Ursus Arctos
They may appear to be an unassuming quartet of vertically challenged married dudes with jobs and other adult responsibilities, but Ursus Arctos–formerly known as Kodiak–produces pop rock explosions that assault the listener with aggressive vocals, hearty basslines, and dynamic percussion. Ursus Arctos is like a bear attack in rock form. With two guitars churning from Travis Metcalf and Clint McMillen supported by Eric Mericle’s flexible and complex basslines and Mike Weston’s frantic drumming, this bear’s sound can range from the esoteric storytelling math-rock of Slint to the energetic cries of Les Savy Fav.
In 2005 or so, Mericle and Metcalf formed a trio with Weston on drums from the ties of working at/regularly visiting local pizza joint, Shakespeare’s. The three started off working on some of Metcalf’s songs. After several weeks of pracicing Mericle drafted his good friend, McMillen, to fill out the sound with another guitar.
Around 2008, having realized there were a wealth of other Kodiaks out making music, the band underwent a name change to Ursus Arctos, the Latin binomial nomenclature for the Kodiak bear. Around this time they hit the studio to record their eponymous album with help from Wil Reeves and Total Amatuers, which was released on Yards and Gods in 2009.