The Act: CHINA BEARS

The Release: ‘STATUE STILL’ EP

The Format: DIGITAL EP

The Release Date: NOVEMBER 19TH 2021

The Tracklisting:
1. 'I'M NOT EATING LIKE I USED TO'
2. 'JOLENE'
3. 'STATUE STILL'
4' 'STATUE STILL' (STRIPPED BACK VERSION)

The Truth: China Bears still consist of twin brothers Ivan (guitar / vox) and Frazer (guitar) alongside bassist James and drummer Dean. ‘Statue Still’ is their new EP which collects together their three tub-thumping lockdown singles from 2020 - 'Statue Still', 'I'm Not Eating Like I Used To' and 'Jolene' - and adds on a brand new lovely sultry stripped down version of the title track.

A chunky indiestrop hoedown with some suitably seasonal pounding rhythms, in essence the original ‘Statue Still’ track represented the perfect giant summer festival anthem for a summer with no giant festivals. For the lucky, lucky people who’ve already experienced the heroically intimate China Bears live show or fallen for their emotively sumptuous ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone Like You’ EP from August 2019, the freshly stripped back musings of ‘Statue Still’ will come as both no surprise as well as cool, cool comfort in these thunderously baffling times.

“’Statue Still’ was written about those initial stages of loss and healing,” explains singer Ivan. “For me it's like the feeling you get after you watch a great film in the cinema. The film is over and you now have to go home, but you just want to stay in that theatre and be in that world for a little while longer. You're aware it's over but you didn't want it to end and you weren't ready, so you're just stuck in that in-between. You can't stay forever though, and it's better to walk yourself out than the ushers coming to remove you.” 

Such is contemplative life with China Bears, a band which fundamentally proffers proper music for proper music lovers. During the rockdown lockdown they have still been keeping themselves busy online, delivering sessions and sentiments alike for the likes of Louder Than War, SXSW and the Hanwell Hootie, as well as BBC 6music’s Recommends Day, during which Steve Lamacq played out a vividly hushed live version of ‘I’m Not Eating Like I Used To’. They also contributed their respectful rendition of 'Hackensack' to the panda's 'Covid Version Sessions' EP, a tribute to corona victim Adam Schlesinger, singer in Fountains of Wayne.

Before cuddling up to fierce panda China Bears had already self-released three singles in ‘Meet Me In London’, ‘Hydra’ and ‘Night Calls’, earning airplay from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X and Melita Dennett via BBC Introducing in The South along the way. Along another way they’ve supported Genghar, The Districts, To Kill A King, The Howl & The Hum, Declan McKenna, The Big Moon, Blackwaters and West Country compadres October Drift.

One of the many, many casualties of the Covid 19 impact on SXSW ‘20 – they were due to play an official panda showcase at Edwin’s on March 20th as well as other key shows in Austin – China Bears were then supposed to find some solace playing a springtime tour of the UK…which then got rescheduled for September…which was re-rescheduled for spring 2021...which finally took place in October. Furry fingers crossed these spring '22 plans bear some kind of fruity fruition...

FEBRUARY 17TH BRIGHTON HOPE & RUIN (Love They Neighbour presents)
FEBRUARY 19TH BRISTOL CROFTERS RIGHTS
FEBRUARY 23RD LONDON KINGS CROSS LEXINGTON (Disorder & fierce panda presents)
FEBRUARY 24TH BIRMINGHAM THE SUNFLOWER LOUNGE (Un-Cover presents)
FEBRUARY 25TH MANCHESTER THE PEER HAT (Scruff Of The Neck & Killing Moon present)
MARCH 14TH - 20TH AUSTIN TEXAS SXSW 2022

Tickets available from: www.chinabears.co.uk