The Bunny the Bear

The Bunny The Bear
An unmasked Matthew Tybor (The Bunny) performing live in Peoria, IL in 2013.
Background information
Origin	Buffalo, New York
Genres	Post-hardcore, synthpop, experimental rock, electronicore, metalcore
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Victory
Associated acts	A Liar Wrote This Symphony, Ovaries, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, I, When Wild Dingos Attack, MxPx, I, Omega
Website	Official website
Members	Matthew Tybor Haley Roback
Past members	Joseph Garcia Steven Drachenberg Cody Morse Erik Kogut Amber Kogut Derek Anthony Chris Cole Jim Kaczmarski Mike Toczek Jr. Alex Matos Chris Hutka Miles Buttrill

The Bunny the Bear are an American post-hardcore band from Buffalo, New York.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The band was formed in 2008 by Matthew Tybor, also referred to as "The Bunny" hence the rabbit mask and persona he incorporates in the group. Tybor was immediately joined by Chris Hutka, known as "The Bear" who likewise, wears a bear mask. In an interview, when asked about the meaning behind the band name and the masks, Tybor stated that "I'm a little weird and a little off, but it was nothing in-depth or a serious meaning behind it. It was more of a random, incoherent thought and I ran with it".^[6] Tybor employs screamed vocals for the band while Hutka provides clean vocals. Tybor, being the only consistent member, writes all of the music and lyrics.

The Bunny the Bear's self-titled debut album was self-distributed in 2010 and was followed up with 2011's If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say... which was issued through Victory after their signing to the label in February 2011. The next album, The Stomach For It, was released on May 22, 2012. Their fourth album entitled "Stories" was released April 2013. Shortly after its release, Tybor and Hutka parted ways, and the latter was replaced by Joseph Garcia, formerly of I, Omega. However, on November 4, 2013, it was announced that Chris Hutka had rejoined the band. Chris Hutka left the band again near the end of 2014.

History

The Bunny the Bear and If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say... (2010-2011)

The Bunny the Bear self released their debut self-titled album on February 4, 2010. They released a music video for the song entitled "April 11" on June 8, 2010. In December 2010, the band released a music video for a new demo song called "Aisle". The music video caught the attention of independent music label Victory Records, who signed the band in 2011. The band's album, If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, was released on June 28, 2011.^[7] The band has toured with various artists such as Funeral for a Friend, Escape the Fate, The Amity Affliction, and label mates Victorian Halls to promote the release of If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say. The band toured with Blood on the Dance Floor,^[8] Brokencyde, Deuce and others on the "Fight To Unite" tour.

The Stomach For It and Stories (2012-2013)

The group's third studio album entitled The Stomach For It was announced during March 2012. The album was released on May 22, 2012 from Victory Records, with pre-ordering available weeks earlier.^[9] They have released two singles from that album entitled "Lonely" and "Soul". "Soul" being released as a word video instead of a music video.

In February 2013 The Bunny the Bear announced their fourth studio album entitled Stories for April 16, 2013 from Victory Records. J.C. Maçek III of PopMatters said in a review of the album, "The overall impact of The Bunny the Bear’s Stories is that of a well-unified whole that might alienate as many listeners as it entices, for many of the exact same reasons."^[10]

The band released two singles from "Stories" entitled "In Like Flynn" and "Another Day". They have released music videos for "In Like Flynn" and "Sadie" thus far, as well as a lyric video for "Another Day".

On May 19, 2013, Matt Tybor announced on The Bunny the Bear Facebook page that himself and Hutka had decided to part ways musically, but Tybor would continue with TBTB as usual. A couple of days later it was announced that Joseph Garcia, the former singer of I, Omega had been chosen as Hutka's replacement, although Garcia only remained in the band for a brief period, as Hutka rejoined the band in November 2013. Their song "In Like Flynn" won music video of the year on Victory Records in 2013.

Food Chain (2014-present)

Somewhere in late December the band posted videos on their Facebook showing them in the studio performing new unheard songs. In January 2014, the band announced their fifth studio album would be released in stores on March 18 through Victory Records. Shortly after the announcement was made, the band hit the road on a headlining tour with support from Jose Garzon.

The band released the first single off "Food Chain" entitled "High Tides and Swimming Conditions" on February 11, 2014.

In February, the band announced on their Facebook that they would be supporting Mindless Self Indulgence on the American leg of "How I learned to Stop Giving a Shit and Love Mindless Self Indulgence Tour 2014" in March, in support of the new album. On 6 March the band premiered their music video for "First Met You" via their YouTube. On March 18 the album Food Chain was released. On 14 April 2014 another music video was premiered on YouTube for the song "Skyscrapers". In late 2014 Chris Hutka(The Bear) left the band to pursue his solo career. In February of 2015, a friend of Matthew Tybor named Haley Roback started to tour with the band as The Bear. In early 2015, they began recording their upcoming album.

Members

Current members

• Matthew "The Bunny" Tybor - unclean vocals/clean vocals/songwriter (2008–present)
• Haley "The Bear 4.0" Roback - clean vocals (2015-present)

Touring members

• Nate Blasdell - guitar
• Danny Case - guitar
• Rob Weston - bass
• Tommy Vinton - drums

Former members

• Chris "The Bear 2.0" Paterson - clean vocals (2012)
• Joseph "The Bear 3.0" Garcia - clean vocals (2013)
• Mike Toczek Jr. - guitar (2008–2009)
• Chris Cole - guitar (2009–2010)
• Erik Kogut - guitar (2009–2011)
• Amber Kogut - guitar, backing vocals (2011)
• Miles Buttrill - guitar (2011)
• Cody Morse - guitar (2011–2012)
• Derek Anthony - bass guitar (2009–2011)
• Steven Drachenberg - bass (2008–2009, 2011–2012)
• Matt Trozzi - drums (2011–2012)
• Jim Kaczmarski - drums (2008–2010)
• Danny Stillman - keyboards, programming, triggers (2011)
• Jonathan Quick - guitar (2012, 2013)
• Zack Lee - drums (2012)
• Mike Novak - drums (2012)
• Brian Dietz - drums (2011, 2013)
• Brandon Bear - drums (2013)
• Jae Segatto - drums (2013)
• Chris Burton - triggers (2013)
• John Halstead - bass (2013)
• Jose Garzon - bass (2014)
• Alex Matos - guitar (2011-2014)
• Chris "The Bear" Hutka - clean vocals (2008–2013, 2014)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Videography

• "April 11" (2010)
• "Aisle" (2010)
• "Ocean Floor" (2011)
• "C'est Pas Si Loin" (2011)
• "Lonely" (2012)
• "Soul" (Lyric video) (2012)
• "In Like Flynn" (2013)
• "Another Day" (Lyric video) (2013)
• "Sadie" (2013)
• "High Tides and Swimming Conditions" (Lyric video) (2014)
• "First Met You" (2014)
• "Skyscrapers" (2014)
• "The Seeds We Sow" (2014)

References

External links

• Official website
• The Bunny the Bear on Facebook