Bear is no longer an active band. Bear lasted from 2001 until mid-2009. Thanks to all friends and fans for the support - it was a great run.
You can catch Chris in Porktamer; Corey in Upholstery and Dan and Erik in Wormrider
"BiD have figured out how to utilize math not just for befuddling complexity, or the mindless indulgence of arcane virtuosity, but also for split-second showmanship.polyrhythms that actually groove, and tremendously so"
--Critical Mass, Philadelphia Citypaper
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Short Description
Bear is Driving is progressive, manic, instrumental rock with a ginormous breadth of influence. It's art for art's sake.
We have shared the stage with Don Caballero, Estradasphere, Upsilon Acrux, Dalek, O'Death, Dan Deacon, Barbez, Genghis Tron, Skeletonbreath, Weasel Walter (Flying Luttenbachers) & Marshall Allen (Sun Ra Archestra), McRad, The PoPo, Make a Rising, Capillary Action, ThemRoaringTwenties, Yip Yip, Bad Dudes, Knife the Glitter, Clan of the Cave Bear, Normal Love, Stinking Lizaveta, Snack Truck, Chromelodeon, Pony Pants, Bad News Bats, Input/Output, The Drayton Sawyer Gang, Knotfeeder and many more. We highly endorse, love and often play with amazing local bands like Normal Love, Cleric, Infinien, Little Ocean, Northern Liberties, Hulksmash, Voodoo Economics, Algebra of Need, Mega Mega, Bloody Wall of Gore, Ugh God, Drums Like Machine Guns, Towers, Mose Giganticus, Rad Racket, Grandchildren, Padre Pio, Porktamer, The Perfectionists (RIP) and many more (yell at us if we forgot you).
Long Description
Bear is Driving is just as much a theory as it is a tangible arrangement of artists, instruments, and the resultant sounds of artist-on-instrument interaction. In the abstract, BiD is an existential approach towards the definition of Art. The music is the language with which we convey our current working definition.
It is our belief that the role of the artist is to create means of expression by drawing from tangible skills (acquired through education, observation, and repetition) and intangible, personal aesthetic guidelines. Ultimately, the artist should invent a means of expression independent of commercial influences. After all, is Art really a product?
Though we admit that effective art can communicate to the masses, Affective Art should aspire to communicate in innovative ways. Affective Art should be open to the public without pandering.
Working within the context of this definition, Bear is Driving delivers subliminal messages on the complexities of the human experience. By utilizing the medium of 'instrumental rock,' BiD reflects upon an era where the industrial, communication and information revolutions have effectively alienated all of us in a world where our population grows exponentially.
Bear is Driving songs shift seamlessly from melodic-math riffs with warm spacey ambiance, to brutal prog-metal riffs with off-meter, dissonant noise/vocal sample loops. Regardless, you will hear an amazing breadth of influences compiled to form a sonic experience YOU HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED BEFORE.
