Isaac Brock (musician)
Encyclopedia
Isaac Brock is the lead singer, guitarist, banjoist, and songwriter for the American
indie rock
band Modest Mouse
, as well as his side project band, Ugly Casanova
. As a songwriter he is noted for his clever wordplay and frequent use of metaphors, philosophical lyrics, themes of oppressive rural lifestyles, and certain phrases and sayings commonly used in the early to mid-20th century and in blue collar
environments.
In 1992, when he was sixteen, Brock moved to D.C. for the summer where he met his girlfriend. Brock traveled back and forth from the East Coast to Issaquah, where he took a community-college course to get his high school diploma before moving back to D.C. and to New York's East Village. He earned a living cleaning out meat trucks, posing as a nude model for art classes and taking part in medical experiments, before eventually landing in Seattle. It was there that he, Eric Judy
(bass) and Jeremiah Green
(drums) first started practicing music together in the Shed.
thing being a crock of shit, pretty much." He claims to "toy around with the whole Biblical thing," because it "just has amazing characters" and also identifies himself as "pretty much" an atheist.
His songs have also addressed his substance abuse, as in "The Good Times Are Killing Me." Brock admits to past drug use, and now says that drugs are "just something I kind of have to fight... I just try and make sure that it's not around, or I'm not around it."
In the middle of recording The Moon & Antarctica
in Chicago, Brock was attacked by a group of ruffians hanging out at a park; one of them punched him in the face and broke his jaw. He's still numb on the right side of his mouth where a steel plate was inserted.
Brock is a former A&R
man for the record label Sub Pop
; his most notable accomplishment with them was signing Wolf Parade
in 2004.
Isaac currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
band Murder City Devils
. The allegations led to an alleged fist fight between members of the Murder City Devils and Isaac Brock, after which Brock reportedly moved to Gainesville, Florida. Charges were never pressed, and Brock maintains his innocence. In a 2004 interview with The A.V. Club
, he claimed:
SuperSix, but are highly modified.
, but is now independent. Its first signee was Minnesota songwriter Mason Jennings
, followed by Love As Laughter
, Mimicking Birds
, Morning Teleportation
, and Talkdemonic
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
, as well as his side project band, Ugly Casanova
Ugly Casanova
Ugly Casanova is an American indie rock band carried on Sub Pop Records. The band has only released one album: Sharpen Your Teeth.According to the Ugly Casanova website, in 1998 a man named Edgar E.Graham, a.k.a. "Ugly Casanova", impressed himself upon the band Modest Mouse while backstage at a...
. As a songwriter he is noted for his clever wordplay and frequent use of metaphors, philosophical lyrics, themes of oppressive rural lifestyles, and certain phrases and sayings commonly used in the early to mid-20th century and in blue collar
Blue collar
Blue collar can refer to:*Blue-collar worker, a traditional designation of the working class*Blue-collar crime, the types of crimes typically associated with the working class*A census designation...
environments.
Early life
Isaac was born in Helena, Montana. During his childhood, Brock and his mother and sister lived in Montana and Oregon in hippie communes and churches before moving to Issaquah, Washington when Isaac was 11 years old. Brock was home-schooled for part of his school career. When his mother's house flooded 3 times, she was forced to move in to her future husband's trailer. Brock asked to stay behind in his own room until the new home was completed. He lived in the flooded home until the house was sold. After a short period of living in a friend's basement, he moved into the "Shed" built on the land next to his mother and stepfather's trailer.In 1992, when he was sixteen, Brock moved to D.C. for the summer where he met his girlfriend. Brock traveled back and forth from the East Coast to Issaquah, where he took a community-college course to get his high school diploma before moving back to D.C. and to New York's East Village. He earned a living cleaning out meat trucks, posing as a nude model for art classes and taking part in medical experiments, before eventually landing in Seattle. It was there that he, Eric Judy
Eric Judy
Eric Scott Judy is the bass guitarist, background vocalist, and founding member of the indie rock band Modest Mouse. He has a wife and two children, and resides in Seattle, Washington....
(bass) and Jeremiah Green
Jeremiah Green
Jeremiah Martin Green is a founding member and drummer of the indie rock band Modest Mouse from 1993 to March 2003, and again from July 2004....
(drums) first started practicing music together in the Shed.
Personal life
Although many of his songs use religious themes, Brock describes himself as "not really religious at all," adding that "I'm 100 percent on the whole ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
thing being a crock of shit, pretty much." He claims to "toy around with the whole Biblical thing," because it "just has amazing characters" and also identifies himself as "pretty much" an atheist.
His songs have also addressed his substance abuse, as in "The Good Times Are Killing Me." Brock admits to past drug use, and now says that drugs are "just something I kind of have to fight... I just try and make sure that it's not around, or I'm not around it."
In the middle of recording The Moon & Antarctica
The Moon & Antarctica
-2004 re-release bonus tracks:Isaac Brock was dissatisfied with the final mix and the album artwork for The Moon & Antarctica following its original 2000 release....
in Chicago, Brock was attacked by a group of ruffians hanging out at a park; one of them punched him in the face and broke his jaw. He's still numb on the right side of his mouth where a steel plate was inserted.
Brock is a former A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
man for the record label Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
; his most notable accomplishment with them was signing Wolf Parade
Wolf Parade
Wolf Parade is an indie rock band formed in 2003 from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band is currently on an indefinite hiatus as of May 31, 2011.-History:...
in 2004.
Isaac currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
Accusation of rape
In March, 1999, a 19-year-old woman filed a police report accusing Brock of rape. The allegations started right before Modest Mouse was to begin a nationwide tour with Seattle garage punkGarage punk
Garage punk is a fusion of garage rock and punk rock. It is fast-paced lo-fi music characterized by a dirty, choppy guitar sound—usually played by bands who are on independent record labels or who are unsigned...
band Murder City Devils
Murder City Devils
-History:The band's original lineup, consisting of Spencer Moody, Dann Gallucci, Derek Fudesco, Coady Willis, and Nate Manny formed in Seattle, Washington in 1996. Gabe Kerbrat was their permanent roadie, and considered a member...
. The allegations led to an alleged fist fight between members of the Murder City Devils and Isaac Brock, after which Brock reportedly moved to Gainesville, Florida. Charges were never pressed, and Brock maintains his innocence. In a 2004 interview with The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
, he claimed:
Equipment
Isaac's main guitar is custom made by Wicks Guitars. His amps are custom made by Soursound, based on a FenderFender
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
SuperSix, but are highly modified.
Glacial Pace
In October 2005, Brock started his own record label called Glacial Pace. The label used to be a subsidiary of Epic RecordsEpic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, but is now independent. Its first signee was Minnesota songwriter Mason Jennings
Mason Jennings
Mason Jennings is an American pop-folk singer-songwriter. He is well known for his simple yet catchy melodies, intimate lyrics, literary and historical themes, and distinctive voice...
, followed by Love As Laughter
Love as Laughter
Love as Laughter is an American indie band. The band was formed in 1994 by vocalist and guitarist Sam Jayne as a solo project following the break-up of his previous band, Lync. The band currently features Ivan Berko on bass, Nic Gonzales on drums, Andy Macleod on guitar and Robbie Lee on keyboards...
, Mimicking Birds
Mimicking Birds
Mimicking Birds is a rock group trio from Portland, Oregon centered around Nate Lacy , with Aaron Hanson .-History:Mimicking Birds was originally a vehicle for Nate Lacy's home recordings, but expanded to a trio after he signed to Modest Mouse member Isaac Brock's Glacial Pace Recordings label in...
, Morning Teleportation
Morning Teleportation
Morning Teleportation are a Psychedelic rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Morning Teleportation formed in 2005 when Bowling Green, KY natives and lifelong friends Travis Goodwin , Tres Coker , and Paul Wilkerson met up with Chicago transplant Tiger Merritt , who had just moved to their...
, and Talkdemonic
Talkdemonic
Talkdemonic is an avant-instrumental duo based in Portland, Oregon. The band consists of Kevin O'Connor and Lisa Molinaro. Talkdemonic recently signed with Isaac Brock's Glacial Pace Recordings to release their fourth record in Fall 2011.- History :...
.