Minus the Bear

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Minus the Bear

Performing at the 2008 Bonnaroo music festival
Background information
Origin Seattle, Washington, USA
Genres Experimental rock
Indie rock
Math rock [1]
Years active 2001–present
Labels Suicide Squeeze Records
Arena Rock Recording Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Luckyhorse Industries
Associated acts These Arms Are Snakes
Kill Sadie
Botch
Sharks Keep Moving
State Route 522
Onalaska
Askeleton
Website minusthebear.com
Members
Dave Knudson
Cory Murchy
Jake Snider
Erin Tate
Alex Rose
Former members
Matt Bayles

Minus the Bear is an 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.[2] Some argue 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.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] History

Wiki letter w.svg
 Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (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,[3] 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. In addition, the band recorded four tracks on Daytrotter that have since been distributed for free with a membership to the website. [4]

The band posted a note on September 3, 2009 on their Twitter saying that they've finished recording their new album.[5]. On October 27, 2009, they released a digital two song single, Into The Mirror on Amazon and iTunes. [6]

[edit] Band members

  • Dave Knudson - guitar
  • Cory Murchy - bass
  • Alex Rose - synthesizer, drum machine, vocals, electronics, saxophone
  • Jake Snider - lead vocals, guitar
  • Erin Tate - drums

[edit] Former members

  • Matt Bayles - vocals, keyboards/drum machine, electronics, producer

[edit] Notable guest appearances

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

Year Title Label U.S. Charts[7] Other information
2002 Highly Refined Pirates Suicide Squeeze Debut album.
2005 Menos el Oso Suicide Squeeze #20 Heatseekers
2007 Interpretaciones del Oso Suicide Squeeze Menos el Oso Remixed.
2007 Planet of Ice Suicide Squeeze #74
2010 Untitled TBA Fourth studio album - expected release early 2010.

[edit] 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
2008 Acoustics Tigre Blanco Records Acoustic EP featuring six old tracks and one new song, "Guns & Ammo."
2009 Into the Mirror Tigre Blanco Records

[edit] Music videos

[edit] References

  1. ^ "This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic". Pitchfork Media. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19928-this-is-what-i-know-about-being-gigantic-ep. Retrieved 2008-12-30. 
  2. ^ "Minus the Bear". Suicide Squeeze Records. http://www.suicidesqueeze.net/minusthebear.html. Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  3. ^ "MTB prep new album, remix CD out Feb. 20". Minus the Bear News Page. http://www.minusthebear.com/go.php?g=JsTYle4l. Retrieved 2007-01-26. 
  4. ^ "Torn Out Of The Scene, A Room Suddenly Cold, Hot And Empty". Daytrotter. http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/minus-the-bear-torn-out-of-the-scene-a-room-suddenly-cold-hot-and-empty-concert/20053412-3737569.html. Retrieved 2008-07-02. 
  5. ^ http://twitter.com/minusthebear
  6. ^ "Minus The Bear, Into The Mirror (Exclusive)". FILTER. http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?c=6&id=19812. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
  7. ^ Billboard, Allmusic

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Minus the Bear
Dave Knudson · Cory Murchy · Alex Rose · Jake Snider · Erin Tate
Albums
EPs
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minus_the_Bear"