by chuck bell
Touring is undoubtedly the most difficult part of maintaining a band. Traveling nonstop, living in close quarters, and trying to subsist on little-to-no-money is often too much for musicians to handle. Despite the fact that its members knew each other since junior high (and in some cases preschool), Bear vs. Shark ultimately fell victim to the hardships of the road. Growing up as childhood friends in Highland and White Lake, Michigan, Marc Paffi, John Gaviglio, Derek Klegsen and Mike Muldoon officially formed the band in 2001, after they met John Gaviglio in college. They recorded and self-released the 1653 EP that same year, and played local shows in the Detroit and Lansing areas. Influenced by the Clash, Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu, the band created their own niche of spastic post-hardcore. While the band often shuffled around instrumental duties, Paffi’s vocals alternated between the aching croon of early Cursive and the gravel-throated bellowing of Hot Water Music and Avail.
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Around the time that all of the members were graduating from college, they sent a demo to the hardcore label Equal Vision Records. Equal Vision were so impressed that they immediately flew a representative to Michigan to sign the band. In 2003, Bear vs. Shark recorded their debut album, Right Now You’re in the Best of Hands. And If Something Isn’t Quite Right, Your Doctor Will Know in a Hurry. They spent the following year touring extensively with bands such as Hopesfall, Hey Mercedes and labelmates Coheed and Cambria. Although their popularity and critical acclaim were steadily rising, the band reported numerous mishaps of touring on their website. In 2005, Moss left the band and was replaced by Ashely Horak. They returned to the studio shortly after, and recorded their sophomore LP, Terrorhawk. This album was much fuzzier and louder than their previous work, with the band referencing Hüsker Dü as a major influence on the record. Although this album increased the band’s notoriety, they announced that they were disbanding on December 21, 2005. Although they did not site a specific reason, it is obvious from their previous website posts that touring was a major problem for them.
Even though they decided to break up Bear vs. Shark, all of the members have continued to create music with various new bands, in most cases working with each other. Muldoon and Gaviglio are currently in Brooklyn as the low-fi folk rock group, Cannons. Muldoon is also working on a similar project with Paffi and Moss, called Champions of History. Moss has been the busiest of the group, with his experimental band Wildcatting, the Bear vs. Shark-esque Bars of Gold (with Paffi on vocals), and his jazz-fusion Police cover band, Don’t Stand So Close to Me. Bear vs. Shark have gained even more popularity since their breakup. The fact that they have continued playing music together should give their fans hope for some kind of reunion in the future. I just wouldn’t hold my breath for a tour.
