Gear

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

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

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?

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

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.