Modern Athletics

One of the best sets at last year's Capitol Hill Block Party came from Seattle's own Modern Athletics. Inside the Cha Cha Lounge, four nerdy-looking dudes raced through a brisk, professional, and tight performance, all while frontman Mike Zak engaged the standing-room only crowd with some witty banter.
On their debut album Give Us a Shove, the band--Zak, guitarist Adam Burd, bassist Allen Murray, and drummer Shi Kai Wang--comes across as well as they did live. Garage rock is alive and well throughout the well-paced 11 song collection, with the Kinks coming to mind most often on songs like "After the Cavalry" and "I Think I'll Pass." - Seattle Weekly

…the biggest surprise coming from Modern Athletics. This band, bar none, exceeded my expectations way beyond belief. Not only do they sound good recorded, but live they blew me away. Tight, well layered, great vocals and executed like fucking pros! Very impressive. - Seismic Sound

Modern Athletics are an up-and-coming Seattle band (guitars, bass, drums; all four members sing) that describes itself thusly: “We’re four guys from Seattle, WA… We all wear glasses and make music we like to listen to.” Judging by the recorded evidence, the music they like to listen to includes but is not limited to Neutral Milk Hotel, the Strokes, early New Order, and all eras of Britpop (from the Kinks to the La’s). The resulting mishmash is executed with such goofy joyfulness you’ll find yourself rooting for these geeks. D. SCHMADER - The Stranger

They have elements of pop-punk, garage rock, and even some Paul Simon and Cat Stevens in their slower moments. This appears to be the beginning of a healthy and successful career in Seattle for Modern Athletics. In the coming months they will most likely be faced with what direction they want to go as a band, because behind their quirky lyrics and power chords lies very capable song writing and talent. Don’t let this band fool you with their humorous lyrics: they are serious musicians and make great music. - Seattle Show Gal

Inside a packed and sweaty Cha Cha Lounge, Seattle’s own Modern Athletics didn’t help the hygiene problem much with their energetic and up-tempo songs. And whether it was true or not, it was nice to hear that the band thought those in attendance were the best-looking crowd they’d ever played to. - The Daily UW

Modern Athletics - As far as I'm concerned, this band of bespectacled geeks gave the best Block Party performance of the day. It's almost a shame that they played in the tiny Cha Cha Lounge instead of out on the street where more people could see them. They sort of reminded me of a ballsier version of the Lucksmiths. I'm definitely going to pick up their record coming out in the fall. Good stuff. - Outgoing Signals