Bird and Animal Names In Rock and Roll History-part thirty-two

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Bird and Animal Names In Rock and Roll History-part thirty-two
by Robert Benson - September 27, 2009

Minus The Bear

Let’s continue our article series about bird and animal band names and individuals in rock and roll history:

Bear vs. Shark was a post-hardcore band based out of Highland, Michigan who were together from 2001-2005. The band members knew each other all their lives, with some of the members forming friendships as early as pre-school. However, the band was formed during their college years when they were all playing with different groups. The band consisted of members Marc Paffi, Derek Kiesgen, Mike Muldoon, John Gaviglio and Ashley Horak and former member Brandon Moss and count the Clash, Husker Du, Fugazi, among others as an influence on their music.

The group sent a demo to Equal Vision Records and they liked what they heard, so much so, that a rep from the label flew out and signed the band immediately. The group quickly gained attention from fans and fellow musicians and the band toured the US extensively in support of their first album 2003’s Right Now You're in the Best of Hands, opening for such acts as Coheed and Cambria as well as being the headline act. The band was known for their intense, high energy shows, most notably by Marc Paffi, who was known to move around the stage frantically during performances. Though it has been circulated that the band's name came from the shape of Michigan, Gaviglio has stated in an interview that they believed the name was "super badass and sounded interesting."

In June of 2005, the group released their last LP, Terrorhawk, before announcing in December of that same year that they were disbanding. Although the band didn't cite any specific reason for their break up, it was mostly due to the rigors and challenges of their extensive touring schedule. Several of the members have gone on to other projects and will be remembered for their energy and live concerts.

A Seattle band called Minus the Bear are an indie rock band that blend elements of ambience and sonic experimentation, all the while maintaining their indie influences. The band features members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving and emerged on Seattle's music scene in 2001 with the release of their six-song EP This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic. The band is comprised of guitarist Dave Knudson, vocalist/ guitarist Jake Snider, drummer Erin Tate, and bassist Cory Murchy. It's rumored that 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.

In 2002 the band released their debut album Highly Refined Pirates, on the Suicide Squeeze label. Their next full-length, the self-produced Menos el Oso (Spanish for Minus the Bear), was released in August 2005; the remix album Interpretaciones del Oso followed in early 2007. The band also released the full-length album called Planet of Ice later that year. The band is currently working on their forth studio album which is due out in early 2010.

The group continues to tour and play their sophisticated brand shrewdly arranged cuts with guitar riffs adroitly blended with catchy melodies and unexpected time changes that keep their listeners interested, entertained and craving for more.

Owls (which were originally named The Civil War) were an indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois, and together from 2001-2002.

The group was formed by the original lineup of seminal experimental indie rock band Cap'n Jazz soon after their second breakup (the first came in 1995). Cap'n Jazz guitarist Davey von Bohlen, who played in the band's second incarnation, had gone on to found influential emo band The Promise Ring and did not participate in Owls. The band's lineup consisted of brothers Tim Kinsella and Mike Kinsella, guitarist Victor Villareal and bassist Sam Zurick. Tim Kinsella and Zurick have also played together in Joan of Arc and Make Believe, and Villareal and Zurick have played together in the instrumental-rock Ghosts and Vodka.

Owl City is the electronic brainchild of Adam Young. In early 2007 Young started out making music in his parents' basement, which he claimed was a result of his troubling insomnia woes. Utilizing little more than his computer and various keyboards to record his material, he eventually blended his influences, disco and European electronic music, 1980s synthpop and new wave music to invent his unique signature sound.

Young then uploaded his music to MySpace upon completion and Young began attracting a surprising amount of attention on the social networking site. In fact, one of his cuts, "Hello Seattle" went viral (he has received more than 7 million plays) and his fabricated ode to the Emerald City earned Young a record contract with Universal Republic. Owl City has released three albums, the self-released EP called Of June in 2007, Maybe I'm Dreaming (self-released, 2008) and followed that with his debut release, Ocean Eyes, an album garnering critical acclaim (it debuted at #27 on the Billboard 200) and launched his first national tour.

Young sings about unconventional topics such as urban design, the elements, travel, dental care, and also touches on more conventional topics such as romance and love. Despite being a devoted Christian, Adam does not consider his music exclusively Christian music, though he does state his faith is "his main inspiration" in his music. He is often mistaken for, but is not, the singer Lights; however, Adam Young is also friends with Lights, and is often musically compared as her male equivalent.

Look for more articles about bird and animal groups here at MusicStack very soon!

Bear vs. Shark Tidbits:

The band contributed a track called "Victoria Iceberg" to the Masters of Horror Soundtrack.

A special picture disc version of Terrorhawk was released with artwork by Jeff VandenBerg.

Marc Paffi, Mike Muldoon, and Brandon Moss have started a new band together called Champions of History.

John Gaviglio currently plays in Matthew Dear's Big Hands.

Selected Cuts: Buy Bear vs. Shark Music:

2005 Terrorhawk

Minus The Bear Tidbits:

In January of 2006, Matt Bayles, keyboardist and producer for group, 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.

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.

The band posted a note on September 3, 2009 on their Twitter saying that they've finished recording their new album.

Selected Cuts: Buy Minus The Bear Music:

2002 Highly Refined Pirates
2005 Menos el Oso
2007 Interpretaciones del Oso
2007 Planet of Ice

Owl City Tidbits:

The album Ocean Eyes went on to reach #2 on the Top Albums section of iTunes during the iTunes week of July 14. After two weeks the album had received over 2,600 ratings on iTunes with an average score of five stars.

Owl City has also released four singles, "Hello Seattle,” "Hot Air Balloon,” "Strawberry Avalanche,” and "Fireflies,” leading up to the release of the album Ocean Eyes.

Young maintains two side projects, Swimming With Dolphins with Austin Tofte and sometimes Breanne Duren and Port Blue. Young has been a part of two other side projects that created original music similar to Owl City; Windsor Airlift and Insect Airport.

Selected Cuts: Buy Owl City Music:

2007 Of June (EP) (Self-released)
2008 Maybe I'm Dreaming (Self-released)
2009 Ocean Eyes

Robert Benson
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates Collecting Vinyl Records, where you can pick up a copy of his FREE ebook called "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting." You can also have your vinyl records appraised at Vinyl Record Appraisals

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