Missed The Boat

A Modest Mouse throwback and Labor Day Weekend picks

Folks, how about that? As I wrote about on the blog for which this newsletter is named, it’s nearly impossible to believe it’s Labor Day Weekend already. Of course, this is welcome news if you love the chilly temperatures and Oktoberfest beer (and flannel shirts) that fall typically brings, but let’s not let summer leave so quickly, right? The end of it really flew by for me, what with a lengthy trip to Michigan and a quick overnight stop in Philly to see Kings of Leon earlier this week. Both were really fitting and fun ways to close out summer: Plenty of time with family and friends, cold beer, great weather and a bit of fitting reflection and nostalgia.

That’s where we jump into today’s newsletter, of course. If the headline caught you right away and reminded you of a 2007 throwback track of the same name by erstwhile Pacific Northwest rockers Modest Mouse, then we’re on the same page. It was in the summer years ago, after all, that I first started listening to Modest Mouse (back in Michigan, in fact), and I always love revisiting this band — one I’ve talked about in past newsletter entries, too. While this song is sunny and bright, it’s got that classic Modest Mouse wordplay to sharpen its edges (rather than soften). Either way, I always associate some Modest Mouse songs with summer, so in the interest of closing out the season with a throwback weekend jam, here are my picks today at The Style Guide In Brief.

What To Listen To This Weekend: “Missed The Boat” By Modest Mouse

This song is a throwback in the truest sense of the word, with an accompanying audio-only video that wasn’t published until 2010, despite the song — and the record from which it hails, “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” — hitting record stores in 2007. As I said, it was among my first proper introductions to Modest Mouse, right around the time I first heard the band’s massive hit, “Float On” (another track I never get sick of hearing). Both songs have kind of a jaunty, lightweight quality to them, which is at odds with the melancholy lyrics and the melancholy nature of the sometimes-gloomy Pacific Northwest (for the record, I love Portland!). As one does (and as I often do), I enjoy spinning some throwback, nostalgic tracks pretty frequently — songs you know you’ll enjoy, no matter what — which can be a bit of a balm in these anxious times. Musically, this song hits the nail right on the head. Let me know in the comments if you feel the same way. And when I’ve got my chosen playlist of throwback tracks spinning, it usually means at least one thing — I’m strolling around Prospect Park, soon to have a cold beer in hand. You’ve got to gear up properly then, yes? Allow me to lead the way…

What To Shop This Weekend: Huckberry’s Labor Day Weekend Sale

Look, it’s like I always say. Your outside-of-home pursuits, be it hiking, camping, brewery-hopping or concertgoing (especially this fall!) need the right gear. There’s one place I can’t recommend enough for all of the leather boots and chambray shirts you need — the sort of outfit that would fit in nicely at a Modest Mouse show — and that’s Huckberry. The San Francisco-based retailer will have you covered from sunrise to when the lights go down at the headline show of your choice, and it’s all on the table: Rugged leather boots, stylish shirting and plenty more. I already have an outfit in mind for my next concert. All that’s missing is a cold, cold beer…

What To Sip This Weekend: Pabst Blue Ribbon

Could you sense this one was coming? Look, Pabst Blue Ribbon isn’t the fanciest, nor best, beer on the planet, but it’s a darn fine sipper when enjoyed ice cold (possibly at a … yes, you guessed it, Modest Mouse concert). When you prefer quantity of cold beer over the price tag of a $10 pint (I’m in Brooklyn, after all) reach for a cold, cold Pabst Blue Ribbon, then go searching for a (digital?) jukebox with some Modest Mouse (again, we’re in Brooklyn, so you’re bound to find one somewhere). Cheers to Labor Day Weekend, folks.

The Final Pick: Wolverine 1000 Mile Path Less Traveled Boots

In my daily life, there are just some constants: Cold beer (possibly even PBR!), denim shirting and some of the best leather boots on the market — even in the summer heat. These Wolverine 1000 Mile Path Less Traveled Boots are rugged and ready for anything, from concerts to fall getaways. They get my stamp of approval for, say, navigating Prospect Park with an early fall soundtrack on loop, too. And of course, they’re sold by Huckberry, which means you can also shop Huckberry’s Labor Day Weekend Sale while you’re over in that neck of the woods.

No weekend is complete without some of my favorite (and your favorite) essentials, right? That list runs the gamut from some impossibly cool leather boots to a cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon, plenty of gear from Huckberry and a favorite throwback track from Washington’s own Modest Mouse. If you agree with that weekend rundown, let me know in the comments — and of course, tell your friends to subscribe for free! Cheers to the weekend and we’ll see you next Tuesday.