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.

Possible roadtrip songs

Here we go ...

Marty Robbins, El Paso
99 Problems, Danger Mouse
At least that's what you said, Wilco
My Maria, Brooks n' Dunn
Hair down, Cold War Kids
Donde esta la playa, Walkmen
Wigwam, Bob Dylan
The Rat, Walkmen
I Get Around, Tupac
Benny and the Jets, Elton John
Life of Arctic Sounds, Modest Mouse
Lil Wayne, Lollipop
Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Don Williams
Ring of Fire, Johnny Cash
Song of the South, Alabama
Tiny Dancer, Elton John

Neil Young and the restless

Last night's Neil Young concert at the Xcel Energy Center was effing amazing. While I waited years for this show (it was on my concert bucket list), I never expected the performance turned in by Canada's finest export.
Young, 62, hit the stage just after 9 p.m. in a paint-splattered jacket, a t-shirt, jeans and New Balance. The set featured numerous hits "Hey Hey My My (both blue and black)" "Old Man" and "Cortez the Killer" stood out. He also played my favorite "Needle and the Damage Done."
Two hours later I had seen what was probably the greatest concert of my life.
Setlist, video are here.

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."