- Minus the Bear
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Minus the Bear 
Performing at the 2008 Bonnaroo music festivalBackground information Origin Seattle, Washington, USA Genres Alternative rock, indie rock, experimental rock, math rock, electronic rock Years active 2001–present Labels Dangerbird, Suicide Squeeze, Arena Rock, Polyvinyl, Luckyhorse, Tigre Blanco, Albert Associated acts Sharks Keep Moving, Botch, Kill Sadie, State Route 522, These Arms Are Snakes, Askeleton, The Forecast, Onalaskan Website www.minusthebear.com Members Jake Snider
Dave Knudson
Alex Rose
Cory Murchy
Erin TatePast members Matt Bayles Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington.[1] Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving. Their sound has been described as "Pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics with sophisticated time signature composition."[2]
Contents
History
Minus the Bear is an indie rock group which formed in Seattle, Washington, United States in 2001 and have released four albums and four EPs. The band consists of Jake Snider (vocals, guitar), Dave Knudson (guitar), Cory Murchy (bass), Alex Rose (synths, vocals) and Erin Tate (drums).
On January 2, 2006, Matt Bayles, keyboardist and producer for Minus the Bear, announced that he was leaving the band in order to focus all his time on his career as a producer. 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 the band's second full length album, Menos el Oso.
Interpretaciones del Oso, an album of remixed songs from their second full length album Menos el Oso, was released on February 20, 2007 through Suicide Squeeze Records.[3]
The band's third full length album, titled Planet of Ice, was released on August 21, 2007 through Suicide Squeeze Records, and contains ten tracks. On top of an exclusive iTunes bonus track titled "Cat Calls & Ill Means," a bonus CD containing two b-sides, "Electric Rainbow" and "Patiently Waiting," a demo version of "Ice Monster," and a remix by P.O.S. of the album's first single, "Knights," was released with the album's first edition.
In 2008 the band recorded four tracks live on Daytrotter that were released for free with a membership to the website.[4] Later that year, the band also released their acoustic EP titled, Acoustics, which contained an unreleased track, "Guns & Ammo," and acoustic renditions of six previously released tracks.
On October 27, 2009, they released a two song single, Into The Mirror on various digital music outlets and sold exclusive 7" vinyl copies on tour.[5]
On February 17, 2010, Dangerbird Records announced that it had signed Minus the Bear and that it will distribute the group's next release.[6] A week later, it was announced that the album was titled Omni, and was scheduled to be released on May 4, 2010.[7]
On May 8, 2010, Minus the Bear was the first band ever to be featured on RadioVA and be interviewed by David Lowery.
On August 5, 2010 Minus the Bear opened for fellow Seattle natives Soundgarden, in their pre-Lollapalooza warm up show in Chicago, Illinois at the Vic Theatre.
Band name
The name "Minus the Bear" comes from an in-joke among the band members, referring to the 70's television program, B. J. and the Bear. "A friend of the band had gone on a date,” explains singer-guitarist Jake Snider, "and one of us asked him afterwards how the date went. Our friend said, 'You know that TV show from the '70s B.J. and The Bear? It was like that... minus The Bear.' That’s the straight truth."[8]
Band members
- Current members
- Jake Snider – guitar, lead vocals (2001–present)
- Dave Knudson – guitar (2001–present)
- Alex Rose – keyboards, backing vocals (2006–present)
- Cory Murchy – bass (2001–present)
- Erin Tate – drums (2001–present)
- Former members
- Matt Bayles – keyboards (2001–2006)
Discography
LPs
Year Album details Peak chart positions US Billboard
200
[9]US
Heat.US
IndieUS
Alt.2002 Highly Refined Pirates - Released: November 12, 2002
- Label: Suicide Squeeze Records
- - - - 2005 Menos el Oso - Released: August 23, 2005
- Label: Suicide Squeeze Records
- 20 41 - 2007 Planet of Ice - Released: August 21, 2007
- Label: Suicide Squeeze Records
74 - 8 22 2010 Omni - Released: May 4, 2010
- Label: Dangerbird Records
49 - 9 8 EPs
Year Title Label Other Information 2001 This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic Suicide Squeeze Records Debut release. 2002 Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them Suicide Squeeze Records Promotional CD for Highly Refined Pirates. 2004 They Make Beer Commercials Like This Arena Rock Recording Co. Re-released in 2008 on Suicide Squeeze Records with "Houston, We Have Uh-Oh." 2005 Minus The Bear/City On Film 7" Split Polyvinyl Record Co. Split EP featuring "This Ain't A Surfin' Movie (IQU Remix)." 2008 Acoustics Tigre Blanco Records Acoustic EP featuring "Guns & Ammo" and acoustic versions of six previously released tracks. 2009 Into The Mirror Tigre Blanco Records Single from Omni with b-side, "Broken China." 2011 Hold Me Down Dangerbird Records Single from Omni with b-side, "Broken China," including three tracks recorded live at the Dangerbird Records studios and a fan-made remix of "My Time." Remix LPs
Year Title Label Other Information 2007 Interpretaciones del Oso Suicide Squeeze Records Menos el Oso remixed. 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.
- "My Time" from Omni
- "Hold Me Down" from Omni
References
- ^ Ambrose, Anthony. "inTuneMusic Online: Minus the Bear / Tim Kasher / Twin Tigers @ NYC 12/4/2010". http://intunemusiconline.com/2010/12/04/minus-the-bear-tim-kasher-twin-tigers-nyc-1242010/. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
- ^ "Minus the Bear". Suicide Squeeze Records. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071027235915/http://www.suicidesqueeze.net/minusthebear.html. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
- ^ "MTB prep new album, remix CD out Feb. 20". Minus the Bear News Page. Archived from the original on January 21, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070121095412/http://www.minusthebear.com/go.php?g=JsTYle4l. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Minus the Bear, Into The Mirror (Exclusive)". FILTER. http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?c=6&id=19812. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ "Dangerbird Welcomes Minus the Bear". Dangerbird Records. February 17, 2010. http://dangerbirdrecords.com/news/entry/mtb-sign-with-db. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
- ^ "Minus the Bear Release Date". AbsolutePunk.net. February 22, 2010. http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1567782. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
- ^ "Minus the Bear". Spin Magazine. http://www.spin.com/articles/how-they-became-minus-bear. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic
External links
LPs EPs This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic · Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them · They Make Beer Commercials Like This · AcousticsCategories:- Musical groups established in 2001
- Musical quintets
- American indie rock groups
- Arena Rock Recording Company artists
- Minus the Bear
- Math rock groups
- Musical groups from Seattle, Washington
- Alternative rock groups from Washington (state)
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