Johnny Marr gone ... well, almost

So it's been some 50 days since I last posted on the ol' blog. I've been busy: band, life, dog, work, breathe. I've always felt a bit slighted since the last MM show I saw at the Xcel Center. In a nutshell: I thought Johnny Marr basically sucked and the band phoned in its performance.
Which brings me to this news. Johnny Marr is joining the Cribs "full time." That doesn't necessarily mean he won't be working with Modest Mouse, but you have to assume it's likely. Marr said in an interview a while back he believes every band he's been in has been the best band in the world at that time. So good luck, and good riddance Prince Marr.
Does this mean we can expect the Mouse will return to true form (no concept albums, no guest guitarists, no six-piece lineups) and just play good rock music again sometime soon?
Gosh I hope so. That would be swell.
Update: The Cribs say Marr is still in MM
This from "Spinner":
Marr will hit the road with the Cribs when the album is complete, but those worried about Marr's contributions to Modest Mouse should fear not.
"He is still in Modest Mouse," Gary noted. "I'm very, very aware of this situation because I'm friends with the Modest Mouse guys. I love the band and I wouldn't ever wanna do that. They're between records now and we're working really fast with Johnny. He's like, 'It's all fine. Don't worry about that.' So if he's confident it won't be a problem, then I'm quite happy to go along with that."

Sounds from MM EP?

Apparently rumours of a Mouse EP have been SWIRLINNNNGGG since February. This is evidenced by a recent performance of "Satellite Skin," a working song that sounds a bit like Adam Sandler's break-up tune from The Wedding Singer and an Indian (dots not feathers) influenced rhythm part by Sir Marr.
I've also seen the title "The Whale Song" on a few set lists (well, at least one). Here's a (very poorly shot, but nonetheless existent) performance from my birthday in Atlanta. Isaac's again making use of the Floyd Rose, it seems, to recreate the echolocation of a whale (entomology unkown). Good to hear Ol' Floyd again. Although the lyrical refrain sounds a bit like that of "Dashboard." It seems like The National have rubbed off on them a bit ...
Update: Another song, "Autumn Bends" has been announced in the blogoshphere, but as of yet I'm unable to track it down. EP is due out on Epic by the end of the year. I've "heard" it's going to include a number of reworked (read: not as good, crappy, but profitable) versions of songs of the last two albums.
Update No. 2: Apparently, The Mouse, Built To Spill and Isaac's pet project Love As Laughter (signed last year to his Glacial Pace "imprint" whatever that means) floated the idea of performing and recording eachothers' songs. Doesn't look like it's happening though. However, Flaming Lips are recording a record and a finishing a movie "Christmas on Mars" (featuring Isaac Brock in a cameo debut) due out on DVD before the end of 2008.

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.