On ‘Planet of Ice’ album, Minus the Bear goes cold

By John Benson

The band’s drummer has fond memories of playing Cleveland.

In talking to Minus the Bear drummer Erin Tate, it’s probably best not to mention or ask about the band’s Seattle roots.

Yet at the risk of being clich d, that’s exactly where a recent conversation with Tate unexpectedly led.

“People love Seattle music and then relate our band to Seattle music,” said Tate, calling from Ann Arbor, Mich. “People always bring up the grunge thing. And with the rise of Modest Mouse and Death Cab [For Cutie], those kinds of bands, there’s a lot of lumping in categories with Seattle bands.

“Yeah, whatever, I just don’t pay attention.”

Formed around the turn of the century, Minus the Bear enjoyed a small but loyal following with its indie rock – often described as math rock or experimental rock – sound heard on its first two albums, 2002’s “Highly Refined Pirates” and 2005’s “Menos el Oso.”

But the band was looking for a change in pace when it came together to write and record its third studio effort. The album was titled “Planet of Ice” before a single note was recorded. The idea was to approach the new project with a desolate and cold theme.

“It was kind of a vibe of being darker and a more mysterious feel with the album title, but there’s no concept or anything how the songs are set-up or related lyrics to it or anything like that,” Tate said.

“We’d been listening to a lot more epic and jammy music, and we just kind of wanted to let ourselves feel free to jam a bit more. Like with ‘Oso,’ we’d take a part and say, ‘That’s too long.’ And with this record, it was more of ‘Let’s do whatever the hell we want to do, just whatever feels right.’”

The result is decidedly more atmospheric and unique without sounding overtly esoteric. So far critics and fans have responded to “Planet of Ice.” Minus the Bear is now on tour, including a Cleveland show on Sunday. Apparently, Tate has plenty of memories of the Rock Hall City.

“Way too many, but they’re great memories,” Tate said. “Every time we’ve played there, for the most part, we’ve been at the Grog Shop, and that’s just one of my favorite venues in the country to play. The people who work there are amazing. They always get me really drunk, so I have a great time. Cleveland is fun. I love it.”

Hmm, Grog Shop and drunk. Could that include the ever-popular, cost-effective PBR tall boys?

“Yeah, I’ve shot-gunned a lot of those tall boys,” Tate laughed. “And I’ve danced on the bar at the Grog Shop.”

Considering Minus the Bear has moved up in the concert touring world — its current leg brings the act to the House of Blues — perhaps the wait staff at the downtown venue should be on alert?

“No, I’m a year older now and much more reserved and calm.”

That’s not rock ’n’ roll. In fact, that sounds boring.

Tate said, “Yeah, well, you get a little more boring the older you get.”