Modicom first appeared in the shifting atmosphere of Adelaide’s music scene in mid-1998. Singer Nathan Korotkov and guitarist Sam Reid had played in bands together for several years before they met Zoe Barry through a mutual friend and began a concentrated songwriting effort together.

Their musical chemistry was immediate and the three began playing regular live shows at local subterranean nightspot, supermild. Modicom presented an interesting departure from much of the music that was being played in Adelaide at this time, with unique cello arrangements played over Reid’s unorthodox guitar signatures and Korotkov’s commanding baritone. Their songs swept between sounds that were murky and dark in places, but which were carried by a rhythmic undercurrent and a sense of hope.

Modicom expanded to become a five-piece during the recording of The Icestorm in early 1999, but they never released their album before disbanding suddenly at the end of that year when Korotkov and Reid moved interstate to pursue other interests. Now, for the first time in ten years the Modicom time capsule has been opened.