PostedByJason Younger
on Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 11:06 AM
The last time I spoke with Bear Rinehart, lead singer of the band Needtobreathe, he was excited that the band was finally starting to play larger venues. Its first trips to Charlotte were to venues like the Neighborhood Theatre. In April, they were able to sell out the larger Amos.
This time around, its the Fillmore Oct. 28. Its really insane, says an excited Bear. When this thing started 10 years ago, we were amazed to see the crowd go from 20 people to 50. Now, were selling out legit venues. Its unbelievable.
And larger venues isnt the only thing thats changed since we last saw the group in April. The band just returned from a trip to Europe to promote its highly successful, critically acclaimed album The Outsiders.
Europe was wild, Bear explains. Wed never been before and had no idea what to expect. The album literally was released just a few days before we got there so we werent sure what type of response wed have. It was great. Everyone knew the songs and had been listening to our old album The Heat for years. The response was amazing. We were blown away.
As the group continues to tour, the grassroots campaign that seems to follow them has grown. As Rinehart describes, Its really incredible. Our music is played on so many different types of radio. From up-and-coming, to Christian, to pop, to Americana our music is really diverse. And thats what makes the show so unique. Its not one song that brings people to see us; its the body of work weve put together.
And for those diehard fans that are clamoring for the next album, Bear offers a glimpse at the not-so-distant future. As soon as this tour ends, we are off the road, straight to the studio. Weve written a lot of the songs already and just cant wait to get them recorded. Well start in January/ February and should have the album out next fall. This is really going to be our career-defining album. Were excited and we think itll be the best yet.
And while the bands popularity has grown, so has its live show. The
show this time is really ridiculous. Weve got an entire tractor trailer full of stuff to set-up which is unreal. Were playing new stuff, old stuff, stuff youve never heard before. Our goal was to start selling out the places we started out in, and weve done that. Now were trying to see just how big of a show we can put on explains Bear.
And what kind of show can you expect at The Fillmore tomorrow night? As
Bear describes it Its our biggest, loudest, most energy filled show yet. We really want to give the fans a great show in appreciation for the support
theyve shown. We got a whole stage set-up, and were playing all our best stuff in ways youve never heard it before. Its going to be special lets just leave it at that.
NeedtoBreathe will play at the Fillmore tomorrow night at 7pm.