After 17 years together, iconic indie rockers Minus The Bear have announced they’re set to call it quits later this year.
Taking to Facebook this morning, Minus The Bear broke the news to their dedicated fans, announcing the group will be dissolving after a final run of dates.
“After almost two decades of writing and touring the world together, we have decided to close this chapter of our lives as Minus the Bear,” the band wrote on Facebook.
“What started as a silly inside joke inside the dingy confines of Seattle’s original Cha Cha Lounge back in 2001 quickly snowballed into years of adventures, creativity, and friendship,” they continued. “We could have never predicted the wild journey about to begin. We’ve accomplished so much over the past 17 years, and we are grateful for the experience.”
“Undoubtedly we owe all of these adventures to you, our fans. Without all of you, the memories of traveling the world, exploring different cultures, and witnessing the delight of your beautiful faces singing along wouldn’t have been possible. Your support weathered us through storms that easily could have scuttled the band. Throughout the years, it’s you who kept us going. We cannot thank you enough.”
https://www.facebook.com/minusthebear/photos/a.412136619713.198116.26226634713/10157110254559714/?type=3&theater
Accompanying the post, the group also released a new song, ‘Fair Enough’, from an upcoming EP of the same name. Premiering via Stereogum, Minus The Bear’s members also addressed just why they’ve decided to pack it in after so long together.
“I feel like we’ve accomplished what we’ve wanted to do,” explained guitarist Dave Knudson. “Sometimes it feels like a natural time to step away, and that’s what we’re doing right now as opposed to continuing on and maybe not having the same drive or enthusiasm that we once did.”
“For all the fans that have seen and supported us, we won’t diminish that legacy or experience for them.”
“We want to keep the band’s legacy intact and go out while we’re still doing well,” echoed vocalist Jake Snider. “There’s a bunch of reasons — wanting to try something new creatively, possibly. It’s difficult to be in a band with so many different attitudes and ways of thinking over 17 years.”
“It’s an interesting time, and a tough decision to make, because it does mean a lot to people who aren’t in the band — the fans and whatnot,” he continued. “It’s not an easy decision, but it feels necessary at this point.”
Minus The Bear are set to embark on a final US tour this September, which will take them into December, when the group will perform a final show in their hometown of Seattle. The band’s last Aussie tour saw them play three dates in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne in August of last year.
The group’s final EP, Fair Enough, is set to be released on October 19th.
Check out Minus The Bear’s ‘Fair Enough’:
