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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Expect a bear-size crowd

Minus the Bear back for more

Minus the Bear played big-time gigs Bonnaroo and Coachella this summer.Special to  (Photo by Bryan Sheffield Special to / The Spokesman-Review)
By Isamu Jordan isamuj@spokane7.com (509) 459-5299

When Minus the Bear came through on its release tour for “Planet of Ice,” it was one of the most well-attended shows at The Service Station last year, right up their with Shiny Toy Guns and Rocky Votolato.

Almost exactly one year later, the Seattle math-rock quintet is expected to once again pack the 500-plus venue, as Minus the Bear has only raised its stock this year by playing big-time festival gigs this summer such as Bonnaroo and Coachella.

Also, the video for “Throwin’ Shapes” got some decent burn on MTV’s various incarnations (MTV2’s “Subterranean” and MTVU online).

While “Planet of Ice” contains fewer disconcerting moments in time distortion, the album is loaded with intricate songwriting and complex arrangements.

Minu’s the Bear’s long-time label home, Suicide Squeeze, has re-released MtB’s 2004 Arena Rock Records EP, “They Make Beer Commercials Like This,” with remastering, a bonus track, and a limited run of cool rainbow colored 12” vinyl.

Minus the Bear is joined on its current tour by Annuals and Themes.

Based out of Raleigh, NC, Annuals’ music possesses eclectic post-rock-country- crunch mixed into epic, orchestral ballads.

Minneapolis band Themes plays piano-driven indie-rock led by cross weaves of male and female vocals.

Minus the Bear headlines a show with Annuals and Themes on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Service Station, 9315 N. Nevada St. Tickets are $14 in advance, $17 at the door, through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com, (509) 325-SEAT; 4000 Holes, 1610 N. Monroe St.; The Long Ear, 2405 N. 4th St., in Coeur d’Alene; and The Service Station.

Horrorpops’ killer show hits Blvd.

HorrorPops is the perfect freakshow to kick off October.

Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, the punkobilly trio has established a cult following across Europe through diehard touring and the dark, dominating personality of frontwoman and bassist Patricia Day.

On the Horrorpops’ third and latest album, 2008’s “Kiss Kiss Kill Kill,” Day lets her gothic side fly with a collection of tracks almost entirely informed by films, most notably on the black-humored hit “Thelma and Louise,” and, perhaps the album’s best track, “Hitchcock Starlet.”

Bridging the gap between ’50s rockabilly, new wave, and pop-punk, Horrorpops recently expanded their following in the U.S. through a run of high-profile shows on the Vans Warped Tour.

Catch Horrorpops on its All Hallows Eve Tour, which comes through tonight at 6 p.m. at The Blvd., 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Cover for the all-ages show is $12 in advance, $15 at the door, through TicketsWest.

Nightwatch tracks the local live music scene.