Modest Mouse Show - a novice opinion

I had the opportunity to stretch my musical horizons last night and see a show of a band that I have never listened to before (at least before I found out I was going to the show) - Modest Mouse. There will be many show reviews out there and some will say Modest Mouse is a sell out (see Nissan Commercial), others will say their new stuff is better than old (old fans will tell new fans they do not belong), and then there is me - new to the whole deal. I did not even know Modest Mouse had a song in a Nissan commercial.

Here is what I can tell you about the show last night - it was pretty damn loud (hey, I am pretty damn old), all the boys in the crowd dressed alike (think retro used clothes store) - ok, so did the girls, for an "Indie" rock band they sure do charge a lot for tickets, I like the live music way better than the recorded.

Here is what else I noticed - HRL is a nice venue but I still prefer smaller venues like HOB and the Social, parking is horrible (or I am just stupid), Johnny Marr is nothing less than Rock Royalty, I like the songs with the banjo the best.

Will I ever listen to Modest Mouse? Sure, they had some good songs (I had to look them up on You TuBe this morning because I knew none of their songs) - I liked Satin in a Coffin and King Rat - I think some of their new songs are Float On and Dashboard - they were pretty good.

I like any band that plays music and is about the music - the show last night was about 80 minute long and I bet they played 20+ songs - it was the band and the stage and the crowd. Johnny Marr went through about 10 guitars and they had squeeze box,banjo, stand up bass, keyboard box, trumpet - it was all pretty cool.

Overall I rate the show a 6 - it was fun and we went with some great friends - would I pay $45 again? maybe not - would I see them in a nice small venue? hell yea! Will I download some music and give it a further listen? sure, I am always open to new stuff.

Next up - Vans Warped Tour - I will be the oldest person there - but you can not take a pass on Reel Big Fish when they are in town.