Live And In The Flesh
Modest Mouse - August 20, 2009
Modest Mouse surprised us all with a visit to Kingston during the summer of 2009. Two weeks before the show they had released their No One's First and You're Next EP, a compilation of b-sides from their Good News For People Who Love Bad News, and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank albums. This tour made its way through The Ale House (previously AJ's Hangar) to help get the word out and we couldn't resist jumping at the opportunity to get down to see them in this small club atmosphere. With a capacity of about 200-300 people, you were guaranteed an amazing view; just as long as you weren't stuck down in the sunken dance floor/bar at the very center of the venue, arguably one of the biggest downfalls for The Ale House. We didn't let it get in our way of finding the perfect view and enjoying the show throughout the entire evening.
The Dutchess and the Duke, a folk band from Seattle opened up for Modest Mouse for this tour. We hadn't heard any of their music prior to the show, but as soon as their set had finished up we were definite fans. They played through a bunch of tracks off of their 2008 She's The Dutchess, He's The Duke debut album release. Reservoir Park was particularly outstanding. The entire vibe they had going for them was great. One of those opening bands that you never forget throughout the many years of concerts. Unfortunately, The Dutchess and the Duke ended up parting ways in 2010. Thankfully we were able to catch them during the bands short-lived lifespan.
Modest Mouse made their way to the stage soon after The Dutchess and The Duke had packed their gear up. We couldn't believe we were seeing these guys in such a small place. It was a perfect first time experience with this band that had been plugging away at the music scene for well over a decade. They started off their set with some Good News for People Who Love Bad News - Bury Me With It. Even though you could tell Isaac Brock was suffering from a bit of a cold, they were amazing and on point. They reached back to their 2000 The Moon & Antarctica release next and busted out 3rd Planet. I had listened to this album non-stop throughout my years in college and was pumped they were playing some of it live. Gravity Rides Everything even followed it, just as it does on the album. Three songs deep into the setlist and I was loving it! Dramamine came next; one of my favourites off of their older 1996 This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About album. Everyone was loving all of the classic Modest Mouse material. I was impressed they had been going as far back as they were. Not long after, Shit Luck was even played!
The Whale Song, one of their newer tracks was probably the song I enjoyed most out of their latest stuff. My favourite track off of We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank - Fly Trapped in a Jar, started to wind things down before The Good Times Are Killing Me finished off their regular set fittingly. I was hoping these good times wouldn't come to an end, but unfortunately all great shows must.
Modest Mouse came out to send us on our way with a four song encore to wrap up their eighteen song setlist of songs, spanning throughout their entire career. Satellite Skin, Trailer Trash, The View, and Here It Comes from Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks provided a perfect ending to a spectacular show. I was glad they didn't simply stick to their singles and glad they played songs out of the norm. It is, after all, what I love most about the band itself. This has been the only Modest Mouse show we've been lucky enough to catch over the years, and I can assure you it won't be the last.