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.