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Bear vs. Shark

 
Artist: Bear vs. Shark
Bear vs. Shark

Group Members:

Ashley Horak, Derek Kiesgen, John Gaviglio, Marc Paffi, Mike Muldoon

Similar Artists:

Influenced By:

  • Formed: 2001, Ferndale, MI
  • Disbanded: 2005
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Terrorhawk," "Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands"

Biography

Detroit-area indie rock quintet Bear vs. Shark only formed officially in 2001, but guitarist John Gaviglio, vocalist Marc Paffi, bassist Mike Muldoon, second guitarist Derek Kiesgen, and drummer Brandon Moss had known each other since junior high school. Influenced by crushing highs and soul-searching lows of '90s emo and indie, Bear vs. Shark self-released a debut and gigged throughout the metro Detroit and Lansing area, all the while waiting for most of its membership to graduate from college. Once that hurdle was conquered, the band signed with the New York indie Equal Vision, which released the ambitiously textured rock of Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands in July 2003. The album's release was followed by a year of heavy touring (with acts like Hopesfall, Hey Mercedes, and Coheed & Cambria), so heavy that Bear vs. Shark's website recounted numerous tour van mishaps. By September 2004 Bear vs. Shark were back in Michigan and making plans for a second album; Terrorhawk was released in mid-2005. Sadly, the bandmembers announced their breakup before the year's end. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Bear vs. Shark
Top
Bear vs. Shark
Origin Highland, Michigan
Genre(s) Post-Hardcore
Years active 20012005
Label(s) Equal Vision Records
Associated acts Cannons
Champions of History
Matthew Dear
Members
Marc Paffi
Derek Kiesgen
Mike Muldoon
John Gaviglio
Ashley Horak
Former members
Brandon Moss

Bear vs. Shark was a post-hardcore band hailing from Highland, Michigan.

Contents

Formation

The members of the group have known each other all their lives with some members forming friendships as early as pre-school. The band actually formed during their college years when the members were playing in separate projects.[1] The group's original drummer Brandon Moss left the group and was replaced by Ashley Horak. The group has cited classic rock and punk as well as The Clash, Fugazi, and Motown as influences to the group's unique sound.[2]

The group initially sent a demo to Equal Vision Records and a representative from the label flew out immediately to sign the group.[1] Since the release of Right Now You're in the Best of Hands... the band has toured the United States extensively headlining & opening for other major acts such as Coheed and Cambria. The group quickly gained attention from fans and fellow musicians as well. The group is also known for their high-energy stage show most notably by Marc Paffi, who is known to move around the stage frantically during performances. Most of the band members also switched playing instruments during their sets, which was a regular occasion. Though it has been circulated that the band's name comes from the shape of Michigan, Gaviglio has said in an interview that they believed it was "super badass and sounded interesting."[1]

Break-up

On December 21, 2005 the band posted on their website that they decided to call it quits. Although the band didn't cite any specific reason for the break up John Gaviglio was featured in the December issue of Alternative Press where he did an op-ed piece on the hardships of touring extensively. The band has also been very vocal that they didn't like their touring conditions.[citation needed]

Post Bear vs. Shark

The band contributed a track called "Victoria Iceberg" to the Masters of Horror Soundtrack.

Mike Muldoon and John Gaviglio together with help of Mark Maynard have started a new band project called Cannons, centralized in Brooklyn.[3]

Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands... and Terrorhawk were released on vinyl by Friction Records, with Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands included two previously unreleased tracks, California Hot Seat (originally heard on the (1653 EP) and June 7. Also, a special picture disc version of Terrorhawk was released, with artwork by Jeff VandenBerg.[4]

Marc Paffi recorded vocals for the song 1999 on the band If He Dies He Dies release Conquistador on Friction Records.[5]

Marc Paffi, Mike Muldoon, and Brandon Moss have started a new band together called Champions of History.[6]

Brandon Moss is also a member of the band Bars of Gold And Wildcatting.[7] In addition to Wildcatting, Brandon Moss also plays horns in Don't Stand So Close To Me, a jazz/fusion ensemble that mixes solid hits from The Police.

John Gaviglio currently plays in Matthew Dear's Big Hands[8]

Marc Paffi is also lead singer of Bars Of Gold

Members

Former members

Discography

Title Release date Label
1653 (EP) 2001 Self-released
Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands... July 22, 2003 Equal Vision Records
Terrorhawk June 14, 2005 Equal Vision Records

References

External links


 
 
Learn More
Liars Academy (Rock Band, 2000s)
Paulson (Rock Band, 2000s)
Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands (2003 Album by Bear vs. Shark)

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