The indie rock band whose 2007 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank features Johnny Marr was Modest Mouse.
Released in 2007, the album was Modest Mouse’s fifth studio release and followed the commercial success of 2004’s Good News for People Who Love Bad News. Its nautical title and lyrics reflect a loose concept about a ship’s crew facing death, giving the record a distinctive maritime atmosphere.
Johnny Marr, the former guitarist of The Smiths, joined Modest Mouse during the album’s creation. He helped write and record the songs and became a full member of the touring lineup. The collaboration was notable because Marr’s melodic guitar style and post-punk history brought a different musical identity to Isaac Brock’s intensely personal songwriting.
We Were Dead was Modest Mouse’s only full-length album with Marr as a member. It produced the singles “Dashboard,” “Missed the Boat,” and “Little Motel.” Listeners sometimes remember Marr primarily as a Smiths member, but his role here was much more substantial than a guest appearance: he contributed to the band’s songwriting, recording, and live performances.