The Bunny The Bear

www.victoryrecords.com/thebunnythebear

When I first saw a picture of The Bunny The Bear I chuckled. What in the world were they thinking, wearing a bunny and bear mask? What kind of joke is this? I just had to find out. When I took a listen to their sound I sat confused. It was hard for me to describe their style. Somehow they seemed to be able to draw from so many genres that I couldn’t pinpoint one right away. It’s certainly experimental with some dance, rock, metal and honestly it’s like the Tazmanian Devil wrote with them. If this sounds like I’m bashing them, think again. Victory Records pinpoints them roughly as experimental hardcore.
With such an array of freshness I was actually impressed. The inability to categorize an artist, to me, is a compliment. It means they stand out. And if you ever see a stage show by them (and you should) you’ll find a new meaning for musical theatrics. It’s intense!
They started out in 2008 when “The Bunny”, Matthew Tybor, went on a search to find an eclectic crew and partner in strange. Eventually, he met Chris Hutka, “The Bear”, who actually provides a serene, clean vocal that compliments Matthew’s screams.  They had a brilliant idea, put on plastic masks to represent their strange titles and slam headfirst into a world craving weird and strange; something very different.
It didn’t take long to get mass attention and to prove it Victory Records signed them in 2011. Now here it is two years later and they are about to release a third album. Sure, critics were unsure of how to approach or describe these guys but it was unanimous that they were something new and cool. Obviously, the masses did too or they wouldn’t already have 3 albums and wouldn’t be staying pretty busy with tours.
This is the first time I heard of them and I was glad to be part of something unique. So let’s get into an interview with this dynamic duo!

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THE INTERVIEW
 

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Daniel/HRM: Please tell me your name, what part you play in the band and who you think would be victorious in a battle between Yogi the Bear and Fozzie Bear.

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The Bunny: The style... Hmm, that's a question I like to stay clear of, being as the music is all over the place, haha. But I don’t know, in general, I'd just say its electronic based experimental music haha. And as far as the way I write, I really just wanted to do something different. I didn't even know if I could. But yea, I just naturally write what comes to mind and that's exactly what you get at times
 

Daniel/HRM: This is the first time I’ve heard of The Bunny The Bear and I’m thrilled to be introduced to something so unique, especially in today’s day and age. Was this style of music something you always wanted to do or did you see a need for a change and decided to search yourself to see if you could provide it?

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The Bunny: "Stories" is catchy, danceable  and quite beautiful at times.. ;)
 

Daniel/HRM: Does this album differ much from your previous ones?

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The Bunny: Every album tends to differ quite a bit, Stories isn't an exception. I

think it's a tad more mellow, more dance based and overall more well rounded. I actually dropped the screaming on a few songs and just started singing, which was fun. I think it's a tad different experience as a whole, than our previous releases.
 

Daniel/HRM: I didn’t read exactly why you decided to go with the band name. I’d like to know but first tell me a lie about the reason behind the name.

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The Bunny: As a child I was attacked by a bunch of rabid rabbits who completely scared and disfigured my gorgeous face. As you can expect, that experience messed me up a tad mentally and emotionally,  I started wearing a bunny mask to hide what I had become. Being the great friend Chris is, he decided to start wearing a bear mask, so I didn't feel so unusual and abnormal. But yea, really, it was just a random spur of the moment idea I came up with. Start a band called The Bunny The Bear, write weird tunes, run around in a plastic child's mask. (laughs)
 

Daniel/HRM: I have not seen one of your live shows but I read only great things about the energy and charisma of a live show. How much planning goes into each show and how much of a difference is there between one show and another?

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The Bunny: No planning at all. (laughs) We just go for it, bleed everything we have into it. I really don't think they are THAT different nightly, but I've really never thought about that.
 

Daniel/HRM: Do artists you share the stage with help influence the direction of your show in any way?

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The Bunny: Aside from the occasional "ridiculously amazing" ones, no. We just do our thing. But yea, when one of those come around I think it just pumps everyone up and drives us to go even harder and give our fans even more of a fun, unique experience.
 

Daniel/HRM: If every Easter egg you ever found had evil spirits in it and the only way to stop this and send them all away was to say the name of 3 bands you’d love to tour with who would they be?

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The Bunny: Not fitting at all but.. Chicago, Brand New and um... The Smiths. (Laughs)
 

Daniel/HRM: I’m going to give you a list of survival scenarios. I’d like to know which of you, The Bunny or The Bear, would have the best chance of survival in each situation.
A Michael Bay road chase scene going terribly wrong…
 

The Bunny: Bear! He drives like a nut, I feel like it'd work out!
 

A hostage situation in a wig store
 

The Bunny: Me all the way!!
 

Stranded on a mountain top with two broken legs…
 

The Bunny: Again, me all the way!!
 

The inevitable zombie apocalypse…
 

The Bunny: I’ll give that one to me as well. (laughs)
 

Daniel/HRM: I appreciate a unique take on the norm. I’m glad you do too! What’s going on in the near future for The Bunny The Bear?

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The Bunny: Tour! Trying to stay out as much as possible this year! Aside from that, the usual writing!
 

Daniel/HRM: Will you be part of any movie or video game soundtracks?

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The Bunny: I don't know of any! But I'd love to be, obviously.
 

Daniel/HRM: What’s one movie and game franchise you’d like to have your music on?

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The Bunny: Not really sure on movie franchises, but as far as games, Call Of Duty all the way!!!!!
 

Daniel/HRM: Where can people go to get more info about you?

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The Bunny: I'd say the best place to get everything at once is our Facebook, I'm also actively on that daily. facebook.com/thebunnythebear. Also, the Victory Records website.
 

Daniel/HRM: Is there anything else you would like to add?

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The Bunny: I love you.
 

Daniel/HRM: (laughs) Here’s my signature Last Question. Let’s say you were at an event that encouraged diversity on the grill. Although this diversity was important it seemed that everyone had to use chicken. Of all the ways chicken could be cooked and glazed you had an extraordinary idea. In your repertoire of sauces one had a special ingredient that would make the consumer believe it tasted like whatever they wanted it to taste like whether it was chicken or not. What sauce would you use, what would the secret ingredient be and which song of yours would best represent this?

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The Bunny: I’d go with Semen. Ok. Yea!
 

Daniel/HRM: What did you think of this interview?

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The Bunny: Loved it! Happy to have some uniqueness for once!
 

Daniel/HRM: I’m very happy to have the relationship I do with Victory Records because I might have missed coming across you guys sooner than later. I do wish you well on changing the norm for music lovers for years to come. Take care!
 

Story and Interview by
Daniel C. Morrison – Hip Rock Magazine