hi.
so we have been very busy lately. let me show you how. (but you should ask yourself, "do I have some time to spare?")
new releases:
Grumpy Bear: 'kosar' 3" CD-EP. This EP is beautifully packaged and is just about to be released by the unstoppable musical force that is the POP MONSTER COLLECTIVE (www.popmonster.terrorware.com). Five of the best songs that Grumpy Bear has ever put to disc (albeit a mini one) and wonderfully designed by Pop Monster's own Isaac Arms, to boot! Hell Yeah!
Red Weather Tigers: Self Titled EP. The debut EP from our collaboritive side-project. We boys from Grumpy Bear have joined forces with Marc Manning (Everything is Fine/Heavy Lids) and Thomas Heath (THEATH) to create seven new tracks that transcend the specific styles of the seperate components. Available from Tract Records (www.tractrecords.com).
Tract is also re-releasing the 'if we were trees' 4-way split (which has been out of print for some time). All new packaging surrounds the sounds of Derek Joe Brockett, Everything is Fine, Theath, and (of course) three folktastic tracks from Grumpy Bear. Zowee!
Grumpy Bear has also had inclusion on four new compilations:
1. Our version of 'Junebug' is included on the Slight Record (www.slightrecord.org) Sparklehorse Tribute titled 'That Horse Yonder'. Daniel Johnston and Barzin are amongst the many who also contributed to this gorgeously put together charitable cause (Sweet Relief).
2. 'I'm Doing OK Today' is a mega-cassette comp from Sanitary Records (www.sanitaryrecords.com). The previously unreleased Grumpy Bear track 'offer up sound' makes an appearence along side 22 other tracks by The Quiet Bears, Rivulets, Real Live Tigers, Perk-O-Lator, et al.
3. One previously unreleased Grumpy Bear track (Mona- Edit) and a newly mixed version of 'Buckminster Fuller' are both included on the 50th Release extravaganza that is Tract Records 'Every Song I Hear is Freezing'. Other participants include racingpaperplanes, The Strugglers, Superfamicon, et al. Comes gratis with any order with Tract!
4. Our version of 'The Wagoner's Lad' from the Harry Smith Anthology (originally performed by Buel Kazee) is included on the online tribute from the all-encompassing French music/literature/art site hinah (www.hinah.com).
recent releases:
Grumpy Bear/Boo Hiss: 'The Wandering Bark split EP'. Came out late last year on the incomparable Tract Records. Doby 'Boo Hiss' Watson did the artwork. Very wunderbar!
Grumpy Bear & Sleepynaut present 'Blande on Blande': This is our most recent full-length release. It is a collaboration with our close friends in the band Sleepynaut. It is filled with acoustic ballads and 1980s synth-goth grooves. A must have for the holiday (Memorial Day) season! It is available on heaven's own Sanitary Records (www.sanitaryrecords.com). The packaging was lovingly designed and hand crafted by Mr. Matthew Hoppock. If you like corn-on-the-cob and Andy Warhol, well then this is for you!
DO NOT FORGET: That our 'Songs from the Abattoir' EP on Jon Rooney's fabulous Abandoned Love label (www.abandonedloverecords.com) is still available. I have a feeling it will be Out of Print soon, so do not pass up the chance to own the aural experience that is Luis Bunuel!
In the works:
Grumpy Bear/Manipulator Alligator 10" cover split. This will rock your world. Out on Sanitary in the near future!
Grumpy Bear-as-yet-untitled 7" EP on the new/wow Red Chair Records (www.myspace.com/redchairrecords). Will include a collaboration with the amazing Stockholm based Anna Jarvinen!
A Fleetwood Mac cover track (never going back again) for a Baltimore Art installation and track for an on-line Mark Kozelek tribute are also on the docket.
Grumpy Bear has begun working on a bump-n-grind sex EP, a traditional folk flavored EP, and a note-for-note cover of the classic hair-band/satinists W.A.S.P. record "The Headless Children". Lattney will be assuming the persona of Blackie Lawless jr. whilst I will shred my guitar like a satin slip in the thorn'd brambles!
whew! I think that is all. if you have survived to the end of this post you win a stuffed huckleberry hound doll and two free tickets for the 'tilt-a-whirl' at the southeast end of the fairgrounds.
unendingly, tyler