SONIC SUGGESTIONS: Minus The Bear exclusive interview

11.27.10: MINUS THE BEAR: FIRESTONE LIVE (click for more info and tickets)

Seattle indie pop rockers’ are bringing their brand of indie pop-rock to Firestone in downtown on Nov 27th as they tour in support of their critically acclaimed 2010 release Omni. Omni is the groups debut release since signing to Dangerbird Records in February of this year. Minus The Bear bassist, Corey Murchy, took the time to talk with us about overcoming challenges and staying current.


aXis: First of all, can you give a us brief history of who Minus The Bear are and how you got to where you are now?


Murchy: MTB came together in 2001 as a group of friends that wanted to play music without restrictions. For the last 9 years we have recorded and toured consistently. We got where we are now through hard work and dedication to making music.



aXis: Your live show consistently receives outstanding reviews from fans and critics alike. Would you consider yourself more of a live band as opposed to a studio band?


Murchy: While I think we can hold our own in a studio setting, the live show can often bring a spark that you can only witness when five guys are banging on instruments in front of a full house.  That said, to compare the two is similar to judging apples and oranges side by side…



aXis: Your first LP, Highly Defined Pirates, came out in 2002, do you feel like that album was a bit ahead of its time in relation to other music that was being put out at that time?


Murchy: Hopefully every album we make pushes the envelope in some way or another. At least it does for us personally. 



aXis: What is your creative process within the band? Would you say that it’s a group effort or more centralized around one or two members?


Murchy: It’s a group effort, but Erin and Dave tend to come up with the bulk of the sweet riffage and structure. Jake writes most of the lyrics. 



aXis: What are your major influences when it comes to creating new music?


Murchy: Exploring and pushing ourselves to be better musicians is a major influence on our writing.  We don’t want to become stagnant. 



aXis: You’re finishing up a long tour this December, just in time for the holidays, after the break what’s next for Minus The Bear?


Murchy: After nine weeks on the road we are looking forward to sleeping in our own beds.  We need to rest up so we can continue what we do next year, with more recording and touring!

For more interviews and other aurally stimulating materials from Tiffany go to AdiosAmbrose.com!