by Emma von der Lieth, staff writer
Although many Christian bands and artists don’t always appeal to all crowds, Cal High Christian band The Bear Necessities have found a way to express their faith and still appeal to the masses.
The Bear Necessities consists of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Cory Teese, lead guitarist and background vocalist Nick Vivar, drummer Kayvaan Ghovanloo, and bassist David Yim.
Teese, a senior who is also the songwriter, is influenced primarily by his Christian faith.
“Every song I write has some aspects of Christianity in it,” said Teese. “I write about how my faith has influenced me and the situations I’m in.”
The band would describe their sound as indie-alternative rock with a Christian twist, and they have a range of influences that include alternative rock bands The Dangerous Summer, Brand New and The Almost.
The Bear Necessities, which formed in late 2011, first began as a three-piece which included Teese, Vivar and Ghovanloo. The three had been friends for many years and they all had a passion for music, which inspired them to form a band.
“We played at our church a lot, but we needed a bassist,” said Vivar, a junior. “I knew David Yim, and I knew that he could play a lot of instruments, including bass, so we asked him to join the band.”
All of the members are close friends, and they all practice the Christian faith.
“We definitely wanted to keep a Christian dynamic within the group, so David fit right in,” said Ghovanloo, a junior. “Our chemistry is like a Bunson burner, we love each other.”
Ghovanloo, Vivar, Teese, and Yim have had a passion for music for many years. Ghovanloo began playing drums in sixth grade, and Vivar began playing guitar, drums, and bass in fifth grade. Ghovanloo and Vivar would often play together after school, and they had similar tastes in music.
Yim, a junior, began playing piano when he was four years old, but didn’t really become interested in music until he was in sixth grade. At that time, he became serious about piano and strived to become a better player. Yim can also play the keyboard, guitar, and drums.
Teese began playing guitar and writing songs during his freshman year of high school, but has loved music since he was a child. While growing up, Teese listened to pop punk, alternative rock, and screamo music.
“When I write songs, I take inspiration from the music I listened to when I was growing up,” said Teese. “Music is really important to me, and I’ll never stop playing.”
They came up with the band name when Teese was talking to Cal alumnus and friend Eric Varela, who suggested the name The Bear Necessities, and it stuck. The band played at the Invisible Children Benefit Concert on April 20 at Cal High and recently performed at the Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville on May 12.
“Their concert at Cal High was energetic and exciting,” said junior Gianni Mancinelli. “They really know how to get the crowd involved, and it was fun for everyone, even if you don’t like alternative or Christian music.”
The band hopes to play as many shows as possible in the Bay Area, and they would also like to tour the West Coast this summer.
“I would definitely see The Bear Necessities live again. You can tell that they are having a lot of fun when they are up on stage,” said sophomore Sara Bilich. “But at the same time they really give it their all. There’s so much passion when Cory sings, and you can tell he really enjoys it.”
The band agrees they love being on stage and playing music.
“It’s like making a sound that you can feel,” said Yim. “It’s a great way to express your feelings.”
Fortunately for fans, The Bear Necessities are in the process of recording a five-song EP and hope to release it by the end of the summer.
“I like [‘The Bear Necessities’] music because it tells a story,” said junior Alyssa Holsworth. “It’s a different kind of Christian music, and I am excited for their EP to come out.”
