Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse 

I have a playlist of ever song they've made and I listen too it all the time. This brought my favorite band of all time and my favorite hobby skateboarding to the same spot thanks so much!!!!

He tries to understand himself and pinpoint who he is but by the time he’s got it figured out he’s changed the whole damn plan.

“You just start playing music and if it feels like something you heard you quit.. or change it” And that’s why I love Modest Mouse.

Probably one of the most lyrically meaningful groups in my life... musically too, for 20 years they seem to show up when I need it the most

that was basically a song, dude is like no other on the planet.... so strange yet so perfect

I used to skate w/ their drummer Jeremy (Jeremiah) Green in middle school, around 89’ in Yakima, WA. We had an indoor park, I had a janky mini ramp...skateboarding was everything back then, skaters were TOTAL outcasts! Jeremy & his brother Adam left for the Seattle area around 90’, & the rest is history...badass drummer, badass singer, badass band!!!🙌🏻

i could listen to this guy just talking random shit all the fckin time

The greatest rock lyricist of all time!

Modest MOUSE in the late 90s and early 00s was the soundtrack to my teenage years and into my 20s. I still listen to my favorite albums and just melt into the music. One of my favorite bands of all time.

As a songwriter, I've always found it bizarre to hear other songwriters respond to questions saying, 'here's my philosophy' 'here's why I do this', yada dada, I've got this figured way the hell out. It's such a breath of fresh air to hear a songwriter say, 'i don't know how the hell it happens' 'I don't have a plan'

Basically his anwser to every question : idk how i got here idk why and wtf

I honestly can't believe Issac is still alive. Dude is a survivor.

By far the best Isaac Brock interview ever.

Isaac Brock used to shop at the grocery store I was a cashier at in Portland, Oregon in 2013-2014 and was also my neighbor, I miss him living in Portland and casually coming through my grocery line, it always made my month to see him once in a blue moon, wish I wasn't so starstruck and would have asked him more interesting things though, he is super smart and cool. One time he asked how my day was and I said, "I can't wait to be off work" and he responded, "Yeah, I've only been here 5 minute and I already can't wait to leave here too" LOL I laughed so hard, good news for people who love bad news :)

Whatever Isaac says goes.

I've spent so many days listening to Modest Mouse while skating, great memories that can be re-experienced by simply putting on a record, thank you.

I heard he taught a fruit how to eat itself. It was hanging out alone all on a shelf. My favorite band, period. Got me through a lot of miserable times man. I'm still pushing, and I still listen to his band. Thanks Isaac, Jeremiah, and Eric.

Talking shit about a pretty sunset is dope AF for a skate part

I had listened to Modest Mouse in the past, but it didn't hit until I heard Dramamine at a skatepark... they became my favorite band and now I have so many memories associated with their music. 💙

"shit Luck" belongs to Toy Machine. Its a fact in skateboarding. Nobody can skate to it anymore.... Modest mouse was the soundtrack to skate videos in the early 2000's. So much respect. I miss that time.

I saw modest mouse the day after 9/11 and their stage show was demolished buildings being played in reverse in slow motion and that shit blew my fucking mind.

I don't always get band quotes and art tattooed on me, but when I do its MODEST MOUSE!

Love Isaac! "I was the singer of the band before I had anything to fucken say" 🤓

I like that there isn't any posturing with him. Most people in his spot will have the incessant need to tell you how important they are.

“Your liver might fire you...It tried”

That was a pleasant surprise.

Issac isn't necessarily my hero. He is something really important to me though. His music is anyway but I believe his music is him. Hard to articulate. I'm sure his other fans get it.

I heard Dramamine in Arts Bars. That is what started MM for me.

this plane is definitely crashing

Just saw these guys in Orlando on 4/20 Sold out show, general admission. Blew everyone away. Chillest band and chillest crowd ever

Hearing him say he doesn't believe in art stunned me briefly because generally I hear people describe art as something objective with a literal definition (i.e. this is art, but that's not). My "definition" of art has been evolving for a few years now. It's been becoming more and more indistinguishable with *life* itself, synonymous even. Since I see it everywhere, it's becoming less and less defined. Maybe he sees a similar world, a world so flush with art that it can't be distinguished amongst itself. Then again, that could all just be my mind coping after hearing one of my idols doesn't believe in what fascinates me the most. I won't presume, but I'd like to believe he and I agree. And it's out of this this need, necessity to me, that I created this justification. (hm, why'd that end up sounding like a prayer?) The irony here is that my fascination with "art" began one fateless night when a friend introduced me to Modest Mouse.

I've been listening to Modest Mouse for around 9 years (thanks to Josiah Leming covering the song 3rd planet) and this is the first time I'm seeing what someone from the band looks like. This is even after immediately purchasing 4 of their albums (after hearing their version of 3rd Planet). I can say with a true heart that I know nothing about this band except I love their music wholeheartedly.

I started listening to Modest Mouse after hearing the song Different City in the Foundation video "Art Bars Subtitles and Seagulls" in 2001. To this day i still love Skateboarding and Modest Mouse

I remember I found out about Modest Mouse reading album review in SLAP magazine (r.i.p.). Loved that magazine, still love Modest Mouse.

Loved Modest Mouse as a kid. I haven't heard any of their newer shit after Good News. Should probably get on that.

one of the best interviews I've seen with Isaac

Modest Mouse is my favorite band ever! Isaac Brock is a dream.

Introduced to Modest Mouse through an old Foundation skate tour vid back in the day called “The Good Times Are Killing Me.” Every MM track on there was gold & popped that VHS in so many times to get pumped to go out to skate again.

Jesus...I wish that an actual fan could sit and pose him his own lyrics in question... I would love to run through his lyrics with him from album to album. The man is an actual philosopher of the human condition, and all we get in these interviews are people asking him about the "business" of the band. It's a shame. We want to hear more about the way you think, about the way you think Isaac.

Cairo Foster used "Never Ending Math Equation" in Reel to Real back in like 2000 or whatever. That part was actually what got me into Modest Mouse in the first place. So, it's not always "Shit Luck"...Just most of the time.

Oh you'll get in the mood, thanks Booze.

glad to see the berrics appreciates good musicians

Good to see him being open about the Black Francis influence. Modest Mouse have that Pixies sound but completely with their own unique twist.

Isaac is a folk lyricist who doesn't play folk music. In terms of just being a lyricist, he's up there with the very best - with the likes of Guthrie and Seeger and Dylan because you'll have listened to a MM song over and over and over, and something in your life happens and suddenly a lyric in that song you heard a thousand times makes sense - like your life and that song are two ships passing in the night or like the garbled frequency of the lyrics becomes clear for a moment. To illustrate, I was staying at a buddy's house and we were all having a good time the night before and woke up and there was a dude just sleeping on the couch in the living room. Nobody knew who this kid was, it turned out he was at an unrelated party in the neighborhood and got shitfaced and just stumbled over and walked in the unlocked door and passed out on my friend's couch. He was "walking sideways" and "didn't know when a front door can't be used." Another time, I was young and was at some family thing and it was the first time I was allowed to drink in front of my folks, I had a shot and asked for another and my mother said to me "Well, you can't fly on just one wing." Well, holy shit - now "Fly Trapped in a Jar" makes a lot more sense - it always made sense, but by hearing the blue collar aphorisms in use and seeing that shit play out it's like I understood a different dimension to the song. By using that terminology and putting those life experiences into the music, Isaac (perhaps inadvertantly) imparts a slice of everyday life for a specific type of people and that's the essence of 'folk music.' If you're someone with even a bit in common with Isaac's upbringing or life experiences, sometimes it might seem like the song is narrating your life before you even live it - it's probably totally and unconcious thing on his part but he nails those very specific moods and feelings and mindsets. It's more than a song singing about a fucking breakup or something and you identifying with the song because you just had a break-up - that's vague, what Isaac does is hit on a very specific mood. Trailer Trash is the one everyone goes to because it's the most naked in the feeling it's replicating "Eating snowflakes with plastic forks...Goddamn I hope I can pass high school, means nothing" - because it's so specific, fewer people will identify with it, but those that do will have a much more resonant experience. That's true slice of life. That's like reading Cannery Row after having spent your life in that same kind of waterside community.

"Turns out, cancelling tours cost more than they pay" ha

I was introduced to modest mouse thru a skateboarding video.. Through Being nice skate vid. Local KC shop video had a part with Edit the sad parts by MM. love that song til this day. Brings back great memories

“I don’t believe in art”. Marcel Duchamp reference? Or just an Isaac Brock idea. I love that after 20 years of writing music he still can’t describe the process. Who gives a hoot?

wonderful lyricist. best I've ever heard. very talented musician and writer. love this guy

that aquarium songwriting analogy is perfect

I love that Modest Mouse 🐁 is still making great music. Thank you for making this your job I; and others; needed modest mouse's music. 🎶 Please keep on touring I understand that it gets tireing. I travel for my job as well but I do it all year long. It's only everywhere in Washington State, but I'm driving to a new city every day that I work. I have loved modest mouse for years now as my favorite band. I think since 23, I'm 32 now and I have not gotten to see you live yet. This year November 22nd Portland, OR will be my first opportunity to see the band I love so much live. Just know that when you are on stage there's all of those people in the crowd who love your music and for some of them this might be their first time. Don't let those modest mouse fans down. When your tired and don't want to do it find some motivation, see how happy the crowd is just to see you. Let the crowd amp you up. I can't wait to see you guys live your music is the best. Worth every single penny

I love them. my baby brother was born like 3 monthes ago and hes gonna love them to. ive been listening since... as long as I can remember I think there first song I ever heard was little motel and it was my favorite until I heard edit the sad parts I'm only 11 to but I'm on my dads account and theyre so cool this is my fav band ever

Teeth Like Gods Shoeshine Dashboard Shitluck are the songs I've heard in videos that got me into them more and more.

7:27 "oh you'll get in the mood, THANKS Booze...." L M A O

how the fuck did i miss this

Saw them live resently amazing small intimate venue! Also was among a few ppl to get the whole band's signatures but I'm not really into that ... (my friends told me to keep it for memories ) ! I had an amazing time !!!!!

It's hard to find genuine and real people nowadays, but when you do come across someone like that, it's inspiring

This might be one of the few interviews he’s taken completely serious.

He's so awesome. Plain and not so simple.

I literally found out about modest mouse from adio: one step beyond. Ryan Bobier uses the song "alone down there" for his part and it rules

First song I hard by MM was “Dukes Up”....And it got me through a difficult time...And it is a constant anthem to this day....Thanks much mates!!!!...

Missed the boat was my skate song for the longest time. Hell yes.

Great interview. I love Modest Mouse and Isaac Brock is awesome. I’d love to hangout with him.

First song I ever heard by Modest Mouse was "Alone Down There" in a 411VM video and I've been hooked ever since

John West's part in Art Bars. A Different City. That is what got me into MM as a young teen :P

Best interview of all time

Sounds like he's trying to suppress a burp

looking at these comments and stoked to see others who appreciate this man. Also the only time Shitluck works was for the Toy machine trailer for Jump off a building or welcome to hell? One of the first ones. Perfect trailer for a skate video.

I wanna listen to a whole audiobook narrated by Isaac Brock

Fantastic song writer.

Modest mouse is the band that really feels like they’re (Brock) singing about my life. I have a beautiful, personal relationship with many of their songs.

i'm pretty sure modest mouse is the most played band out of all the videos i've watched. and i'm very happy about that. first one i remember (probably from 20 years ago or so) was 'sunspots in the house of the late scapegoat" from a 411 video magazine. next, "breakthrough", another favorite. i certainly won't argue against isaac that "shit luck" is the most popular one haha!

The best,my favorite,my favorite band!!!

I would love to jam with Isaac, he seems like a very open minded kinda guy when it comes to freestyle jamming. Just whatever goes GOES!!

I listened to modest mouse long before o skated. 1994-2001 modest mouse is my favorite music.

He's a poet even when he speaks

great interview. hard to come by sometimes

in artbars they also played one their tracks for jon west's part (different city)

Huge MM fan. Isaac is the man!!

legend

more of this

Modest Mouse will always be my favorite band

Being addicted to speed is kinda gnarly. I think it maybe can make good art tho

Seen these guys around 2004 at the intersection in Grand Rapids. They were late, came rolling in in this crazy tour bus then proceeded to rock out for what seemed like 3 hours. If they were fucked up, it was great

His voice is so awesome

Super cool you guys interviewed this cat!

i once saw modest mouse in chatanooga and they where all super pissed off. apparently because the venue's sound people where messing up bad. i hated to see them upset but it was nice to see a band i love so much in a "real" scinario.

Isaac Brock is my favorite. He's on the same list as Mike Ness and Fat Mike of NOFX

Valterra! We are the same age Isaac! Love your music!

awesome

I love how he basically been winging it this whole time. MM is the band that showed up at the wrong venue and just went with it. It works though

haha, i love the piece about K records.

thank you for this, Im a huge Modest Mouse fan 👍👍

my Numero uno band ever!!

WTF dude my 2 favorite things together!!!!

Wow I’ve loved Modest mouse so much they’re one of 10 bands who I always play, every weeks for the last 25 years. B run never wanted to see what they looked like or hear them (I’m not interested in musicians when they aren’t making music, usually). And he doesn’t really believe in art. I love this man. I love this band even more. F I might even become a groupie.

im jst glad this guys lived through all the shit in his life to get to this point. what an interesting character

Isaac and Jello Biafra both have lisps when they talk but I can’t get enough of both of their voices.

Anyone who loves MM plz go check out their song Beta Carotene. It’s not on an album but my GODDD is it good

My playlist.... grateful dead... jethro tull... counting crows..... modest mouse....

*The Sad, Shy, Talented Mime* That needs to be the title to the next *Modest Mouse* album.