BEAR PARK – “KEEP ON SMILING”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Straight off the windswept north sea drenched Tyneside docks, three sharp suited guitar killers, with their baby faces, collarless crisp white shirts, Cuban heels and relentless melodies, Bear Park release their new single “Keep On Smiling” on Libertine Gary Powell’s label 25 Hour Convenience Store on 29th March, 2024.
Produced by Gary Powell, “Keep On Smiling” brims with confidence that belies the trio’s tender years. The band say: “‘Keep on Smiling’ is our new song release which we know people will love. Originally we were not sure of the song and only played it to Gary in our dark damp dingy dilapidated Newcastle rehearsal studio after we had played him all our other songs and he kept saying you got anything else good to record, anything more? So hesitantly we played it, Gary exploded – that song is great, lets record it, its full of movement and melody, why you been holding out on me? Its a beautiful raucous rumbustious rolling uplifting song.”
Gary Powell says: “This band are totally loaded, three northern hoodlums armed with fast firing guitars and drums – it’ been fabulous working with them trying to catch and land each idea before it is kicked out of the room by the next great musical idea – hope everyone enjoys them as much as we have in the studio.”
Bear Park recently supported The Libertines on their current tour of the UK for the Leeds, Stockton and Glasgow dates in February. They add: “After working with Gary and becoming great mates, it was amazing to meet the rest of the band. Theyβre all gentlemen and Gladys, Peterβs dog, is a gorgeous lovely lady. To play in new places with such great audiences has been fabulous. To all our new fans and friends welcome to the Park!”
Bear Park is a classic rock story. Met at school, shared a Newcastle brown, found an empty garage, formed a rock n roll band. Over the last year the band have been playing every club, waiting room, garage, public toilet or shed that let them play. Touring as unknown band is hard labour and the band have been paying their dues. In this crucible of grimy damp changing rooms, dark clubs, road life and late nights the band have emerged as a tight rock trio loaded with muscular pop tunes and ready to rock out. Sharp suits and shapes, Cuban heels and moves that would be the envy of any hard core northern soul aficionado, the band play like life depended on it, its a performance and the band give it solid, direct and unreconstructed.
The band were discovered by Martin Jones in Newcastle upon Tyne, Martin used to run a dance label in the day, Martin arranged for ex Factory Records MD Eric Longley to come see the band. After one riotous gig when the band stole the show from all the other acts Longley was convinced, a disciple, and spoke to his partner in recording crime Gary Powell (yep that Gary Powell drummer of the Libertines and all round supporter of new developing bands) – it was an easy decision for both of them to sign the band to the label, 25 Hour Convenience Store. Who wouldn’t want to sign a band saturated with talent, great songs and respect for their audience. For about a year the band and Gary worked on the songs developing their studio technique in The Albion rooms in Margate and Blast in Newcastle upon Tyne (two really great studios).
Their debut single ‘Betty’ was released in last December and the album, all recorded, is currently being mixed and will be released later this year.
Bear Park
[Single]
(25 Hour Convenience Store)
Release Date: March 29, 2024
TOUR DATES
30th March 2024 – Liam Fender support, Newcastle
2nd April 2024 – The Chapel, Nottingham
20th April 2024 – HMV Newcastle
1st June 2024 – Tom’s Fest, Chester-Le-Street. Festival
22nd June 2024 – The Grove, Newcastle (Album release party)
23rd June 2024 – Coastfest, North Shields
17th August 2024 – Hardwick Festival, Sedgefield.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: BEAR PARK – HEAD OF THE UNITED STATES
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: BEAR PARK – “BETTY”
