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The Bears Heard Round the World -With YouTube?s Help, Four Guys Turn into Heartthrobs
September 29, 2007
by J. W. Arnold
Chances are a friend has already forwarded a link to view the latest overnight Internet sensation, Bearforce1 made the four band members heartthrobs for the bear community.
Bearforce1 consists of Robert from Belfast, together with Ian, Peter and Yuri from Amsterdam ? ?four furry friends,? in the words of their Web site. The guys met while on holiday in New York in the summer of 2006. From that moment on, they?ve worked hard to create what they hope will be ?the greatest show in the universe? ? or, at the very least, the world. And thanks to YouTube and a plug by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, they have gotten a big break.
Perhaps by fate, the singers met producers Goldschmidt and Rockefeller during a night out and were invited to come over to their studio on 49th Street. The producers were enthusiastic about the concept of a bear band and soon the first demo of the band?s debut single, ?Bearforce1,? had been recorded.
Back in Amsterdam, C+R Records released the debut single, and director Oof Verschuren shot the accompanying video that is circling the globe today. Camp caught up with Bearforce1 between rehearsals and performances around Europe, and here is that interview, conducted via e-mail.
Camp: I know you met in New York on holiday. Were you all singing karaoke or in a musical setting when you met? How did you discover you would sound good together?
Bearforce1: We were all singing karaoke in a small bar. We?d met coincidentally, but we all knew each other before. And yes, we were drunk.
Camp: Were your producers the ones who came up with the concept for a bear band or was that your idea?
Bearforce1: Well, it was a divine intervention!
Camp: What were your expectations as Bearforce1 got started (before the big YouTube explosion)?
Bearforce1: Money, success, fame and glamour.
Camp: Did you have any idea the YouTube video would catch on so quickly?
Bearforce1: Thanks to Perez Hilton, who says that our video is ?the most amazing ever,? it got spread out through the whole world! It was very kind of him to mention us. Perez for president!
Camp: How does it feel to be an overnight sensation?
Bearforce1: In one word: Sexy.
Camp: Have you started getting fan mail? Are one or more of you proving to be more popular with the fans?
Bearforce1: Yes, loads. And we all have had complete strangers asking us for marriage.
Camp: You all have varied musical backgrounds. How do you decide what music you?d like to do and how would you describe the musical personality of the group?
Bearforce1: We all love the energy of the ?80s and we love it all. Our personal musical tastes are eclectic.
Camp: Do you get along well or do you get on each others? nerves?
Bearforce1: We really all love each other and we are all just good friends.
Camp: What plans do you have for the future? More videos? Live performances? A tour? Merchandising a new line of bear sex toys?
Bearforce1: Just kidding, guys. There is going to be a Christmas single, camp as hell. We are going to tour the States, throughout Europe and there is going to be an album! We are really looking forward to this all. We?re in for a bumpy ride!
Camp: Are any of you dating each other or coupled with someone outside the band?
Bearforce1: Two of us are still single (but, hey that might change!) and the other two have partners. Guess who?! LOL.
Camp: What do you enjoy when you?re not rehearsing and practicing?
Bearforce1: Going out ... but we currently are rehearsing and practicing all the time!
Camp: Do you feel you have become role models for the bear community?
Bearforce1: No, not at all. Someone who?s a true bear does not have to be a role model.
Camp: What do you think Bear Force1 says about the bear community in general?
Bearforce1: That we are all inclusive and accepting of everyone? ? no matter of age, colour or size. Hairy or not, big or small. Be proud of who you are and respect each other! May the Bear Force be with you!!
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For more information about BearForce1 or to download their debut single, go to www.bearforce1.nl.
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