Members of the band were formerly in the bands Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving. Their sound involves a mix of pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics, with a Don Caballero-esque sophistication of composition. The name Minus the Bear comes from the famed TV show B.J. and the Bear—minus the bear.
After initially forming in 2001 with guitarist David Knudson, bassist Cory Murchy, and drummer Erin Tate, the trio eventually recruited keyboardist/sequencer Matt Bayles and vocalist/guitarist Jake Snider. They released their debut EP This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic on September 14, 2001 through Suicide Squeeze Records—who would subsequently release the majority of their albums and EPs.
The following year, on August 8, 2002, in preparation for the up-coming album the band was working on, they released the 5 track promo EP Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them. On December 2, 2002, the band released their first full-length album, Highly Refined Pirates.
In 2004, the band released their third EP entitled They Make Beer Commercials Like This through Arena Rock Recording Co. on July 13th. The band then contributed the track "Houston, We Have an Uh-Oh" to the Vagrant Records compilation In Honor: A Compilation to Beat Cancer which was released on September 21st.
Their second full-length album, Menos el Oso, was released on August 23, 2005. The title in Spanish translates to "Minus the Bear." The album featured the band's first-ever official music videos, with videos being made for both "The Game Needed Me" and "Pachuca Sunrise". The album signaled the end to the amusing song titles featured on previous releases.
On January 2, 2006 after touring in support of Menos el Oso, keyboardist/sequencer and producer Matt Bayles 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. Bayles wrote on his homepage that he would be replaced by Alex Rose, an engineer on Menos el Oso.
A remix album of Menos El Oso, entitled Interpretaciones Del Oso, was released on February 20th, 2007. The title in Spanish translates to "Interpretations of the Bear." The album features remixes by Plan B, Morgan Henderson of The Blood Brothers and Jason Clark of Pretty Girls Make Graves, among others.
Minus the Bear's third full-length album, Planet of Ice, was released on August 21, 2007, with a limited vinyl pressing on Suburban Home Records. To date, there have been three official pressings of Planet of Ice on vinyl. All pressings are double LPs. The album was recorded during February and March of 2006. Music videos were made for both "Knights" and "Throwin' Shapes".
On June 3, 2008, Suicide Squeeze Records re-issued the band's third EP They Make Beer Commercials Like This. The EP was remastered and expanded to include the track "Houston, We Have an Uh-Oh".
On October 7, 2008 the band released Acoustics, a 7 track EP featuring acoustic versions of the band's songs including the previously unreleased "Guns & Ammo". The EP was released on Tigre Blanco Records. The EP was released on vinyl on February 17, 2009 through Vinyl Collective.
On October 27, 2009, Minus the Bear released a digital 2 song single for "Into the Mirror", which features the title track and "Broken China". The band released their fourth original studio album Omni on May 4, 2010. Their final live performance was December 16, 2018 at The Showbox in Seattle.
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
Former bands
Dave Knudson - used to play in botch Jake Snider - used to play in sharks keep moving Erin Tate used to play in kill sadie Cory Murchy used to play in kill sadie
The Pig War
Minus the Bear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
like i've never been to the san juans
can we go soon?
girl slow down
girl slow down with me
if we leave now we can catch the last boat out
and that's the best one on this clear night
the wind on the boat's deck is a cold hand on the neck
or slipping into our cold bed
it's been so long that it seems
that i've never danced with anyone
she moves so
she moves so well
if we go outside we can take in a haze of Roche Harbor light
drink a bottle of red wine
forgetting to tell time
just sit still
we've moved enough
the wind on the boat's deck is a cold hand on the neck
or slipping into our cold bed
The lyrics of Minus the Bear's song, The Pig War, are about reminiscing on a past trip to San Juan Islands and the longing to return there. The opening lyrics indicate the singer's hesitation about the amount of time that has passed since their last visit, and how they need to slow down and appreciate the moment. The next passage is about catching the last boat out and enjoying the night, particularly the pin-prick lights in the sky. The verses have a dreamlike, nostalgic feel, which is emphasized by the soft, ambient music.
The second verse revolves around dancing with someone, and how well they move. The mention of forgetting to tell time and just sitting still emphasizes the romantic, unhurried nature of the trip. The lyrics also give the impression that both characters are escaping something in their lives by taking this trip - the cold bed and the cold hand on the neck suggesting solitude and lack of warmth elsewhere in life.
Overall, The Pig War is a song about the power of a beautiful location to recharge the senses and reignite passion. It is an ode to the San Juan Islands and the memories that can be created there that will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
it's been so long that it seems
It's been a long time since the subject has been to the San Juans.
like i've never been to the san juans
The duration of time that the subject has been away from the San Juans has made it feel like they have never even been there before.
can we go soon?
The subject is eager and enthusiastic to go to the San Juans as soon as possible.
girl slow down
The subject wants their partner to calm down and be more patient and relaxed.
girl slow down with me
The subject wants their partner to be more patient with them and slow down the pace of things.
if we leave now we can catch the last boat out
The subject realizes that they can make it to the last boat leaving the San Juans if they leave immediately.
and that's the best one on this clear night
The last boat departing on a clear night is the best choice.
under pin-prick light
The lighting of the night is very clear and sharp.
the wind on the boat's deck is a cold hand on the neck
The wind on the boat is cold and feels like a hand resting on one's neck.
or slipping into our cold bed
The feeling of getting into a cold bed is similar to that of the cold wind from the boat's deck.
it's been so long that it seems
It has been such a long time since the subject has danced with anyone.
that i've never danced with anyone
The duration of time that the subject has been away from dancing has made it feel like they have never even danced before.
she moves so
The subject is impressed with the way their partner moves while dancing.
she moves so well
The partner is a very skilled dancer who moves very gracefully.
if we go outside we can take in a haze of Roche Harbor light
If they go outside, the subject and their partner can enjoy the light and ambiance of Roche Harbor in a hazy atmosphere.
drink a bottle of red wine
They plan on drinking an entire bottle of red wine together.
forgetting to tell time
The subject is so engrossed in the moment that they forget to keep track of time.
just sit still
The subject wants to take a moment to sit and relax without moving or doing anything else.
we've moved enough
The subject feels like they have done enough traveling or movement for the time being.
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: BAYLES, JOHNSON, KNUDSON, MURCHY, SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind