Since 1993, Modest Mouse has proved itself to be a whale of a band. That fact came to our attention in a different (and much more literal) way after the release of their highly imaginative video for “King Rat,” conceived and directed in part by the late Heath Ledger. Propelled by a squall of gory animation that shows whales sailing in a boat on the hunt for humans (a slice of social commentary about the horrors of the commercial whaling industry), the manic shrieks of lead singer Isaac Brock bring a rush of kitschy charisma to every line of the song. This is just a sample of the trademark imagination that's at the root of the Washington-based band’s acclaimed journey through your head-phones and on stages around the world. This week, the band is poised to entertain what is sure to be a packed crowd of cult followers at the Grove of Anaheim, supported by pummeling garage rock courtesy of the Night Marchers. If you want to get any where near the stage, we suggest you shove off early.
Sat., Aug. 29, 7 p.m., 2009
