“The Mouse” ruled Kansas City again. Everyone standing inside the sold out Crossroads on Tuesday night knew it; the people joining on the surrounding balconies knew it and “The Mouse” (as one under-the-influence man repeatedly referred to Seattle indie- rock outfit Modest Mouse as) knew it. But no matter how much Modest Mouse did rule, this was no ordinary show. Not from where I was standing anyway. “Why?” you ask. Well, take into consideration these ten random notes about the show and then ask yourself that same question.
1. The opening band (Avi Buffalo) barely looked old enough to drive, let alone be touring with one of the decade’s most recognized bands. But, despite how young they may have looked, they were easily some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen.
2. I was bumped from behind as a young woman passed out in between bands. Behold, victim #1. (I’m sure it was just the heat getting to her.)
3. The down time in between bands seemed ridiculously long. However, they did manage to tune Modest Mouse front man Isaac Brock’s guitar a handful of times. I remember thinking to myself, “That damn guitar better stay in tune.”
4. Despite the stagehands’ countless efforts, Isaac Brock’s guitar still managed to be out of tune. No worries though, Brock played it off as if the rest of the band was playing in the wrong key. They stopped the song, Brock demonstrated the correct way to play the song, and they confidently restarted the song like nothing ever happened. This is “The Mouse” we’re talking about here.
5. Halfway through Modest Mouse’s set, “the heat” claimed another body. Behold, victim #2.
6. “Trailer Trash” was requested for the seventeenth time by a kind, loud-mouthed fellow standing a few feet behind me.
7. Brock kindly, and abruptly, wished the audience a good night as the band exited the stage.
8. As the crowd grew increasingly anxious for a Modest Mouse encore, repeated attempts of claps and chants proved to be nothing more than a failure. Do those ever work?
9. As the band made their way back onto the stage for the encore, “Trailer Trash” was requested for a twentieth time by that same kind, loud-mouthed young man standing behind me.
10. Isaac Brock bantered with the audience during the encore. This wasn’t the first time during the show either. Weird.
Alright so maybe this wasn’t such an odd show for Modest Mouse. In fact, the only thing from this list that may be weird is Brock being so chatty with the audience. Other than that, “The Mouse” is still “The Mouse.” For years now they have never managed to disappoint me and they definitely didn’t start on Tuesday night. I don’t think they disappointed any one in attendance Tuesday night, aside from the “Trailer Trash” man. They never did play that for him.
Written by Chris Robbins. Photos by Todd Zimmer.
