Generally when I think of humanitarians Modest Mouse doesn't pop to the top of my list. However, based on their recent events Modest Mouse might have won an "indie rock do good" award if one existed.
Pitchfork reported back in December that there was a benefit concert, "Obama Do Rock For Kids Auction" where Modest Mouse performed with Arcade Fire, REM, Interpol, Wilco and more. There was also a huge auction of music memorabilia.
In February of 2009 the band announced they were coming out with an album of re-polished outtakes. In March the band titled the album No One's First and You're Next. Between March and its August 18th release there were the form of three limited edition two-song 7" singles: "Satellite Skin," "Autumn Beds," and "Perpetual Motion Machine."
This led to the socially conscious spotlight for Modest Mouse yet again this time from a video of the song "King Rat" originally found on the Dashboard single off the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank and the first song on the new EP album No One's First and You're Next.
The video for the track "King Rat" has generated a TON of buzz for reasons good and bad. The video, because it was directed by Heath Ledger who died before the release, has been given much attention. It is titled "King Rat," which makes me think of the "King Mouse" (or Mouse King as he is apparently billed) that my 4 year old niece always cheers for and talks about after going to the Nutcracker Suite. This "King Rat" is more suited to whales and saving them than Nutcrackers and slaying them.
Directed by Heath Ledger and having Daniel Auber and Norris Houk handling animation, the video a "visual plea against the legal commercial whale hunts taking place off the coast of Australia," according to the press release.
The reasons I sound surprised when speaking of their good behavior is the history of the band, specifically lead singer, guitarist Isaac Brock. Brock is the rusty lug nut, the hard touring driving force behind Modest Mouse.
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