Album Notes

Charlie McArthur and Craig Ramsey began recording as Bears in the summer of 2005. Their first album happened, almost by accident, in about eight months. This self-titled album was self-released in April 2006, and the band soon received praise from publications like Skyscraper, Alternative Press, Amplifier, and Impose Magazine, among many others. The record also received considerable college radio play, hitting #94 on the CMJ Top 200 in August of the same year.

The pair continued to write music as winter began in Ohio, and the songs took on a slightly darker tone. The aptly-titled "Shortest Day of the Year" EP was released at the end of winter, and, once again, great reviews rolled in from places like The Big Takeover, 30 Music and Urban Pollution. The EP also hit #95 on the CMJ Top 200 after receiving a good deal of airplay.

2007 saw interesting things happening for Bears' music, as they received great press from SPIN Magazine, and the song "How To Live" was featured on a compilation CD from Urban Outfitters Stores & Filter Magazine, along with Radiohead, Tegan & Sara, Sea Wolf, The Weakerthans and a bunch more. The guys also took their show on the road, where they expand to a six-piece on stage. Several tours have taken the band to New York City, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and everywhere in between.

For 2008, the band is planning several releases, the first being a 12" vinyl pressing of the first album. Pink Teeth Records will then re-release the Shortest Day of the Year EP on 10" vinyl, and Impose Records will release a two-song 7" featuring the live favorite "Who Knows" on the A-side. Craig and Charlie are also writing and recording the follow-up to Bears and plan to release it in the summer of 2008. Alternative Press Magazine named them one of "100 Bands to Watch in 2008," so keep an eye on these guys to see where the year takes them. It's sure to be somewhere fun and exciting.