Modest Mouse In Profile

Modest Mouse is an indie rock band from Issaquah, WA. Led by singer/guitarist Isaac Brock, the group formed in 1993. Other permanent members are bassist Eric Judy and drummer Jeremiah Green. The band has released five full-length albums since 1996, gaining in popularity with each. 2007's We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank hit #1 on the US album charts. The album is also notable for featuring ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr as a new member of Modest Mouse. Their sound varies from lean and aggressive (with Brock's shout-sung vocals) to melodious and introspective, with a stronger pop leaning in recent years.

Modest Mouse's first lineup consisted of Brock, Green, bassist John Wickhart, and guitarist Dann Gallucci, who released their debut five-song EP Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? on K Records in 1994. In '94 and '95, the band also recorded the material for what would have been their debut LP, Sad Happy Sucker. K issued the CD in April 2001. In '96, Modest Mouse signed with Up records, and Judy replaced Wickhart; Gallucci went to part-time. In April, they issued their actual debut full-length, This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About. They followed with an EP, Interstate 8.

1997 began with a K EP, The Fruit That Ate Itself. In October, the band gained Indie level popularity with their second album, The Lonesome Crowded West. It received very strong reviews. After a major label bidding war, Modest Mouse signed with Sony. Up issued a compilation, Building Nothing Out Of Something, in January 2000. In June, released their third album (and first for Sony), The Moon And Antarctica, which earned them high critical marks and #120 on the Billboard 200. They released the Everywhere And His Nasty Parlour Tricks EP in '01.

Isaac Brock took time off to release a 2002 side project album, Sharpen Your Teeth, as Ugly Casanova. In April 2004, Modest Mouse returned with album four, Good News For People Who Love Bad News. On the strength of #1 Modern Rock single "Float On," the LP hit #18 on Billboard and #40 in the UK. Its more expansive sound earned them more rave reviews. Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined Modest Mouse in '05. Their fifth LP, the mellower We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, was released in March 2007 and hit #1 on Billboard and #47 in the UK, despite mixed reviews.