Jeremiah Green of indie rock band Modest Mouse has died aged 45.
He was the band’s drummer and a founding member when the group formed in Washington in the early 1990s.
The band confirmed Green’s death in a post on their Instagram account, writing: “I don’t know a way to ease into this: Today we lost our dear friend Jeremiah.
“He laid down to rest and simply faded out. I’d like to say a bunch of pretty words right now, but it just isn’t the time. These will come later, and from many people.
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“Please appreciate all the love you give, get, have given, and will get. Above all, Jeremiah was about love.
“We love you.”
The news of Green’s death comes four days after the band – which now consists of Isaac Brock, Tom Peloso, Russell Higbee, Ben Massarella and Simon O’Connor – said on Instagram Green had been diagnosed with cancer.
On December 28th, lead singer Brock wrote: “Hi. Some of you may have already heard, but I figured it would be good to hear the news directly from our camp.
“Jeremiah was diagnosed with cancer a short while ago, and he’s currently in treatment. It seems to be going smoothly and making a positive difference.
“Jeremiah, as am I, are believers in the power of positive energy, so if you would be so kind as to send ‘good vibes’ (to quote Jeremiah) in the direction of Jeremiah an
d his family, that’d be great.
“Thank you and love, Isaac Brock.”
Green, along with Brock and bassist Eric Judy, founded Modest Mouse in Issaquah, Washington, with the band later moving to Portland, Oregon.
Their debut album, This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About, was released via Up Records in 1996.
The band’s third album, The Moon & Antarctica, was released on major record label Epic Records.
In 2003, Green temporarily left the band and briefly entered a treatment facility after suffering from ill mental health.
Reflecting on a nervous breakdown, when the United States was at war with Afghanistan, Green told NME in 2021: “I felt like something bad came into me – not bad, but like a spirit…
“I started acting really rebellious… I was out for trouble. I was really anti-war and if [other people] weren’t down, I would just go nuts – weird revolutionary-type stuff.
“I was like, ‘I’m gonna do something about this Afghanistan war!'”
Green rejoined the band in 2004 but, because of his temporary absence, he was not involved in the group’s most successful album to date, Good News For People Who Love Bad News.
The album, which featured the singles Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty, won the band mainstream success and was nominated for a Grammy Award for best alternative music album.
In addition to his work with Modest Mouse, Green also worked with artists including Plastiq Phantom – under the alias World Gang – and Graig Markel.
Modest Mouse saw many line-up changes, but both Brock and Green were consistent members.
Their most recent work was their seventh studio album, The Golden Casket, released in 2021.
In November, the band embarked on a tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their second studio album The Lonesome Crowded West. – PA
