Ugly Casanova
Encyclopedia
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 concert in Denver, Colorado
. After some prodding, he shared his work with the band and began performing it early before shows while some people were milling around. Whenever he completed these performances, he retreated quickly with a look of anger and shame. After a time, a few small recordings were created, after which Edgar vanished. Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse later recorded his songs in hopes that Graham would resurface in the music scene.http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Ugly_Casanova/Discography/album/P528806/R588530/
Isaac Brock
has since revealed that Edgar Graham was "a fiction thing that [Brock] started awhile back to eliminate [himself] from the band," to escape having to do interviews. Two pieces of evidence exist that suggest that the story was false: Modest Mouse's 1997 EP The Fruit That Ate Itself
was credited to having been under the production company Ugly Casanova, which suggested it was a name Brock made up to retain creative control and publishing rights to his music while under a major label. Secondly, "Ugly Casanova" was the title of a song Brock wrote around 1993. The band lineup as of the 180° South: Conquerers of the Useless soundtrack consists of Isaac Brock
, Eric Judy
, Tom Peloso
, and Joe Plummer
of Modest Mouse
, as well as Clay Jones, who worked as an engineer on Modest Mouse's fifth album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
. The band's lineup for Sharpen Your Teeth
consisted of Isaac Brock
, Tim Rutili
(Califone
, Red Red Meat
), Pall Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession
), John Orth (Holopaw
), and Brian Deck
(Red Red Meat
).
One key difference between Ugly Casanova in comparison to Modest Mouse is the more stripped-down nature of the songs. The lack of overdubbed vocals on some of the tracks is particularly significant because Brock is known for having a slight lisp which he is very uncomfortable with and often covered up on Modest Mouse recordings via double tracking and distortion. Ugly Casanova mixes indie rock with hints of country and folk, ultimately creating a unique genre. Ugly Casanova's songs range from acoustic ballads (Hotcha Girls) to overwhelming bizarreness with piercing vocals (Diamonds on the Face of Evil). The mood created by Ugly Casanova's songs reflects the enigma that is its creator, Edgar Graham. http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Ugly_Casanova/Discography/album/P528806/R588530/
Two tracks released by Ugly Casanova, "Baby's Clean Conscience" and "Parasites", appear earlier as unreleased demos of Modest Mouse
in the Paracite Sessions purportedly recorded in 1993 at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studio. In 1997 the fourth Magic Eye Single (each one named after its color of vinyl) included To Roads To Go http://www.the-collective.net/~bwillen/MMSide.htm on the apparently now defunct Magic Eye Records, however, this was an entirely different incarnation of Ugly Casanova of Isaac Brock
, Steve Dukage, and John Atkins of 764-Hero
.
Rumors of new Ugly Casanova material have come and gone over recent years, but no substantial news regarding the band had surfaced until it was announced that Ugly Casanova would contribute to the soundtrack for the 2010 documentary 180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
. The soundtrack features 8 entirely new Ugly Casanova songs as well as a redone version of "Hotcha Girls" from Sharpen Your Teeth
.
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
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
carried on Sub Pop Records
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...
. The band has only released one album: Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth is an album by the indie rock band Ugly Casanova. Brainchild of Modest Mouse lead singer Isaac Brock, Ugly Casanova was his attempt to try new methods and genres outside the realms of Modest Mouse. The album sees Brock performing on more instruments and using a more stripped down...
.
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
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...
while backstage at a concert in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. After some prodding, he shared his work with the band and began performing it early before shows while some people were milling around. Whenever he completed these performances, he retreated quickly with a look of anger and shame. After a time, a few small recordings were created, after which Edgar vanished. Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse later recorded his songs in hopes that Graham would resurface in the music scene.http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Ugly_Casanova/Discography/album/P528806/R588530/
Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock (musician)
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...
has since revealed that Edgar Graham was "a fiction thing that [Brock] started awhile back to eliminate [himself] from the band," to escape having to do interviews. Two pieces of evidence exist that suggest that the story was false: Modest Mouse's 1997 EP The Fruit That Ate Itself
The Fruit That Ate Itself
The Fruit That Ate Itself is the third EP released by indie rock band Modest Mouse in 1997. The album was recorded at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studios. Originally, the session was planned to record a 7" release, but it soon expanded into an EP...
was credited to having been under the production company Ugly Casanova, which suggested it was a name Brock made up to retain creative control and publishing rights to his music while under a major label. Secondly, "Ugly Casanova" was the title of a song Brock wrote around 1993. The band lineup as of the 180° South: Conquerers of the Useless soundtrack consists of Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock (musician)
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...
, 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....
, Tom Peloso
Tom Peloso
Tom Peloso, the son of Peter and Maureen Peloso, is an American musician. He is a current active member of the indie rock band Modest Mouse. Peloso plays on the Modest Mouse album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" and plays various supporting roles on the album "We Were Dead Before the Ship...
, and Joe Plummer
Joe Plummer
Joe Plummer is an American drummer from Portland, Oregon. Since 2004, Plummer has been a member of the indie rock band Modest Mouse and performed on their album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank...
of 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 Clay Jones, who worked as an engineer on Modest Mouse's fifth album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Modest Mouse, released in 2007. The album is the first studio album by the band since their 2004 album, Good News for People Who Love Bad News and is also the first album with former Smiths guitarist Johnny...
. The band's lineup for Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth is an album by the indie rock band Ugly Casanova. Brainchild of Modest Mouse lead singer Isaac Brock, Ugly Casanova was his attempt to try new methods and genres outside the realms of Modest Mouse. The album sees Brock performing on more instruments and using a more stripped down...
consisted of Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock (musician)
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...
, Tim Rutili
Tim Rutili
Tim Rutili is a singer, guitarist, and keyboardist, and frontman/lyricist for the American rock band Califone. Originally from Chicago, Rutili now lives in Los Angeles. He was raised in Addison, IL. After moving into Chicago in 1988, he found success with the band Red Red Meat...
(Califone
Califone
Califone is an experimental rock band from Chicago. The band is named after Califone International, an audio equipment manufacturer. Their work has been critically acclaimed....
, Red Red Meat
Red Red Meat
Red Red Meat was a '90s Chicago-area blues-influenced alternative rock band. After their break-up, frontman Tim Rutili went on to form Califone, for which many of Red Red Meat's former members, including producer Brian Deck, often record and perform...
), Pall Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession
The Black Heart Procession
The Black Heart Procession is an indie rock band from San Diego, California. The band was formed in 1997 by Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel...
), John Orth (Holopaw
Holopaw
Holopaw is an American indie band from Gainesville, Florida. The band was named after the town of Holopaw in Osceola County, Florida, although none of the members of the band have ever lived there. One of its members, John Orth, joined up with Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and others in 2002...
), and Brian Deck
Brian Deck
Brian Deck is an American music producer and member of band Red Red Meat. He co-founded Idful Studios in 1988. Since becoming a full time producer, Deck has worked with bands and artists including Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Califone, All Smiles, Fruit Bats , Gomez, The Grates, Holopaw, Baby & Hide,...
(Red Red Meat
Red Red Meat
Red Red Meat was a '90s Chicago-area blues-influenced alternative rock band. After their break-up, frontman Tim Rutili went on to form Califone, for which many of Red Red Meat's former members, including producer Brian Deck, often record and perform...
).
One key difference between Ugly Casanova in comparison to Modest Mouse is the more stripped-down nature of the songs. The lack of overdubbed vocals on some of the tracks is particularly significant because Brock is known for having a slight lisp which he is very uncomfortable with and often covered up on Modest Mouse recordings via double tracking and distortion. Ugly Casanova mixes indie rock with hints of country and folk, ultimately creating a unique genre. Ugly Casanova's songs range from acoustic ballads (Hotcha Girls) to overwhelming bizarreness with piercing vocals (Diamonds on the Face of Evil). The mood created by Ugly Casanova's songs reflects the enigma that is its creator, Edgar Graham. http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Ugly_Casanova/Discography/album/P528806/R588530/
Two tracks released by Ugly Casanova, "Baby's Clean Conscience" and "Parasites", appear earlier as unreleased demos of 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...
in the Paracite Sessions purportedly recorded in 1993 at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studio. In 1997 the fourth Magic Eye Single (each one named after its color of vinyl) included To Roads To Go http://www.the-collective.net/~bwillen/MMSide.htm on the apparently now defunct Magic Eye Records, however, this was an entirely different incarnation of Ugly Casanova of Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock (musician)
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...
, Steve Dukage, and John Atkins of 764-Hero
764-HERO
764-HERO was an American Indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, signed to Up Records. The band's name, suggested by a friend, is taken from the Washington State Department of Transportation phone number for reporting HOV lane violators ....
.
Rumors of new Ugly Casanova material have come and gone over recent years, but no substantial news regarding the band had surfaced until it was announced that Ugly Casanova would contribute to the soundtrack for the 2010 documentary 180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless, or simply 180° South, is a 2010 documentary directed by Chris Malloy that covers the journey of Jeff Johnson as he travels from Ventura, California to Patagonia, Chile retracing the 1968 trip that Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins took in their Ford...
. The soundtrack features 8 entirely new Ugly Casanova songs as well as a redone version of "Hotcha Girls" from Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth
Sharpen Your Teeth is an album by the indie rock band Ugly Casanova. Brainchild of Modest Mouse lead singer Isaac Brock, Ugly Casanova was his attempt to try new methods and genres outside the realms of Modest Mouse. The album sees Brock performing on more instruments and using a more stripped down...
.
Discography
- Magic Eye Single #4: White (Magic Eye Records, 1997)
- Diggin Holes b/w Babys Clean Conscience (Sub Pop Records, 2002)
- Sharpen Your TeethSharpen Your TeethSharpen Your Teeth is an album by the indie rock band Ugly Casanova. Brainchild of Modest Mouse lead singer Isaac Brock, Ugly Casanova was his attempt to try new methods and genres outside the realms of Modest Mouse. The album sees Brock performing on more instruments and using a more stripped down...
(Sub Pop Records, 2002) - 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless Original Soundtrack (Brushfire RecordsBrushfire RecordsBrushfire Records is a Haleiwa, Hawaii based record label owned by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. The label, formerly known as The Moonshine Conspiracy Records, was originally made to release soundtracks for Woodshed Films, a surfing movie production owned by Jack Johnson, Emmett Malloy, and...
, 2010)