Modest Mouse roars into Pavilion

By Jedd Ferris/Daily Progress correspondent
Published: June 27, 2008

In the past decade and a half, Modest Mouse has gone from obscure indie upstart to the unintentional face of major-label post-alternative rock.

The band formed 15 years ago with the core of frontman Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green and bassist Eric Judy in Washington state. Early albums that often leaned on the side of dissonant chaos earned the band a loyal underground following, but in recent years the experimental sound has been honed with pop sensibilities — often to the disdain of longtime fans.

Since releasing 2004’s “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” on Epic Records, the band has slid into the mainstream eye. The album has sold more than 1.5 million copies, and its biggest single, “Float On,” landed on top-40 charts and even received a wince-inducing take from “American Idol.”

The mellow gold only has appreciated with the 2006 addition of guitarist Johnny Marr, most famously known for his time with the Smiths in the ’80s. Brock’s occasionally brash vocals and philosophical fist-pumping anthems have now been largely underscored with airy melodies, even if they are still drenched in reverb.

The band just finished warming up larger sheds for R.E.M and has just started a North American headlining tour with support from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Here are five things to know about Modest Mouse before the band’s Sunday night appearance at the Charlottesville Pavilion:

l Despite often being labeled as an underground indie rock phenom, the band’s latest album, “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 in March 2007.

l Current Modest Mouse multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso is a former member of Charlottesville’s Hackensaw Boys, which also happens to be playing in town tonight at the Gravity Lounge. Modest Mouse and the Hackensaws shared some road time in 2002 on Cake’s Unlimited Sunshine Tour.

l Look for some collaboration between Modest Mouse and opening act the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The stalwart New Orleans-based brass act appeared on two tracks of Modest Mouse’s 2004 album, “Good News for People Who Love Bad News.”

l The band’s name comes from a line in the Virginia Woolf short story “The Mark on the Wall.”

l In 2006 Modest Mouse announced a new member with the addition of guitar legend Johnny Marr of the Smiths. It has been reported that front man Isaac Brock cold-called the Brit guitar hero and asked him to fly to Portland, Ore., to play a few songs. Instant songwriting chemistry led to Marr becoming a full-time member.

Modest Mouse with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Charlottesville Pavilion

Sunday, 7pm

$35

http://www.charlottesvillepavilion.com