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...