Beartaker was created in Hamilton, ON in early 2020 as email correspondence between Jeremy Widerman (Guitar, Bass, Vocals) and Theodore Mckibbon (Drums, vocals). The aim was to be an efficient and relentless recording machine.  Drawing on inspirations like early Metallica, Comeback Kid and the sounds of erupting volcanos, the two-piece project set out to be fast and heavy. Focusing solely on recording the band laid the frame work for creating releases as quickly as their penchant for quality would allow.  If we are being specific though, the genesis of the plan was put into motion almost 15 years earlier when their respective bands Monster Truck and the Bad Ideas, toured together.  To no surprise everyone on tour recognized that both Jeremy and Theo shared the same endless supply of energy.  Their relentless passion for music was only equalled by their shared and vocal disdain for the political system and its surrounding cloud of systemic horse-shit.  In fact it was so noticeable many suggested that one day they would have to start a two-piece powerhouse to see what kind of musical and political synergy would occur when you stick two bolts of lightening in the same room together. Little did Jer or Theo know many moons later they would be able to satisfy this suggestion.  

 

Theo, having made the move from Toronto to Hamilton in late 2019 quickly connected with Jer and started brainstorming about a new project. The music came together through correspondence over the internet while Jeremy was on tour playing guitar in Monster Truck. Jer would lay down the riffs in the back of the tour bus while Theo would architect the drums to the rough ideas in his home studio . Once Jer was home the songs went from being GarageBand demos to a full fledged release in the less than a month. Needless to say the plan to write and record an EP of songs came to fruition faster than expected and the result was predictably aggressive and energy ridden. The purposefully cynical and pointed lyrics foreshadowed a dismal economic and political landscape that has quickly lived up to their critique. Now the albums release bears down on the middle of a mishandled pandemic with a street date of April 14th. 

 

With no plans to play shows, their pre-requisite for creating the band seems to fit perfectly in line with a world that doesn’t allow it now anyway.  Total Disgrace is the first 4 song release and will be available on all streaming platforms April 14th. Future recordings continue to be planned out and written, and again the majority will be done over the internet but this time because of social distancing. The riffs will get heavier and you can also be certain the lyrical content won’t be getting any rosier.