The Bears & Adrian Belew Live At Club Cafe 2004

The Bears & Adrian Belew Live At Club Cafe 2004
None of the Above 0:34
Honey Bee 4:00
117 Valley Drive 7:54
Superboy 12:23
When She Moves 16:17
Dave 21:33
Trust 26:57
Safe in Hell 31:20
Life, in a Nutshell 35:46
Mr. Bonaparte 40:54
Under the Volcano 46:03
Success 50:19
Little Blue River 57:34
Red (King Crimson) 1:02:08
Aches and Pains 1:08:21
Complicated Potatoes 1:12:02
Figure It Out 1:14:48
Caveman 1:19:27
Fear Is Never Boring 1:24:30
Man Behind the Curtain 1:29:41

[@wengrrrl1]

My God. Am the luckiest person ever to have tech’d these guys so many times at the Catalyst, Santa Cruz, Ca! How they never ended up the best band of the 80s, we’ll never know. Rob F is a f’n BALLER songwriter. My gawd. BEARS FOR GOOD. 🐻

[@bonksvids]

The core of this band used to play around the greater Cincinnati area as the raisins. They were incredible. Everyone in the band sang. Everyone in the band composed. Adrian saw they had game and he stole a few of them away. Some of what you hear are either entire songs or parts of songs they did in their previous incarnation. There was a really good interview today on Marc Maron interviewing Adrian. Check it out

[@TheRealTomWendel]

Adrian produced the first recording by The Raisins. He was just across the river in northern Kentucky. As far as The Bears go, Adrian has said no matter how good the band is, you can only keep trying so long without the type of broader support that leads to recognition. Like the Joey tells Jake in “Raging Bull” (paraphrased)- it doesn’t matter how good you are; they don’t have to give you a shot.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

The best band you never heard of. Man - I wish they would reunite.

[@theloniusmonk8011]

I think this is one of the best filmed and recorded musical performances of all time. The Psychodots (Raisins) used to come to my town every 6-weeks or so in the late 80's/early 90's. I was in a band named after a Bears song and we used to open for them. They eventually started saying that the song was named after us (so nice!). We were just dumb kids and these guys were musical gods come down from Mt. Olympus (or Cinci, anyways). And they always played in a bar so small that if 50 people showed up it was shoulder to shoulder. I tell everybody - Arduser is the greatest rock drummer (or one of the greatest), Nyswonger is the best bass player (he's right up there with anybody you can name), Belew and Fetters are the greatest guitar players. They are just great musicians and songwriters, all of them. I hate that we're all getting old and all we have now are memories and a few albums and very few live videos that are any good.

[@scottt5484]

Great post. Did you hear the sad news that Chris died a few months ago? My brother Tom was an original member of The Raisins.

[@kevinclossguitar]

There is something deeply perplexing about how one of American's greatest pop acts can remain such a well-guarded secret. The memory of their show in Toronto on the Rise and Shine tour still inspires me 25+ years later. But I have a feeling that one day the world will catch up to Rob, Adrian, Chris and Bob.

[@PaulPadoan]

Kevin Closs They are "old white men", not really a selling point to day.

[@walstib77]

Paul Padoan Yeah, the Rolling Stones didn't do well this year. And that Glee--Journey thing really didn't take off either. o.0 ???

[@walstib77]

Kevin Closs On the same bus: NRBQ.

[@PaulPadoan]

walstib77 Touché, but they are now "famous white old men". Anyway, I can say that this type of music never gets air time in Sweden, unless it really is a very well known artist.

[@biondipepe]

+Kevin Closs I agree, this is one of the the best pop ever!!

[@gregorflea]

Bob Nyswonger... awesome bass! 😊

[@user-mv5bu2kk8b]

All hail bob

[@joint2joint2k]

The Bears first record is still one of the best pop records of the eighties.

[@2wayplebney]

It’s up there with Skylarking.

[@Mo_Ketchups]

Graham Exton ... Fetters is no Colin Moulding. Juss sayin ✌️😄

[@kentalanlee]

I saw them live at the Antenna Club in Memphis in 1986. The club stage was so small, and they were jumping around so much, I thought somebody was going to fall into the crowd. I have never seen a tighter group. One of my peak 1980's experiences.

[@amanhismusicareneverparted5366]

As Adrian said this evening on his FB page in response to my reminiscing: "to me the bears were always the alternate universe beatles."

[@brucema12]

I mixed this show for the DVD. It was a "BEAR"!!! Ha! The tiniest club (150 people maybe) and so freaking loud!!!!!! Still a blast to work with the boyz!

[@1960shep]

It sounds killer in my studio on my Focals. Thanks for a stellar production.

[@ericmckayrq]

Good work! Sounds great!

[@scottfabiszak8152]

i saw them in milwaukee but the drummer was bill or ? hodges from the bowie tour and wow it was a smaller deal and also recorded in 1992 in milwaukee look and if you find you will be greatly appreciated .... at this time he spent a lot of time in lake geniva wisconsin and all i know is a bunch of booteleg recordings came of if as i did a few on a panisonic home studio which we asked to set up and even adrian said it was cool and we gave him the first copy sent to rino-studio in padock lake wisconsin.... back in 1992 what a cool dude and really funny as well as a musician which i think awakened the guitfish in a way that will last forever

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Belew have his own unique indelible sound and a master of his craft. Although relatively unknown in the commercial world, he has no doubt had a profound influence on many an ear who are unaware of his presence. This man is the equivalent of Eno but on guitar, and that is a very rare thing in the music industry.

[@amanhismusicareneverparted5366]

Plus I can’t think of one artist who has worked with so many different artists - testament to talent and temperament

[@hieronymusrex]

man 90% of these songs are new to me but OMG i love it all!!!!!

[@pamcupec922]

this was a fun show! my husband and I are in the opening as we were standing outside waiting to go in! Adrian is awesome and the members of The Bears great! always enjoyed the show, and Club Cafe is quite an intimate place.

[@jlarrybrewer1149]

I became friends with Bob about 18 years ago. Super nice guy, did some recording at his house and hung out with him and Rob at NAMM in Nashville one time. It has always amazed me that the Bears didn’t get huge

[@DrRussPhd]

They were too clever and talented for mainstream .

[@j.jester7821]

This puts me back into the 80s Luckily I saw them in Kansas City, I think after the second album came out. not sure. but it was as fantastic show.

[@kirkericson2722]

Perfect combination of pop sensibilities and avant-garde guitar chops. Wish there were documents of their live shows out there.

[@tamasmaksza6450]

I was lucky enough to be at this show.... amazing songs and musicians.

[@michaelgallagher1876]

I was lucky enough (by chance) to see them in late 1985 in Cincinnati - visiting a friend there (we are both zappa fans and we heard Adrian Belew was playing in town) Totally blown away. Saw them again after the Rise and Shine album at the Bottom Line in NY - They kicked ass both times. They still rock!!!

[@har9020]

I saw The Bears perform in Memphis at the Antenna Club on the band's tour for "Rise and Shine". Opening act was Mojo Nixon. Most of what I remember was grinning through the whole thing and what an energetic and fun show it was. One of the best club gigs I ever attended.

[@clintpotts8983]

We booked The Bears twice at SIU for opening week festivities at our Student Center. Both shows were awesome. I traveled to Cinci to see the Psychodots once, and the Dots played in Phoenix a time or two. I feel like this is the band I watched the most that nobody ever heard of. Such is the life of the best Prog artists.

[@dannycorser]

Seen them at the Boulder Coast in the 80s one of my all time favorites !

[@SpiritualSpectrum]

I was there too (both times), still have my ticket stubs. Loved the band and the close in seating there

[@violentmorgan]

This is a treasure of an upload. RIP Chris Arduser 😥

[@richkennedy6379]

Super Group - Thank you for sharing this!

[@larsbertilivarson5840]

My alltime favorite band!!

[@kschulwitz]

"Dave" literally just tore my heart out. I've never heard it before, THANKS!

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Saw them in Cleveland on that tour. My (B)ears are still ringing.

[@m7mezmanus]

Saw them in Charlotte NC in the late 80’s and in Sf, CA in the 90’s - both incredible shows!!!

[@christopherweitfle2698]

Holy cow, that run-through of "Figure It Out" was a barn-burner!

[@pretorious700]

Adrian in his Larry Fine phase.

[@Penekamp11]

I saw the Psychodots a couple of times in Lexington and was always blown away by them. They were at peace with being a bar band but compared to what was out at the time, they should have had a much bigger fan base.

[@ГеоргийАтоянц-ю5ы]

Мне очень нравится, красиво и мощно, они делают это высший класс, шлю им привет с наилучшими пожеланиями

[@gnesteck3276]

So, underappreciated like no one's business: like an American XTC w/KCrim on gtr ! The Bears also reminds me of 90s Dallas band -> TEN HANDS, esp the vox .

[@tipsylibrarians7764]

10 Hands - another band that seems like it should’ve been more commercially successful.

[@garygorrell6347]

Nothin' clears a room like "Red". Chicks really dig Red.... :-)

[@tbuts5859]

+Gary Gorrell LOL

[@Babaziba]

You just made this older guy type "OMG". So amazing to finally see this. Thank you.

[@chriseidam7319]

I saw The Bears in Boston circa 1990. I dragged a bunch of friends there. They were skeptics. Then they were blown away. And then we got lost in Boston construction mayhem and misinformation for about an hour looking for a functioning highway on-ramp, trying to get home to Providence. I've seen 1000+ shows and that one and the K.C. Thrak Tour I saw in Atlanta in 1995 rank in my top 15 all-time. Thanks for posting this. Nice and clean. And what a band!

[@Paneeks1960]

+Chris Eidam Hi Chris, I was at the Boston show that year at the Paradise. It was a great night. I remember the overall sound was impeccable that evening too. They are incredibly tight in this performance. Do you know who the other guitar player is? Rob/Boston

[@dankinney8188]

+Paneeks1960 {Rob/Boston} Rob Fetters

[@Paneeks1960]

Thank you very much Dan,. I appreciate your response/info~

[@h.o.g.attachment2175]

For what it's worth, I was blessed to see this band twice in two consecutive years in the student center ballroom at SIUC Carbondale IL. Where's the white standup bass? Anyway, so good!

[@peteytwofinger]

loose it @ 21:33 ... please record again Bears ... we need you ... we miss you ...we love you bears !

[@wereleeroads9311]

He just played a remarkable solo version in a COVID-19 era house concert. Must be seen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ7WcpRqh6ymjtE

[@jm123456789101112]

SWEET! I love The Bears!

[@kevindaniel5086]

the solo in under the volcano is so weird, for a moment i thought the video was getting out of sync with the music, and then adrian just sings again and blows your freaking mind until you nosebleed your brain out

[@ГеоргийАтоянц-ю5ы]

Привет, всем,это сила, которая несет радость жизни и позитив,дай бог, здоровья, этим музыкантам и всех благ в этом мире,

[@amanhismusicareneverparted5366]

I remember shooting a whole roll of black and white photos of the band on stage and then off stage at the Mercury lounge

[@mukichan01]

Enjoyed that a lot.. Having Just seen Adrian Belew and the PsychoDots (Separate occasions) recently. Makes me smile seeing together.

[@tradeprog]

This is very good. Full of good songs, progressive or not. Love listening to this. Adrian is one of the greatest :-)

[@sirhilambasgivel]

I`ll never forget seeing `the bears` in toronto in `89 at the docks ( best show i`ve ever been to ....2 nites in a row !! ) .....besides king crimson at the orpheum in vancouver `96 ( during the `thrak` tour !! )

[@robertcaldwell5772]

Saw at the Agora in OH and again at the Roseland in PDX, OR...and most of the records.

[@MarcoMachera]

Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@onranennak5]

;-)

[@willymase749]

these guys used to play all over Cincinnati freakin awesome Band!!!!!!!!!

[@timallbritton7329]

Forget the 80s - the 90s are here!

[@rickcook7308]

Holy shit...great version of red....drummer killed it....

[@simsimma9622]

You can put these guys up against anyone. They really are that good.

[@user-mv5bu2kk8b]

All hail bob

[@solobasssteve]

This is so, so great. Wow.

[@danno321s]

Very nice recording of the concert.

[@williamrolsen9724]

The Bears in Cincinnati was one Great show, down on the Ohio river!

[@Svatopluk]

Saw then in Detroit in around 1988, they were excellent.

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

Saw these guys a couple of times including the original 9:30 Club in DC.

[@octofish]

Saw them at the Vic in '94. Great show as well.

[@egotils]

this makes me smile

[@babayaga1767]

for those of you not in the know, the other 3 guys have been a band for 40 years around cincy. this isn't a group adrian put together for one of his things.

[@cnilecnile6748]

Saw the Raisins in Pensacola in '82. They were the house band at one of the big rock clubs there, but I saw them at a tiny little bar on the beach, when Bam Powell was the drummer. They had a truck full of freshly pressed albums nobody was buying, lol. I still have it, and there are 2 songs here that are on that album- "aches and Pains", and "Fear is Never Boring". That band would kick this one off the stage, for sure.

[@paulkaz2127]

@@cnilecnile6748 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bears_(band) more complete history here. Lucky for you that you saw them in 82. I'm sure it was fantastic... but "kicked off stage"? lol. Don't need to 'rank' just enjoy it all.

[@unclefreddy2009]

Not only that but Rob Fetters had a few hits with several of these songs prior to the Bears, like Fear is Never Boring

[@KurtKnutsen]

Good find!

[@anahg17]

it is a joy to see belew

[@kevindaniel5086]

26:00 moment.. i love to rewatch the blonde girl closing her eyes and just feeling it.. so great

[@kujiraiwao1495]

最高❣️

[@bradschwamberger1217]

DAM the Bears do King Crimson!!!

[@donjuanlewis]

saw use guys at first great venue .....YAXS

[@zenbabaloo1931]

Kind of an XTC with Eno treated guitars.

[@kirkericson2722]

They have some of the same angular melodies and creative use of dissonance that Andy Partridge favored. Plus both bands were influenced by the Beatles obviously.

[@CoachAdamRuns]

RED - wow.

[@sirhilambasgivel]

the great and magical arduser / nyswonger / fetters / belew combination !!

[@avxtravideoproduction]

Go listen to this!

[@mshakespearek]

Great

[@bosprocket]

r.i p. deathy😪

[@tomweast844]

epic

[@BabylandStudio]

Nice.

[@daredab]

👋

[@christopherweitfle2698]

There's some Pennebaker camera work here… Did they film the final show at the Woodward theatre? I hope someone did!

[@peteytwofinger]

they did as a matter of fact we were front row. you can see a few of the tracks posted on youtube but really - buy the dvd - its a great quality live music dvd and the band was really into it / in good spirits . you can contact Bob on facebook by the way .

[@scottt5484]

Sadly Chris Arduser passed away recently.

[@sentforth5]

Is that a Johnson Marquee or Millennium I see??

[@janillodrum]

Is it my impression or does "Honey Bee" sound like "Ordinary Girl" from Micke & the Mechanics from 99?

[@jamesgreenwood4097]

"Honey Bee" came out in 1987, so if there's any similarity between the two songs, it's "Ordinary Girl" that sounds like "Honey Bee" Just sayin'

[@janillodrum]

@@jamesgreenwood4097 that's what I think, greetings!

[@dand9789]

Drummer has some serious double strokes.

[@terryschubring7462]

Was that Fern in the audience?

[@johnp162]

😀

[@mostrorock]

sORRY Where is Club Cafe

[@allisonl194]

Pittsburgh

[@mshakespearek]

Sorry I lOVELY

[@MrJadePinwheel]

1:19:27

[@Mo_Ketchups]

Fetters really thinks he looks sweet w that “Carol Channing” lettuce. What’s he, about FIFTY in this? He always put me off, but I’ve gone to see the rest of them at least 8 times since the first gig at the old Beverly in LA. ✌️

[@peteytwofinger]

say what you want about the guy , but i doubt you could touch him on guitar - he is an amazing talent .

[@incognito7479]

Ever heard of the ‘Bears’? Who? The BEARS! Can’t you hear?