Lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the indie rock band Modest Mouse. The band's most popular albums include The Lonesome Crowded West, The Moon & Antarctica, and Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
He founded Modest Mouse in 1994, releasing the debut EP Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? through K Records. Then in 1996, the band recorded their first album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, with Up Records.
In 2002, he released an album called Sharpen Your Teeth with his side project Ugly Casanova.
He lived in hippie communes and churches in Montana and Oregon with his sister and mother until the age of 11. He began a relationship with Lisa Molinaro in 2010.
He is joined by drummer Jeremiah Green in Modest Mouse.