Minus the Bear

A conversation with Cory Murchy

(August 2007)

Interview by Alexis Roberts

Seattle’s finest, Minus the Bear, are back with a new album titled Planet of Ice. Prior to this release, they have had stunning reviews for their other feature full-lengths and the teaser EPs that they have been known to release in between. They are known worldwide for their interesting and innovative song titles, and their music has mass appeal to fans of all types of music ranging from jazz to hardcore With a new album to promote and a very long touring schedule on the horizon, bassist Cory Murchy took a few minutes out of his busy day to talk a little bit about what is going on in the world of Minus the Bear.

So what’s up? What’s going on in Cory world?

Nothing much, just getting ready to go to practice… and getting ready to release a record in one week.

And you are also getting ready to head out on tour, is that right?

Yes we are going to head out probably around the end of September. We’re going to try and do the whole US.

And you’re going to do some in-store performances as well in support of the new album?

Next week we play in stores in Seattle and then we head to Berkley, because there’s an Amoeba in Berkley that’s on the 22nd, and then we play in Long Beach at Finger Prints on the 24th.

Do you often do the in store performances or is this something sort of new that the band is trying out?

We’ve done a few before, here and there. It’s not like we go out and tour record stores, but we’ve done a couple. Just for the record release we decided that it would be fun… you know play a couple free shows and play some of the new songs.

Hopefully there will be enough room in the record stores for all of the people coming out to see you!

Yeah, we'll see. I hope people will come out to see us.

I don’t think you will have to worry… I have heard a couple of the new songs from Planet of Ice, and I was wondering how you think people are gong to compare this album to your last one, Menos el Oso?

Well, I think it’s the best material we have done. What are people going to say? I don’t know… I hope that they are going to say that they like it. I hope that our audience is growing with us because we are kind of growing as a band and I hope that shows on our record. Hopefully people come with us for the ride.

Well, speaking from a fan's point of view I liked Menos el Oso quite a bit, but I have been able to hear the progression through out all of the CDs. However, Menos el Oso is my favorite to watch with the visualizer on.

We’re really proud of that album, too, but we’re really excited about this new stuff. Speaking of the visualizer, we’re going to have a laser show up here for Planet of Ice.

Oh really?

Yes, like a bona fide laser show… in a dome. Like laser Zeppelin, but laser Plane of Ice.

What prompted this?

Well, a couple of us had seen laser shows here and kind of got hellbent on trying to get a laser show for Planet of Ice. It just worked out that there happens to be one here in Seattle. They were into the record and they said sure.

So just a one time deal then?

Yeah, I think so unless enough people show up and they require it to come back by popular demand.

This means that I’m never going to be able to see the laser show then.

Not with that negative attitude you won’t!

I won’t be there physically, but I’ll be there in spirit. So who is going to be supporting you on the tour that’s coming up?

We’ve actually got a couple of great acts. In the beginning it’s going to be Subtle from the Bay Area. The main support will be the Helio Sequence. During that time we will also have Ela from Minneapolis, and Tiny Vipers from Seattle.

So you’re just bring along all of your friends basically?

Yeah, it’s really great that we can choose who we get to take out and actually love all of the bands that we get to take out. That’s how we roll, man. We roll with homies!

What are you guys all listening to right now?

Ohhhh… what are we listening to right now… Hmmm… I just got the new UNKLE record, which is kind of awesome. I got the new Tiny Vipers record, that’s really good. Erin and Alex have been listening to a lot of R. Kelly. I like The Heartless Bastards a lot, they’re pretty killer.

Is there anything that you are forced to listen to when touring that everyone disagrees on?

Yeah. I like reggae a lot, and old Jamaican music, nobody else really likes that. Dave and Jake love Metallica, and I think Metallica is maybe the worst band ever. But we all get along, and come to terms with our music.

Do you have like the “three song rule” where everyone in the car gets three songs and then you switch?

Our rule is “whoever is driving is captain.”

I guess that’s a good rule… Can I ask you a little bit about the theme of the coast and the ocean on your albums ? Often times I hear those lyrics pop up, and I’ve always wondered if it was a metaphor or just some intense love that you all share for the beach.

That’s more of a Jake question, but I will say this… We live in Seattle so we are surrounded by water. There’s a lot that we are affected by as far as the water goes, so I think that’s where it comes into Jake's writing. He writes all of the lyrics. You know, we’re here in Seattle surrounded by it, and it’s falling on us most of the day, too. 

Are you all originally from that area?

Um, not really. I was born there but grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That’s where I know Alex from. Erin is from Minneapolis. Dave is from Tacoma, but Jake is basically from Seattle… sort of…but we all live here now!

How did you all meet up way back in the beginning?

We all just played in different bands and kind of met up through the music world. We were all actually friends before.

Has it always been the same line up?

It has always been the same, except for Alex in the keyboard position… Scott used to play for us.

Do you have any last things you would like to add on or a message for the fans before you head off to practice?

Yes, thanks for coming to the shows and we will see you on tour.