The heavy instrumentals and the experimental dispositions of Dan Birker and Adam Barnes seem to set the bar high above the rest, challenging musical traditions and creating a sound all on their own as the Fox & Bear Band.
With just two members, as much as it would seem difficult to stand out in a sea of local talent, Barnes and Birker make it look easy, as they emulate the tough skin of thrash metal. They combine experimental math rock with a jazzy composition, while creating an all encompassing sound that demands full attention without the use of a guitarist or a lead singer.
Together, with Barnes leading the stage with a swift bass line and Birker beating on the drums behind him, Fox & Bear Band are defying more than just musical odds, but are doing it quite brilliantly at the same time.
Barnes and Birker met outside of the Parkside dorms at Cal State Long Beach in 2008. After discovering they had common relationship to music, they formed Fox & Bear Band during the beginning of 2009, and have been a performing duo ever since.
The Daily 49er got the chance to sit down with this dynamic duo, learning how such a small team can create such an epic, ear-thrashing sound, while breaking the musical constraints that many of us are used to.
Daily 49er: How would you describe your genre?
Adam Barnes: It’s a lot like math rock. It’s jazzy, experimental, really upbeat fast, thrash rock. With that, we’ve coined the term ‘life metal,’ the opposite of death medal, which has a negative connotation. We try and make people think of happiness with our music, instead of death.
Daily 49er: It’s interesting to see that you guys are devoid of a lead singer and a guitarist, which are essentially two major components to most musical acts. How do you guys make that work for you?
Barnes: It provides a challenge in the sense that we have to make our songs that much more melodic and accessible without lyrics.
Daily 49er: Do you ever think you guys will add a lead singer?
Barnes: If there were any sort of vocals, or a guitar, it could change things. The whole concept was just the two of us, and we started it that way because we wanted to see what we could do with just two people. It’s always more difficult with more people.
Daily 49er: How do you work to fill in that extra musical space with just two of you?
Barnes: If I start to notice that there’s extra space where I’m not playing, where something else can go, I add to it. In a way, that’s how our songs change and become for complex and active.
Birker: I definitely have to play more than the average drummer. The more people you play with, the less you have to play, because of all the sound incorporated. I just play around and fill in the space. I try and make a lot of noise so it all sounds cohesive.
Daily 49er: The name is a unique one. Where did you guys come up with it?
Barnes: The original screamer, from a band called See Ya Next Tuesday, had to quit the band because his doctor told him he literally was going to die from all the screaming. His name was Bear. Then they got a new guy, and his name was Fox. So the first day we were jamming, we were out on the porch smoking cigarettes. I thought, ‘Dan kind of looks like a fox. He’s a little scrawnier.’ At the time, I had a full-grown beard, so I kind of looked like a bear. And that was it. It just stuck.
Fox and Bear band will headline on March 16 at Max Stieners at 9 p.m. They will also play at Que Sera on March 21. For more information, visit Facebook.com/foxandbearband.
