Minus the Bear
Encyclopedia
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock
band from Seattle, Washington
. 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."
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.
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. 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.
On February 17, 2010, Dangerbird Records
announced that it had signed Minus the Bear and that it will distribute the group's next release. A week later, it was announced that the album was titled Omni
, and was scheduled to be released on May 4, 2010.
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.
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."
Former members
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch
Botch (band)
Botch was a four-piece mathcore band from Tacoma, Washington, United States, that formed in 1993 and disbanded in 2002.-History:The band released two full-length albums and a handful of smaller releases including several singles and an EP. Its members went on an indefinite hiatus to form Roy,...
, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving
Sharks Keep Moving
Sharks Keep Moving were a short-lived Seattle rock band that formed in 1998. The band’s original lineup consisted of Jake Snider , Jeff DeGolier , Nate Turpen , and Dan Dean , and J. Clark...
. Their sound has been described as "Pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics with sophisticated time signature composition."
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
Matt Bayles
-Information:Bayles is known for his work with bands such as Isis, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Botch, Mastodon, The Fall of Troy, Minus The Bear, Burnt by the Sun and Norma Jean....
, 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
Menos el Oso
Menos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar...
.
Interpretaciones del Oso
Interpretaciones del Oso
Interpretaciones Del Oso is a remix album by Minus the Bear, released on February 20, 2007 through Suicide Squeeze Records. Various artists reinterpreted and remixed songs from their second full-length Menos el Oso...
, an album of remixed songs from their second full length album Menos el Oso
Menos el Oso
Menos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar...
, was released on February 20, 2007 through Suicide Squeeze Records.
The band's third full length album, titled Planet of Ice
Planet of Ice
Planet of Ice is the third full-length album from Minus the Bear, released on August 21, 2007 by Suicide Squeeze Records. It was produced and recorded by the band's former keyboard player, Matt Bayles, in February and March of 2007...
, 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
Daytrotter
Daytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
that were released for free with a membership to the website. Later that year, the band also released their acoustic EP titled, Acoustics
Acoustics (Minus the Bear EP)
Acoustics is an acoustic EP from Minus the Bear. It was released on October 7, 2008, through Tigre Blanco Records. It contains an unreleased track, "Guns & Ammo," and acoustic versions of six tracks previously released in electric versions on Highly Refined Pirates, Menos el Oso, and Planet of...
, 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.
On February 17, 2010, Dangerbird Records
Dangerbird Records
Dangerbird Records is an independent record label located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Jeff Castelaz and Peter Walker in 2004, the label is home to artists across the globe, as well as part of the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene. Their small roster of artists has enjoyed international...
announced that it had signed Minus the Bear and that it will distribute the group's next release. A week later, it was announced that the album was titled Omni
Omni (album)
-Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together...
, and was scheduled to be released on May 4, 2010.
On May 8, 2010, Minus the Bear was the first band ever to be featured on RadioVA and be interviewed by David Lowery
David Lowery
David Lowery is an American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock band, Camper Van Beethoven, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker...
.
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-jokeIn-joke
An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding...
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."
Band members
Current members- Jake SniderJake SniderJake Snider is the lead vocalist and guitarist in the band Minus the Bear. He also plays guitar in Onalaska. He has previously been a part of the bands Sharks Keep Moving and State Route 522...
– guitar, lead vocals (2001–present) - Dave Knudson – guitar (2001–present)
- Alex Rose – keyboards, backing vocals (2006–present)
- Cory Murchy – bass (2001–present)
- Erin TateErin TateErin Tate is the drummer for Seattle-based indie rock band, Minus the Bear. Before starting the band in 2001, he was a member of Kill Sadie. He has also played drums for Askeleton, Amy Blaschke, Heather Duby, Onalaska and These Arms Are Snakes.- Gear :...
– drums (2001–present)
Former members
- Matt BaylesMatt Bayles-Information:Bayles is known for his work with bands such as Isis, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Botch, Mastodon, The Fall of Troy, Minus The Bear, Burnt by the Sun and Norma Jean....
– keyboards (2001–2006)
LPs
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat. Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
US Indie Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
US Alt. Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
||
| 2002 | Highly Refined Pirates Highly Refined Pirates Highly Refined Pirates is Minus the Bear's debut full-length album, released on November 12, 2002 by Suicide Squeeze Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar*Dave Knudson - Guitar*Erin Tate - Drums*Cory Murchy - Bass...
|
- | - | - | - |
| 2005 | Menos el Oso Menos el Oso Menos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar... Suicide Squeeze Records Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner... |
- | 20 | 41 | - |
| 2007 | Planet of Ice Planet of Ice Planet of Ice is the third full-length album from Minus the Bear, released on August 21, 2007 by Suicide Squeeze Records. It was produced and recorded by the band's former keyboard player, Matt Bayles, in February and March of 2007... Suicide Squeeze Records Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner... |
74 | - | 8 | 22 |
| 2010 | Omni Omni (album) -Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together... Dangerbird Records Dangerbird Records is an independent record label located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Jeff Castelaz and Peter Walker in 2004, the label is home to artists across the globe, as well as part of the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene. Their small roster of artists has enjoyed international... |
49 | - | 9 | 8 |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic -Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar*Dave Knudson - Guitar*Erin Tate - Drums*Cory Murchy - Bass*Matt Bayles - Electronics-Other Personnel:*Recorded by Matt Bayles and Minus The Bear*Mixed by Matt Bayles... |
Suicide Squeeze Records | Debut release. |
| 2002 | Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them | Suicide Squeeze Records | Promotional CD for Highly Refined Pirates Highly Refined Pirates Highly Refined Pirates is Minus the Bear's debut full-length album, released on November 12, 2002 by Suicide Squeeze Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar*Dave Knudson - Guitar*Erin Tate - Drums*Cory Murchy - Bass... . |
| 2004 | They Make Beer Commercials Like This They Make Beer Commercials Like This -Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar*Dave Knudson - Guitar*Erin Tate - Drums*Cory Murchy - Bass*Matt Bayles - Electronics-Other Personnel:*Additional vocals from Heather Duby on the track "I'm Totally Not Down With Rob's Alien"... |
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 Acoustics (Minus the Bear EP) Acoustics is an acoustic EP from Minus the Bear. It was released on October 7, 2008, through Tigre Blanco Records. It contains an unreleased track, "Guns & Ammo," and acoustic versions of six tracks previously released in electric versions on Highly Refined Pirates, Menos el Oso, and Planet of... |
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 Omni (album) -Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together... with b-side, "Broken China." |
| 2011 | Hold Me Down | Dangerbird Records | Single from Omni Omni (album) -Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together... 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 Interpretaciones del Oso Interpretaciones Del Oso is a remix album by Minus the Bear, released on February 20, 2007 through Suicide Squeeze Records. Various artists reinterpreted and remixed songs from their second full-length Menos el Oso... |
Suicide Squeeze Records | Menos el Oso Menos el Oso Menos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar... remixed. |
Music videos
- "The Game Needed Me" from Menos el OsoMenos el OsoMenos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar...
. - "Pachuca Sunrise" from Menos el OsoMenos el OsoMenos el Oso is the second album from Minus the Bear and was released on August 23, 2005 by Suicide Squeeze Records. The album title is a Spanish translation of "Minus The Bear."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jake Snider - Vocals & Guitar...
. - "Knights" from Planet of IcePlanet of IcePlanet of Ice is the third full-length album from Minus the Bear, released on August 21, 2007 by Suicide Squeeze Records. It was produced and recorded by the band's former keyboard player, Matt Bayles, in February and March of 2007...
. - "Throwin' Shapes" from Planet of IcePlanet of IcePlanet of Ice is the third full-length album from Minus the Bear, released on August 21, 2007 by Suicide Squeeze Records. It was produced and recorded by the band's former keyboard player, Matt Bayles, in February and March of 2007...
. - "My Time" from OmniOmni (album)-Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together...
- "Hold Me Down" from OmniOmni (album)-Recording and release:Omni is different from the previous Minus the Bear studio albums in that it was recorded in the style of a live show, with the band playing straight through each track rather than recording components of each track and "piecing" them together...