Beartooth (band)

Beartooth is an American hardcore punk band formed by Caleb Shomo in Columbus, Ohio in 2012. They are signed to Red Bull Records since 2013 along with Shomo's electronic act Class. Their debut EP Sick was released on July 26, 2013, followed by their debut full-length album Disgusting on June 10, 2014. Their sophomore album Aggressive was released on June 3, 2016.

History

Formation and Sick (2012–2014)

Beartooth's official logo since their formation

Caleb Shomo began writing Beartooth songs while he was still in Attack Attack!. His project was originally called 'Noise', but was switched to Beartooth upon realization the name was already taken.^[1] He named the band after Beartooth court, where their original bassist Nick Reed grew up.^[2] Shomo has stated that Beartooth was supposed to be a mere distraction while he was still a member of Attack Attack! and nothing beyond that, having no intentions to record or play live music, however after his departure from Attack Attack! he then focused all his work on the project and admitted that this band has surpassed his wildest expectations and has done everything he has ever wanted to do.^[3] He recruited guitarist Taylor Lumley, bassist Nick Reed and drummer Brandon Mullins for live performances.

Shomo said that "Set Me on Fire" was the first Beartooth song ever written, followed by "I Have a Problem". These songs, as well as "Go Be the Voice" and "Pick Your Poison", were released online in December 2012.^[1] After uploading a live music video for "I Have a Problem",^[4] Beartooth announced a string of one-off dates that brought them right into fans living rooms, mostly in the Midwest, following the buzz surrounding the band's live performance in the "I Have a Problem" live video.^[5] They played a date on the 2013 Van's Warped Tour^[5] and were featured on the entire 2015 tour.^[6]

On June 7, 2013, Shomo announced that Beartooth was now signed to Red Bull Records.^[7] They released their debut EP Sick for free on their website on July 26, 2013, with Shomo singing, producing and playing all instruments on the record.^[8] On August 17, 2013, the band released a video for "I Have a Problem", not to be confused with the earlier live version.^[9] On December 18, 2013 the band were confirmed for the Warped Tour 2014.^[10] On November 14, the band released a music video for the song "Go Be the Voice".^[11]

Disgusting and lineup changes (2014–2015)

On January 6, 2014, Kamron Bradbury, formerly of City Lights was announced as the new rhythm guitarist.^[12] In early 2014, Nick Reed left Beartooth and was replaced with Oshie Bichar of City Lights for a U.S. tour with Memphis May Fire throughout February and March.^[13]

On April 29, 2014 Beartooth released a live music video for their new song, "Dead" set to appear on their forthcoming album, Disgusting.^[14] On May 13, 2014 it was announced through Facebook the release date for the debut full-length album, Disgusting, as June 10, 2014, along with its track listing.^[15] The first single for the album was released on the same day, titled "Beaten In Lips", along with its music video.^[16] The album was available to stream online a day before its release.^[17] As with Beartooth's debut EP, Shomo sung, produced, and played all instruments on Disgusting, except for "In Between", co-produced by John Feldmann.^[18]

Beartooth participated in the Warped Tour 2014 throughout July to early August in order to promote the album.^[19] In Europe they embarked on their first headlining tour while it was also announced that they would tour as support to Pierce the Veil and Sleeping With Sirens.^[20][21] In August it was announced that they would also be headlining in their first ever North America tour throughout October with support acts Vanna, Sirens & Sailors, Sylar and Alive Like Me.^[22] In February 2015 they toured the United Kingdom in support of Don Broco, We Are the In Crowd and Bury Tomorrow as part of that year's Kerrang! Tour.^[23] In March Beartooth will tour across America in a series of 'DIY venues' and house shows some of which are secret, with support act Ghost Key, stating that it is a means of giving back to their fans and that they love the experience performing in a house, much like how the band first toured.^[24] In May the band's single 'I Have a Problem' was a confirmed track for the then-upcoming game Guitar Hero Live.^[25] From May and early June they toured the UK with support from The Color Morale and Dead Harts, also performing at the Slam Dunk and Download festivals.^[26]

Aggressive and lineup changes (2015–present)

It was made known by Caleb Shomo that the band are working on new material via his Instagram in August, however a release date was not mentioned.^[27] In August the band performed at Reading and Leeds,later supporting heavy metal band Slipknot along with Suicidal Tendencies in North America and Canada in October, and toured as a headline act in the UK in November.^[28][29] On April Fools' Day the band released a "swingcore jazz" version of their song "Dead" as a prank to fans stating that it was brand new material, however they did state that the albums recording had finished in March and would be released later this year.^[30] On April 4 the band announced that they had parted ways with their drummer Brandon Mullins on good terms and wished the best for him, they also assured fans that this would not interfere with upcoming tours.^[31]

The band will be touring as headline act from early March to mid May with a variety of support acts; Silent Planet, Ghost Key, Stray from the Path, My Ticket Home and Former on mixed dates and has been announced as one of the performers of Download Festival 2016.^[32][33]

On April 16, 2016, it was leaked that Beartooth will release Aggressive on June 3.^[34] The band later confirmed the album title and premiered its title track on Sirius XM's Octane channel that day.^[35]

Musical style

Beartooth's style on both their EP Sick and their album Disgusting has mainly been described as metalcore, but with more prominent punk rock influences than the style of Caleb Shomo's previous band Attack Attack! (to the extent that Beartooth have been considered a hardcore punk band)^[36] and without the electronic elements that Attack Attack! employed. Reviewers have also highlighted his emphasis on catchy choruses. Chad Childers of Loudwire commented that "the former Attack Attack! rocker [Shomo]... is delivering a mix of metalcore and old-school punk on his new band's Disgusting album",^[37] while Rock Sound described Beartooth as "mix[ing] metalcore with nu metal and... massive choruses",^[38] Kory Grow of Rolling Stone wrote that compared to Attack Attack!, the "smarter, leaner Beartooth have anted up the aggression with poppy hooks and slinky hardcore riffing"^[39] and Justin Mabee of HM Magazine said of Disgusting: "while much of the album tends to focus on two-steps, thrash and hardcore, Shomo came from a place where catchiness was in every song".^[40] Shomo was also named one of Alternative Press' "15 best screamers in modern metalcore" in February 2014.^[41]

Shomo himself commented on his intentions with Beartooth's style in an interview with Alternative Press in January 2013, when Sick hadn't been released yet, saying: "We just want to make fun, punk-rock, hardcore, wild music, play crazy shows and have a good time without any pressure from anything". When asked about the absence of electronic elements, which he has often worked with, from his new music, he stated: "I don't want any electronics in Beartooth. It's very hardcore and punk roots sounding. I have my electronic thing and I have this more hardcore thing, and I don't want those things to bleed into each other musically."^[1] In an interview with Kerrang! Shomo stated that he does not intend to change the band's sound on their sophomore album, and that it will be dark and intense like their debut.^[29]

Members

Current

• Caleb Shomo – lead vocals (2012–present), guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion (2012–present; studio only)
• Taylor Lumley – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
• Kamron Bradbury – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–present)
• Oshie Bichar – bass guitar, vocals (2014–present)

Touring musicians

• Connor Denis – drums, percussion (2016–present)

Former

• Nick Reed – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–2014)
• Brandon Mullins – drums, percussion (2012–2016)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music videos

Compilation appearances

Accolades

References

External links

• Official website