A Great Big Pile of Leaves - Have You Seen My Prefontal Cortex?

sound: Indie Rock/ Chill Sauce

I haven't even gotten through the first three songs and im just going to post this. This band has really grown into their big boy pants, and are now laying down some seriously slick jams. It's hard to not have a great deal of respect for any band that self releases their first two EP's and then gives this one away for FREE on their website.
Love these guys they are class as hell, and this record is a treat. Check it out, cheers.
a great big pile of leaves MERCH

sounds like: Minus the Bear, Small Leaks Sink Ships

vbr for FREE! 

OMNI Vinyl Appreciation

sound:Indie Rock/Chill Sauce
http://www.myspace.com/minusthebear

shown above: the jacket

shown above: Opaque Red A/B, Opaque White C/D

shown above: OMNI stencil, digital download card, and lyrics insert

Listened to this yesterday on vinyl, and i highly recommend if you like Minus the Bear, seriously consider picking this up. I was oober skeptic based on the pre-order price, but i agree now that Dangerbird made excellent choices with packaging and the deep red and eye catching white vinyl are remarkable to watch spin. By the way all that aside, the actual record is A fucking plus material. The tracks are innovative while feeling familiar,  and range from ass shaking to chill as  it's ever been. seriously, Cheers on this one guys.

Pick up the ultra boring standard or the sweet ass deluxe edition [as shown above]
OMNI on Vinyl.

[GT] Minus the Bear [live]

sound: Indie Rock/Chill Sauce
myspace





This is "Secret Country" off the new record OMNI out May 5th, but if you're like me you pre-ordered the vinyl which is already in the mail!!! This is the 4.19 2010 OMNI TOUR kickoff show @ the Knitting Factory in Spokane Washington [my hometown]. Some friends of mine went, and i got to listen to some fuzzy but sweet jams over the telephone, this is the first time in 5 straight Spokane shows i didn't see them live. But i hear they fucking destroyed the place.

Minus the Bear [2010] Omni

sound: Indie Rock/Chill Sauce
myspace
Hi.
Omni leaked.
For everyone who's not good at being a pirate, here is a pg 13 taste.

stream Omni from KCRW.

sounds like: MONEY.

[GUMPTUBE] Minus the Bear Acoustics

Watch MTB perform My Time and Hold Me Down unplugged SXSW style.

JUMP.

[S] Minus the Bear: "My Time"

In case you didn't already know, i am soo gay for this band. Here's the first Single of their new record OMNI due out May 4th from Dangerbird Records [definite bros]. Plan on being sort of confused when looking for Dave's guitar, mostly cause he's not playing a guitar he's plays a 1981  Omnichord Synthesizer he picked up in Japan when on tour. Also are you fucking kidding me? Pretty sure OMNI is going to be one of the most innovative Minus the Bear records, to date. Also in case your doubting the depths of my  hetero-homoerotic love for this band, check out my fanboy page:
http://fuckyeahdaveknudson.tumblr.com

The Reptilian [2009] This Boy's Life

sound: Indie Rock/Progressive/Chill Sauce
myspace
Math-Rock proportional Indie Rock, elemental finger guitar tapping, four-time crash hits, wandering lead guitar riffs, raspy vocals. The Reptilian cover all the bases necessary to make an entertaining and admirable record. This short EP is foot tappin' and lazy chill, So... What are my Torso's Options? is  an electro and pedal orgy. This band's music gives off a magnetic vibe, drawing you into the full eighteen minutes of what this little record has to offer.  MTB fans, hop on board.  Check 'em out.
The Reptilian Blog.

sounds like: Minus the Bear, Look Mexico, Great Big Pile of Leaves

Bang = 128 kbps.

Look Mexico [2008] Gasp Asp EP

sound: Indie Rock/Chill Sauce
myspace
In the midst of waiting around for MTB to drop their new shit, i stumbled across this band. Who coincidentally have this killer fucking EP. The song that really hooked me on this band is You're Not Afraid of the Dark are You?  Mostly because it's really groovy and moody. Love the lyrics to this song, really melancholy and morbid, while being entertainingly upbeat in melody "four years of wading water/only to get this far". Let A Survivor's Code. My Code. is damn catchy too a nice end track to this record. It sort of gives of this mellow, kick ass vibe that just makes you wanna be at a show. Think a lot of MTB fans can get down with that feeling [need to get to a show btw]. Anyway they just signed with Suburban Home who's records it seems like i've been buying a whole lot of lately, so clearly they keep signing  talented dudes. Probably going to be forced to get this album on White, since it's actually really great. Be sure to check out You Stay. I Go. No Following. if it's anything like this, it's certainly worth pre-ordering the 7".
Gasp Asp on Vinyl.

sounds like: Limbeck, Minus the Bear, Cheap Girls, Sleep Bellum Sonno, Small Leaks Sink Ships

Bang = vbr.

road trippin.....

First of all, you better believe Kickapoo Joy Juice will get 26 fourteen year old girls jacked up for a Volleyball Match quicker then cocaine or speed ever could. Secondly here's some albums that were getting some heavy rotation on my ipod while i tried to drown out the sound of people singing Taylor Swift loud enough to rattle the bus windows. :)

My Heart to Joy [2009] Season in Verse : Been talking to these guys lately about how they need to come to AK to do a show. Can't wait to move back to states to see this band again. This record is always great, on a bus, on a plane, with ham, etc
Kidcrash [2004] New Ruins : For some reason anytime i hear any of these songs, they make me smile. Love this band, definitely still my favorite record by them, wish they would buy back the rights and put it on vinyl.
Polemarch [2008] La Fiesta De Disfances : Continuing to be blown away by this band, probably gonna put up a Static Future[EP] pretty soon here.
Minus the Bear [2009] Into the Mirror [SINGLE]  : Kind of sick of waiting for these guys to just fucking put out there new album. And i keep saying, "fuck MTB if they want to ignore me and my wants, then FINE." But then i quickly take it back and hope the MTB gods didn't here me and smite me with a longer wait.
Alexisonfire [2009] Old Crows/Young Cardinals: It's always great when bands you love mature and make even better music. It's even better when you agree and support the direction that they want to take their new sound in. It's fucking fantastic, when that new sound is fucking awesome. 
Saosin [2003] Translating the Name :Rumors about this getting repressed on Vinyl have really been getting me all hot and bothered. Had to go back and re listen to those fan-fucking-tastic drums again.
Minus the Bear [2005] Menos El Oso :There is no instance in which this record is not 100% worth listening to from start to finish. Had to play this one while zoning out to mile after mile of snow covered mountain tops, and Dr. Seuss looking trees.. Made me miss the ocean, like it was a long lost friend [which most MTB records do].

What do you guys listen to on roadtrips?

You Blew It! [2009] S/T EP

sound:Indie Rock/Progressive
 myspace
You Blew It! play a pretty interesting blend of super chill mostly instrumental indie rock,  equal parts emotional and progressive in their stylings. Some tracks you'll think you're listening to a Minus the Bear guitar/electronica interlude, then they switch it up with heartfelt scratchy vocals. At times they're so damn heartfelt they remind me of My Heart To Joy or Kidcrash's first record. Really likin' this short EP, plus these guys are giving it away free so be sure to hit up their myspace or fb for band chats. Definite bros, cheers.


facebook page.

sounds like: Minus the Bear, My Heart to Joy, Victor! Fix the Sun

Bang = vbr.

City in Fiction - (2009) Laughing in the Dark EP

sound: Indie/Funk/Progressive
length: 5 songs 15.2 minutes
myspace

1. Send'em to the 'Lectric Chair
2. Shave Damage
3. I Liked it Better When You Didn''t Speak
4. Dark Holes and Moonlight
5. The Vizzerdrix

I've been meaning to get to this record for almost a year now, cause i think its fantastic. It's an EP so you can power through it in 15 minutes but This Is Fiction packs enough style, groove, and definitive musicality for you to get a real feel for this band. These guys are like So Many Dynamos meets Minus the Bear, with that upbeat Progressive tempo while also being super chill. Love Shave Damage  because it is a gem, but  i think Dark Holes and Moonlight really showcases what this band is capable of. Honestly all five tracks are great, Vizzerdrix is a trip down the rabbit hole. Check 'em out.

sounds like: So Many Dynamos, A City Safe From Sea, Minus the Bear

*bang.

NEW Minus the Bear - Into the Mirror

 

 I had to take a momentary break from Hardcore Day to put up the new MTB SONG.

Also here's a funny story, this one time this guy was talking and he was like

" Saw Minus the Bear Live once. They Bored Me."

and i was like

FUCK YOU!

Into the Mirror

Minus the Bear - (2004) They Make Beer Commercials Like This

sound: Indie/Chill Sauce
length: 6 songs, 22.01 minutes
myspace
#1 "Fine + 2 Pts" – 3:50
#2"Let's Play Clowns" – 3:37
#3 "Dog Park" – 2:36
#4 "I'm Totally Not Down with Rob's Alien" – 4:06
#5 "Hey! Is That a Ninja Up There?" – 4:05
#6 "Pony Up!" – 3:47

Just before the much awaited release of Menos El Oso MTB put out imo the BEST EP of their long and glorious careers. All tracks flow beautifully together and i am not ashamed to say i have screamed at the band on several occasions to just "fucking play ROBS ALIEN!". I probably haven't ever mentioned on this site just how much i adore, respect, and idolize this band.


PS. LISTEN TO THIS RECORD GODDAMN IT !!!
PSS. ROBS ALIEN IS THE BEST FUCKING SONG OF ALL TIME AND SPACE
PSSS. BUY THIS ON VINYL I HAVE MINE ON FRUITY PEBBLES

sounds like: Sharks Keep Moving, Onalaska, State Route 522

Pony Up

Minus the Bear - (2002) Highly Refined Pirates

sound: Indie/Chill Sauce
length: 14 songs, 42.25 minutes
myspace
1. Thanks for the Killer Game of Crisco Twister
2. Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!
3. Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse
4. Hey, Wanna Throw Up?
5. Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo
6. We Are Not a Football Team
7. You Kill Bugs Good, Man
8. Spritz!!! Spritz!!!
9. Women We Haven´t Met Yet
10. Damn Bugs Whacked Him, Johnny
11. I Lost All My Money at the Cock Fights
12. Andy Wolff
13. Let´s Play Guitar in a Five Guitar Band
14. Booyah Achieved

You absolutely could not tell me there existed a more flawless album when i was 14. Possibly because
A) at the time there was no Menos or Planet of Ice
B) going to Minus the Bear shows was a religion, not a hobby
C) i wanted (want) Dave Knudson to do terrible, unspeakable things to me

So as you can imagine, at this time in my life i have heard these songs about 5 or 4 million times. And i can honestly say there is still something completely untouchable about the musicality, the creativity, the artistic design and fluidity of this record. This album is why i created Chill Sauce in for my itunes genre's, and this band is fucking out of control. Cheers.

sounds like: State Route 522, Sharks Keep Moving, Onalaska, A Great Big Pile of Leaves

Booyah.

Minus the Bear - (2005) Menos El Oso

sound: Indie/Chill Sauce
length: 11 songs, 44.7 minutes
myspace
1. "The Game Needed Me" – 3:15
2. "Memphis & 53rd" – 3:40
3. "Drilling" – 5:03
4. "The Fix" – 3:31
5. "El Torrente" – 4:56
6. "Pachuca Sunrise" – 3:35
7. "Michio´s Death Drive" – 3:35
8. "Hooray" – 4:17
9. "Fulfill the Dream" – 3:23
10. "The Pig War" – 4:38
11. "This Ain´t a Surfin´ Movie" – 4:53

In the year 2005, I found myself sitting on my hands for lack of MTB when they finally dropped this precious dime of a record from nearby Seattle. Saw them live right after, blew my fucking mind. While I still maintain Planet of Ice is their best press to date, this album is a very close second. Opening with the fresh and stylistic The Game Needed Me, MTB's god of a guitarist Dave Knudson stamps and taps his way into the hearts, minds, and stereo's of infamy. Getting ahead of myself...probably, but in Menos El Oso you get crowd movers like Drilling and the Fix, followed by some Serious chill sauce like Pig War and This ain't a Surfin Movie. What more can a girl ask for? This record is without a dud in my opinion, and was a gracious break from the long drought of Highly Refined Pirates.

sounds like: Sharks Keep Moving, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves, Pedro the Lion

Bang!

Sharks Keep Moving - (2002) Desert Strings and Drifters

sound:Indie/Chill Sauce
length: 4 songs, 26.59 minutes
myspace
1 Try To Sleep
2 Cashmere, Washington
3 All Out Of...
4 Arizona

I don't really want to get in the habit of posting EP's, but this one is superb. For Minus the Bear fans, this is like i said before Minus the Bear moving without direction. However in these four songs it comes together so beautifully. It's like a 27 minute addition to Menos El Oso.

sounds like: Minus the Bear, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves

Smash!

Colour Revolt - (2008) Plunder, Beg, and Curse

Sound: Indie/Alternative Rock/Chill Sauce
Length: 10 songs, 47.4 minutes
myspace
1. Naked and Red
2. Siren, A
3. Elegant View
4. See It
5. Moses of the South
6. Swamp
7. Ageless Everytime
8. Innocent and All
9. Shovel to Ground
10. What Will Come of Us?

These are guys are super chill, its a nice record for just laying around or (my favorite) putting on at a social gathering to just float around in the background. But don't mistake their liquid jams for lack of talent, these guys can bring it. Look for beauties like ultra-slick Moses of the South and haunting vocals in Innocent and All, the song See It is positively gorgeous.

sounds like: Minus the Bear, Pedro the Lion, Paper Rival, Interpol, Waxwing, 1989 Chicago Cubs

Ding!

Minus The Bear - (2007) Planet Of Ice

Sound: Indie/Chill Sauce
Length: 11 songs, 52.2 minutes
myspace
1. "Burying Luck" – 4:57
2. "Ice Monster" – 4:07
3. "Knights" – 3:43
4. "White Mystery" – 4:43
5. "Dr. L'Ling" – 6:52
6. "Part 2" – 3:54
7. "Throwin' Shapes" – 2:50
8. "When We Escape" – 4:07
9. "Double Vision Quest" – 4:33
10. "Lotus" – 8:48

Ok, so about a year and a half ago this nasty rumor starts circulating that my favorite band of all time MTB is breaking up. So the result of this is, they drop their old Keyboardist and make possibly their best record yet. Honestly its just gorgeous from start to finish from the super chill of Ice Monster to the sexy feel of White Mystery. Songs like Throwing Shapes and Knights are solid.
Just an A+.

sounds like: Yamon Yamon, Colour Revolt, Damiera, Paulson

Bang!