We Are Not Bears

We Are Not Bears? With Strings? AND A CHOIR?!

2010-05-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

As Will mentioned before, a few weeks ago, I completed my four years at SUNY Purchase with my Senior Recital. It's been a long time coming, and boy, am I sure it's done! Anyways, here's the other tune from the evening to feature the string quartet, choir, and We Are Not Bears. It's called 'Where I Grew Up", and I'm sure you'll love it!

Check back soon...big shit's goin' down!

-Kypo, WANB

7" Split with Trails: almost out of the oven!

2010-05-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

That's right, our 4 song split with our colleagues/business partners/buds Trails is almost done! Mastering's done, plating's done, and duplication's done. We just need to design a label for the center of the disc and a graphic for the sleeve.Our ABR counterparts Zona Mexicana and Elemeno just released their 7" split and it sounds awesome. It's freakin' surreal to hear those good old vinyl pops and hisses in conjunction with that new sounding music.
Anyway, I put together a little teaser of the We Are Not Bears/Trails split just to give you something to chew on until we release it. There it is. Go ahead. Don't be shy now.

The records (yes, VINYL) will be available for just $7 and there might even be some free downloads.
If you don't buy them, the hipsters will...

Please save our records from becoming hipster wall decor (or earrings for this guy) by giving them a good, loving home.
-Will

Track one of Will's SCUBA diving soundtrack

2010-05-04T02:10:00.000-07:00

This piece of video is from our man Kyle's senior recital. He's a big boy now, and to prove it, he arranged one of his songs for a string quartet, 2 guitars, piano, and a choir! His mom was there, she brought cookies, his dad played first violin, and I'm sure tears were shed.
Our friend Sam Bennett (prodigy filmmaker, and trumpet player in Sex God Cowboys) flip camera'd the thing for us, and we put up a few mics in the room so ya'll could sink your teeth into this musical piece of chocolate cake.

The reason I titled this post as such was because this song gives me the sudden urge to go for a dive in some dark, warm, Caribbean, sharkless, sea water.
Hoping you feel the same,
-Will

P.S. There's been some talk at the apartment of turning this gem into a full-fledged We Are Not Bears song! oohwhee! I know, right?

James Ryan (We Are Not Bears' bassist) makes his We Are Not Bears blog debut

2010-05-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

This very rare footage was captured at an unknown cocktail event some weeks ago. The videographer who came forward with this incredibly sought-after footage insisted on remaining anonymous. This probably won't disturb you.

HOLD UP! Let it load...

In other news:
Someone once told me that the revolution will not be televised and just now, someone told me that the truth will also not be televised. It's a bold message, and kind of scary if you think about it. I certainly like what it's suggesting we do, though.
On a lighter note, tune in next time for a video scored with some We Are Not Bears music!

May we break bread in the real world,
-Will

Sex, Drugs, and Video Games: An Interview With We Are Not Bears

2010-05-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, hello...didn't see you there!

Well come on in, stay a while! Oh, and make sure you check out this brand new interview that We Are Not Bears did with The Purchase Brick. Don't worry...we gave it half of our attention, I swear!

Needless to say, Will got his ass kicked.

Big Love,
Kyle, WANB

We Are Not Bears Would Like To Apologize

2010-04-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

Sorry for the gap in content here. We've been super fucking busy the past couple of weeks, and haven't had a moment to sit down and give y'all something worth the light of day. That all changes NOW! RIGHT NOW!!! We've got a brand new video up for you to glue your sorry specs to, and I think you'll find it quite entertaining:

Aside from making this purdy little picture for all of you to enjoy, WANB has been hard at work, writing new songs, booking/playing shows, and getting ready to hit the ground running in a big fancy studio! Also, WANB will be paying as part of my senior recital, with a full string quartet and a HUGE choir to boot! WOOO!!!! Plus, by the end of May, you'll be able to get your dirty fingers on a copy of our 7" split E.P. with Trails, being pressed to wax AS YOU READ THIS VERY SENTENCE! Stay posted, 'cause this lack of content ends here. More shit to come, I swear on your mother's grave!

-Kypo, WANB
PVK8SW4HUG55

WPKN Broadcast: now suspended in time!

2010-03-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hey there, internet!
Dreadfully sorry that we haven't been able to post in a while, things have been pretty busy here at We Are Not Bears camp. Between writing, practicing, our personal lives, having crime-fighting alter egos, and becoming zombies for one night this week,

the internet can sometimes be pushed to the back of our minds (except maybe Kyle's).
Anyway, for those of you who MISSED our appearance on Jim Motavalli's show on WPKN last week,
here's the interview in four fun-sized chunks for ya.

WPKN interview Part 1:

WPKN interview Part 2:

WPKN interview Part 3:

WPKN interview Part 4:

Allrighty people, you'll hear from us again soon.
In the meantime check out this band called toe, then get some sun on that pasty ass of yours.
Much love, Will.

We Are Not Bears, on WPKN, for REAL this time!

2010-03-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

Doods and Doodettes:

I know it was supposed to be the second week in February. And then the fourth. But honestly, and you can quote/site/annotate/MLA format me on this, We Are Not Bears is playing live on WPKN tomorrow, March 9th. We will be playing new and old tunes, talking about upcoming releases, and discussing global relations in an ever-digitizing world. One of those things isn't actually happening (can you spot the goose? A HOO HOO HOO HOO!). So, sit your lazy ass down in that computer chair, 8PM SHARP, and visit WPKN's website to stream us live to your notebook/netbook/smartphone/smartpad/maxipad/computing device! It's gonna be a fun show - you won't want to miss the tom-foolary that will inevitably ensue.

'Till then,
-Kypoo'd

The Illest Of The Illz: Music Preview With We Are Not Bears

2010-03-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

evSo it's come to my attention that the Gorillaz will indeed release a third studio LP. In fact, it's already out! I just finished my first listen through, and I must say, I'm a little confused. What you'd expect is still here; big name cameos (Lou Reed, Mos Def, Snoop Dog) are accounted for, as well as the signature whispy chorus hooks of 2-D and Murdoc's pounding bass lines. Yet something is off...and I can't put my finger on it. It seems that Plastic Beach is more of an environment oriented album, and less of a collection of chart-worthy singles. Most every cut could hypnotize a dance hall ruckus - huge sweeping synths, DnB booty shakin' beats - but it seems like the prerequisite to get in the club is a member's only jacket and day-glo socks. Don't get me wrong...this isn't some thoughtless Brooklyn synth-pop wannabe record. It's just different. Check out the single for yourself:

You can stream the whole album here as well.

WANB is still writing for a full-length LP, and will be playing a few shows in NYC this March. Click here for dates!

Cheers,
-Kypo

At Last, The Spectacle: We Are Not Bears w/Kid:Nap:Kin!

2010-02-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

  Attention to all you head bangers, dance floor populators, and even hipsters who pretend not to care: We Are Not Bears is honored to be playing a show of shows alongside some of our most favorite and most respected fellow bands!

SPACE GHOST COWBOYS
   Anthemic rock for the broken hearted.

No One and The Somebodies (NOATS)
   A schizophrenic good time.

KID:NAP:KIN
   Reviews have said: "...a full dosage of metal-infused ear candy, best suited for the intellectually-inclined headbanger, rock-‘n’ roller, punk rocker..."
   "Jeff Buckley kicking into a psycho rant with axe chops of guitar, or a jazz chord break in a punk song"
     "they put the soul back into the technical"

We Are Not Bears
   Pssht. Girl, you know my style...

Hope to see ya'll there. This will be BIG. New songs will be played, merch will be sold, confetti will be thrown, police cars will be flipped, tears will be shed, and babies will be born.

Go for a swim
--Will

Without Words

2010-02-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

Sad news from the Bears camp today everybody. Friend, musician, student, lover, and hustler extraordinaire, drummer William Whatley, has been eaten by a shark. This shocking photo (above) was captured just prior to his passing. He will be sorely missed. RIP you glorious groove angel. We will press forward though, playing with a 16-Bit drum machine, in dayglow and Raybans from this point forward.

In other news, you should take a moment to check out this preview of a brand new Radiohead song played at their Haiti benefit concert in LA. Word on the street is that the new album is WRAPPED. You can never tell with them though...I heard this one will be released strickly on 8-track tape and tuna sandwiches. Do yourself a favor though and watch this:

Will isn't dead. New tunes soon...come on by!

-Kypo

Chuck! It's your cousin, Marvin BERRY. You know that new sound you're looking for?

2010-02-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

Whattup all you lovers, haters, pilgrims, and quakers?
I hear that each and every one of you has been looking for something fresh and exciting for your Walkmen and Ipods. Lucky for you is this: Dozens of friends, enemies, yings, yangs, bings, and bangs have come together to bring you a collection of songs guaranteed to give aural erections as well as rekindle that once blazing fire that resides deep inside of us all. It is (nowadays) a dwindling flame that can only be fueled by new (and high quality) rock music.
Instead of Marty McFly bringing you the next wave of rock and roll, it's the Cake Life Collective and American Buffalo Recordings.

NEW things are happening with guitars, drums, and vocal chords so wise-the-F-up and download Cake Life Collective/American Buffalo Recordings Compilation Vol. 2 RIGHT HERE
We Are Not Bears is on it, as are many of the other bands that are bringing rock and roll back from the dead. Sick! Right, bro? Yeah!

In Bears specific news: We've got new shows coming up, newly finished recordings, and we are well under way with writing a full-length album.
Also, we sincerely hope that yesterday, you got to make out or at least eat some candy with someone whom you think is sexy. If not, don't worry about because We Are Not Bears would love to be your Valentine, you amazing person, you.

Until next time, stay thirsty my friends. (I know I didn't make that up, but I want to be the Dos Equis guy)
--Will

A PSA from We Are Not Bears: More Fire, My Youth

2010-02-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

Do you understand what it's like to be an alien? A legal ALIEN?! IN NEW YORK! No, not a washed up adult-contemporary English fuck. I speak of Shinehead, my brethren, and this video just might be my new favorite of all time...well, the 90's at least. Now, get down like a sunflower in the shower, you cockamamie!

In WANB news, we'll be spending the next few weeks writing new tunes and dusting off the old, polishing 'em up, and wrapping them in new shiny packages for your listening pleasure. I'm talkin' LP numero uno, doods! Check back for some clips and snips from the Bears camp and, as always, more fire.

Now gw'on

-Kypo

Forgive Me

2010-02-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

We're all human right? Most of us?
Therefore, we all make mistakes, especially my not-always-paying enough-attention-to-detail-self. The aforementioned radio show is NOT taking place on Tuesday the 9th of February, but on the 23rd of February. That's the 23RD OF FEBRUARY. I'm sure that this radio show will completely trump any other event in history on this day (except maybe for the birth of Debbie Kruck).

Anyway, I apologize for the mix up. But now you need some way to pass the time until the fourth Tuesday of the month! I recommend watching this guy dance his ass off until then. This video's really fantastic.

OK people, we'll have some new tracks up for you soon (ooh la la, I know right?)
Until then, stay literate and get some fresh air.
--Will

Tesla would be proud

2010-02-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hey all you people out there in internet land! Remember that thing that people used to get both their music AND information from? Nope, guess again. Warmer, warmer.... Yes! The radio, and We Are Not Bears will be on it on Tuesday, November 9th! Cool right? I know.
We will be interviewed by the very respectable and environmentally involved Jim Motavalli. (Jim's website) This upstanding citizen has had books published, he blogs weekly for The New York Times, he has had articles published in E The Environmental Magazine as well as The Times, and for some reason he still has time to have a weekly radio show on WPKN during which he plays and promotes new music that he's interested in. His show airs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month and, luckily, you can stream it online right from the radio stations website. Hooray!
We Are Not Bears will play a set live on the air and be interviewed by Mr. Motavalli in between songs.
We'll be talking about upcoming releases and future plans as well as playing some new material for you fine sexy people out there. Tune in, get turned on, and stay in school

-Will (and fellow hard-ass, Samuel Aaron Bennett)

We Are Not Bears and Trails: 7" Sneak Peek!

2010-02-01T20:42:00.000-08:00

We thought we'd start the new official We Are Not Bears blog off with a bang, so here it is: a sneak peak of the forthcoming Trails/We Are Not Bears 7" split, being released on American Buffalo Recordings in the coming month. These mixes are fresh out of the studio (seriously, we walked out about an hour ago), so we hope you enjoy a little taste of the sounds to come. Stay tuned for the two other American Buffalo Recordings splits as well, featuring Time Vampire/Weird Korea, and Zona Mexicana/Elemeno. These are all great bands with great people and even better tunes.

You can download the preview here.

In other news, WANB just played a killer show with New Paltz's own Sharks Roar at King Killer Studios in Park Slope, BK. These guys kick ass, so expect some more WANB/Sharks Roar shows soon in a town near you!

If you're feeling generous, we've just finished pressing a second batch of WANB tees (check out the picture above) and self-titled EP's. We're in the midst of setting up a Paypal account, but in the mean time, get at us and we can work something out. Tees and CD's are $5 a piece, or $8 together.

Of course, you can download the EP for free by clicking this link with your mouse.

Anyways, before I begin to ramble, enjoy the goods, and stay posted for more news. Very exciting news actually. Seriously, check back soon.

I love you
-Kypo, WANB