Modest Mouse Shed "Satellite Skin" On Letterman
Modest Mouse has been performing this song since last summer -- we heard it again in Hollywood last month -- though this Letterman clip is probably the best indication of how it will sound on record. Said record is an orange vinyl single b/w "Guilty Cocker Spaniels." MM is minus a Marr these days (Johnny's now a full time Crib), but this tune is really a showcase for Isaac anyway. A showcase for Isaac to channel Pavement's "Here," but still. Jokes Dave at the end, "You passed the audition."
The "Satellite Skin" 7" is out Record Store Day (4/18), and will soon have a proper music video directed by Kevin Willis (he produced Tool's "Stinkfist" vid). Three other 7"s will follow, all in advance of the No One's First And You're Next odds and ends EP. Its tracklist:
"Autumn Beds"
"Guilty Cocker Spaniels"
"History"
"I've Got It All (Most)"
"King Rat"
"Satellite Skin"
"Tie the Lake Down"
"The Whale Song"
You may have also heard that Heath Ledger directed a video for "King Rat" before he died. Spin confirms that will be released this year. Terry Gilliam, who directed the actor in his final film The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, contributed animation.
Posted at 2:17 PM by Scott in Video
Tags: David Letterman | Heath Ledger | Modest Mouse | Record Store Day
I was dressed for success....
Score = 13
But success, it never comes.
Score = 1
Sounds good! Definitely "Here"-y but good, almost like it could have been a Lonesome Crowded West B-side. Looking forward to the EP and the eventual We Were Dead follow-up.
Score = 11
Modest Mouse saved my life.
Score = 24
Johnny Marr isn't in the band anymore? There goes my pun. Ah well, I'll say it anyway.
This song is Marr-velous.
Score = 1
johnny is still in the band. He just has to juggle duties between the two bands he is a member of. I know for a fact he has been working on new MM material.
Score = -1
Modest Mouse > Animal Collective
Score = 94
Really dude? Being a huge personal fan of both I would have never thought a comparison between the two, aside from the obvious differences in musical genre and style, would be necessary to point out. Especially in something so simple as >. Why don't you spend less time trying to find out which band is greater than the other and start actually listening to to music. Maybe then you'd be able to realize how ridiculous and stupid a comment like that is.
Score = -37
Scott > Alex+David
Score = 22
i can't see the reason ur comment has so many votes down!!!
pls stop the non sense comparisons
Score = -5
modest mouse < or = animal collective
Score = -32
dragonheart> or = to Corky. Animal collective or = to my dog poo + synths + beach boys - Brian Wilson + Uncle Jesse.
Score = -6
snark < constructive criticism
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Heath Ledger died?
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Why so modest?
Score = 45
Sounds like a nice one. I just heard King Rat the other day, and I was surprised how A-sidey it seemed.
Score = 8
Hail to the B-Sides!
Score = 6
Modest Mouse has been my favorite band since I was 14 (23 now). Even though they don't release as much as they used to, I'm always glad to see a new release by them.
Score = 7
back the the animal collective comment...maybe "scott" got confused bc. the other guitar player's guitar matched the color of the animal collective vid's background to the right of the website...(i know i am an idiot)....but also, maybe just the slide guitar but i hear shades of wico/UT in there too a litte, no?
Score = -39
Dude, you are the fucking worst.
Score = 18
Is this a parody, or is it a real band with lousy monitors?
Score = -36
It sounds like the end of Talkin shit about a pretty sunset
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...and this is a good thing
Score = 18
MM is one of those bands i forget about and then they do something like this and I remember that they are awesome.
Score = 15
modest mouse is by no means 'awesome' and have peaked at lonesome crowded west. yup, that's my opinion and it will NEVER change. easily one of the worst live shows i have ever seen and i was forced to endure the horror 3 different times due to mini-fest type lineups.
Score = -68
If you don't think Modest Mouse is awesome, you have a very odd definition of awesome.
Score = 25
let's put them on our infinite playlist
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Have we met?
Score = 12
I can understand that... it all depends on how fucked up Issac is... 3 times they have been fantastic, 2 times they have been craptastic :)
Score = 0
My girlfriend said when she saw them at ACL that isaac was really f'd up and he sounded awful. She was really dissapointed because she'd never seen them live before. But when i saw them last summer they were great (albeit with some technical issues toward the end, but that's not a big deal.) So maybe there's some truth to that. i don't know. They certainly write fantastic songs.
Score = 1
jesus there's a lot of people in that band now...seems like just yesterday that they were a power trio.
good song though, sounds like they're bringing back their country side.
Score = 3
the clear discomfort of issac after the song is just another reason for me to love this band. great tune, i hope they stick with this direction.
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what the heck
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...I'm just trying to figure out what you're reacting to.
Score = 15
Modest Mouse haven't peaked yet. Although the Lonesome Crowded West was a phenomenal album, people might might argue that The Moon and Antarctica might have been an ever better album or better yet Good News. I'm liking the direction they're heading towards. Hope they play Lollapalooza this year.
Score = 1
isaac brock was the individual responsible for finding my favorite band 'wolf parade' :)
Score = 8
i wish someone would articulate why We Were Dead... is so bad. really. so many people on here have used the oldest trick in the book: "their old stuff was way better."
shut up.
we were dead was a phenomenal album. the lyrics have intricate threads that run through multiple songs, the production is adventurous, and the music is diverse. it's a huge album. for me, their last three albums far surpass anything they put out before. to dislike something because it has a catchy melody is possibly the most childish approach to music i can imagine. we were dead, good news, and the moon/antarctica are unbelievable.
Score = 9
isaac is is such an awesomefucking punk
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please isaac save the god awful lineup that is lolla so far and show up in chicago in august. i dont care what everyone says about all the Animal collectives and grizzly bears and other beasts abound, the modest mouse is still superior to all.
Score = 17
Dave is right, that was great. Can't wait to hear the full studio trreatment of that song on vinyl.
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Modest Mouse kick the crap out of AC and Grizzy Bear....always have, always will. In fact, they kick the crap out of most modern "indie" rock.
Score = 11
Finally something comes out that sounds good, I really hope they make up for that last album... One of my favorite bands shit on vinyl and figured I would buy it.
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I loved We Were Dead Before...
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I grew up in Seattle during the rise of Modest Mouse, which contrary to 90% of you on this site, was NOT when "Float On" came out in 04. But actually a decade before when they were a three piece.......and lets face it their last few releases have been devoid of much creativity or the emotions which made there first releases so powerful (though "spitting venom" is pretty sweet). I know that this won't be popular to may who read this site..........but here's an example, did they seriously, not think that no one would think that the melody of this song is taken directly from the chorus of trailer trash? I guess it slipped by the new fans.
I hope they kick out all the extra band members, have Malkamus produce the next album (pretty easy he live in Portland with these guys) and get back to making edgy. progressive stuff again....not radio ready hits.
And instead of scoring me a negative(too easy).....I'd love it if you'd how respond back with a intelligent written response on how you think I'm wrong.
Score = -32
I agree, go back to a 3 piece and the basic instruments, lock them in a room, and let them record. Get rid of the horns and all that and get back to basics.
Score = -1
I'm a huge Modest Mouse fan, and I agree that a good deal of the new staff lucks the raw unashamed intensity that they had before, but their new stuff is still really really good. Now as for ripping off the melody of trailer trash, I don't hear it, and I've listened to that song I don't know how many times.
Score = 5
Pavement reunited for a new album? and Modest Mouse has just covered it? Where was I? Fan-freakin-tastic!
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I don't see why everyone hates on Good News, its a really solid album, despite some track ordering issues, and everything they put out before that is fucking awesome. We Were Dead was pretty good, with alot of filler yeah, but I think it's mostly Dennis Herrings fault for overproducing the shit out of that cd. King Rat is an awesome song, and so is Sadellite Skin. I definatly haven't given up hope on them, and I'm not going to bitch and moan about how they need to "get back to basics"; bands grow and change and it's something you have to except. Moon and Antartica wasn't "going back to basics". Also they've been a 4 piece since touring for Lonesome Crowded West if I'm not mistaken, and there was a 4th guitarst that played on a couple songs from that album...
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Yup you're mistaken. They played live as a three piece up till the Moon and Antarctica. With a little help for a sampler/drum machine (after that I stopped going to there shows, so who knows). And it's not "back to the basics," all there just seems to be a lot unnecessary people standing around for such a sound....
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Well Isaac Brock himself said that the only reason he has so many people play with them live is to play all the overdubed guitar parts he has on the records, but that was before Good News. Dann Gallucci played on Lonesome Crowded West, so that's why I was mistaken about him touring with them.
Point is, band has been good for along time, through Good News, lost their way with We Were Dead, but I still have faith in them, and Isaac Brock is still one of my favorite musicians. Sometimes all those people "standing around" add to the sound, example: King Rat. If you haven't heard that song you really outta, it's better than anything off of We Were Dead...
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Dann has been in and out of Modest Mouse since they began playing music together.......and yes I've have heard King Rat back when it came out as the b-side to dashboard but I'm really not into New Orleans jazz trumpet they seem to love to use.
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And I agree with Ty above.....Spitting Venom is the best song they've recorded since their major label jump
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Yeah he played on This is a Long Drive among other albums...It was a b-side to fire it up...
Well to each his own, all I'm saying is I still have faith in them, the reason I think they've gone "downhill" lately is not due to the number of people in the band, rather the producer (Dennis Herring), especially with the latest one. I know he's producing this EP, but I've heard almost all the tracks, and it seems to be a pretty solid affair.
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No it came out as the b-side of the dashboard 7"
http://www.discogs.com/release/1008258
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Yeah Spitting Venom is sick, dunno about best since major label jump, Night on the Sun, 3rd Planet, Lives, Life Like Weeds all are better in my book. But the live version of Spitting Venom with the "With your teeth in your lips/ and your head to the ground" ending is aaaaaaaaaaaaawesome.
Score = 3
It also came out as an A side with Fire it Up as a B-side, which actually came out first, my bad though, didn't ever see that single.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Rat_(song)
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3rd Planet ohhh forgot about that one, your right about that one.....I haven't listened to these guys in a bit. Hard to believe they've already put out 3 proper major label records. I do, however enjoy the stripped down versions of Lives that was on the Night On The Sun Japanese '99 Tour EP much better then the one that ended up The Moon And Antarctica. Sound pretentious but the it's a good EP and happened to be in Japan at the time they were touring so......
Here's a question, what ever happened to Nicole Johnson, the girl who sang back up on a lot of the old tracks? Why hasn't she been in the mix in the last 10 years?
Score = 0
I agree, great tour EP...
I have no idea; her singing on some songs like grey ice water is great though...
Score = 0
This tune brings me back to the days when I used to lurk high school halls humming Cowboy Dan and waiting for someone to punch in the face. That was a long time ago.
Score = 3
sounds a bit like trailer trash
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This pleases me. And I like the denim jacket
Score = 4
Fairchild.
Score = 2
everyone wins
Score = 1
Modest Mouse's people changed the trackback language to a negative review of this performance that appeared on their blog. Funny:
http://www.populationstatistic.com/archives/2009/03/19/six-headed-mouse-band/
Score = 5
zzzzzzzzzzz...
Score = -5
Eric looks about the same as he always did, just more facial hair. Of course, Issac still looks badass.
Great song too, One of the newer songs I've been diggin'.
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OMGG I LOVE THIS SONG!!!
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Does anybody know what the Danelectro-looking guitar the guy on the right is playing is?
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So I guess in summary, "Hey" meets "Trailer Trash" meets "Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset"
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i came.
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as a rat?
Score = 14
Guess what? They willl never be as good as they used to be. What makes you think they're interested in recreating music from ten years ago? Even if Issac Brock in his usual drunken stupor wants to come down through your ceiling at night, with your sheets pulled up close to your face, and he actually DOES start making that kind of music again, which I am sure is his ultimate interest, you'll probably just ask him to play Bankrupt on Selling.
ANYWAY maybe MALAKAMUS and PAVEMENT will reunite when they hear the news Brock is going to just redo Lonesome Crowded West. PAVEMENT! FOR A ONE NIGHT ONLY SHOW IN YOUR BEDROOM!
My non ridiculous rebuttal: Stop liviing in the past. Embrace the future., maybe stop masturbating to ticket stubs from 1998. Give the new stuff a chance for what it is. You may even like it. I'm sure you'd be complaining if they were just writing the same kind of stuff on Lonesome for the last ten years. MAYBE YOU SHOULD JOIN THE BAND AND WRITE FOR HIM??!?!?!? IT COULD BE SO HARD AND PROGRESSIVE! YOU COULD RENAME THE BAND COCKY RAT! IT COULD BE CRAZIER THAN JEREMIAH!
And for that intelligent rebuttal:
MALKAMUS!
p.s. I grew up in Seattle the same time as you. I know your type.
And for the record: Good News blows dogs for quarters. We Were Dead isn't bad at all. Spitting Venom slays. And yes, it sounds ridic like Trailer Trash. It's amazing how smart people can be such idiots.
P.S. PAVEMENT REUNITED JUST FOR YOU MALAKAMUS IS ON THE PHONE, HE WANTS TO TELL YOU HIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!
Score = -6
Hmm, I've listened to Modest Mouse since about '98 or so, they always produce some good stuff, and more filler than good stuff, like most bands. hadn't seen them live until last summer. they were the middle slot, between REM and the National. they were ummmm, not nearly as good as either. it was largely just cacophony. did not translate well live. even seeing my guitar idol Johnny Marr up onstage there didn't do much for me until he was playing with REM, which was kind of touching.
I dunno, Modest Mouse are OK, but I think they get maybe a little more credit than they deserve. I've never heard of someone going to a Modest Mouse show and being just totally blown away.
Score = -10
Modest Mouse > you
Score = 6
Huh... he sounds like an angry Daniel Johnston.
Score = 0
I liked Modest Mouse better when they were called Built to Spill.
Score = -5
this is the only band I've ever called my favorite. Isaac's lyrics are unsurpassed
Score = 10
bachman turner overdrive > smash mouth
Score = 9
That would be funnier if it were accurate.
Score = -2
That was really good! Totaly forgot that I enjoyed modest mouse- thought I was through with them after the last album.
Score = 0
Air Supply > Russell Hitchcock's severed genitals, having become sentient and fronting a band of hoboes
Score = 0
This guy uses too many scientific metaphors for not knowing much of anything about science.
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CountryCLASHWilcoTeenMovieSoundtrack.....bleghhaklaksj;
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Maybe it was just an off day for them.
Score = -1
pavement > modest mouse
also, why are 3 guitars and a pedal steel needed for this song? maybe 1 marr = 2 non marr gtrs?
Score = -3
these guys need to rehearse.
Score = -5
I saw them last month in KCMO, they played Satellite Skin and it was BADACE awesomeness. The show was great...even got to see Isaac tell off a tard who kept yelling "play some old shit" after they'd JUST played some old shit. Good times.
Modest Mouse is my favorite band...from Interstate 8 and Long Drive, to Good News and We Were Dead...(and also Ugly Casanova; Isaac's side project from 2002, I believe...)
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Bands evolve and change. It's all about keeping an open mind. For me, no lyrics have ever been more thought provoking or lifesaving. Sure, "We Were Dead" was very "produced." So effin what? It's still top fucking notch. Better than anything mainstream radio has to offer.
Score = 1