Modest Mouse pt.1 (the early years)

PT. 2: • Modest Mouse pt. 2 (Lo...
This educational video essay is the first part of a series which compiles clips and interviews to tell the story of the American rock band Modest Mouse.
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[@jonathenbarfalomew7730]

Phil Ek's role as a producer for Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, and DUster alone puts him into a legendary status of producers, insanely underrated

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

Unwound too!

[@HauntedHarmonics]

holy shit, ek produced for duster?

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

@@HauntedHarmonics yea he did heading for the door, reed to hillsborough, and the queen of hearts. Those first two are my two favorite Duster songs so it makes sense.

[@earthfarmband]

Basically the king of PROPER indie rock producers.

[@SunnyBear]

Also Fleet Foxes

[@shagmanjackson220]

He was so right about the malls. The mall was everything as a kid. And when you really think about it. Pointless lol

[@mattyfox_]

Just came back to watch this video because incase nobody heard the news Jeremiah Green the drummer of modest mouse from day 1, sadly past away today... He was secret battling an undisclosed form of cancer. He went to sleep and just didn't wake up. He was a monster drummer, truly shined in lonesome crowded west.

[@zachawav]

I wish I was able to see them live before he passed away. I always felt like I could relate with Jeremiah the most because of similarities I saw between him and myself imparticularly with us both being able to overcome hardships from mental illness, a reserved and polite nature, and having a straight edge ideallogy (when he was straight edge.) I hope for his sake on the day that he died, he saw the people he met, and in the faces he saw, he saw just who he'd been.

[@spookedlul2519]

he was the main drummer that inspired me to start drumming, sad i never got to see him live

[@vandango901]

RIP

[@flashypork]

I've been reflecting a lot on Modest Mouse ever since I saw them on the Lonesome Crowded West anniversary tour and Jeremiah passed away only a few weeks later. While I was drawn to their emotional intensity as a teenager, as an adult I find it remarkable when I sit down and analyze all the different things that made their music so good. When you look at all the different bands around that time, you can see how Modest Mouse absorbed the best parts of various movements without ever falling into cliche or genre. They captured the rawness of grunge and metal without becoming overly dramatic; they wrote musically complex compositions but never became stuffy or twee like the "indie" rock of the time; and they dabbled in the social commentary of post-punk while never being preachy or "political." All of it melded so perfectly that it created a band who feels out of time, even today. All three of the original members were quiet virtuosos of their instruments. While never showing off, they wrote parts in their songs that when isolated are full of technical prowess and raw creativity. Nowadays everyone will readily credit Jeremiah being one of the best drummers in rock history (that's a fact!), but can we also take a second to appreciate Isaac's skills on the guitar? His approach to dissonant melody is brilliant, and he has an amazing ear for adding just the right touch of bizarre noisemaking to the tracks (his famous style of bending being a prime example). In sum, Modest Mouse is a band that just works on every level. You can jam out to them, get depressed from their lyrics, or get lost in the complexity of their songwriting. They just do everything so well.

[@AlexxisDunnewind]

This comment is everything, god i love this band so much i cant wait to see them in june even though i missed out on seeing jeremiah in action:(

[@kevinyountrevzupak8686]

I fucking missed that show. My favorite album. Seen em 3 times, once with built to spill...they hold up

[@Subconscious.Sarah.]

Easily the most influential band in my life.

[@therealfolkblues5535]

This band is incredibly unique to me. I never liked them. I didn't like their songs, their music, I didn't like Issac's vocals, in fact I'd say I highly disliked everything about them. Then one day, I think I was listening to building nothing out of something and it just 'clicked'. It didn't grow on me, it was like a light switch flipping. Suddenly my least favorite songs became my favorite songs, and one of my least favorite bands became my favorite band of all time! I've had bands grow on me, but no band has ever pulled me in complete polar opposite directions like this band has. I think they are absolutely brilliant & I finally get to see them for the first time in August. Modest mouse is more then a band to me, and Issac is more then a vocalist. This band blew my mind. I love everything about them. I try to get people into them and they say ''I hate them'' and I get it, because that was me once as well. Great video here bud, well done!

[@si.taze10]

How did the show go? I see them next week in Knoxville.

[@therealfolkblues5535]

@@si.taze10 almost didn't happen, lightning struck during the second song and we got evacuated for over two hours! But they came back and kicked ass, it was amazing. Enjoy the show! ✌🏻

[@taylorc2542]

Why were you listening to a band you didn't like?

[@therealfolkblues5535]

​@@taylorc2542 I guess I bought it in hopes I would like it but I didn't at all so it sat in my car cd player for a couple years and I forgot my mp3 player one day so I gave it a spin and just fell in love with it.

[@someonejunior4564]

I'm a huge modest mouse fan and I agree that building nothing out of something is by far their best single compilation of songs on one album

[@hoodie.montana]

so Isaac (the lead singer) is actually my cousin. he's a pretty odd fellow if you wanna put it that way but I admire the hell outta him and the boys from modest mouse. their creativity has such a quiet beauty to em. great video! I'll watch from now on with GREAT INTEREST haha

[@WarmGlowinWarminGlow]

That's cool 😎

[@channingchills]

I’ve seen this 2-parter many times before. Revisiting for the first time since Jeremiah Green’s death. He was, and will always be, one of my favorite drummers. Trucker’s Atlas will always be one of the greatest drum parts ever written, regardless of genre.

[@joygimbel7760]

He also seemed like such a good egg

[@MothMom1312]

It's amazing how band shirts can change the course of your life. I met my sons father when we were kids and he said he liked my band shirt 😂

[@OzkAltBldgCo-bv8tt]

I really got into them in 2006 and 2007 went to some shows in Texas and Oklahoma when I was in the Army. One night I scored some Good Rolls (Thank You Tatu I respect you) and my friend Alisha and I listened to them after she cooked a fine stake dinner. She draped a blue sheet over the big screen and played CDs through the DVD player which also had a blue standby screen it totally set the mood for the first time to hear the Moon and Antarctica. I'll never forget how good it felt.

[@jenniebond8370]

Isaac lived alone in a partially flooded house when he was younger. It influenced a lot of his lyrics.

[@dramamine6199]

the lonesome crowded west is one of the best albums made.

[@apes4days254]

Used to think this until I rediscovered Moon & Antarctica

[@itchytomato]

Just found the lonesome crowded west on vinyl at my local record store for $20. Best money I’ve ever spent on an album. Great video!

[@boibruh1115]

It's got to be worth more than that

[@janedoe3043]

Modest Mouse is the best band of all time. There's no doubt in my mind. Their work covers the totality of human doubt, emotion, and self-destruction. This band is only for people who think about lyrics.

[@TrueMakaveli50]

Isaac, Jeremiah, and Eric were only like 18-19 when they made Broke, my favorite Modest Mouse song to this day. Thanks guys! You’ve been a lot of help my entire life.

[@themangoman9315]

Modest mouse is something I stumbled into never regretted it

[@juanv.1738]

Subbed for The Beach Boys videos. Stayed for everything else. You rule.

[@rimurutempest6515]

Same

[@BlueCadet3_]

Dramamine was the first song I ever heard, was 13 getting high with my neighbors and my neighbors friend in high school was listening to this song when it just stuck forever

[@otispp]

damn, I must have been 1 when I heard my first song.

[@paulanthony312]

I don't recall subscribing to this channel, but I'm so glad I did! Sick video!

[@conradoalbuquerque3905]

I’m a guy that likes to search a lot about music, that are entire days that I spent discovering bands and songs. But there’s a downside, sometimes I don’t pay enough attention to some of those great bands or artists. Modest Mouse was one of that bands that I loved at my first hearing. I spent a week listening to their music, completely in love with it, but then came a new band/artist, and I completely forgot about them... until now. thanks for this video, it made me want to revisit the band and some of my memories.

[@lukebouchard1164]

Modest Mouse is so fantastic. A top 25 band for me easily

[@TheDyingPlant]

This is extremely interesting and well made, I always like modest mouse but never scratched beneath the surface. Inject part two into my earballs whenever you feel so inclined

[@kirkhope0205]

It’s infuckingsane how timeless early modest mouse is. God damn I enjoyed this video man. You’re doing gods work here

[@zombieremoval]

This is so important for me. Modest mouse was a mythical beast that I only ever heard stories about living in Atlanta in the 90s. I didn’t have the internet or money or a car to get to shows or even the knowledge of when shows were happening. So when I got a bootleg or someone told me something interesting about the band I would just clamor on and on. I hear the first few notes to the lonesome crowded west and I still feel my heart race. Thank you for showing me the way things were for them. I was pretty much on another planet begging for info in my youth.

[@bodaciouscowboy8]

damn dude first the beach boys now modest mouse, you’re covering all my bases

[@KrautCat]

Modest mouse has been a constant in my life since 2004. I caught an Austin City Limits TV airing in 7th grade and never looked back.

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

RIP JG, truly a legend

[@ebm93]

How this has so little views and linkes is beyond me. I think any fan of the band would appreciate this passion-driven video series of yours, and if I were the band I would be happy to see it!

[@bfoz]

The drummer of everyone's favorite band is always "the greatest to ever to do it" and "play at a level no one has ever done before".

[@shacasha]

Okay. Thank you. I was feeling like a complete grouch at my immediate objection to that. Glad I’m not alone. People should only make docs about bands they don’t care about so the truth can flow freely

[@wockyslush666]

Womp womp

[@DUI-Johnson]

MM has been my favorite band since 2003 and I can’t thank you enough for this documentary. It’s great my friend ❤

[@TheApeMachine]

The fact that you indicated Lonesome Crowded West as one of the greatest hooked me :) Not that I wasn't going to watch this, but yeah.

[@kylelloyd4437]

Its cool seeing places i recognize in Issaquah. Still go there for work at least once a week.

[@WillIngram08]

4:44 perfect timing and so needed.. I'm in the hospital currently recovering from some gnarly surgery and that was just perfect. I've had my skateboard stolen from me I have nowhere to go when I leave the hospital so that was really needed I guess I'll help more than I thought it was or maybe I just really am broken

[@deaddhianna]

I love the effort on this, well done on your hard work. I can't wait for the rest of their story!

[@maddieb4384]

love how im checking out your beach boys videos like i regularly do when i need some inspiration and you've uploaded less than a day ago lol, love u dude

[@RetroGamePlayers]

Wow great job, I'm massive geek fan of all things K. I had a roommate who dated Isaac in Eugene. He gave her some old cds with odd recordings, she gave them to me. Pretty much just old versions of songs but still pretty cool. I've met Calvin too, really tried to get him to listen my albums but I think he wasn't feeling it hahaha

[@drugsarenotcool7325]

You should post them to youtube if you get a chance, I'm sure a lot of the folk at r/ModestMouse would love to check it out

[@WarmGlowinWarminGlow]

Did you ever upload any of the songs?? Sounds cool 😎

[@GunnarHall]

Please upload those

[@janedoe3043]

Please, please, please upload them.

[@Bunke09]

I grew up in North Bend and with Modest Mouse. I rolled with friends of their friends type stuff. Went to skate ramps in home yards in Issaquah were they were there. I went to Highschool with the lead singer of the straight edge band Undertow John Pettibone who got me listening to alot of local bands. I remember listening to Seaweed for the first time in his car riding in town.

[@hurricanepootis562]

It's amazing to see another Modest Mouse video, and one that's well made too! I just absolutely cannot wait for more parts to come!

[@LucidDream]

Modest Mouse never won a Grammy actually. Was listening to an interview with Isaac just yesterday and the interviewer brought it up to him. He said they never won, they were only ever nominees. And that he didn't give a shit anyway, that it's a lot like winning an award for something you didn't know you were a part of initially. It's pretty easy to look up as well, on the main site for the Grammy it says they never won.

[@yoyocritic]

best channel ever! stoked to see you cover these dudes.

[@ktk44man]

Everytime I think of modest mouse I can't shake how amazingly talented they are. Jeremiah Green is absolutely one of the best rock drummers out there

[@WarmGlowinWarminGlow]

I saw them a few times when I was in highschool... One of the shows had both drummers (I believe Jeremiah came back, at that time) It was awesome 😎

[@flashypork]

When I first realized how good Jeremiah was after listening to them for a while, going back and listening specifically to the drum track in each song was like discovering their discography for a second time. A true legend.

[@Tyrannosaurine]

I saw them 8-10 times between 98-2002 or so, and Jeremy always stole the show. Trucker’s Atlas or Cowboy Dan or Tundra/Desert (often the closer) would veer wildly every which way until Jeremiah would just nail that four on the floor beat he did so well to the fucking floor and they would take off. Jeremiah played that “falling down a flight of stairs” style so well, always rolling in and out of the beat and pushing it all forward with increasing propulsive motion. Incredible shit.

[@mjhilps]

Great videos man. Found your Beach Boys videos today and then this video just now. Insane you're related to Phil Ek. Cowboy Dan and Wild Pack of Family Dogs are some of my favorites MM songs. Was Wild Pack of Family Dogs influenced by In The Aeroplane Over the Sea, maybe I'm the only one who hears it...

[@vispian7688]

Ohh boy the hype is real. Although really completely different bands 'modest mouse' and 'king gizzard and the lizard wizard' are some of the most creative and a prolific modern bands.

[@ibleemen7775]

My first and 2nds right there

[@kayla7562]

Elliott smith talking about modest mouse?? Oh my heart

[@ViMBarN]

Subbed for film but very excited for part 2 and the future of your content!!

[@JohnnyBonesaw]

Dude yes. dramamine baby! perfect opening

[@shagmanjackson220]

I got into the lonseome crowded west about 5 years ago. I loved it. But i ended up eating 2 tabs and listened to it one day. And every lyric hit me differently. Made so much sense. How did i not catch it the first time lol

[@boibruh1115]

Dude broke is a masterpiece

[@si.taze10]

Honestly one of the best songs ever written. Like holy fuck how did that come out of them. Did they realize how crazy it was when the recorded it or was not just another song? Goddamn I love that song.

[@tahangrant]

Not even sure what it is, and I love so many MM songs, but I've played Broke 10 times more than any other track, sometimes twice/thrice in a row, so, so great.

[@boguslotus]

Great job 👏 I’m stoked for Part Two!

[@silvestermanyalo5920]

you are an awesome journalist,this is great

[@pinkpools]

Truly excellent content on the bands I adore. Been a fan for years Jeffrey and thought I’d comment for once to let you know.

[@MorganMay2000]

I love this, can't wait for part 2. Hope you liked the new song too!

[@JeffreyStillwell]

Part 2 coming tonight!

[@chrisbridston3438]

Yes!! Thank u for this documentary!!! Just saw them live for the first time

[@zachawav]

This was really well made, thank you for making this :DD

[@ericawirta9922]

My heart beats differently when I listen to Modest Mouse. 💗

[@Tyrannosaurine]

Saw them the first time in 1997. Bought the Arctic Life/Medication 7” on white vinyl. Loved them. Saw them probably 6-8 times through the Moon and Antarctica tour. I lost interest in what they were doing after that, and never went to see them again. But those early records are truly amazing.

[@mcvc1664]

This was really well done

[@modestfreak87]

I’m 4 minutes in and this is fucking well put together. Love the use of nothing new.

[@JeffreyStillwell]

part 2 dropping tonight!!

[@horrorableshow]

I NEED PART 2!!! hahaha great video dude this kicks ass!!!!!

[@MGMTxILEGITx]

Dude incredible vid MM one of my fav bands of all time mr Brock is a genius song writer and so damn original bro you got a sub from me my friend!

[@sapwoodtheband]

If any of y’all are ever lookin for something that sounds like old modest mouse you should check out my band Sapwood :^)

[@bumper9429]

This video is brilliant. Thank you for covering the most important band in the world (to me). Cheers!

[@bmoneyrancidfan91]

Malls are real ghost towns these days

[@randallpetersen9164]

Just have another Orange Julius.

[@codybitterman9387]

OMG THE REDMOND FIREHOUSE TEEN CENTER. I havent thought about that place in years. Great memories....

[@mchl2363]

Awesome vid! My favorite band

[@ZackTheDad]

Love the content man. Subbed to see more and to watch your editing style develop!

[@FizzBuzz-ce9wz]

I remember this girl around 2000 made me listen to the coca cola song and told me they would be the next big band. I didn't really believe her but the music kept growing on me and getting better each album. Modest Mouse slowly became one of my favorite bands!

[@tombanditnook9230]

Sorry in advance if this is a little long winded. It's funny you use "Dramamine" as the intro song. I absolutely adore that song and the whole album now but for a long time I didn't listen to Modest Mouse' older discography. I started listening when _Good News for People Who Love Bad News_ came up on my Pandora Radio in high school and it was obviously playing the song "Float On". I love that album, still do, and basically every album after that I was obsessed with. I remember trying to listen to some of their older stuff and it just never really clicked with me. _Good News for People Who Love Bad News_ was such a turning point for them, it's where most people know them from (including me) and where they got a lot more popularity. I can't remember why but I put on _Building Nothing Out of Something_ one day and it just clicked for me. I was so used to how they sounded after said album that their old stuff was harder to listen to but I'm so glad it finally pulled me in. After that I jumped to _This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About_ and was instantly hooked by "Dramamine" I don't know how anyone couldn't be. Then I realized that they had more albums that I had never listened to, mostly because I just never looked and for some reason Spotify had them listed as singles. So next came _No One's First, And You're Next_ then _Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks_ , these ones instantly clicked for me because they reminded so much of their newer output. (EDIT: I watched your next video and realized these are actually songs that didn't make it onto their full albums.) Modest Mouse has an absolutely huge discography bigger than a lot of bands that I listen to and they're all so good I could listen to them back to back to back. Right now I've finally made my way to _The Moon & Antarctica_ and got hooked on "Wild Packs of Family Dogs" after coming across their live performance of it on KZbin and that's how I ended up here. When I used to work as a prep cook in the early morning I, for some reason, fell in love with Modest Mouse after having not listened to them for a good while. _Good News For People Who Love Bad News_ , _We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank_ and _Strangers to Ourselves_ basically became the holy trinity of Modest Mouse albums it was all I would listen to. Obviously listening to those albums (as much as I love them) got tiring and I'm so glad I finally found their older stuff. Modest Mouse is pretty much two "phases" to me. Their older sounding albums 1994-2001 then their newer sounding ones 2004-present. It just works for me to jump between them if I ever get a little tired of one or the other. I can't really say why I love them so much they're practically all I listen to at this point. I love the western "twang" that interweaves with their more "alternative" rock style ( I don't really know how to describe it). I love the lyrics and Isaac Brocks voice I didn't even realize he had a little bit of a lisp until I watched a few of his interviews! The melancholy in all of their songs is just so palpable. Listening to Modest Mouse just comforts me in a way I can't describe. I've listened to them through good times and bad times. Their music just makes me feel like life is what it is, it's always happening and we just live it as best we can. I definitely wanna keep working my way back through Modest Mouse' entire library. Thank you so much for making this series. It's amazing to be able to get more background on this band we all love so much! Rest in peace Jeremiah Green.

[@carlosbudge595]

Looking forward for pt II :)

[@JeffreyStillwell]

dropping tonight :)

[@carlosbudge595]

@@JeffreyStillwell yeeey

[@coreyshamilton]

Eagerly awaiting part 2

[@JeffreyStillwell]

dropping tonight :)

[@beef1000]

1:41 didn't know there was gonna be a popcorn classics segment!

[@JeffreyStillwell]

6 bags of popcorn to you for catching that, I was really hoping ppl would 👏👏👏

[@slimkickens]

Isaac Brock is Brian Wilson if he came from Washington instead of California, took way more acid, and was responding to grunge and indie rock instead of The Beatles. No, I will not elaborate further

[@Louis-qt5qb]

More acid than Brian Wilson? Maybe more alcohol but he didn't have the money for more drugs.

[@masonchase085]

MODEST & DUSTER have my soul for life

[@BloodClanResurrection]

I've got nothing to say about this particular video. But love the info. Thank you!

[@QuestionEverything17]

My favorite band of all time.

[@derekbrou]

Another great and insightful little documentary about a band I love. So hey uh, your cousin... he still looking for musicians to record, or whatever?

[@JeffreyStillwell]

Lol you can imagine when I found this out, I bombarded him with my shitty demos every time I saw him at Thanksgiving. Now I try to only relate to him as a cousin so it's not awkward.

[@derekbrou]

@@JeffreyStillwellYeah that's understandable, anyway time for me to tweet some headshots to Chet Hanks

[@gazeunderthesunmusic]

They're definitely one of the best noise pop bands next to Pavement, My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus & Mary Chain, they were the band that combined 90s emo and Noise pop together during there early career.

[@drugsarenotcool7325]

Amazing video, you mentioned you grew up in Issaquah. I'm planning on visiting this summer for about a week, any ideas for cool places I could visit while in town related to their lore, or anywhere cool at all?

[@JeffreyStillwell]

Definitely! That XXX Restaurant is a cool landmark right off Front St./Gilman, and the main drag of downtown Issaquah looks moreorless the same as it does in all the MM docs. If you're in Issaquah you're also right next to Fall City and Snoqualmie, the towns where they shot the exterior locations for the show Twin Peaks. I reccomend checking out Snoqualmie Falls, The Salish Lodge, Tweedies Diner, and Boehm's Candies where I used to work. Have fun!

[@drugsarenotcool7325]

@@JeffreyStillwell thanks for the advice!

[@jeffdawson2786]

They are nutty and fun !

[@patrickdaniels6767]

Not the content I necessarily expected, but I'm very excited to see where the next installments go. Your Patreon link goes to a 404 btw.

[@JeffreyStillwell]

Thanks for letting me know! Just fixed the link. 👍

[@LinkolnG333]

Loved this ❤️

[@moose3471]

awesome video!!

[@fromaugustisland]

Another amazing video! Beach Boys and Modest Mouse are two of my favorite bands so this a dream basically. Any idea what song very briefly plays in the background at around the 9:05 mark?

[@gregorahler]

How did I find a modest mouse documentary posted while on a modest mouse binge?

[@fenrir5361]

Because KZbin's algorithm will recommend you things based on keywords.

[@Pinko-Diamond]

This is a good band

[@PageandPlant4Life]

Great video. This is what KZbin is all about

[@billyjoesmo8251]

The link for your original music did not work but I love the video

[@JeffreyStillwell]

Thanks for letting me know! Just fixed the link :) I have even more songs up on my music KZbin channel: kzbin.info/door/A70rmfNDc1Fro0-38B-X5g

[@harryt92]

Cool video man, thanks!

[@shavis001]

Favorite band, no doubt about it.

[@HauntedHarmonics]

since you’re related to phil, any chance you have the scrapped version of doing the cockroach off LCW? i’ve been looking for it for ages lol

[@mathewfoster7027]

Omg Broke makes me cry every time I hear it

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

I was surprised to hear that it was written so early into their career. Such a polished and impactful track!

[@vraisairs9201]

We love to see some love for The Chieftains

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

Modest mouse is like a post punk post rock kind of band with philosophical and cynical lyrics about life

[@Musiiq10]

Still hoping for that part 2

[@JeffreyStillwell]

posting tonight :)

[@rawn9234]

thanks for this brother

[@rickbrousseau5372]

Name another band that sounds like Modest Mouse. You can't. They're original and downright amazing. RIP Jeremiah

[@pyro-x9900]

Built to spill, very similar. Built to spill has had a big influence on modest mouse. Both incredibly unique. Both amazing bands.

[@spacealienjesus709]

54321 reminded me of Daniel Johnston Thanks for this video Love MM...

[@shiningandcombining]

15:25 duster shirt holy shit

[@randallpetersen9164]

OK, if you're going to post something like this about my favorite band, I guess I'll have to subscribe. Edit: You grew up in Issaquah? Do you get back often? Been to the location of the photo on the cover of Long Drive? It's at 47°21'28.7"N 121°54'26.9"W. Second Edit: You know, his mom's house is still painted that same shade of blue.

[@spicymike435]

I live next to the place where they took that picture because it’s in Ravensdale next to maple valley and I ride dirt bikes on those powerlines.