Minus the Bear
is a indie rock band from Seattle, Washington that incorporates elements of ambience and sonic experimentation while maintaining indie influences. The band features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving. Their sound is a combination of Pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics, with sophisticated time signature composition. [1] It's said the name "Minus the Bear" comes from an inside joke among the band members, referring to the 80's TV show B. J. and the Bear.
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MINUS THE BEAR TICKETS
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History
{{#if:December 2008{{#ifexist:Category:Articles to be expanded since December 2008
On January 2, 2006,
Matt Bayles, keyboardist and producer for Minus the Bear, announced that he was leaving the band in order to focus on record production work. His last performance with the band was on January 28, 2006. Subsequently, he was replaced by Alex Rose, who previously worked as a
sound engineer on
Menos el Oso
.
An album of remixes of songs from
Menos el Oso
, entitled
Interpretaciones del Oso
, was released on February 20, 2007,
[2] including a remix by underground rapper
P.O.S..
The band's fourth full length album, titled
Planet of Ice,
was released on August 21, 2007, and contains ten tracks. On top of an exclusive
iTunes track, a bonus CD was also released containing 2 B-sides, a demo track, and a remix also done by
P.O.S..
In 2006 the track "We Are Not a Football Team" from their first album
Highly Refined Pirates
appeared in a TV advertisement for mobile network operator O2 in the UK and Ireland.
In 2008, tracks from "
Menos el Oso" such as Pachuca Sunrise, have been used as clips for the intro and outtro to
NPR's
All Things Considered.
The band has a video posted on their website of them rehearsing in their practice space, working on a new album.
Band members
- Dave Knudson - guitar
- Cory Murchy - bass
- Alex Rose - synthesizer, drum machine, vocals, electronics, saxophone
- Jake Snider - lead vocals, guitar
- Erin Tate - drums
Former members
- Matt Bayles - vocals, keyboards/drum machine, electronics
Notable guest appearances
- Amy Blaschke - On Highly Refined Pirates
- Heather Duby - On Menos el Oso
and They Make Beer Commercials Like This
Discography
Studio albums
Year
| Title
| Label
| U.S. Charts [3]
| Other information
|
2002
| Highly Refined Pirates
| Suicide Squeeze
|
| Debut album.
|
2005
| Menos el Oso
| Suicide Squeeze
| #20 Heatseekers
| Last album with Matt Bayles as a member.
|
2007
| Interpretaciones del Oso
| Suicide Squeeze
|
| Menos el Oso
Remixed.
|
2007
| Planet of Ice
| Suicide Squeeze
| #74
| First album with Alex Rose as a member.
|
2009
| Untitled
| TBA
| Fourth studio album - expected release & supporting tour fall 2009
|
EPs
Year
| Title
| Label
| Other information
|
2001
| This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic
| Suicide Squeeze
|
|
2002
| Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them
| Suicide Squeeze
|
|
2004
| They Make Beer Commercials Like This
| Arena Rock
| Reissued by Suicide Squeeze in June 2008, with added track "Houston We Have Uh-Oh."
|
2005
| Split with City on Film
| Polyvinyl
| One remixed track from each band.
|
2008
| Acoustics
| Tigre Blanco Records
| Acoustic EP featuring six old tracks and one new song, "Guns & Ammo."
|
Music videos
- "The Game Needed Me" from Menos el Oso
.
- "Pachuca Sunrise" from Menos el Oso
.
- "Knights" from Planet of Ice
.
- "Throwin' Shapes" from Planet of Ice
.
References
- Minus the Bear
- MTB prep new album, remix CD out Feb. 20
- Billboard, Allmusic