by Django G-S

Its been nearly six years since Mike Schlesinger, Susan Sanchez and Aaron Markley got together to form Bear Country.

"Caffeine Dreams was our spot to play," Markley says.

Bear Country released a 2006 Slumber Party Records split with April in Andalusia, Capgun Coup and FTL Drive before releasing their full-length debut, "Our Roots Need Rain" in June 2006.

The band put out long-awaited follow-up EP, "Frozen Lake," on 10-inch vinyl in January, 2010.

After numerous lineup changes over the years, the current members (see below) have closed the book on Bear Country and will continue under the name Gus & Call.

 

The name of the bands' first record could have been considered a hint at this inevitable evolution.

"Our Roots Need Rain is an immature [not necessarily in a negative way] collection of songs," Markley says. "We had a lot of growing to do, both as musicians and songwriters. It happened much slower than we would have liked."

Markley calls Frozen lake a "huge step forward," but says it wasn't a complete representation of what the group is ultimately trying to do.

"This new Gus & Call material, so far, is of a much more mature nature," he says. "We are happy with these songs and recordings in a way we didn't experience with those other records."

Gus & Call's debut show will be at The Slowdown on Saturday, March 12 with Miracles of God, Simon Joyner and Well Aimed Arrows.

Gus & Call is currently recording a new record at ARC in Omaha, and is releasing a new live, one-take Love Drunk music video next week.

"We aren't yet finished with the record. A lot of it is still new to us, so feelings might change, but so far so good," Markley says.

GUS & CALL
Mike Schlesinger- vocals, guitar
James Maakestad – vocals, guitar
Aaron Markley – keys
Matthew Owens – bass
Daniel Ocanto – drums

ABOVE PROMO VIDEO CREDITS
staring: Gus & Call and Noah's Ark Was a Spaceship
hostess: Michelle Murphy
shot by: Rob Walters
edited by: Django G-S