The band's current configuration is Isaac Brock (vocals, guitar), Tom Peloso (strings, horns, bass, keyboards), Jim Fairchild (guitar), and Eric Judy (bass)). Plummer has recently become the new drummer for The Shins.
Brock came up with the name "Modest Mouse" when he read the Virginia Woolf stream of consciousness essay The Mark On the Wall in which the author described the working middle class as "modest mouse-coloured people"
Brock frequently moved around with his mother when he was a child. Around this time, his mother left his father for his father's brother (Brock's uncle). Brock's mother's house flooded and forced them to move into his mother's new husband's trailer, but there was no room for Brock. Brock stayed behind, living in the second story of the flooded house, until he was eventually evicted by police. He then moved into a shed next to his mother's house and it is said this is where Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green and bassist Eric Judy first began playing music.
In 1994, the band recorded their debut EP, Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect?, at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studios, which was then released on Calvin's record label K Records. Then followed a single with Sub Pop that was recorded by producer Steve Wold at Moon Studios. Wold, who in the mid-2000's would begin to perform under the name Seasick Steve, would also perform on the band's albums, but was never an official member of the band. After moving to Up Records Modest Mouse put out several releases recorded at Moon Studios, including 1996's This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About. This double LP was produced and recorded by Steve Wold. The next offering on UP was Interstate 8; also produced by Steve Wold. 1997's The Lonesome Crowded West, (also recorded at Moon Studios, by Scott Swayze) turned out to be the band's breakthrough album. The Lonesome Crowded West gained the band a cult following and is now widely considered by many critics to be one of the defining albums of mid-90s indie rock.
In 2000, Modest Mouse released The Moon And Antarctica, their first album on a major label (Epic Records). The band enjoyed some success on alternative radio with the singles "3rd Planet" and "Gravity Rides Everything." Lead singer Isaac Brock has since put out an album with his side project Ugly Casanova on Sub Pop Records.
In 2003, drummer Jeremiah Green quit the band; the official word was that he was quitting to work with his side project, Vells. He was replaced with two members, drummer Benjamin Weikel (who also drummed for The Helio Sequence) and guitarist Dann Gallucci (Murder City Devils). Weikel being new to the band and Gallucci returning to the band for the first time since This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About. On April 6, 2004, Modest Mouse released the platinum-selling Good News For People Who Love Bad News, which scored two hits with "Float On" and "Ocean Breathes Salty". In 2004 Jeremiah Green returned to the band, and Benjamin Weikel now drums exclusively for The Helio Sequence. Dann Gallucci left the band in August, and they toured with Hutch Harris of The Thermals during the fall of 2004.
Modest Mouse was mentioned by name in the 2005 Supreme Court decision in the case of MGM v. Grokster. Justice Souter wrote that on the Grokster P2P network, "Users seeking Top 40 songs, for example, or the latest release by Modest Mouse, are certain to be far more numerous than those seeking a free Decameron, and Grokster and StreamCast translated that demand into dollars."
In 2005, multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, who already played various instruments on Good News For People Who Love Bad News, officially joined the band. In 2006, Johnny Marr, former guitarist for The Smiths, became an official member of the band.
On March 20, 2007, the band released their fifth album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Four singles were released from the album: "Dashboard", "Missed the Boat", "We've Got Everything" and "Little Motel". The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. James Mercer of The Shins provides backing vocals on three songs.
In 2009, they released No One's First And You're Next, an EP of unreleased songs from around the time Good News and We Were Dead were recorded, and two songs that had already been released, "I've Got It All (Most)" and "King Rat". The video for King Rat was directed by late actor Heath Ledger.
In 2009, Johnny Marr left the band and was replaced by Jim Fairchild, formerly of Grandaddy. The band performed at several festivals throughout 2009 and 2010, including the main stage of the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2010.
After an 8 year wait, the band's latest full-length is "Strangers To Ourselves", released March 17th, 2015- two weeks after the original release date, March 3rd, 2015. The album art is an aerial photo of an RV resort located in Mesa, Arizona. Five singles were released before the album, "Lampshades on Fire", "Coyotes", "The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box", "The Best Room", and "Of Course we Know".
Drummer Jeremiah Green passed away from cancer on December 31, 2022 at the age of 45.
Florida
Modest Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
Grass stains and fresh fruit
Reminds our shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tall vision
We built ourselves a mission
Oh, with vague description
Of what we have been missing
So why would anyone try?
It was always worth it
That's the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
I wasn't always cargo
I was once kind of my own
I guess I'll pack up my mind
It took so much effort
Not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design
It was always worth it
That's the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put up the closing sign
Even as I left Florida
(Yee-ha)
It was always worth it
That's the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Has all deserted hive
It was always worth it
That's the part I seem to hide
Even as I left Florida
Far enough, far enough
Wasn't far enough
Couldn't quite seem to escape myself
Far enough, far enough
Far from Florida
We were all drowsing in cruise control
Far enough, far enough
Wasn't far enough
I stood on my heart supports thinkin'
Oh my God, I'll probably have to carry this whole load
I couldn't remember if I tried
I couldn't remember if I took my brain out, threw it so directly at the goal
I couldn't remember if I
I could have my mind erased
And still not know exactly what I don't already know
Even as I left Florida
The lyrics to Modest Mouse's song "Florida" explore the idea of making a concerted effort to achieve something - in this case, building "ourselves a mission to ride out motives decide" - and the often unexpected and inexplicable nature of success. It presents the notion that, even though we sometimes struggle to articulate our goals and sometimes wonder whether or not they are worthwhile, we should trust in the process and have faith that the hard work, obstacles, and uncertainty are all worth it in the end. The singer reflects on the effort, acknowledging how difficult it was to put in so much work and yet, paradoxically, not make an effort at all. The song presents a cycle of trying and then questioning the decision to have done so, raising the larger question of whether or not we are ever truly satisfied.
The title of the song is both significant and symbolic in the fact that Florida is often seen as a place of both refuge and newfound opportunity. However, the song's references to "the shit that flew from our minds" and the "busy ant empire" carrying out its mundane work allude to the idea that the quest for greater purpose and satisfaction often leads to disillusionment and a return to the mundane. The song's narrative captures the experience of leaving behind the ordinary and striving for something greater, only to ultimately question whether it was ever worth it to begin with.
Line by Line Meaning
Although we often wondered
Despite our constant pondering
It was no thing of wonder
The answer wasn't surprising
The shit that flew from our minds
The nonsense ideas we came up with
Grass stains and fresh fruit
Reminders of nature
Reminds our shoes of horse glue
Creates a sticky mess
On this ridiculous climb
This unrealistic task
With great tall vision
With high aspirations
We built ourselves a mission
Created our own purpose
To ride out motives decide
To determine a clear motive
Oh, with vague description
Unclear and indistinct
Of what we have been missing
What we lacked previously
So why would anyone try?
What's the point in attempting it?
It was always worth it
The effort was worthwhile
That's the part I seem to hide
I'm not always truthful about it
And the busy ant empire
The bustling world around us
Put all your clothes inside
Controls and influences our lives
I wasn't always cargo
I wasn't always passive
I was once kind of my own
I was independent
I guess I'll pack up my mind
I'll change my mindset
It took so much effort
It was a struggle
Not to make an effort
To not try too hard
Oh, what a flawless design
How effortless it seems
Put up the closing sign
Closed for business
Far enough, far enough
Aimlessly wandering
Wasn't far enough
Never feeling truly free
Couldn't quite seem to escape myself
Unable to break free from myself
We were all drowsing in cruise control
Living life on autopilot
I stood on my heart supports thinkin'
Contemplating my existence
Oh my God, I'll probably have to carry this whole load
Feeling overwhelmed
I couldn't remember if I tried
My thoughts were jumbled and confused
I couldn't remember if I took my brain out, threw it so directly at the goal
Trying to achieve without thinking
I couldn't remember if I
Forgetting what I've done
I could have my mind erased
Wishing to start anew
And still not know exactly what I don't already know
Yet still feel lost
Even as I left Florida
Even though I left my past behind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE PLUMMER, ISAAC K. BROCK, JEREMIAH MARTYN GREEN, ERIC SCOTT JUDY, JOHNNY MARR, THOMAS P. PELOSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
klashr13
[Verse 1: Isaac Brock]
Although we'd often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
While wearing stains of fresh fruit
And riding on shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tunnel vision
We'd built ourselves a mission
To ride on bullets inside
Oh, what a vain description
Of what we have been missin'
So why would anyone try?
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Put up the closing sign
[Verse 2: Isaac Brock]
I wasn't always cargo
I was once kind of my own
I guess I'll pack up my mind
Well, it took so much effort
Not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Put up the closing sign
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I left Florida
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Has all deserted hive
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Whoa-oh) That's the part I seem to hide
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I had left Florida
Far enough, far enough, wasn't far enough
Couldn't quite seem to escape myself
Far enough, far enough, far from Florida
We were all drowsin' in cruise control
Far enough, far enough, wasn't far enough
[Bridge: Isaac Brock]
I stood on my heart's porch thinkin'
"Oh, my God, I'll probably have to carry this whole load"
I couldn't remember if I tried
I couldn't remember if I took my brain out
Threw it so directly at the goal
I couldn't remember if I— Ah! Ah! Augh!
I could have my mind erased
And still not know exactly what I don't already know
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I had left Florida
Florida by Modest Mouse
Lyrics source: Genius
klashr13
[Verse 1: Isaac Brock]
Although we'd often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
While wearing stains of fresh fruit
And riding on shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tunnel vision
We'd built ourselves a mission
To ride on bullets inside
Oh, what a vain description
Of what we have been missin'
So why would anyone try?
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Put up the closing sign
[Verse 2: Isaac Brock]
I wasn't always cargo
I was once kind of my own
I guess I'll pack up my mind
Well, it took so much effort
Not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Put up the closing sign
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I left Florida
[Chorus: Isaac Brock, James Mercer]
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Oh-whoa) That's the part I seem to hide
(Whoa-oh) And the busy ant empire
(Oh-whoa) Has all deserted hive
(Whoa-oh) It was always worth it
(Whoa-oh) That's the part I seem to hide
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I had left Florida
Far enough, far enough, wasn't far enough
Couldn't quite seem to escape myself
Far enough, far enough, far from Florida
We were all drowsin' in cruise control
Far enough, far enough, wasn't far enough
[Bridge: Isaac Brock]
I stood on my heart's porch thinkin'
"Oh, my God, I'll probably have to carry this whole load"
I couldn't remember if I tried
I couldn't remember if I took my brain out
Threw it so directly at the goal
I couldn't remember if I— Ah! Ah! Augh!
I could have my mind erased
And still not know exactly what I don't already know
[Refrain: Isaac Brock]
Even as I had left Florida
Florida by Modest Mouse
Lyrics source: Genius
mattyfox
Isaac you make beautiful music and I will always be thankful for it all
Lucas Morales
Do you know what this song is about?
Chase Baker
"Took so much effort, not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design"
Eye opening lyric.
That fucin dude
Doing nothing because the only something to be done isn't something I can come back from is a particular flavor of hell I'm well versed in. For me doing nothing even when right is harder than doing something right or wrong.
Clark C
Last time I went to Florida I got immediately dumped by my girlfriend of 7 years who decided to leave me to go get knocked up by her new boss’s son who already had 2 former wives. Will never be far enough from Florida. Thanks Isaac. She missed the boat, not me :D
FootBoy Kale
This is very much real music hadn't heard it for a while then just came back to it omg why are all bands not like the mouse. Very angry but strangely optimistic
Nalon
I could never get far enough from Florida.
francis graybill
Keep trying.
Ginger Riley
I live in Florida and I agreee