We’re on the verge of Roctober, and our buddies Minus the Bear are embracing it in full swing. The quintet are dropping a fresh EP, entitled Acoustics on October 7th. The disk will feature 7 tracks, 6 of which are rehashed from previous albums.

MTB Release Exclusive New EP, “Acoustics,” Embark on US Tour!

Hello everyone! News!

Precisely one month ago MTB secretly entered the new Redroom studio in Seattle to bang on some acoustic guitars, tambourines, swizzle stix, snare drums, organ pipes, and vocal chords. What emerged is a new EP, ACOUSTICS, where we’ve re-worked some old faves into some rousing acoustic campfire gems. Also included is a new track, “Guns & Ammo,” that we’ll be premiering on our upcoming US tour (along with another new jam that is definitely not acoustic, if you know what i mean.)

The official press release and tour dates are below.

Hope to see you on the road, we’ll be breaking out some oldies that none of you ninjas have heard live before. BOOSH!

–MTB

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Minus The Bear is excited to announce the release of ACOUSTICS, an exclusive seven track EP available this fall. The self-released EP via Tigre Blanco Records will be available in two formats and feature newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites from the Seattle quintet’s prolific career and one new track entitled “Guns & Ammo.” Beginning October 7th, ACOUSTICS will be sold digitally via online outlets such as iTunes, Amazon and Emusic. Physical copies of the EP will be sold exclusively on the bands headlining tour beginning in Spokane, WA on October 8th.

A band known for their unique brand of rock n roll full of finger-taping guitar riffs mixed with memorable melodies and progressive arrangements, ACOUSTICS is an excellent inside look into the band’s history of winning and entertaining a rabid and rapidly growing fan base.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Guns & Ammo (new track)
2. We Are Not a Football Team (from the album, Highly Refined Pirates)
3. Burying Luck (from the album, Planet of Ice)
4. Knights (from the album, Planet of Ice)
5. Pachuca Sunrise (from the album, Menos El Oso)
6. Throwin’ Shapes (from the album, Planet of Ice)
7. Ice Monster (from the album, Planet of Ice)

I’m stoked to hear what ‘Knights’ sounds like acoustic. In the meantime, check out the video below, and peep their tour dates after the jump.

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Finally, for schlubs like me who have been singing in bands for 10 years, but still have no idea how to keep their voice from sounding like they gargle with shards of glass, The Art of Screaming DVD is slated to inject the shot in the throat for all you prospective troubadours. The instructional film features the vocal training expertise of Susan Carr, who has worked with bands such as Alice In Chains, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mastadon , Alien Ant Farm and Minus the Bear, among many others. And here I thought you just had to wing it. Check out a trailer here:

Those wily Alaskans, Portugal. The Man stopped by Synthesis Weekly Managing Editor Ryan Prado’s apartment above the Senator Theater in Chico,CA a few days back during their tour with Minus the Bear to chop it up and perform a few of their amazing songs acoustic as part of our Live @ Ryan’s video series. Check out the band belting out “Church Mouth” above and stay tuned to our YouTube channel for more songs and an interview with the guys.

1. Outdated Memes

2. Shameless Linkz

3. YouTube

4. Late Breaking News