idiot bear Rob Amiger (22) -guitars/vocals/cello
Nick Rippen (22) - guitars/keyboards
Lynden Potter (22) - bass
Ross Warwick (22) -drums
Idiot Bear hail from Gloucestershire, Wales, Cumbria
and Lincolnshire. They met three and a half years ago whilst at
university. Based in Durham City they have built up a formidable
reputation on the North East college and pub circuit. In 1998
they hooked up with HJS management and saw their status as a live
act soar, culminating in the recording of their first EP "Goodbye
Eric" in April 1999.
After a punishing schedule of gigs across the north
of England, they consolidated their recording success with a resounding
victory at the Durham Battle of the Bands. This resulted in a
support slot for former World Champion boxer-turned-DJ, Nigel
Benn. In September 1999 the band recorded their second EP "30-Second
Street Disco" and put in a storming appearance at the North East
T99 Festival two months later.
This show attracted rave reviews and led to their
first international release on 25 Records. After airplay across
Europe they are fast building upon the buzz that has grown around
their music.
Watch this space!
What others have said about the band:
"Vocalist Robert Armiger has a warm, clear delivery
somewhere between Art Garfunkel and The Beautiful South's Paul
Heaton"
"Simultaneously massive and minimalist" - North
West Evening Mail "Cleverer and harder than their name suggests"
- T99 review
"Idiot Bear show us some understated but well-played
American style college rock on "Easter Island" and the singer
claims to be like Basalt and marble, but this is much softer and
a nice break" - A cheery wave from Stranded Youngers
"Idiot Bear is really soft and melodic with swirly
guitars in the background" - Back again.
Idiot Bear with their manager Heather and top bouncer Nigel
Benn!
Live Reviews
Kam -Idiot Bear, Tut n Shive Newcastle First up
were gorgeous foursome Idiot Bear from nearby Durham City. This
talented bunch of early twenty something's are causing quite a
stirin the musical world with the release of their track 'Easter
Island' on indie label 25 Records, and recent airplay in Portugal
and Italy. Their set comprised mainly of originals and as far
as I could tell, only one cover in the form of Elvis 'always on
my mind'. I recognised a few blinding tracks from their new EP
30 Second Street Disco. Amidst earlier stuff from the first EP
'Goodbye Eric', both were amongst the best demos I heard during
1999 and persuaded me a catch a live set by the band. The rest
of the fan club were out in full force and the Idiot's resisred
thre temptation and request for an encore to make way for the
night's headliners. Somehow, I doubt I will be the only one turning
up for their next gig on April 1at. Amber Nectar, The Crack, Issue
146, May 2000.
EP Reviews
30 Second Street Disco
Gentle, that's the word that springs to mind on
first hearing this Durham based four piece. Songs such as 'take
him away' call to mind Belle and Sebastian and the meanderings
of Black Price are never going to set any pulses racing, but there's
a quiet cleverness at work here that can be genuinely affecting.
Stand out for me was 'in the darkness' which had me coming over
all pre-Raphaelite with its love lorn strummings. Genuinely beautiful
The Crack issue 145, April 2000
30 Second Street Disco E.P.
Quartet's demo is on the right tracks. This is the
second offering from Durham-based quartet Idiot Bear (their drum
stool, of course, inhabited by Walney lad, Ross Warwick). Opener,
‘Easter Island’ is a suitably up-tempo number and is the track
that has been chosen to appear on indie label, 25 Records' next
compilation CD.
From then on in, we see the Idiots (if they don't
mind being called that) in a more contemplative, mellow mood than
on their last demo, ‘Goodbye Eric’. 'Take Him Away' was one of
the highlights of their live set at The Queens Arms a few months
ago, and on tape it retains the features that made it so. The
vocal refrain 'I am not going down' is simple but catchy, and
the shuffling tambourine-led rhythm, too, is so simple it sounds
like it is going to fall desperately behind the beat at any moment.
But each element always ends up at the right place at the right
time, woven together by some 'This Charming Man'-style guitar
lines.
Vocalist Robert Armiger has a warm, clear delivery
somewhere between Art Garfunkel and 'The Beautiful South’s Paul
Heaton (I assure you that is a compliment), and his voice sounds
more comfortable than an their last outing. However, with a majority
of the tracks here being moodier and more laid back, the demo
does lack the big strong chorus that may send it chart wards.
That said, 'In The Darkness" is a fine bit of balladecring which
would not sound out of place in the Top 40, with nicely-mixed
acoustic guitars and cello harmonies.
Closing track, "Last Sigh" features (if I'm not
mistaken) a bit of Whammy pedal diving and bears a slight resemblance
to the Stones "No Expectations". Pete Mossop @ The North West
Evening Mail, Thursday October 28, 1999. Idiot Bear released their
debut 7-track EP ‘Goodbye Eric’ in April and it’s not bad at all,
showing a good mix of quick and slow tempo guitar tunes. James
Drury @ The Mail 1999.
