To kick off its tour promoting the release of a three-song, 7-inch vinyl, She Bears will take the Casa Nueva stage Friday night.
She Bears originated in the garage below guitarist and vocalist Stephen Pence’s house in Athens, where friends would gather, hang out and play music. The band has fluctuated in size — and matured in sound — through the years, but at the end of the day, its shows are always high-energy.
“The shows are the best when people really get into the music and dance,” drummer and vocalist Alex Eiler said. “Our music makes us want to dance, and we love it when others share that sentiment.”
The band’s music is often compared to that of Modest Mouse, Pavement, and Minus the Bear.
“We all take our influences from fairly different genres, which has really helped us create a unique sound,” Eiler said.
The first album She Bears released, I Found Myself Asleep, was recorded at 3 Elliott Studio in Athens. During the production of the album, the band had six members. Since then, the group has lost two members, cutting it down to the current four-piece band that it has been for the past two years.
“We moved down to a five-piece for some time, but then our former pianist left to pursue her journalism career,” Eiler said. “We missed her; we named our cat after her.”
She Bears currently comprises Alex Douglas on guitar and synthesizers; Pence on guitar and vocals; Eiler on drums and vocals; and Ryan Franz on bass. ?
“We have performed many, many, many times in Athens,” Eiler said. “We were formed and influenced by Athens’ music scene. We’ve played countless house shows, the Union, Casa, and even the now-defunct 19 South.”
Eiler said that the band’s sound has somewhat matured as each member has changed, the result of which can be heard Friday at the show.
“We always look forward to playing Athens,” Eiler said. “It gives us a chance to visit our old haunts and see some of our dearest friends.”
an867311@ohiou.edu
