Rock Royalty Arrive in Fargo

By Tre Martinez
Contributing Writer

“I wish I could hit upon a pleasant track of thought… indirectly reflecting credit upon myself, for those are… frequent even in the minds of modest mouse-colored people, who believe genuinely that they dislike to hear their own praises.” -Virginia Woolf

Isaac Brock must have had a premonition when he decided to name his band after these lines from Woolf’s “The Mark on the Wall.” With over a decade and a half of road and studio experience under their belts, Modest Mouse have earned every ounce of respect and attention they gather from the music community. Still, Brock is the sort of musician who finds interviews and press praise boring (hopefully, this article can steer clear of that).

It’s entirely likely that you heard their huge hit “Float On” from 2004’s “Good News For People Who Love Bad News.” If that’s all you’ve heard, though, it will be more than worth your time to head down to the Venue on July 13 and see these living legends do their thing.

The band, which started in the Seattle area in 1993, have traveled a long path: from instant indie golden boys to one of those few bands that maintain their street cred after switching to a major label. Despite their Pacific Northwest roots, their first two classic albums, “This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About,” and “The Lonesome Crowded West,” were released on the self-defined “anti-grunge” Up Records to high critical acclaim and comparisons to alternative demigods like the Pixies, the Meat Puppets, and Sonic Youth. Their psychedelic, noisy tones combined with singer/ songwriter/guitarist Isaac Brock’s melodic pop sensibilities took them to the top of the scene.

After a solid debut, it’s not uncommon for a band to have a sophomore slump. After four- and five-star records, it would seem almost expected of a band to drop a questionable record. Throw in the almost-always shaky shift to a major label, and some real doubts were raised. But when Epic released Modest Mouse’s third LP, “The Moon and Antarctica,” the doubters were silenced. Many said it was their best album yet, and an unfavorable review is almost impossible to find. Their following three albums, right up until last year’s “No One’s First and You’re Next,” followed suit with equal or even greater critical reception and album sales.

Along with a steady diet of rave-worthy albums and EPs, Modest Mouse fans have been treated to nearly constant touring. Brock and the band tour not just when supporting a new record demands it, but to support their love of playing. It is this love of music, knack for making lightning strike seemingly at will, and a classic alternative rock “damn the business” attitude that has gathered Modest Mouse legions of fans.

Among these fans are some pretty big names. Johnny Marr, of Smiths fame, played with the band on their 2005 release We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank and was part of the subsequent tour. Both Marr and Brock were interviewed by Tony Hawk for skateboarding website Shred or Die. As of last month, there is a portrait of Brock in the office of the patriotically named Portland mayor, Sam Adams.

Modest Mouse have worked their way into a permanent spot in the indie rock scene, all the while handling the press as though they would rather be playing basements. They went from comparisons to rock royalty to being used as a measuring mark themselves and working with one the biggest names in alternative music. They have released album after album of spinning, guitar-drenched mastery. If these accomplishments sound at all impressive to you, don’t make any other plans for Tuesday night - you’ll be busy.

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If You Go

What: Modest Mouse, Radar Bros.
Where: The Venue at The Hub
When: Tues, July 13, 8pm
Info: 701.298.0071