5 Things To Know About Modest Mouse Drummer Jeremiah Green — Career, Cancer Diagnosis And More

Modest Mouse drummer Jeremiah Green has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

On Christmas Day, the 45-year-old musician's mother Carol Namatame shared the heartbreaking news via Facebook that her son is battling a late-stage cancer and needs "healing vibes." She did not specify what type he was diagnosed with.

"He's is [sic] so strong and so brave and hanging in there!" she added.

Seattle radio personality Marco Collins revealed in a Facebook post that his friend was undergoing chemotherapy. But he assured fans that Green's prognosis is "good" despite the cancer being categorized as stage four.

"Also his oncologist is a big [Modest Mouse] fan (so he's got that in his corner!)," the DJ continued. "Sending him nothing but love & healing energy! Get well buddy. We're all pulling for you!"

Here are some facts about Green as he continues to battle cancer.

He co-founded Modest Mouse

Green was born in Oahu, Hawaii, and grew up in Moxee, Washington. His family later moved to the Seattle area, where he co-founded the rock band with lead singer and guitarist Isaac Brock and bassist Eric Judy in 1992.

Brock, Green and Judy remained at the core of Modest Mouse through their first three albums, "This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About" (1996), "The Lonesome Crowded West" (1997) and "The Moon & Antarctica" (2000), according to Music Feeds. The latter album was the band's major label debut.

He played with other bands before Modest Mouse

Aside from the indie rock band, Green was part of Distressed Records' Peeved, Touch and Go Records' Red Stars Theory and K Records' Satisfact.

He also plays with bands called Vells and Psychic Emperor, both of which perform in venues in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

He can speak Japanese

Modest Mouse released its Japan-only album "Night on the Sun" in 1999. Its CD and vinyl releases include the tracks "Night on the Sun," "You're the Good Things (It's Alright to Die)," "Wild Packs of Family Dogs," "Dark Center of the Universe," "Your Life," "Willful Suspension of Disbelief" and "I Came as a Rat (Long Walk Off a Short Dock)."

Aside from his drumming skills, Green showed off his Japanese speaking skills in the CD release's 18-second track 6, "No Title."

He once took a break from performing with Modest Mouse due to a health issue

Green was not part of Modest Mouse's 2004 album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" as he took a break in March 2003 after suffering a nervous breakdown, The Seattle Times reported.

Green returned to the band in July 2004 and performed alongside fellow drummers and percussionists Joe Plummer (The Shins, Cold War Kids) and Davey Brozowski on Modest Mouse's next three LPs, according to Music Feeds.

He was referred to as one of indie rock's best drummers

Pitchfork Media's Spencer Owen said Green is one of indie rock's best drummers "even this early on in the game." The praise resonated with other critics' comments about his style, saying that his drum parts complete a song.

For instance, his temporary replacement drummer Benjamin Weikel said Green's drum parts could only be done perfectly by the original drummer since they have a "great, loose feeling that's hard to emulate."

Chemotherapy treatment forced Green to sit out Modest Mouse's ongoing tour in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their second album, "The Lonesome Crowded West,"

It remains unknown whether Green will miss Modest Mouse's scheduled performances at the three Lollapalooza South America music festivals in Chile, Argentina and Brazil in March.