, supposedly including Modest Mouse, I say go for it. Brock has been publically complacenent since the last tour. And a check of his website, actually reveals less news than ever.
One has to assume Brock wants to stay sharp and hang with friends, or potential collaborators, in Toronto, and stretch his muscial legs so to speak.

Possible roadtrip songs

2008-10-23T10:20:00.001-07:00

Here we go ...

Marty Robbins, El Paso
99 Problems, Danger Mouse
At least that's what you said, Wilco
My Maria, Brooks n' Dunn
Hair down, Cold War Kids
Donde esta la playa, Walkmen
Wigwam, Bob Dylan
The Rat, Walkmen
I Get Around, Tupac
Benny and the Jets, Elton John
Life of Arctic Sounds, Modest Mouse
Lil Wayne, Lollipop
Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Don Williams
Ring of Fire, Johnny Cash
Song of the South, Alabama
Tiny Dancer, Elton John

Neil Young and the restless

2008-10-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Last night's Neil Young concert at the Xcel Energy Center was effing amazing. While I waited years for this show (it was on my concert bucket list), I never expected the performance turned in by Canada's finest export.
Young, 62, hit the stage just after 9 p.m. in a paint-splattered jacket, a t-shirt, jeans and New Balance. The set featured numerous hits "Hey Hey My My (both blue and black)" "Old Man" and "Cortez the Killer" stood out. He also played my favorite "Needle and the Damage Done."
Two hours later I had seen what was probably the greatest concert of my life.
Setlist, video are here.

Johnny Marr gone ... well, almost

2008-08-21T10:03:00.001-07:00

So it's been some 50 days since I last posted on the ol' blog. I've been busy: band, life, dog, work, breathe. I've always felt a bit slighted since the last MM show I saw at the Xcel Center. In a nutshell: I thought Johnny Marr basically sucked and the band phoned in its performance.
Which brings me to this news. Johnny Marr is joining the Cribs "full time." That doesn't necessarily mean he won't be working with Modest Mouse, but you have to assume it's likely. Marr said in an interview a while back he believes every band he's been in has been the best band in the world at that time. So good luck, and good riddance Prince Marr.
Does this mean we can expect the Mouse will return to true form (no concept albums, no guest guitarists, no six-piece lineups) and just play good rock music again sometime soon?
Gosh I hope so. That would be swell.
Update: The Cribs say Marr is still in MM
This from "Spinner":
Marr will hit the road with the Cribs when the album is complete, but those worried about Marr's contributions to Modest Mouse should fear not.
"He is still in Modest Mouse," Gary noted. "I'm very, very aware of this situation because I'm friends with the Modest Mouse guys. I love the band and I wouldn't ever wanna do that. They're between records now and we're working really fast with Johnny. He's like, 'It's all fine. Don't worry about that.' So if he's confident it won't be a problem, then I'm quite happy to go along with that."

Sounds from MM EP?

2008-07-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently rumours of a Mouse EP have been SWIRLINNNNGGG since February. This is evidenced by a recent performance of "Satellite Skin," a working song that sounds a bit like Adam Sandler's break-up tune from The Wedding Singer and an Indian (dots not feathers) influenced rhythm part by Sir Marr.
I've also seen the title "The Whale Song" on a few set lists (well, at least one). Here's a (very poorly shot, but nonetheless existent) performance from my birthday in Atlanta. Isaac's again making use of the Floyd Rose, it seems, to recreate the echolocation of a whale (entomology unkown). Good to hear Ol' Floyd again. Although the lyrical refrain sounds a bit like that of "Dashboard." It seems like The National have rubbed off on them a bit ...
Update: Another song, "Autumn Bends" has been announced in the blogoshphere, but as of yet I'm unable to track it down. EP is due out on Epic by the end of the year. I've "heard" it's going to include a number of reworked (read: not as good, crappy, but profitable) versions of songs of the last two albums.
Update No. 2: Apparently, The Mouse, Built To Spill and Isaac's pet project Love As Laughter (signed last year to his Glacial Pace "imprint" whatever that means) floated the idea of performing and recording eachothers' songs. Doesn't look like it's happening though. However, Flaming Lips are recording a record and a finishing a movie "Christmas on Mars" (featuring Isaac Brock in a cameo debut) due out on DVD before the end of 2008.

Gear

2008-06-30T14:49:00.001-07:00

It's so important. And it has changed over the years.

Isaac uses:
A custom guitar:
Brian Wicks

Pedals:
• boss BD-2 blues driver for slight drive,
• Z Vex super duper 2-in-1 "for the really loud stuff";
• boss PS-5 super shifter;
• 3 boss digital delays,
• Morley A/B/Y selector into:

Isaac's custom-made Soursound amp.

So he is giving interviews

2008-06-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm a dork. I have a Modest Mouse RSS feed. Considering MMs publicist said he wasn't doing any interviews last tour cycle (half with REM, half without) he is now apparently doing so (now that they're again out on their own). At least there's some evidence (finally) to suggest that is the case. I'm still kicking myself because I think I had an opportunity to corner him at a pop machine after the show and I didn't do it. Didn't think he could have got that far away in that short of amount of time. He's small, modest even, but very quick. Elusive. Whatever.

A book written on speculation

2008-06-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

So, I'm really racking by brain wondering how to get around the very large road block of getting the band, their friends and family to let down their guard and talk to me. Here's quite a bit of insight into that roadblock from Isaac Brock himself during a March '07 RS interview.
Just thought I'd throw this out there.

Why is Johnny Marr still playing with Modest Mouse?

2008-06-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

That is a question that plagued me for the last few months. Initially, I wondered what affect he would have on the band's sound. The answer: not much if anything. Marr, 44, is the former guitarist for the new wave band "The Smiths." Brock said he was at the top of his list to replace outgoing guitarist Dann Galucci, so he called, Marr said yes and they've been producing quizzical, banal contemporary rock and lackluster performances together since.
When closely studied, with a keen ear, nothing - I repeat - nothing Marr does stands out on record "We were dead before the ship even sank" or live "St. Paul xcel Center, June 5." Literally. The dude is there probably as a mentor and as a draw. Sounds like fun, but I keep expecting the experiment to end. It hasn't and there's no indication it will anytime soon.
He's not an outstanding guitarist, in my very humble opinion, but is a nice guy. I can understand why they like him, and why they'd pimp him for the freak show aspect of Marr joining the Mouse and therefore making the band a SuperGroup. I have to tell you, my loyal readers, that never in the history of SuperGroups, has it improved anyones sounds collectively or individually (see, most recently, Velvet Revolver; or the Plastic Ono Band if you wanna get real ol' school). It just don't work.
The Mouse's key components, its core: Brock on guitar, vocals; Eric Judy on bass and Jeremiah Green on drums is where the band draws its strength. I've seen bands add more members time and time again and I find it only weakens the potion. So go figure. Why is this continuing? Why is he still here? He's nearly a grandpa for St. Christoper's sake.

Back on the saddle: secret show; Bird man rises early at the Garden

2008-06-23T07:28:00.001-07:00

NYT Mag documentation of Williamsburg June 20 secret show. Apparently Brock went "Nutso," which I've never seen in a headline before and didn't catch any reference to during a quick scan of "story."P.S. I saw Andrew Bird's soundcheck before Saturday's "Rock the Garden" (RTG) show and it made my year.
If you aren't familiar with his work, stop what you are doing and check out these selections from Armchair Apocrapher (2007). It'll most likely change the way you listen to all other music.
At high noon June 21, the first day of my 28th year, and the longest day of the year, Bird did just that.
I didn't have tickets to RTG, but the gates were open so Dre and I were treated (along with a handful of others) to "Plasticities" and "Fiery Crash." These performances Made. My. Year. Or at least my summer. I haven't been able to get the opening of "Plasticities" out of my head since. "This isn't your music. This isn't your song. How could you be wrong?" It all culminated in the craziest loop I've ever heard: Bird layed an A & B parts guitar lick; followed that up with a single bow-strum on his violin and then began his trademark whistling, as virtuosic as any of his many musical tools all while drummer (and Minneapolitan) Martin Dosh struck some Indian finger cymbal once and produced a light funk beat; as the rhythm guitarist laid this really fast droning accompaniment that was pumped through an apparatus that looks like two Victrola's spinning. That effect alone would push sound at you every other beat, culminating in this surreal event. Dre and I stumbled upon this scene as we were trying to go play mini golf next door. Happy Birthday to me, indeed.

W.T.F. Modest Mouse?

2008-06-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Writer's note: I'll update this will a full review once I get my notes and my face isn't so red.

I came to see Modest Mouse last night at the Xcel Center and left wondering if I'll ever want to see them play again. This "period" they're in reminds me a lot of how great bands got lost in the muddled and drugged 80s. Isaac's supposedly quit heavy drugs, but maybe he needs to pop a few pills and cut the dead weight (the extra three members of the band). That had to be - bar none - the band's lowpoint. A stale, tired set barely got my knee tapping (Paper-thin Walls was the tapping exception). Johnny Marr struck me as "prince-like" note the lower-case p. He prances and skips around, strumming every now and then, seemingly waiting to collect his paycheck. The jig is up, hopefully the rouse that is the current incarnation of Modest Mouse will also end soon.
The National, however, blew me away. I did not dig their stuff before but - Wow. What a closing triumvirate of songs.

Things are lookin' up!

2008-06-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

So I DO have a pass after all.
A very fine young woman at the X scored this writer a review ticket. It'll be The National, Modest Mouse and R.E.M. So that's pretty sweet. I'll also have Kyle (my friend via Dre's Target friend Sarah) shoot photos. It has yet to be decided whether or not I'll go guerrilla and meet them after the show, but chances are I will. Hell, this is the first time they've ever played St. Paul. Gotta take advantage and put together a list of questions...

Crap.

2008-06-04T10:55:00.001-07:00

Maybe I should just stating things as fact, and then they'd come true. Like the Jeff Tweedy line: "My lies are always wishes."
Looks like I'm not getting a press pass, either. Sadness.

Ain't no party like the Democratic Party, cause the Democratic Party don't stop.

2008-06-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

Dre and I hit up the Xcel Center in St. Paul tonight for Barack Obama's Democratic Party Candidate Nomination Party (or BO'SDPCP).
Got in line (a, literal, mile-long line) just after six. Dre and I were stationed at Minnesota and 4th Street. We laughed, we kanooled, we talked politics and people watched. We ate Quiznos in line and slammed Starbucks. I can't believe the Xcel could hold everyone in line. The sight of people queing in line stretching around skyscrapers was something I'll never forget.
Dre and I both had the sense that we were witnessing history. Amazingly, the loudest commotion was made by the street vendors who were peddling everthing Obama, and nearly every person I saw walk by were smiling (save for two detractors "Go ahead, hope and pray your spot in line will change," said Harley guy; and "You guys have zero chance of getting in there," said Cubbies fan). Well our hope for change paid off. After a serpentine-like trek through Downtown, we finally made it into the X at about 8:45 p.m., along with 22,000 of BHO's closest friends. We sat just off-center in the third deck. Decent seats, good view of Barack and Michelle who entered to U2's "Beautiful Day" which was actually preceeded by Springsteen's "(Come on up for) The Rising." Trite, cliche, perfect political (especially liberal) song picks.
Obamaclinton?
Obama stated that he was happy to say he would be the Democratic Candidate for U.S. Prez. Clinton didn't conceed (yet) but it seems Bill and her staffers all but have.
While Clinton would likely accept a V.P. nod, Obama hasn't said either way who he'll choose. He did say something tonight though that made me think he might ask Hillary to be Health and Human Services secretary (the comment: "When we finalize universal health care, and we will finalize it for everyone, my friends, Hillary will have played a central role.") If you really want to read between the lines, you can speculate a cabinet spot. I just don't see him asking her to be V.P., though. She's already been to the White House and I assume he doens't want her looking over his shoulder telling him what furniture to steal.
He'll ask someone much more experienced than him. And likely someone middle-aged and white. Who has a clean, even outstanding military record. Basically, everything that he is not. Those are my narrow-minded, vague predictions. Hell, even Kennedy asked LBeffinJ, an ol' Texan coot as his V.P. to get Texas' electoral votes.
For the record: I am not a member of any political party and really don't have a leaning any way. I'm a pragmatist and I must tell you that Barack Obama is the definition of a pragmatic politician. I'm just wondering how he'll do when it comes to war.
X Marx the spot
I'll be frequenting the X a good bit, I'd assume, in the coming months. The venue is perfect for hockey, although I couldn't really make out what Obama was saying over the Beatles-on-Sullivan-esque screaming by young teenage girls and 45-year-old sweater-wearing DFLers alike.
I'm going to the Mouse on Thursday (at least I hope my media pass will come through) and will be covering the Republican National Convention there Sept. 1-4.
Modest Mouse question of the day: Who do band members support for President? Somehow I have to believe Isaac is disenfranchised with the politican system. However, I bet he digs that Barackstar is a (reformed) smoker.

It's officially not happening.

2008-06-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Just got word that the interview with Modest Mouse cannot be set up. Bummer. No real explanation as to why or why not, but I'd assume it's because I.B. doesn't feel like it. Still holding out hope that I'll be able to catch a media ticket for Thursday night's performance at the Xcel w/R.E.M. and The National.
That should be fun, maybe.
Funnily enough, I'm also planning on stopping at the X Tuesday to catch Barackstar Obama speak. We will see on that one, too.

As the days go by ...

2008-05-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Official business: I repeat: It's not looking good for an interview, but I expected as much. I set myself a deadline of June 1 for the piece and it's now May 29.
Risky business: David Byrne has quite the interesting website. One entry, in particular, caught my attention. I hear he's been daisy-chaining huge structures together, turning them into musical instruments (somewhat like Neil Young did in the 70s at his California Ranch in the Redwoods, only there he turned a barn into a left speaker, and his house into a right and proceeded to row into the middle of a lake and press play).
This experiment, however, sounds fun. The guy (a Scottish ex-Pat who dropped out of two art schools on the east coast) has way too many effects pedals, which is a nice problem to have. So, he's putting them to use in a "mandatory art exhibit." If you're wondering what the MM connection is here, Isaac is a big fan. Even stole the idea for this MTV spot from this intro made by Byrne from Stop Making Sense.
Another observation: Why would MM put up Fly Trapped In A Jar on their Sony site. That song, of all in their recent catalog, is pretty inadequate in my opinion.

Still no word from the front

2008-05-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well I'm sorry but I'm not
interested in gold mines,
oil wells,shipping or real estate
What would I liked to have been?
Everything you hate
- "The Union Forever," by The White Stripes

Looking bleak ladies and gents. Looking bleak.

Everytime you think you're walking you're just moving the ground

2008-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

With two-and-a-half weeks to their St. Paul gig, I'm left without a definitive answer on whether Isaac Brock is even doing interviews this tour cycle. They go back on the road Friday, so I suppose it would be logical to assume if I don't hear back by then, I'm probably not going to get a sanctioned interview.
I could go all guerrilla journalism and try and get one (either backstage, somehow, or outside) at their June 5 St. Paul gig. But I e-mailed their publicist saying if Isaac isn't talking, any band member would suffice. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say, hope not, though.
She agreed to send me Love As Laughter's latest release, due June 24. They're signed to Glacial Pace (lead singer was also in a band with Isaac).
Lunchtime!

Even odd numbers

2008-05-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Zoned out during council and spewed this out.

Under tables wobble like moving lips
Fingertips drip from dirty partnerships
He speaks up after swallowing a pill
Filling your head like a fire drill
Delicious budgets weighed down with ink
Even odd numbers and the kitchen sink
Pull back the drapes see the yellow sun
Checks bounce like a trampoline
Doing it again until its done
Even odd numbers fall to none.
No ism like skepticism
See so much light through this Chevy Prism
He finds percentages don’t add up
To a precise business decision
Even odd numbers make long division

I read a lot of books on tape

2008-05-16T11:17:00.001-07:00

I'm probably not going to get a whole lot of research done this weekend. Gig tonight at Dinkytowner, gig tomorrow at Shannonpalooza 3 (co-worker's house party, beer provided).
Still planning on the interview to run in Reveille before the June 5 show. However, I read an entry in Dre's "Harper's Bazaar" last night (don't ask where or why I was reading this), and the horoscope said "Accept that after the 26th inevitabilities will not be changed." WTF? Not sure what that meant, but I drank it down half-empty.
It's looking like, if anything, this interview will be a Pyrrhic victory.
As for the tour, MM is still planning on a June 5 stop at the Xcel Center opening for R.E.M.
• I'm wondering about MM's tour habits (why they are still using a bus, how that affects their dynamic, if the bus has a name, if they read a lot of books on tape ... that sort of thing) and whether this is the "biggest" and most lucrative tour yet (alone, they're charging $35 a pop before surcharges).
• The gigs with REM are sporadic - with the bands playing together for only about half of the dates between now and July 4. Odd. Can't really call MM "tour support" considering R.E.M. had never seen them perform live before. Interested in how all this came about. Also, I see they're playing Red Rox and a very special (meaning lucrative) gig here May 27.
On a personal, band-related note: We go on at 12:30 tonight for some reason. I gotta called "old" because I said that's pretty late. Then when you think about it, most bands go on a 10 p.m. AT THE LATEST, with most starting around 8:30. If you're Phish, DMB or George Clinton (whom I'm going to see at 1st Ave. May 27) you can expect a 3-hour show. Everyone else it's probably around 2. So FU all ya'll haterz.

A call to Reveille

2008-05-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Looks like Reveille Magazine (online) will run the Q&A with Brock. So that's cool. Probably do the interview sometime during the week of the 25th ... hit me with any (good) questions for Brock like this one:
Yes, Mr. Brock, what relation, if any, are you to the noted 19th C. British major-general Isaac Brock "The Hero of Upper Canada"?
On another note, who knew the Mouse was friends with Heath Ledger?

Stike 1 and 2

2008-05-13T06:56:00.001-07:00

So I pitched the idea of a MM interview to the PiPress and City Pages. PiPress editor say thanks but no, while City Pages' said sounds like a great article, but we've already got plans. I'm not going to pitch the Star Tribune. That means Reveille Mag (an online zine) is about my last hope, unless anyone else has any suggestions ... did some shopping on Up Records last night.
The moral of the story is basically everything is up in the air and I've got to get some real work done, son.
Not sure how I can really get an interview if I've got no where to run it ...

A pitch to the PiPress

2008-05-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Kathy:

So here is the thing: I would assume you’ll be running a precede featuring R.E.M. before their June 5 show. They have a reputation for playing great gigs in St. Paul. However, other bands on the bill – notably Modest Mouse – have never rocked the River City. Readers might be interested in who they’ll see (considering the 73 price tag).

So, I’d like to do an interview with Issac Brock of Modest Mouse as an addendum. I'm in the process of setting this up with the band's publicist (she said it shouldn't be a problem).
If Isaac isn't available, I should have enough ammo to successfully distill a story out of another band member.

Background
As denizens of rock clubs from First Avenue to Station 4 can attest, the band is, in many ways, notorious.
Their 10 previous Minneapolis performances, in the last 10 years, have run the gamut: eye-popping pop-punk-funk blowouts; truncated and drunken, drugged spectacles that ended with fans demanding their money back.
But they have never played St. Paul.
Every Modest Mouse show has its guarantees, June 5 will - in all likelihood - be no different. A literate, sweaty, frenetic and electric front man will lead the best six-man, two-drummer rock group, to hit St. Paul since the Grateful Dead rocked the Civic Center in '81.
Brockandroll
Brock, 32, has gone from living (and recording) in a shotgun shack, to having a beefy major label contract and an album (their most recent We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank) debut No. 1 on Billboard.
He's been arrested - not charged - for attempted murder and rape. He perennially gets in fights he can't win, and is well known - perhaps unfairly - for hating journalists. That is because, he says, many ask the same, recycled questions.
I, however, have done my homework and am looking forward to getting him on the phone. But who knows? Perhaps he will be in a bad mood– might make for a better story.
Besides:
In 2004, Brock started his own label, Glacial Pace Recordings, and initially signed a strong singer-songwriter (Twin Cities’ Mason Jennings). Much like when the Beatles began Apple Records, their anchor (singer-songwriter James Taylor) soon jumped ship. Jennings has since signed with longtime friend Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label.
Nonetheless, Brock, guitarist Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths) and the rest are, no doubt, gathering material for Modest Mouse's 11th release.
Should be a good one ... let me know what you think.

Steve Pease is a reporter for the Downtown and Southwest Journals in Minneapolis. He lives in St. Paul's Capitol Heights neighborhood, subscribes to the PiPress and loves listening to great American rock music through vintage headphones.

MMBD4,5,6,7: Apparently this isn't a daily publication

2008-05-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Update: Just heard back from MM publicist - she'll try to set the interview up. I have a May 29 copy deadline, so hopefully it's sometime before that. Still not sure who I will be interviewing, however. I've requested a MM press kit and any recent Glacial Pace releases.
In other Modest Mouse news (Ha!):
Joe Sr. brought up an interesting point I've been struggling with long before he brought it to the attention of this blog:
When interviewing someone you admire, whose musical style you admire, how do you remain objective? Furthermore, with someone as volatile as King Mouse Isaac Brock (a man who has twice publicly threatened to beat the ass of this guy after he wrote an unauthorized biography of the band -- compiled from magazine and print interviews) how do you ensure that what you write will be the truth and nothing but the truth?
The fact remains: we're all human. But I have a job to do. Whether or not Isaac, or the rest, prefer it, I will write the truth. Sometimes it is very hard. Sometimes I don't manage to keep my thoughts, feelings, impressions out of my writing - and sometimes (very rarely, though) that is warranted.
In an authorized biography, however, my thoughts, feelings, impressions, what I can glean would - for the most part - be left behind in editing. That is not to say I won't impart the sights, sounds, smells of (albeit indie) rock stardom.
Chapter title idea: Ungster suggested I name a chapter "Three-inch Horses, Two-Faced Monsters" after the tune on Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks. The tune is delta-blues inspired. Sounds like an offshoot of Ugly Casanova stuff. The album is an obscure one, but a very deep one. Probably as melancholic as the band gets. I like the idea.
To get back to the original point, I'll try my best to give an honest and accurate portrayal of my subject. To avoid, at all costs, becoming tendentious. Sure, I'll use "tricks of the trade" to persuade the boys in the band to lend me a hand, but it's not meant to be an expose or a snapshot in time. It's meant to be personal and comprehensive. I initially thought about it being a compendium of sorts.
Eureka!

MMBD3: NPR post

2008-05-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Came across this by accident. Wasn't searching for Modest Mouse lyrics or anything, however numerous people posted brockandroll's lyrics as their favs. I have a hard time remember lyrics, funnily enough. So this thread hit home.
The entire back section of the book is going to be lyrics, I think.

MM Blog Day 2: interviews, press passes, Foshay Foshow.

2008-05-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous day in Downtown all day. Went up in the Foshay, and can honestly say, few views are better than the one I saw today. Spent a lot more time researching and on the phone than I probably should have. But I have to get the ball rolling, and I'm going to do this by getting an interview with Isaac or someone else from the band one way or another. I spoke briefly with Joe Plummer (second drummer); Jeremiah Green (original drummer) and Eric Judy outside the Orpheum Theatre last December. They seemed somewhat open to the idea of me writing a proper book on the band.
Anyway, today I ...
* Contacted the media personnel at the XCel Center in preparation of MM's upcoming tour stop in St. Paul on June 5. They've played in Minneapolis a total of 10 times over the past 10 years - and never in St. Paul. NME is reporting that they're headlining, however TicketMaster is still requesting $75 (R.E.M. prices). Weird. As far as getting that elusive pass, I'm apparently third on the list for a press pass behind the Star Trib and Pioneer Press, spokeswoman for the X said. Apparently it works like this - no later than 48 hours before the show I'll hear whether or not I have a press pass (which is actually just a ticket).
The touring company (most likely TicketMaster) determines who gets press credentials. Daily newspapers usually get priority.
My photog at the paper isn't available to go ... anyone want to shoot some photos of the show?
* Yesterday I contacted MM's manager, Juan Carrera. He was helpful, passing along my information to MM's press agent in N.Y. I e-mailed her and called saying I'd like to do a piece as a preview for their June 5 show. Followed up with a phone call - haven't heard back.
* So, hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow from my favorite publicist. Here's their publicist's site by the way. Kind of cool.
* After signing Mason Jennings to his burgeoning Glacial Pace Recordings (an umbrella of Epic/Sony) Isaac Brock has apprently lost the Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. Jennings' "In The Ever" is due out this month.
This is news to me, but apparently it's months old. According to a Feb. 21 on his MySpace, Jennings writes " We have been friends for years and this record seemed like a perfect one for them to put out. (Just a note to say that I am very grateful to my friend Isaac Brock and Epic for working with me on my last record. There are definitely no ill wishes there. A change just felt right.)"
*Nonetheless, Brock and fiance/co-general label manager Naheed Simjee continue to work with Love As Laughter in the studio.
* Due to the apparent mugging of our music writer at the Downtown and Southwest Journals, I'll be taking over music duties, at least for the short term. This is in addition to my latest beat (bridges), not to mention my others (City Hall, County Board, Library Board, transportation, food features -- next up is Tank Goodness cookies (thanks, Heather)).
The unfortunate "accident" (it wasn't really an accident, it seems. dude has his face beat in, jaw broken, eye socket smashed ... so be careful walking south from Azia after dark) may, by some dark twist of fate, actually help my chances at interviewing the band.
* On a lighter note, I'm trying to think of a good title for the book. So far I've got: "Spitting Venom: The story of Modest Mouse," as told to Steve Pease.
I really like the idea of including the phrase "as told to." I'm currently reading "The Tracker: The Story of Tom Brown, Jr." as told to William Jon Watkins.

That's it. Goodnight and Good Luck.

In the beginning ...

2008-05-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

It all started one sunset afternoon while sitting shotgun in Cory Gwin's Honda Civic with gold rims. The car was the color of the inside of an avacodo - with sparkles.
He had just returned from Atlanta where he had heard this new band called Modest Mouse.
"Sweet name," I thought to myself, immediately conjuring an image of Mighty Mouse.
Cory popped the burnt compact disc into his top-of-the-line Pioneer player - the type that featured the fold-down faceplate.
Little did I know that was a watershed moment in my life.
From the first song "3rd Planet" the lyrics had me mezmorized and the music had me spellbound. Never before had I heard such melancholic music ... especially none that had been so beautiful, boastful; so sad and yet uplifting simultaneously.
Seven years later I haven't been able to sake those first moments. I haven't been able to pry away the grip of Isaac Brock's youthful voice, his jangly, jaded guitar, Eric Judy's smooth bass and Jeremiah Green's outstanding, and funky high-hat work.
They made a fan out of me and many others. Perhaps, mainly for me own etification, I'm going to write a biography of the band - the biggest undertaking of my short career as a writer/journalist/et al.
This site will be dedicated to process of writing the book. As of yet, it has no working title, aside from "Working Title," doesn't have the approval of the band, its management or their friends, family, inumerable bands they've played with or the others whom I hope will help me weave this golden narrative.
It's gonna be a lot of hard work, take a lotta love and a lotta luck. But I've convinced myself I'm in it for the long haul.

Stay tuned.