Bear Fight and The Rip-Roaring Sounds of Indie Rock

Photo Credit: Austin Braunschweiger

Bear Fight and The Rip-Roaring Sounds of Indie Rock

Meet Bear Fight, an exhilarating new indie-alternative rock collective from Los Angeles via the Coachella Valley ready to capture your heart and mind, one wickedly infectious single at a time.  Songs such as She and Harlem are beginning to make an impression on music fanatics all across the country and there are many more auditory entreaties on the way.

In addition to their own rip roaring live shows, Bear Fight has found themselves opening for the likes of The Expendables and Fitz and The Tantrums!  We recently caught up with Bear Fight to find out more about the stories behind She and Harlem, recording with Adam Castillas of The Colourist, freaky would be investors, donut comparisons and a few other wild and wholly topics of intrigue.  Read on…

Introduce yourselves and tell me what you do in Bear Fight…
Michael Ramirez – Vocals, Guitar
Ryan Cenicola – Drums
Matt Sutton – Bass, Sampling
Evan Boydstun – Guitar

Where is your band based out of and what is your music scene like there?
Originally we’re all from the Palm Springs area but we’ve relocated to LA. The Coachella Valley Music/Art scene is really cool. In just recent years it has become a great avenue for local musicians and artists.

What is the inspiration for the lyrics behind the new song She?
The song was inspired by the idea of having a strong connection with someone and having them suddenly removed from your life.

Photo Credit: Austin Braunschweiger

How did you wind up recording She with The Colourist’s Adam Castillas and what was his overall contribution to the song?
Michael the lead singer was doing a session with another artist at a studio in Hollywood and Adam was the engineer and producer there. Michael and Adam got to talking and that’s how we linked up. He had a great array of instruments and gear, a lot of vintage. It was cool to use those instruments that contributed to the sound of what we were going for.

Select any other Bear Fight song and what inspired the lyrics.
Harlem was inspired by the classic origin of the city itself. It mirrors between the struggle to find yourself while dealing with the struggle of your surroundings it a fast changing world where creativity can also find avenue through the struggle.

What could one expect from a live Bear Fight show?
Crazy energy. Crazy Songs, and a blend of indie rock and some modern electronic influences.

What was it like opening for The Expendables and Fitz and The Tantrums and were you able to meet or hang out with either band at all?
Yes actually! Fitz and the Tantrums were back stage most of the time, and we were as well during the load in and after we got off stage. We got to talk to them a bunch and they’re awesome people. They’ve worked hard to be where they are now and it showed. Super cool humble people. The Expendables were awesome too! We spent some time with their drummer and guitarist and all hung out back-stage after the sets.

Any strange or scary happenings on the road or at a show?
There was this older guy one time that claimed he was a investor and super wealthy who was interested in investing in us. He played it off really well. At the end of the day let’s just say he was far from wealthy and far from being an investor. Super weird

If Bear Fight could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
Past: Probably Zeppelin. I think we’d love the idea of busting some chops with them. Just geek out.
Now: Alabama Shakes – I think we’d like to think this is more realistic lol

If the music of Bear Fight was a donut, what kind would it be and why?
A bear claw.

What’s up next for Bear Fight?
We have a new single being released March 20th to follow up our release of “She”

Any final words of wisdom?
Keep your head down…

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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