October 18–25, 2001

scene and heard

Mouse in the House

Sept. 30, Trocadero

Brock ’n’ roll: Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock. photo: John Vettese

It was just over a year ago that Modest Mouse did a respectable job of packing the Electric Factory, so it’s curious that they opted for a significantly smaller venue this time through town. Guess these low-key indie rockers feel more at home in a humble Troc setting. Their Sept. 30 gig ran into its share of difficulties throughout the night — guitar breakage, buried vocals, etc. — but the earnest crowd was quick to forgive.

When it was more audible, singer/guitarist Issac Brock’s voice resonated through the room, teetering in between a twangy hum and a brutal snarl. The earthy instrumental tones of "3rd Planet" eased the set to a start. Later, the shuffling rhythms of "Never Ending Math Equation" brought an up-tempo vibe to the calamity of cuts like the vehement "Alone Down There." The band’s performance was backed by quirky video footage, including shots of white rabbits dressed in costumes, animations of skeletons gettin’ kinky and reverse loops of buildings collapsing — which the crowd in NYC the following night was apparently not too thrilled with.

—John Vettese