The group initially sent a demo to Equal Vision Records and a representative from the label flew out immediately to sign the group. Since the release of Right Now You're in the Best of Hands..., the band has toured the United States extensively headlining & opening for other major acts such as Coheed and Cambria. The group quickly gained attention from fans and fellow musicians as well. The group is also known for their high-energy stage show most notably by Marc Paffi (Vocals), who is known to move around the stage frantically during performances. Most of the band members also switched playing instruments during their sets, which was a regular occasion. The group is named after the Chris Bachelder book and also the old hypothetical "who would win in a fight between a bear and a shark?" though it has also been circulated that the band's name comes from the shape of Michigan; colloquially, it is said to look like a bear fighting a shark.
On December 21, 2005 the band posted on their website that they decided to call it quits. Although the band didn't cite any specific reason for the break up John Gaviglio was featured in the December issue of Alternative Press where he did an op-ed piece on the hardships of touring extensively. The band has also been very vocal that they didn't like their touring conditions.
Members
* Marc Paffi – vocals, guitar, keyboards
* Derek Kiesgen – guitar, bass
* Mike Muldoon – guitar, bass, keyboards
* John Gaviglio – guitar, bass, vocals
* Ashley Horak – drums
Former members
* Brandon Moss – drums
* David "Spitsticks" – drums
Mike Muldoon and John Gaviglio together with help of Mark Maynard have started a new band project called Cannons, centralized in Brooklyn.
Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands... and Terrorhawk were released on vinyl by Friction Records, with Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands included two previously unreleased tracks, California Hot Seat (originally heard on the (1653 EP) and June 7. Also, a special picture disc version of Terrorhawk was released, with artwork by Jeff VandenBerg.
Marc Paffi recorded vocals for the song 1999 on the band If He Dies He Dies release Conquistador on Friction Records.
Marc Paffi, Mike Muldoon, and Brandon Moss have started a new band together called Champions of History.
Brandon Moss is also a member of the band Bars of Gold and Wildcatting. In addition to Wildcatting, Brandon Moss also plays horns in Don't Stand So Close To Me, a jazz/fusion ensemble that mixes solid hits from The Police.
John Gaviglio currently plays in Matthew Dear's Big Hands.
Marc Paffi is also lead singer of Bars Of Gold.
Buses/No Buses
Bear vs. Shark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Off yellow paper form a new name
Make it east of misissippi and you're a hero
Picket lines of fence
Think ahead
My lungs leapt in my throat
To choke and move the lever now
And my eyes are shaking
Set up
A single camera
A speckled line
To defend the time when
You were singled out to die
Just like the romans
It's spread out
Over 1,000 nautical miles
There's a crack in your window
There's a crack in your life
If this rolls over
To knock the spit out of my eyes
The machines calling you
To be a first rate army
I've tasted blood
I've tasted wine and sweat and blood
Think ahead
My lung leapt in my throat
Pull that lever now
The lyrics of the song Buses/No Buses by Bear Vs. Shark are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that the song is about the struggle for empowerment and recognition. The opening lines suggest that the singer is trying to form a new identity for themselves, one that is east of the Mississippi, which could be interpreted as a journey towards progress or better opportunities. The reference to picket lines of fence also implies a struggle against some kind of oppression or limitation.
The subsequent lines “think ahead, my lungs leapt in my throat, to choke and move the lever now” suggest that there is a critical moment approaching which requires courage and action from the singer. The sense of urgency in the lyrics is further reinforced by the trembling hands and eyes of the singer. The lines “set up a single camera, a speckled line to defend the time when you were singled out to die” seem to suggest that the singer is aware of the possibility of retaliation or punishment for their actions and that they are trying to document their struggle for posterity.
The final lines “I’ve tasted blood, I’ve tasted wine and sweat and blood” suggests that the singer has put in a lot of effort and sacrifice into the struggle and is committed to seeing it through. The overall impression given by the lyrics is that of a struggle against an oppressive force that seeks to silence or limit the empowerment of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay a sheet over the face of the picture
Cover up the truth or hide the reality from the people
Off yellow paper form a new name
Create a new identity or redefine something to make it different
Make it east of Mississippi and you're a hero
It's relatively easier to be successful or celebrated if you move to a different place
Picket lines of fence
A symbol of division or separation between people or communities
Think ahead
Be prepared or anticipate future outcomes
My lungs leapt in my throat
To be nervous or scared
To choke and move the lever now
To take action quickly even when scared or unprepared
My hands are shaking
To be physically and/or mentally unsteady or distressed
And my eyes are shaking
To be affected emotionally by something
Set up
Get ready or be prepared for action
A single camera
To capture a single moment, memory, or experience
A speckled line
A thin line that is fragile or easy to break
To defend the time when
To protect memories or experiences from being forgotten or discarded
You were singled out to die
To be marginalized, discriminated against or subjected to injustice
Just like the Romans
A reference to the Roman empire's oppressive tactics
It's spread out
To be widespread or pervasive
Over 1,000 nautical miles
Covering vast distances, separating people or communities
There's a crack in your window
A sign of vulnerability or weakness that needs to be addressed
There's a crack in your life
A metaphor for a weakness, a challenge, or an obstacle in life
If this rolls over
If something goes wrong, or the situation worsens
To knock the spit out of my eyes
To overcome adversity or obstacles, or to better see the truth
The machines calling you
The societal norms or expectations dictating one's path in life
To be a first rate army
To be successful, strong, and respected in society
I've tasted blood
To have experienced violence, pain, or loss
I've tasted wine and sweat and blood
To have experienced the highs and lows of life, to have seen both the good and the bad
Think ahead
To prepare for the future or anticipate outcomes
My lung leapt in my throat
To be scared or nervous
Pull that lever now
Take action or make a decision even when scared or unprepared
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ktowndown3253
15 years later. Slap.
@lostinthedark5231
This shit is still as good as back in highschool, had a shitty bus ride today and this is making me feel better
@whyface6778
stay up g.
the bus keeps us down , but we follow in the footsteps of those before us. i hope you're doing better.
@bigrips7734
same here
@amygrindhouse4193
love this. still. and always will <3
@particles343
It's been a while since I have heard this. I really just loved the rhythm.
@moneymonks47
Make it east of the Mississippi, you’re a hero
@ThEriAnGiRL_EMI
Love this
@justin3d44
Yeeesssssss. This was my jam in high school
@ericfoster8411
This song fucking riiips