Heath Ledger's Modest Mouse Video Premieres

The Heath Ledger-directed video for Modest Mouse's "King Rat" has surfaced online.

The animated clip debuted on MySpace Music on Tuesday. Ledger began directing it just before his death in early 2008. It is intended to be a protest against "the illegal commercial whale hunts taking place off the coast of Australia," according to a press release.

You can see the gory video in our media section.

You can buy the video on iTunes now, and proceeds from its sales will go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit environmental organization that works to protect marine animals and aquatic environments.

"King Rat" appears on Modest Mouse's No One's First And You're Next EP, which is out now.

Modest Mouse will play these shows:

Aug. 17 Halifax, NS @ Forum Multipurpose Room
Aug. 19 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis w/The Dutchess & The Duke
Aug. 20 Kingston, ON @ The Ale House w/The Dutchess & The Duke
Aug. 21-22 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy w/The Dutchess & The Duke
Aug. 24 Columbus, OH @ Lifestyle Communities Pavilion w/The Dutchess & The Duke
Aug. 25 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom w/The Dutchess & The Duke
Aug. 28 San Diego, CA @ Street Scene
Aug. 29 Anaheim, CA @ Grove Of Anaheim w/The Night Marchers
Aug. 30 San Francisco, CA @ Golden Gate Park (Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival)
Sept. 1 Salt Lake City, UT @ Fillmore Auditorium w/The Night Marchers
Sept. 3 Billings, MT @ Wilma Theater w/The Night Marchers
Sept. 5 Spokane, WA @ The Knitting Factory w/The Night Marchers
Sept. 7 Seattle, WA @ Seattle Center (Bumbershoot http://www.chartattack.com/news/68110/bumbershoot-festival-reveals-first...)
Sept. 9 Honolulu, HI @ Pipeline Cafe
Sept. 20 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom (Glacial Pace Showcase at Musicfest 2009)
Sept. 21 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
Dec. 12-13 Minehead, England @ Butlins Holiday Centre (All Tomorrow's Parties)