Biography

Introduction

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. It's said^{[by whom?]} 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]}

History

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, 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 posted a note on September 3, 2009 on their Twitter saying that they've finished recording their 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	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.
2010	Untitled	TBA	Fourth studio album - expected release early 2010 & 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."