Brown Bear

After playing the role of hired gun in Tonjip and Beanbag, guitarist and singer COL HOCKEY finds a welcome home in BROWN BEAR. Originally conceived in 2003 through the collaboration of then Tonjip guitarist Col Hockey and local film composer / producer Cliff Bradley, Brown Bear was later joined by Col's fellow music student buddies Ryan Murray and Justin Daughtry, and Col's lifelong mate and all round nice guy, Isaac Myers.

Originally conceived in 2003 through the collaboration of then Tonjip guitarist Col Hockey and local film composer / producer Cliff Bradley, Brown Bear was later joined by Col's fellow music student buddies Ryan Murray and Justin Daughtry, and Col's lifelong mate and all round nice guy, Isaac Myers. Together, the five-piece effortlessly take the mood from delicate to intense, with a remarkable ability to create a sound that is both unpredictable and structured in nature.

Drawing on an eclectic catalogue, Brown Bear's original release ?The Casual' (2004) lured fans and gained airplay on Triple J's ?Home and Hosed' program, as well as attracting attention from local record company ?Starving Kids Records'. The EP continued to impress as Brown Bear were established as a real songwriter's band, and went from playing low profile gigs to larger venues, such as The Troubadour and The Zoo.

2007 proved to be Brown Bear's breakthrough year as they released their long awaited follow up EP, ?Music To Swim To?. The fusion of acoustic and electronic influences melded nicely to create a menagerie of melodic layers and gritty textures. Indie radio stations and magazines across Australia sank their teeth into this deliciously, ambitious release.

REVIEWS

?? every now and then, something incredible will land in my lap and it makes the whole process worthwhile. Brown Bear's second EP, ?Music To Swim To' falls into that category. It only took a couple of listens before I realised I had something special in my hands.? (http://openyoureyestomusic.blogspot.com)

?As a group consisting of degree-holding music graduates, and a film score composer in guitarist Cliff Bradley, Brown Bear show the value of a strong musical education, and manage to be ambitious without slipping into over indulgence?.[Brown Bear] create a multi-layered soundscape that can be calming or as cutthroat as you want it to be.? (Mitchell Alexander ? Rave Magazine)

Brown Bear are:
Col Hockey- Lead vocals & guitar,
Cliff Bradley- Guitar
John Northwood - Bass
Justin Daughtry- Drums
Ryan Murray - Laptop & keyboard

Colhockey@hotmail.com