Who? Rochester, NY's Polar Bear Club came to life in the spring of 2005, not to swim laps in subzero temperatures, but to spout dynamic, invigorating post-hardcore. A demo was recorded that July to hand out at shows, and as their fanbase slowly grew, founding members Jimmy Stadt (vocals) and Chris Browne (guitar) watched bandmates come and go. Polar Bear Club was cemented into a quintet when guitarist Nate Morris, bassist/vocalist Greg Odom and drummer Bob O'Neil eventually came on board; The Redder, the Better EP appeared in April 2006, after which O'Neil was traded out for Emmett Menke. PBC's full-length Sometimes Things Just Disappear, slated to drop this December, marks their Red Leader Records debut.

What's the Deal? Polar Bear Club seems to hail from the school of Hot Water Music and Small Brown Bike -- a late '90s emo feel mixing in with the rough intensity -- so all the punching rhythms and crashing guitars are connected by alternating gruff and melodic vocals on songs like "Election Day" and the slow momentum build of "His Devotee." Hype is steadily surrounding PBC, and just as "Most Miserable Life" extols "Screaming for the sake of what we love most…Lose your voice and make it hurt," there's simply an inexplicable electric energy encompassing them. It's all in how the music incites, each gig inevitably falling into a stumble-climb-on-your-neighbor's-shoulder-grab-at-the-band-riotous-sing-along.

Fun Fact: During summer recording sessions, Polar Bear Club not only challenged themselves to make a kick ass record, but more importantly, see who could eat the most Taco Bell while doing it. The goal was to individually consume every menu item offered, but after a bit, the guys were forced to abandon the challenge after everyone was becoming, well, miserable. Chris made out the best (or worst, depending on your view), stomaching somewhere around 25 items. 

Now Hear This
Polar Bear Club - "Our Ballads" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
Polar Bear Club at MySpace

Talk: Is it worth taking a dip alongside Polar Bear Club?