modest mouse

Earlier today, my father sent over a link to the new Modest Mouse video for the song "King Rat" from the recently released EP No One's First and You're Next. Being the big MM fan that I am, I watched it as soon as I could. Directed by Heath Ledger before his untimely passing last year, the six-minute animated video features a little twist on whaling, switching things around so that the whales are doing the poaching and the humans are being poached. A bit gruesome at times, especially during the skinning scenes, it does a good job to raise awareness about illegal poaching of whales in south Asian and Australian waters. Check it out:

Rothbury's schedule was released on Thursday, much to the excitement of the BOT crew. (Particularly me, as I'm missing the beginning of our festival season this weekend.) I've been looking forward to Rothbury since this year's inaugural event was announced, and perusing the schedule makes me wish it were July 3rd already.

Judging from the lineup, I knew that I would run into a few scheduling conflicts, but I have to admit that I almost became physically ill when I saw that Modest Mouse and Yonder Mountain String Band feat. Jon Fishman are playing directly against each other. Of all the bands appearing at Rothbury, those were the two sets that I most wanted to see in their entirety. I didn't get to see Yonder when they were in Houston this past February, and I was incredibly disappointed to learn that their ACL set competes with Iron & Wine's, so I was banking on getting my newgrass on in July. But I've been desperately needing to see Modest Mouse ever since I fell in love with We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, so...what to do? Guess I'll figure it out when I get there, as we all know that the best-laid festival plans often go awry.

View the full Rothbury Festival schedule at http://www.rothburyfestival.com/festival_schedule.php.

To get your summer started off right, here are a few suggestions for you folks in the heartland.

Tues June 3rd
Buckethead with That 1 Guy @ The Waiting Room in Omaha. Rad Kadillac went and did it again. Unfortunately for you procrastinators, this show is sold out, but does start at 9pm. I suggest getting there plenty early to offer strangers random “favors” for a ticket.

Wed June 4th
Modest Mouse with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs, IA a.k.a. Omaha. This 7:30pm show will set you back $35.

Thurs June 5th thru Sunday June 8th
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival in Lawrence, KS. Already in its 5th year on the scene, this year's edition promises to be a blast. Pack up the crew and bring ‘em down to Clinton State Park for the weekend. Tickets are $169 for all 4 days or $60 for each day at the gate. See you there!!!

Click here for more happenings!

This year's festival season just keeps getting better and better. The Sasquatch! Music Festival, which is set to take place May 24-26 at The Gorge in Washington, released its lineup today. Eggs and I have a particular interest in this festival because we named one of our feline friends after it, but have not yet been able to attend. After seeing this tasty musical menu, we're determined to work Sasquatch! into our festival itinerary this year.

Full Sasquatch! lineup after the jump

Announced today, the first ever Rothbury Festival is set to take place July 3-6 in the small town of Rothbury, Michigan. It is being described as a global celebration of music, arts and action. Producers Madison House and AEG Live (who run our favorite venue in Houston: Warehouse Live) expect to bring upwards of 50,000 people to this Great Lakes locale. Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, 311, Phil Lesh, Primus and Snoop Dogg lead the bill, while fresh acts like Gogol Bordello, Ray LaMontagne, State Radio and Of Montreal fill it out.

If you haven't heard by now, Athens, Georgia rockers R.E.M. are releasing a new album. Accelerate is their first album since 2004's Around The Sun, and is due out on Warner Bros. on April Fool's Day. They just announced the tour dates to support their latest effort, and also added a few bands to help them out on the road. Indie-rockers Modest Mouse and The National will join R.E.M. starting on May 23rd at Vancouver's Deer Lake Park. The tour will make notable stops at many of North America's best (Red Rocks, Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre) and worst (United Center) venues.

Tour Dates after the jump.

There have been many different and unusual animals in my life recently. My first Video Omelette of the new year features some of my favorite musical animals. Get all your cats, dogs, goats and gila monsters close for this one.

It is that time of the season when everybody starts to put out their top albums, so I thought I would take a stab at it and see what happens. Their was a host of really good new music this year. Playing a major role is my ever-changing music tastes which have drastically shifted this year. So here you go, give it a read. If you completely hate or love my opinions feel free to let me know.

20. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
19. Xavier Rudd - White Moth
18. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
17. Ween - La Cucaracha
16. Feist - The Reminder
15. Various Artists - I'm Not There OST