Minus the Bear

(Published in Planet JH Weekly)Twinkling guitars, sweet harmonies and pounding indie-pop-rock, Seattle-based fivesome Minus the Bear leave grit on the pavement in favor of big pop hooks and catchy (though sometimes cliché) choruses. Eighties-style synth is another common texture that peaks out on their fifth studio release, Infinity Overhead (2012).From DIY beginnings more than eleven years ago, their 2010 album Omni debuted in the Billboard Top 50 and they have released four LPs amongst several EPs.“We wanted to branch out on the last record and explore some more musical directions and work with someone we didn’t know,” said guitarist David Knudson about Omni. “That was very educational and eye opening but at the same time we weren’t in our wheel house.”Drummer Erin Tate added: “I look at it like when we started this band we were building a house with the first three records, then with Omni we decided to go to a beach house. Now, with Infinity Overhead, we are back working on our house.”In addition to performing at high profile U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo, Coachella, Lollapalooza and Sasquatch, Minus the Bear has toured Europe, the U.K., Japan and Australia.Minus the Bear, 9:30 p.m. Friday April 5 at the Pink Garter Theater. Tickets are $21/advance, $24/day-of-show at The Rose, Pinky G’s or PinkGarterTheatre.com.