Paging Mr. Brock

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.

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.