Christopher Bear from Grizzly Bear
So how come I’ve never heard of this band or its wildly attractive drummer? Like, not at all on a billion other blogs or by word of mouth or Hype Machine or Pitchfork or RS or the radio (ha!). JUST KIDDING LOLZ. Besides Animal Collective and Phoenix, Grizzly Bear is one of the bands I am the most sick of have been enjoying to the point of overdose.
So, to not tax your attention span, let’s make this short and sweet. Trippingly acoustic, these four good ol’ American boys (Christopher Bear on drums and backing vocals; Edward Droste on vocals, guitar, and keyboards; Chris Taylor on bass and backing vocals; and Daniel Rossen on vocals, keyboards, and guitar) are one of Johnny Greenwood’s favorite bands. What started out as a solo project of Droste’s eventually blossomed into a lush, experimental band full of layers and, for lack of a better word, emotions. With the release of their third album, “Veckatimest” in May 2009, the boys hit it big.
At 27, drummer and vocalist Christopher Bear is one of Brooklyn’s finest (hardeehar). Bear’s entrancing drum work is what ostensibly ties the other musical elements together in a delicate, rapturous bow. Fingerbrushed 1920s waves and innocent eyed, the kid could have been a Greek pederast’s dream/a Hummel figurine - take your pick.
As an intro, “Two Weeks” and “Ready, Able” should be two tracks that will convince you to fall deeply in addiction with GB. To further delight you, I suggest Grizzly Bear’s cover of Hot Chip’s (also a favorite here at FHHAD) “Boy From School.”
They are playing mostly UK shows, with the notable exception of Coachella (April 16th, as if you didn’t know).
Follow the fineness
