Minus the Bear get mixed up, release Drilling single
Press release from Riot Act Media:
MINUS THE BEAR are just back from a quick tour of the UK before headed into the studio to craft their follow up to the wildly successful Menos El Oso, due tentatively in late 2007. All that comes on the heels of a pretty crazy year. MTB played no less than 3 coast to coast tours, rocked Cochella, were named one of AP's most anticipated for 2007, and their video for Pachuca Sunrise was just voted as one of MTV's best of 2006 [number 9 to be exact].
Most bands would call it a day and rest up until the December rain cleared, but the Seattle troup have one more surprise up their sleeves: due out February 20th, Interpretacions Del Oso finds 11 artists reinterpretating Menos El Oso including Dalek, Battles (Tyondai Braxton), Alias, P.O.S., Fog, Jay Clark (Pretty Grils Make Graves), Dark Baby, IQU. And with it's release the band will – for at least a moment – sit still and soak up what has been a stellar year to say the least.
Interpretacions Del Oso track listing:
1. Drilling – P.O.S.
2. Memphis & 53rd – FOG
3. Fulfill the Dream – Tyondai Braxton
4. This Ain't A Surfin' Movie – IQU
5. The Fix – Plan B
6. Hooray – Dark Baby (Yuuki Matthews of Crystal Skulls)
7. The Game Needed Me – The Oktopus (Dalek)
8. Pachuca Sunrise – Alias
9. Michio's Death Drive – Michio
10. El Torrente – J. Clark (Jay Clark of Pretty Girls Make Graves)
11. The Pig War – O, Hunter (Morgan Henderson of Blood Brothers)
Minus The Bear might seemingly have come from out of nowhere. But after close to six years on the scene, following a long string of sold out shows and countless underground hits, the band is finally on the cusp of what seemingly befalls all artists…their first remix record. And while this act can frequently reek of self-indulgence with most bands, the resulting record here offers a fresh and varied look into a band that has sadly been reduced to the more pop corners of the earth.
Minus The Bear have much more in common with chronic noise masters in Dalek than you might think: their records are frequently steeped in atmospherics and peppered with some serious prog-rock tendencies. Their most recent full length (and featured remix victim) Menos El Oso was heavy on samples and their live set finds guitarist David Knudson playing his peddles more frequently than his guitar; hunkered over the side of the stage, syncopated and spastic.
So when Minneapolis based rapper P.O.S. turns Drilling into a skronked up backdrop over which vocalist Jake Snider can plaintively lament, it’s not really a shock…or is it? When Battles’ Tyondai Braxton brings Erin Tate’s clipped drums front and center to the mix it’s akin to watching ice melt. As Minus The Bear tranform, Interpretationes Del Oso achieves that rare remix goal of presenting an already esteemed record in an entirely new light. As it unfolds, everything about Menos El Oso‘s laid back pop veneer is deconstructed, pulling back the layers to reveal a band much greater than the sum of its parts.
Riot Act Mixtape – Winter 2007
Minus The Bear -> Drilling – P.O.S. redo
The Subjects -> I Could Never Tune
Pinebender -> Polly Gray
The New Trust -> Evolve Into Nothing
Baby Teeth -> The Simp
Des Ark -> Lord Of The Rings