Live Show Report: Minus the Bear - Menos El Oso 20th Anniversary Tour
I was first introduced to Minus the Bear on Props Road Fools 14. It was the song "Pachuca Sunrise" from their sophomore album Menos el Oso which is an incredible album. I never saw them live so when I heard they were doing a tour playing that whole album and that they were hitting The Ritz in Raleigh I was stoked. My buddy and fellow BMXer Matt Nielsen happens to be their tour bus driver and hooked it up with tickets and a photo pass so I could bring you this show summary. Thank you Matt! In case you are wondering, we had lunch before the show and talked about the JNCO commercial I was in.
Where was I? Oh right, Minus the Bear. On the opening slot was Richmond, Virginia’s Keep. This was my first time hearing them and I liked what I heard. Big fuzzy guitars, drums that don't quit, and melodies that keep cascading. They'll take you drifting through some hazy, dreamy stuff, then blow it up with a solo that gets your head moving. I only got one photo of them and there it is above these words.
It was time for Minus the Bear. I love an album tour, so I was extra pumped when they announced this was the 25th anniversary tour for Menos el Oso. I went down by the stage to shoot photos and the first thing I noticed was the pedal boards they had going on and guitarist, Dave Knudson put it to use creating the unique sound that the band is known for. I gotta note that his two-handed fret-tapping technique so fluid!
Drummer, Josh Sparks and bassist, Cory Murchy lock in like they've been reading each other's minds for years, smart and precise one second, then completely explosive the next.
The synths aren't out front trying to steal the show. Alex Rose holds everything together varying from a warm glow to ice chill that sticks to you!
Then there's Jake Snider, who keeps it cool. His vocals sit low and easy, confident and a little undersung. It's subtle, it moves with the music, and it never has to shout to get your attention.
The lightshow on stage matched perfectly with their ultra tight sound making this on hell of an experience. This was their second to last show on this tour so if they add more then I highLeigh suggest you check them out. Oh, and what equation would you subtract a large woodland creature from?
All photos by Leigh Ramsdell
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