Modest Mouse v. 4.5

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

Great success!

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

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

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

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

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!

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.