Polar Bear Club was an American

post-hardcore Post-hardcore is a punk rock music genre that maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression. It was initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock. Like post-punk, the term has been ...

band from

Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...

and

Syracuse Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...

upstate New York Upstate New York is a geographic region consisting of the area of New York State that lies north and northwest of the New York City metropolitan area. Although the precise boundary is debated, Upstate New York excludes New York City and Long Is ...

. Formed in 2005, the band underwent multiple line-up changes, with vocalist Jimmy Stadt and lead guitarist Chris Browne as the only consistent members. The band released four studio albums and toured internationally before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2015.

History

Early History (2005-2007)

Polar Bear Club formed in summer 2005 with its members coming from a variety of

-based

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...

and

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...

bands. Their influences were said to include

Small Brown Bike Small Brown Bike is a band from Marshall, Michigan, United States that started in 1996. The trademark of Small Brown Bike is their "double vocals" backed by melodies. Their sound is often identified as being similar to other post-hardcore band ...

Third Eye Blind Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recor ...

Hot Water Music Hot Water Music is an American punk rock band formed in October 1994 and based in Gainesville, Florida. Since their formation, the group has consisted of Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard on shared lead vocals and guitars, bass guitarist Jason Bl ...

Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They h ...

The Weakerthans The Weakerthans are an award-winning and Juno-nominated Canadian indie rock band from Winnipeg. The band, led by John K. Samson, has released four studio albums and is currently inactive. History The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manit ...

, Lifetime, and

Silent Majority The silent majority is an unspecified large group of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly. The term was popularized by U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised address on November 3, 1969, in which he said, "A ...

, whose song "Polar Bear Club" the band was named after. Shortly after the release of their debut five-song

demo Demo, usually short for demonstration, may refer to: Music and film *Demo (music), a song typically recorded for reference rather than release * ''Demo'' (Behind Crimson Eyes), a 2004 recording by the band Behind Crimson Eyes * ''Demo'' (Deafhea ...

CD-R CD-R (Compact disc-recordable) is a digital optical disc storage format. A CD-R disc is a compact disc that can be written once and read arbitrarily many times. CD-R discs (CD-Rs) are readable by most CD readers manufactured prior to the in ...

, they were noticed by Triple Attack Records, who released their first EP, ''

The Redder, the Better ''The Redder, the Better'', released on May 21, 2006 through Triple Attack Records in conjunction with Luchador Records, is the debut EP and first official release from the upstate New York-based post-hardcore/indie rock band Polar Bear Club. I ...

'', in May 2006 in conjunction with Luchador Records. The EP received rave reviews by

webzine An online magazine is a magazine published on the Internet, through bulletin board systems and other forms of public computer networks. One of the first magazines to convert from a print magazine format to being online only was the computer magaz ...

s and made a number of year-end "best of" lists, topping the list on Australian radio Triple R's Bullying The Jukebox program. The succuess also garnered the band enough notice for Red Leader Records to sign them in July 2007. This EP is now out of print on CD, but has since been made available for digital download and on

12" vinyl The twelve-inch single (often written as 12-inch or 12″) is a type of vinyl ( polyvinyl chloride or PVC) gramophone record that has wider groove spacing and shorter playing time with a 'single' or a few related sound tracks on each surfac ...

Debut album and Bridge Nine (2008–2009)

The band's debut album, ''Sometimes Things Just Disappear'', was released in March 2008, also receiving glowing reviews from an even wider number of webzines and great reception from their rapidly growing

fanbase A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant ...

. More appearances in "best of" lists followed, as well as tours with

The Gaslight Anthem The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 2006. The band consists of Brian Fallon (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals), ...

American Steel American Steel is an American punk rock band formed in 1995 in Oakland, California. When offered their first show, the group took their name from the block-long sign on the warehouse across the street. After playing at parties and smaller venu ...

, Crime in Stereo,

A Wilhelm Scream A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

and

Cancer Bats Cancer Bats is a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario. To date, they have released seven studio albums and six extended plays; with their most recent LP, ''Psychic Jailbreak'', having been released on 15 April 2022. The band is cur ...

, leading to the band's signing to

Bridge Nine Records Bridge 9 Records is an American hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996. The label is name ...

, officially announced on January 8, 2009. Label owner Chris Wrenn said the following in regards to the bands signing: The label at the same time announced they would issue ''Sometimes Things Just Disappear'' on vinyl sometime during spring. On March 19 the vinyl was made available for

pre-order A pre-order is an order placed for an item that has not yet been released. The idea for pre-orders came because people found it hard to get popular items in stores because of their popularity. Companies then had the idea to allow customers to r ...

, with a shipping start date set for March 24, even though its official release date was April 7.

''Chasing Hamburg'' and ''Clash Battle Guilt Pride'' (2009–2012)

In February/March 2009, the band toured the UK and

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

with

and

Frank Turner Francis Edward Turner (born 28 December 1981), is an English Punk rock, punk and Folk music, folk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire. He began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primar ...

, with a small string of UK headlining dates subsequent to the tour. During the European visit, they announced plans to return for a US tour with labelmates

Have Heart Have Heart was an American straight edge hardcore punk band formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002. The band recorded a demo that was released in 2003. In 2004, they released the ''What Counts'' EP ( Think Fast! Records), with their debut ...

. They also announced that they were to start work on their sophomore album, to be produced by

Matt Bayles Matt Bayles (born October 19, 1972) is an American record producer, Mixing engineer, mixer, Audio engineer, engineer, and musician, based in Seattle, Washington. Bayles (pronounced 'Bay-Less') is known for his work with bands such as The Classic ...

. The album, '' Chasing Hamburg'', was released on September 8, 2009 by Bridge Nine Records on both

and CD. On June 21, 2010 the ''Chasing Hamburg'' b-side "Drifting Thing (

Team Goldie Team Goldie is the solo project of Pennsylvania-based singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist Matt DiStefano. Started as a strictly studio project in the Summer of 2004, DiStefano combines elements of hip-hop, punk and indie-rock into his own g ...

Remix)" was posted for exclusive streaming at

AbsolutePunk ''AbsolutePunk'' was a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate (the most recent CEO). The website mainly focused on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it was known to fea ...

.net and was released by Bridge 9 Records as a 7 inch record (limited to a pressing of 500) during their Fall 2010 Mystery Box Sale. On August 8, 2010, they played at the

Hevy Music Festival Hevy Music Festival was a rock festival established by Claire Baker and James that took place annually near Folkestone, Kent, in the UK. It was originally held on 1 August 2009 on Folkestone seafront as a one-day festival with Feeder (band), Fe ...

held near

Folkestone Folkestone ( ) is a port town on the English Channel, in Kent, south-east England. The town lies on the southern edge of the North Downs at a valley between two cliffs. It was an important harbour and shipping port for most of the 19th and 20t ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

, England. On one of the early tour dates for The AP Fall Ball 2010, Polar Bear Club announced they would be taking the next six months after the tour's end to write and record a new album. They replaced

Alesana Alesana ( ) is an American post-hardcore band from Raleigh, North Carolina. The group was founded by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee and Patrick Thompson during the fall of 2004, and is currently signed to Revival Recordings and Artery Recordings. Alesa ...

on the 2011 Australian festival Soundwave. Whilst in Australia, the group also performed some select sideshows along acts such as Terror,

Fucked Up Fucked Up is a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 2001. The band consists of Damian Abraham (vocals), Mike Haliechuk (guitar, vocals), Josh Zucker (guitar), Sandy Miranda (bass), and Jonah Falco (drums, vocals). From ...

, and H₂O. The band's third album, '' Clash Battle Guilt Pride'', was recorded with

Brian McTernan Brian McTernan is an American musician and record producer from Baltimore, Maryland. McTernan was the lead vocalist in the hardcore punk band Battery, the guitarist in Ashes, and is the singer in Be Well. In 2009, he was named one of "the 50 m ...

at Salad Days Studio in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

and released in September 2011. They embarked on a headline tour that fall with support from

Fireworks Fireworks are a class of Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a l ...

Balance and Composure Balance and Composure was an American alternative rock band from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. They formed in the winter of 2007, after the breakup of two local Doylestown bands. The band's music was often suggested having similarities to Title Fig ...

, and

Make Do and Mend Make Do and Mend was an American post-hardcore band from West Hartford, Connecticut, that formed in 2006, who relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. They released 2 EPs on Panic Records, a split with Touché Amoré and three full-length albums. Whil ...

. In March and April 2012, the band embarked on the Glamour Kills tour as direct support for The Wonder Years, alongside opening acts Transit,

The Story So Far The Story So Far may refer to: __NOTOC__ Books * ''The Story of Sar'' (book), a 2003 book by Bhawana Somaaya Films * ''The Story So Far'' (2001 film), a film about the band Sick of It All * ''The Story So Far'' (2002 film), a documentary about ...

A Loss For Words A Loss for Words (formerly Last Ride) was an American pop punk band from Abington, Massachusetts. History Early years (1999–2004) Matty Arsenault and Danny Poulin from Lions Lions started a new band, Last Ride Pony Rides and, in 1999, it woul ...

and

Into It. Over It. Into It. Over It. is the indie rock solo project of the Chicago, Illinois-based musician Evan Thomas Weiss. It is considered one of the top acts in the emo revival scene of the 2010s. History Evan Weiss grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. His ...

, before embarking on the entirety of the 2012

Vans Warped Tour The Warped Tour was a traveling rock tour that toured the United States plus three or four stops in Canada annually each summer from 1995 until 2019. It was the largest traveling music festival in the United States and the longest-running touring ...

. That year they also played the Lock Up stage at the

Reading and Leeds Festivals The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend. The Reading Festiv ...

. On July 31, 2012 they released their first live album, ''Live at the Montage''. During their set opening for

in Boston on November 26, 2012, the band announced that it was Nate Morris' last show with the band.

''Death Chorus'' and Hiatus (2013-2015)

On April 17, 2013, the band announced that their bassist Erik "Goose" Henning had decided to part ways with the band. In late February and early March, Polar Bear Club headed over to Australia as part of the Soundwave Festival, tplaying all five dates of the festival as well as club shows with

All Time Low All Time Low is an American rock band from Towson, Maryland, formed in 2003. Consisting of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Alex Gaskarth, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist/backing vocalist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, the band too ...

and

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! (also known by the acronym C!NCC!) is a French rock band formed in 2007 in Paris. The band consists of vocalist Bertrand Poncet, guitarists Éric Poncet and Paul Wilson and bassist Mathias Rigal, with founding drummer Jon ...

In May and June 2013, the band toured the UK, playing Slam Dunk Festival as well as more intimate shows. At the last date of the tour at Camden Underworld in London, Jimmy Stadt outlined that the band would be in the studio recording the new album shortly after returning home from tour. On November 18, the band's fourth album, '' Death Chorus'', was released on Rise Records, produced by

Will Yip Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...

. Following the album's release, the band toured with Citizen, Sainthood Reps, and Diamond Youth in November and December 2013. In May 2015, lead singer Jimmy Stadt confirmed via social media that the band is currently on hiatus.

Other projects

Following his departure from Polar Bear Club, original guitarist Kevin Mahoney joined Hit the Lights. Since the breakup of Polar Bear Club, Jimmy Stadt and Nate Morris released formed Wax Bottles alongside Jasmyn Morris and

Benny Horowitz The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 2006. The band consists of Brian Fallon (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals) ...

, releasing a self-titled EP in 2017. Stadt has also played in Shy Tooth, who released the ''3 Songs'' EP in 2019.

Band members

;Final line-up * Jimmy Stadt – lead vocals (2005–2015) * Chris Browne – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2015) * Steve Port – drums (2012–2015) * Patrick Benson – guitar (2012–2015) * Tyler Smith – bass (2013–2015) ;Former members * Kevin Mahoney – guitar (2005–2006) * Nate Morris – guitar (2006–2012) * Josh Dillon – bass (2005) * Greg Odom – bass (2005–2008) * Erik Michael "Goose" Henning – bass (2008–2013) * Bob O'Neil – drums (2005–2006) * Emmett Menke – drums (2006–2011) * Tyler Mahurin – drums (2011–2012)

Timeline

Discography

*''

Sometimes Things Just Disappear ''Sometimes Things Just Disappear'' is the debut studio album by American Rock music, rock band Polar Bear Club. It is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed Extended play, EP, ''The Redder, the Better'', and received mostly favorable reviews. ...

'' (2008) *'' Chasing Hamburg'' (2009) *'' Clash Battle Guilt Pride'' (2011) *'' Death Chorus'' (2013)

References

External links

Polar Bear Club's official MySpace pageBand profile on Bridge NineThe band's official blog, run by persistent roadie TrackerLengthy 2010 Interview with JimmyThe band's tour dates listed on Bridge 9's websiteBeatbots Audio Review of ''Sometimes Things Just Disappear''
{{Authority control Alternative rock groups from New York (state) Punk rock groups from New York (state) American emo musical groups American post-hardcore musical groups Musical groups established in 2005 Bridge 9 Records artists