When news broke that both Brand New and Modest Mouse (the subject of this article) would be touring together throughout the summer of 2016, it's no surprise that tickets for events sold out months in advance of each show. You have two of the biggest artists in alternative rock present. While Brand New's roots reign more in the world of pop-punk, Modest Mouse falls more into the category of indie and alternative rock.
For their show in Berkeley, CA, Modest Mouse will be taking the stage and bringing one of the summer's most coveted alternative rock performances to life at the Greek Theater. They go on right at 7 PM, so it's best to not be late. Join us as we take a look back at their current six album discography.
This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About
Release Date: April 16, 1996
Label: Up Records
Producer: Steve Wold
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - guitar and vocals
Jeremiah Green - drums
Eric Judy - bass
Our first introduction into the world of Modest Mouse came in 1996, with This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About. The album runs a little over an hour or so, with a majority of the tracks focusing lyrically, on exactly what the album states: traveling and dealing with the loneliness that comes with long time periods of travel. This was only a brief introduction into what the band would introduce in the coming years.
The Lonesome Crowded West
Release Date: November 18, 1997
Label: Up Records
Producers: Calvin Johnson, Scott Swayze, Isaac Brock
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - guitars, vocals
Jeremiah Green - drums
Eric Judy - bass
After the release of two more EPs, the band released The Lonesome Crowded West in 1997. Many have gone on to cite that this is the band's breakthrough album, and the one that started help them garner attention. Upon release, it received great critical acclaim, with some publications calling it "indie rock at its best".
The Moon & Antarctica
Release Date: June 13, 2000
Label: Epic Records
Producer: Brian Deck
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - guitars, vocals
Jeremiah Green - drums
Eric Judy - bass
Fast forward to 1999, and Modest Mouse have signed to a major label. After inking a deal with Epic Records, the band entered the studio to work on their third studio album with producer Brian Deck. Many fans were worried that the band's sound would be influenced by the signing, but they needed not fear. The band were completely hands-on with the recording process, and Deck even worked a great deal on the mixing process.
Of course, great work can't be met without some form of a hardship. During recording, Brock was attacked by a group outside a park near the studio and ended up in the hospital, resulting in a wired-shut jaw for two to three months. The overall recording process took about five months, concluding in November 1999. The album received massive critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike, and has been certified Gold by the RIAA since its release.
Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Release Date: April 6, 2004
Label: Epic Records
Producer: Dennis Herring
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - vocals, guitar, banjo, baritone guitar, ukulele, piano
Eric Judy - bass, acoustic guitar, backup vocals, pump organ, mellotron, tin whistle, percussion
Dann Gallucci - guitar, keyboards, piano, backup vocals, mellotron, drum loops, pump organ, timpani, percussion, glockenspiel
Benjamin Weikel - drums
The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band - drums
Tom Peloso - standup bass, fiddle
Hot off of the success of their first major label debut, the band retreated into the studio to record their fourth studio album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News. If the critical acclaim was good on their third record, the reception from Good News was monumental. It ended up earning the band a Grammy Nomination in 2005 for Best Alternative Album, and went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2004.
Additionally, it's important to note the number of musicians and lineup expansion that the band took on during the release of Good News. Numerous instruments previously outside of the band's main wheelhouse were being utilized, making for some unique and incredible instrumental works. The only member absent from this record, due a temporary leave of absence from the band, was drummer Jeremiah Green.
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Label: Epic Records
Producer: Dennis Herring
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - guitar, vocals
Jeremiah Green - drums
Eric Judy - bass guitar
Johnny Marr - guitar
Tom Peloso - standup bass, fiddle
Joe Plummer - drums/percussion
Modest Mouse were finally a staple in the mainstream of alternative rock music. A platinum album, a Grammy nomination, numerous EPs, and notoriety among musicians was under their belts as they went into the studio to record their fifth album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. The band retreated to Sweet Tea Studio in Oxford, MI to record once more with Dennis Herring. Jeremiah Green returned, and the wheels were in motion for making a great record.
What was particularly unique about this album, however, was the enlistment of guitarist Johnny Marr, the former guitarist of legendary alternative rock band The Smiths. He temporarily became a member of the band, writing, recording, and touring with Modest Mouse in support of the fifth record.
Upon the album's release, it received generally positive reviews, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, selling a total of 128,585 copies in its first week.
Strangers To Ourselves
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Label: Epic Records
Producers: Isaac Brock, Tucker Martine, Brian Deck, Andrew Weiss, Clay Jones
Lineup:
Isaac Brock - vocals, guitar, twelve-string guitar, piano, Rhodes, Mellotron, bass, EBow, baritone guitar, Korg MS-20
Jeremiah Green - drums, conga, sequencers, electronic drums, djembe, vibes, Korg, kalimba, cigar box guitar, backing vocals
Tom Peloso - bass, synth, Rhodes, piano, upright piano, cornet, kalimba, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Jim Fairchild - guitar, Rhodes, ukulele, backing vocals
Russell Higbee - bass, Rhodes, upright bass, guitar, pump organ, vibes, electric piano, baritone guitar, euphonium, kalimba, cornet, organ, backing vocals
Lisa Molinaro - viola, cello, bass, vocals
Davey Brozowski - percussion
Ben Massarella - percussion
The number of musicians now in Modest Mouse's lineup and their willingness to incorporate and try as many possible instruments in their tracks is nearly unmatched by other bands in this day and age. Strangers To Ourselves included the addition of several new members to Modest Mouse and a number of instruments previously not used in older records from the band. It's easily the band's most diverse record at this point in their career, and it marked the longest gap in between releasing studio records that the band had ever taken. It has been met with a wide array of reviews, but it has undoubtedly placed the band back in the spotlight and for great reason.
It's easy to see why Modest Mouse are one of the first names most people think of when one mentions the term alternative rock or indie rock. They're an eclectic group of songwriters through and through; their core three song writers remain at the heart of every record, but they still love to try new things, push their boundaries, and put out music that truly resonates with people. Their set at the Greek Theater this Thursday night will be one to remember, so it's best that you catch their show there or at any of the other tour dates coming up on their co-headliner.
Modest Mouse
www.modestmouse.com
www.modestmousemusic.com
www.facebook.com/ModestMouse
@modestmouseband
This has been another Shameless Promotion.