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Modest Mouse was formed in 1992 in Issaquah, Washington, and quickly became notable for their eclectic style and energetic performances. The band’s lineup has undergone several changes throughout its history, contributing to its evolving sound. They gained mainstream success with their 2004 album, Good News for People Who Love Bad News, and hits like “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty” have solidified their place in the alternative rock landscape. Over the years, Modest Mouse has released several albums and EPs, continuously experimenting with new sounds and themes. Their eighth studio album, An Eraser and a Maze, was released in 2026, marking their first full-length studio album since the death of founding drummer Jeremiah Green in 2022.
Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock has been the creative force behind Modest Mouse since its inception. As the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, Brock’s distinctive lyrical themes often explore philosophical, existential, and environmental issues. His sharp, narrative-style songwriting is evident in albums like The Moon & Antarctica and Good News for People Who Love Bad News. Outside of Modest Mouse, Brock is involved in the side project Ugly Casanova, which released an album in 2002. He also founded the independent record label Glacial Pace, which released Modest Mouse’s 2026 album An Eraser and a Maze.
Tom Peloso
Tom Peloso began contributing to Modest Mouse during the sessions for their 2004 album Good News for People Who Love Bad News and subsequently became a full-time member. Peloso’s musical versatility allows him to play a range of instruments, including upright bass, guitar, violin, trumpet, and keyboards, enriching the band’s sonic palette. His multi-instrumental work has remained part of the band’s studio sound over the years, including a synthesizer contribution to An Eraser and a Maze in 2026.
Russell Higbee
Russell Higbee began working with Modest Mouse as a touring musician before becoming the band’s bassist following Eric Judy’s departure in 2012. Playing bass, guitar, keyboards, horns, and other instruments, Higbee contributed extensively to Strangers to Ourselves and has remained an important part of the band’s later studio and live work. He played a major role on the 2026 album An Eraser and a Maze, contributing bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals, arrangements, and songwriting.
Ben Massarella
Ben Massarella, a percussionist known for his work with other bands such as Califone and Red Red Meat, first contributed percussion to Modest Mouse’s The Moon & Antarctica in 2000 and later became a regular member of the band’s lineup. His distinctive percussion and effects can be heard on Strangers to Ourselves, The Golden Casket, and An Eraser and a Maze. His involvement has brought an additional layer of texture to the band’s complex rhythmic sound.
Simon O’Connor
Simon O’Connor, previously the guitarist and vocalist for Kuroma, joined Modest Mouse in 2021. His guitar work became part of the band’s live sound and he contributed extensively to An Eraser and a Maze, including guitar, vocals, additional production, and songwriting. In July 2026, Modest Mouse announced that O’Connor would not join the band’s upcoming tour dates and that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav would take his place for those performances.
Damon Cox
Damon Cox, known for his work with Australian band An Horse, took over the drum position in Modest Mouse’s touring lineup during the period surrounding Jeremiah Green’s final performances and continued with the band after Green’s death. Cox has since contributed to both live performances and studio recordings. He played drums and contributed additional production and songwriting to the 2026 album An Eraser and a Maze.
Current Touring Musicians
Keith Karman
Keith Karman has performed with Modest Mouse as a touring multi-instrumentalist, handling keyboards, guitar, bass, and backing vocals. He has also contributed to the band’s studio work, including keyboards and guitar on An Eraser and a Maze.
Seth Jabour
Seth Jabour, guitarist for Les Savy Fav, joined Modest Mouse’s touring lineup in August 2026 after the band announced that Simon O’Connor would not participate in its upcoming tour dates. Jabour stepped into the touring guitar position for the band’s scheduled 2026 performances.
Past Members
Jeremiah Green
Jeremiah Green was a founding member whose drumming was integral to the band’s sound, especially on albums like This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, The Lonesome Crowded West, and The Moon & Antarctica. Green’s style was characterized by its erratic yet controlled rhythms that perfectly complemented the band’s often chaotic musical themes. He left the band briefly in 2003 but returned in 2004 and remained with Modest Mouse until his death on December 31, 2022.
Eric Judy
Eric Judy, Modest Mouse’s original bassist, provided the steady bass lines that anchored the band’s often tumultuous sound until his departure in 2012. Judy’s minimalist yet potent playing was crucial on albums like The Lonesome Crowded West and The Moon & Antarctica. After leaving Modest Mouse, Judy kept a relatively low profile in the music scene.
Joe Plummer
Joe Plummer, drummer and percussionist for Modest Mouse from 2004 until 2012, was involved in the recording of We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. His drumming can be heard on tracks like “Dashboard.” Plummer has also played with The Shins and The Black Heart Procession.
Dann Gallucci
Dann Gallucci, who was a guitarist and audio engineer for Modest Mouse during several separate periods, contributed to releases including The Lonesome Crowded West and Good News for People Who Love Bad News. He later joined Cold War Kids, contributing as a guitarist and producer before leaving that band in 2016. Gallucci has also worked with The Murder City Devils and numerous other music projects.
Benjamin Weikel
Benjamin Weikel temporarily took over drumming duties during Jeremiah Green’s absence and played extensively on Good News for People Who Love Bad News. He is also known for his work with The Helio Sequence. Weikel returned to perform with Modest Mouse during the 2024 twentieth-anniversary tour celebrating Good News for People Who Love Bad News and later received drum and songwriting credits on An Eraser and a Maze.
Jim Fairchild
Jim Fairchild played guitar and provided backing vocals for Modest Mouse during multiple touring and recording periods, becoming a regular presence in the lineup after Johnny Marr’s departure. He contributed to Strangers to Ourselves and other recordings. Fairchild is also well known as a member of Grandaddy.
Lisa Molinaro
Lisa Molinaro toured and recorded with Modest Mouse, contributing viola, cello, bass, keyboards, and backing vocals. She played extensively on Strangers to Ourselves and also contributed to The Golden Casket, adding considerable depth to the band’s studio and live arrangements.
John Wickhart
John Wickhart played bass during the band’s early years in the mid-1990s. His tenure came during the band’s earliest independent recordings, before Eric Judy resumed the bass position long-term.
Read More: Complete List Of Modest Mouse Albums And Discography
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, joined Modest Mouse during the making of We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Marr’s guitar work and songwriting added a new dimension to the band’s sound and contributed significantly to the album’s success. He remained with the touring lineup through the period surrounding the album before moving on to other projects.
Read More: Top 10 Modest Mouse Songs
Updated August 29, 2026.
Complete List Of Modest Mouse Band Members article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026



























