The Bears were a great band from Watford who all met up at Watford Art College in the spring of 1976. Mick North, Ron West, Cally Cameron and Christian Paris all met up with George Gill, ex-Wire guitarist, and formed Smarter Than The Average Bears. This name was too long for the band and so it was shortened to The Bears. They made their London debut at The Roxy on 26 June 1977 and also saw the fame of being included in 'The Year of Punk', the LTV documentary from 1977 which includes footage of the ORIGINAL band members with Mick North in lead vocals. This was THE BEARS!!! In later months after Mick's untimely passing, the band took on the lead vocalist from the Paper Doilies, John Earthrowl, and continued on until 1982.
In 1977, Bears members Ron West and Martin 'Cally' Cameron went on to form the great band 'The Tea Set' along with Nick Egan and Nick Haeffner. Richie Wilson took over on drums and Tim Brocket took over on bass guitar. George Gill was the only original founding member at this point in The Bears career and it was at this time in about 1978 that the band finally had their recording success with 'On Me' and then the Bears signature tune penned by Mick North before his untimely passing of 'Insane'. 'On Me' was recorded and pressed on Waldo's Records by then music entrepreneur Phil Smee and 'Insane' (with 'Decisions' on the b/side) was on the Good Vibrations label out of Belfast.
In 1981, The Bears finally released their first compilation LP on the Tigerbeat label with the 'Insane Decisions' album. The front cover is a compilation of old photos and Bears stickers from their short but memorable music careers. Mick North's photo is in the centre of the front cover as a tribute to his time with the band, but the vocalist on the entire LP is that of John Earthrowl (John Entrails).
The Bears still rock on even to this day in the North London punk scene and are a great band to go and enjoy. Their music is still just as great as it was in the 70's and 80's. John Earthrowl still does justice to the songs made great by Mick North and The Bears. Please go to see them perform when you can.
ORIGINAL BAND MEMBERS:
Mick North - lead vocals until September 1977 (killed in tragic motorcycle accident with Pete Perspex lead singer of Paper Doillies in St Albans)
Ron West - bass guitar
George Gill - guitar and vocals
Cally Cameron - Drums
Kris Kershaw - saxophone
John Earthrowl - vocalist - taken into the band in early 1978 following the passing of Bears lead vocalist Mick North in September 1977.
Cally Cameron was replaced by Richie Wilson in 1978 when Cally and Ron West joined The Tea Set.
Phil Howstan on drums - 1979 to 1980
Tim Brocket - Bass - 1979 to 1981
Bob Brimson - Bass