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The Bunny the Bear

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The Bunny The Bear
An unmasked Matthew Tybor (left) performing live in Peoria, IL in 2013.
An unmasked Matthew Tybor (left) performing live in Peoria, IL in 2013.
Background information
OriginBuffalo, New York
Genres
Years active2008–present
LabelsVictory
MembersMatthew Tybor
Joseph Garcia
Past membersChris Hutka
(see below)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Bunny the Bear are an American post-hardcore band from Buffalo, New York.[1][2][3][4][5] Musically, the band is known for its eclectic style of post-hardcore, taking influence from a variety of rock and electronic subgenres, including synthpop, metalcore, experimental rock, alternative rock, and electronica.

The band was formed in 2008 by Matthew Tybor, also referred to as "The Bunny" hence the rabbit mask and persona he incorporates in the group. Tybor was immediately joined by Chris Hutka, known as "The Bear" who likewise, wears a bear mask. In an interview, when asked about the meaning behind the band name and the masks, Tybor stated that "I'm a little weird and a little off, but it was nothing in-depth or a serious meaning behind it. It was more of a random, incoherent thought and I ran with it".[6] The Bunny (Tybor) employs screamed vocals for the band while The Bear provides clean vocals. The band's first five albums featured Chris Hutka as The Bear, while their sixth album A Liar Wrote This features Hutka's then-replacement, Haley Roback. Tybor, being the only consistent member, writes all of the music and lyrics.

Throughout the band's formative years and first three albums, they failed to maintain a consistent lineup, cycling through sixteen different instrumentalists up to the release of The Stomach For It. For the recording of their fourth album Stories, they worked with studio musicians Doug White, a guitarist and the owner of Watchmen Recording Studios and Matt McGinley, the current drummer of Gym Class Heroes. The duo would work with Tybor for the band's following two albums Food Chain and A Liar Wrote This. The band's membership was reduced to its two vocalists, and they began touring with a regularly-changing touring band.

The band's original clean vocalist Chris Hukta has maintained a fluctuating relationship with Tybor and the rest of the band, departing three different times: once for a short time in 2012 following the release of The Stomach For It, the second time in 2013 shortly after the release of Stories, and a final time in late 2014. Hutka was featured on all of the band's releases prior to his final departure.

History

The Bunny the Bear and If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say... (2010-2011)

The Bunny the Bear self released their debut self-titled album on February 4, 2010. They released a music video for the song entitled "April 11" on June 8, 2010. In December 2010, the band released a music video for a new demo song called "Aisle". The music video caught the attention of independent music label Victory Records, who signed the band in 2011. The band's album, If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say..., was released on June 28, 2011.[7] The band has toured with various artists such as Funeral for a Friend, Escape the Fate, The Amity Affliction, and label mates Victorian Halls to promote the release of If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say. The band toured with Blood on the Dance Floor,[8] Brokencyde, Deuce and others on the "Fight To Unite" tour.

The Stomach For It and Stories (2012-2013)

The group's third studio album entitled The Stomach For It was announced during March 2012. The album was released on May 22, 2012 from Victory Records, with pre-ordering available weeks earlier.[9] They have released two singles from that album entitled "Lonely" and "Soul", the latter being released as a lyric video instead of a music video.

Shortly after the release of The Stomach For It, Hutka left the band for unknown reasons and was replaced by Chris Paterson, the former vocalist of Jamie's Elsewhere. Paterson did not record any music with the band, and only appeared in a few live performances. Hutka returned to the band shortly after.

In February 2013 The Bunny the Bear announced their fourth studio album entitled Stories for April 16, 2013 from Victory Records. The duo, ditching efforts to maintain a full band lineup, recruited two dedicated studio musicians: guitarist and producer Doug White and drummer Matt McGinley, both of whom had worked with the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes. White had worked with the band as a producer on their previous two albums, and recorded guitars on Tybor's side project A Liar Wrote This Symphony.

Tybor recorded the bass guitar parts for the album. J.C. Maçek III of PopMatters said in a positive review of the album, "The overall impact of The Bunny the Bear’s Stories is that of a well-unified whole that might alienate as many listeners as it entices, for many of the exact same reasons."[10] The band began performing with a touring band following the album's release.

The band released two singles from Stories entitled "In Like Flynn" and "Another Day". They have released music videos for "In Like Flynn" and "Sadie" thus far, as well as a lyric video for "Another Day".

On May 19, 2013, Matt Tybor announced on The Bunny the Bear Facebook page that Hutka had departed from the band due to ongoing battles with drug addiction. A couple of days later it was announced that Joseph Garcia, the former singer of progressive metal band I, Omega had been chosen as Hutka's replacement, although Garcia only remained in the band for a brief period, as Hutka rejoined the band in November 2013. Their song "In Like Flynn" won music video of the year on Victory Records in 2013.

Food Chain and Third Departure of Hutka (2014-2015)

Somewhere in late December the band posted videos on their Facebook showing them in the studio performing new unheard songs. In January 2014, the band announced their fifth studio album would be released in stores on March 18 through Victory Records. Shortly after the announcement was made, the band hit the road on a headlining tour with support from Jose Garzon.

The band released the first single off Food Chain entitled "High Tides and Swimming Conditions" on February 11, 2014.

In February, the band announced on their Facebook that they would be supporting Mindless Self Indulgence on the American leg of "How I learned to Stop Giving a Shit and Love Mindless Self Indulgence Tour 2014" in March, in support of the new album. On March 6 the band premiered their music video for "First Met You" via their YouTube. On March 18 the album Food Chain was released. On 14 April 2014 another music video was premiered on YouTube for the song "Skyscrapers".

On November 19, Chris Hutka announced on Facebook his third departure from the band due to ongoing disagreements with other band members, in addition to focusing on family life as well as a potential solo career. Shortly after, Hutka was replaced by a friend of Tybor, Haley Roback, who began touring with the group.

A Liar Wrote This and Departure of Roback (2015-present)

On May 5, 2015, they finished recording their upcoming album. The following month, the band's sixth album A Liar Wrote This was announced, set for release on July 24, 2015. The album is the first full-length release by the band without Chris Hutka acting as The Bear.

A re-recorded version of "It's Not Always Cold in Buffalo" (originally on Stories) was released on May 25, 2015 with an accompanying music video, and is featured on the band's sixth album. The album's first single "Lover's Touch" was released on June 16, 2015. "Lover's Touch" is the first original release by the band without Chris Hutka. On July 24, A Liar Wrote This was released.

On December 20, 2015, Roback had announced that she had become pregnant and wouldn't be performing with the band on their upcoming 2016 tour. She was replaced by Joseph Garcia, who had previously toured with the band.

On January 23, 2016, Roback stated on Facebook that she would not be returning to The Bunny The Bear; touring or otherwise.

Side Projects

In 2012, Tybor formed a side project called "A Liar Wrote This Symphony," featuring himself on vocals, Doug White on guitar, and Val Hill on drums. The project was only active throughout 2012. Four of the band's recordings were re-recorded as The Bunny The Bear tracks: It's Not Always Cold in Buffalo (from Stories), Somewhat Standards, Curtain Call, and Sleep Sequence (from A Liar Wrote This). In 2014, Tybor and White formed a new project called "When Wild Dingos Attack."

Coinciding with his departure in November 2014, Chris Hutka stated that he would be focusing on a solo project, although further announcements regarding the project have yet to be released.

Members

The Bunny The Bear

  • Matthew "The Bunny" Tybor - unclean vocals, (2008–present) clean vocals, (2013–present) bass (2013-present, studio only)
  • Joseph "The Bear 3.0" Garcia - clean vocals (2013, 2016-present)

Studio Members

Touring Members

  • Mike Rizzuto - guitar (2015-present)
  • Steven Drachenberg - bass (2015-present)
  • Brian Dietz - drums (2016-present)

Former Touring Musicians

  • Chris "The Bear" Hutka - clean vocals (2008–2012, 2013, 2014)
  • Chris "The Bear 2.0" Paterson - clean vocals (2012)
  • Haley "The Bear 4.0" Roback - clean vocals (2015)
  • Mike Toczek Jr. - guitar (2008–2009)
  • Chris Cole - guitar (2009–2010)
  • Erik Kogut - guitar (2009–2011)
  • Amber Kogut - guitar, backing vocals (2011)
  • Miles Buttrill - guitar (2011)
  • Cody Morse - guitar (2011–2012)
  • Jonathan Quick - guitar (2012, 2013)
  • Steven Drachenberg - bass (2008–2009, 2011–2012, currently touring member)
  • Derek Anthony - bass (2009–2011)
  • John Halstead - bass (2013)
  • Jim Kaczmarski - drums (2008–2010)
  • Matt Trozzi - drums (2011-2012, 2014-2015)
  • Zack Lee - drums (2012)
  • Mike Novak - drums (2012)
  • Brian Dietz - drums (2011, 2013, currently touring member)
  • Jae Segatto - drums (2013)
  • Chris Burton - triggers (2013)
  • Danny Stillman - keyboards, programming, triggers (2011)
  • Louie Caycoya - guitar (2014–2015)
  • Alex Matos - guitar (2011-2014)
  • Danny Case - guitar (2014-2015)
  • Jose Garzon - bass (2014)
  • Rob Weston - bass (2014, 2015)
  • Tommy Vinton - drums (2012, 2013-2014)
  • Nate Blasdell - guitar (2012-2015)

Discography

The Bunny The Bear discography
Studio albums6
EPs1
Singles13
Studio albums
Year Album Chart positions
US
Heat
[11]
2010 The Bunny The Bear
2011 If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...
34
2012 The Stomach For It
21
2013 Stories
24
2014 Food Chain
15
2015 A Liar Wrote This
EPs
Year Album details
2014 Acoustic EP

Videography

  • "April 11" (2010)
  • "Aisle" (2010)
  • "Ocean Floor" (2011)
  • "C'est Pas Si Loin" (2011)
  • "Lonely" (2012)
  • "Soul" (Lyric video) (2012)
  • "In Like Flynn" (2013)
  • "Another Day" (Lyric video) (2013)
  • "Sadie" (2013)
  • "High Tides and Swimming Conditions" (Lyric video) (2014)
  • "First Met You" (2014)
  • "Skyscrapers" (2014)
  • "The Seeds We Sow" (2014)
  • "It's Not Always Cold in Buffalo" (revisited) (2015)
  • "Lover's Touch" (2015)

References

  1. ^ Altpress.com
  2. ^ Rocknreelreviews.com
  3. ^ Rockrevoltmagazine.com
  4. ^ Metalriot.com
  5. ^ New-transcendence.com
  6. ^ "Dead Press Interview: The Bunny the Bear (28/10/2011)". Dead Press. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  7. ^ Victoryrecords.com
  8. ^ CBS Local
  9. ^ "The Bunny The Bear CD: The Stomach For It". Victory Records. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  10. ^ Maçek III, J.C. (2013-06-14). "The Bunny The Bear: Stories". PopMatters.
  11. ^ "The Bunny The Bear". billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
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