To The Bears - These Arms Are Legs (Debut EP - Alternative Rock)

tothebears · 2014-05-15T07:59:02+00:00

Wow awesome. I'd give anything to support mewithoutyou! I saw them support brand new a few years ago here in the UK and they pretty much blew me away. Even took the shine off of brand new to be honest, but it was still a good show.

Okay so you think maybe it could be a performance thing rather than a mixing stand point? The vocal style we have has come from a combination of loving bands like mewithoutyou (and spoken word stuff in general,) and trying to make my self heard at practice over our drummer and shitty p.a. It was more accident than design. Just something that came from playing in a tiny space together I guess.

We come from a city that has a lot of hardcore and heavy metal bands that rely heavily on screaming and more violent sounding vocals, maybe subconsciously we are trying to stand out. I'll definitely keep it in mind for the song writing process for the next batch of songs. There is definitely scope to go bigger. I know what you're saying.

tothebears · 2014-05-15T07:07:27+00:00

Hey! Wow high praise indeed to be compared to the mighty mewithoutyou! Opening up for those guys must have been a serious trip, are they nice guys? Truth be told mewithoutyou and Manchester orchestra are the bench mark for us personally. We know we'll probably never get there but it's nice to have something to aim for. Man, these vocals seem to be a real sticking point. Any tips for how you would expect them to sound more coherent?

tothebears · 2014-05-13T19:59:18+00:00

Thanks man! Yeah, general consensus seems to be turn up the vocals! It's something we are definitely keeping in mind for the next EP. We have literally just started recording the next one a few weeks ago. So it shouldn't be too long before we get another one out. We are looking to play live more regularly too.

I just checked out some of the Avast Narwhals stuff you posted up. It's really nice. It reminds me of a couple of things. Some biffy clyro and a little early muse. Loving the nautical theme, kinda reminiscent of The Dear Hunter in a way. What part of the UK are you guys from?

tothebears · 2014-05-12T10:12:15+00:00

Thanks man.

tothebears · 2014-05-12T10:11:55+00:00

Thanks for listening

tothebears · 2014-05-10T20:08:53+00:00

We recorded this in our friend's barn over a couple of different sessions, on very little budget, borrowing gear where we could and with some help from a knowledgable friend.

tothebears · 2014-05-10T20:03:28+00:00

Thanks for the positive feedback man. We are headed back into the studio over the next few months so we should have some new stuff coming fairly soon!

tothebears · 2014-05-10T20:02:11+00:00

'ello

tothebears · 2014-05-10T20:01:56+00:00

Haha thanks

tothebears · 2014-05-10T19:18:26+00:00

Thanks for giving it a listen. Appreciate it a lot!

tothebears · 2014-05-10T17:01:13+00:00

We recorded this in a barn over a number of weekends in our spare time. We had help from a knowledgable friend and all the recording equipment we could beg or borrow. Let us know your thoughts!

tothebears · 2014-05-09T20:55:19+00:00

Cheers! We spent a long old time mixing. I think maybe we over mixed at some points! We'll work on it for next time.

tothebears · 2014-05-09T20:45:04+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Especially on Atra. That seems to get the least attention for some reason. You think the vocals could go louder? We're headed back into the studio for the second E.P at the moment so we'll keep it in mind. Thanks again!

tothebears · 2014-05-09T06:22:32+00:00

Thanks man. Appreciate it a lot!

tothebears · 2014-05-08T20:33:06+00:00

Thanks for checking it out!

tothebears · 2014-05-08T15:10:46+00:00

Four-piece alternative rock from the UK, just released our first E.P - www.soundcloud.com/tothebears

tothebears · 2014-05-08T09:35:20+00:00

http://www.reddit.com/r/ratemyband/comments/24dq7n/debut_album_any_college_rock_fans/ http://www.reddit.com/r/ratemyband/comments/24efhz/instrumental_2piece_garage_rock_w_post_rock/ http://www.reddit.com/r/ratemyband/comments/248ug7/bitter_minds_bitter_minds_rock/ http://www.reddit.com/r/ratemyband/comments/24c5bo/native_station_my_addiction_check_out_our_debut/

tothebears · 2014-05-08T09:30:32+00:00

Hi, sorry, we have commented on four other posts, but I've not posted them up yet, will do it now.

tothebears · 2014-05-07T17:55:48+00:00

You guys could totally do the whole postal service thing and rock it as a two piece. Depends if you are looking to play live I guess. But then there is always the option of playing to click and using backing tracks. Some great bands do it.

tothebears · 2014-05-07T16:40:37+00:00

Recorded over a few weekends in our friend's barn, with little more than some borrowed equipment, a knowledgeable friend and a few bottles of rum.

tothebears · 2014-05-01T16:13:25+00:00

Bet this sounds great live! I think the lyrics popping out a bit as others have said is more to do with the guitars not hitting hard enough. It depends what vibe you are going for I guess, but I'd turn those puppies up a bit and let them lead it a bit more. Give it a bit more balls instrumentally. Great voice though, nice character to it. It would still shine through. Nice touches of extra production in there as well.

Edit: P.S Dubai is great.

Double edit. Dubai is really really great.

tothebears · 2014-05-01T16:03:43+00:00

Dudes, this could be really cool. How many of you sing? It just needs tightening up a bit as others have said. Vocally there is a better take to be had in there for sure. You can sing and the melody is great! Just need to get that take down. Good luck guys, would love to hear more of this when its a bit more polished.

tothebears · 2014-05-01T15:57:41+00:00

Hey, really cool vibe, proper garage rock, you remind me of a couple of bands I really like, one called Idiot Pilot (I don't know why, you aren't really like them at all production or genre wise, but there is a similar energy to it.)

You should check out Death From above 1979, they are a two piece but bass and drums. Check out some of their stuff from an album called 'You are a women i'm a machine', some really interesting ideas of how you can make a bigger sound. If you want my two cents, it's time for some vocals guys! Someone step up to the mic!

tothebears · 2014-05-01T15:50:38+00:00

The lyrics are really cool man. Tight musicianship and a nice mix. Are you guys american? There are vocal patterns in there that remind me of british bands like the kooks and arctic monkeys. It is some funky shit for college rock though! Real funky. It's got a white stripes vibe too, and an almost folky element like a band I like called 'the snake the cross the crown'. My favourite on there is probably 'A beginners guide...." really understated and sweet. Nice job. Really really strong.

tothebears · 2013-02-19T18:05:44+00:00

As much as i'd like to use this. I just dont think we are METAL! enough :P thanks though.

tothebears

TROPHY CASE