Metal Leaves Studio
  • Home
  • Profile
  • Contact
  • Editorial
  • MUSIC Gallery
  • Event Services
  • EVENT Gallery
  • Portrait Services
  • PORTRAIT Gallery
  • Blog
  • New Page

Going on a Bear Hunt

10/13/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
©Nicole Wrona/MLS
It was raining outside, and there was a storm a-brewin' inside St. Andrews tonight. Minus the Bear stopped in Detroit during their current '10th Anniversary Tour.'

This Seattle-based band is comprised of five members, most of whom have been playing in this band since its inception in 2001. Jake Snider takes the lead on vocals, playing a mean guitar as well. Cory Murchy throws around a wicked bass while Dave Knudson does his part- turning out his guitar.  Alex Rose rounds out the sound, lending his voice to backing vocals and lets his fingers do the walking- on the keyboard.  And holding down the fort while kickin' a new flava in your ear- Erin Tate on drums.
Picture
The resounding 'Thank You for Being a Friend' intro signaled the calm before the storm, then Minus the Bear walked onstage. Dark came crashing to light as the band ripped into their first song.  The spotlights flashed like lightning, and with a thunderous clap, the band began their controlled chaos in front of a packed house.

The crowd seemed insanely happy with every song that was sung, bouncing around and shouting the lyrics into the air. They clapped along fanatically to almost every song, keeping in league with the momentum Minus the Bear themselves created.

One song flowed into the next as they ran through songs, pulling heavily from the 2002 release of Highly Refined Pirates. The inclusion of this album- performed thoroughly- was one of the advertised perks of this tour. As each song was revealed, the entire crowd roared with approval as each note left their respective instruments.
Picture
Comparable to a roller coaster ride- the music mimics an ascension. Clink. Clink. Clink. You are perched precariously at the top of the highest point for a moment before... Freefall! You plummet down the tracks- holding on for your life.

The difference between the live show and the studio releases was the clarity of sound. The albums are clear and concise, each part distinctive and fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle.  The sound of the actual performance was layered differently, the instruments and vocals ricocheting around the speakers.

I stood behind some kids who were scheming to get backstage. They were hardcore planning, as though they were about to embark on an expedition. Each time a shaft of fluorescent light escaped out of the backstage door- they craned their necks in its direction, and began refining their plot to perfection. The only thing they were missing was the map with X marks the spot.

The end of the show came sooner than expected. Snider flashed the thumbs-up to the audience as he and the rest of the band members exited the stage.
Picture
The crowd chanted 'MTB! MTB! MTB!'  Captain Hook, a fan wearing a metal hook in lieu of his hand- raised his silver grapnel into the air, pleading for the band to reemerge. Minus the Bear stepped back onstage, full force as they tore into an early favorite- 'Just Kickin it Like a Wild Donkey.'  It started out smooth, then was shocked alive-maybe as they kicked! it- by the inclusion of a jingly tambourine.

After taking a group bow and singing an inordinately large amount of songs for the encore- they settled into a hypnotic version of 'Pachuca Sunrise' as the grand finale for this show.

The show ended with more band members mimicking the Fonz's hand signal in the air- interspersed by many 'thank you guys.'  The final two band members remained onstage taking pics, and throwing picks, and then the stage was abandoned.

And now the roadies break down the stage- signaling the kids in front of me put their plan into effect and sneak backstage.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    All images & text ©Nicole Wrona

    Categories

    All
    Art & Design
    Celebrations
    Detroit
    Event
    Music
    New York

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    May 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.