Legacy

Bands are often remembered through albums, songs, and performances, but the true story of a band is written by the people who help shape it along the way.

BEARX has always been an evolving project, influenced by the musicians who shared their time, talent, creativity, and passion with it. Every member brought a different perspective, challenged me in different ways, and left a lasting mark on the music. Some helped me hear songs differently. Some taught me new approaches to rhythm, groove, and composition. Others brought energy, confidence, and a vision for what BEARX could become.

This page exists to honor those contributions. While our paths have led in different directions over the years, each of these musicians played an important role in the story of BEARX. Their influence can still be heard in the music we create today.

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Josh Owens — Bass

Josh was one of my closest friends growing up and brought a perspective to music that was very different from my own. A jazz musician and saxophonist at heart, he had a deep appreciation for groove, timing, and the role each instrument played within a song. He believed the bass wasn’t there to simply follow the guitar, but to create a foundation and identity of its own.

Through countless conversations about music, Josh introduced me to new ways of listening and thinking about composition. His love of jazz, classical music, and musical theory helped expand my appreciation for styles and ideas I might not have explored otherwise. Many of those conversations still stay with me today and continue to influence how I hear music.

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Justin Cecil — Drums

Justin’s favorite band was Tool, and while he admired their approach to rhythm and composition, he never tried to be someone else behind the kit. Instead, he developed his own style and perspective. Combined with his love of Minus the Bear and indie music, he helped me realize that great songs are built from more than vocals and guitar parts. His attention to rhythm, arrangement, and the mathematics hidden within music changed the way I approached songwriting and continues to influence me today.

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Brian Brofft — Drums

Brian entered BEARX at a time when the band was evolving and brought with him a renewed sense of energy and possibility. After hearing us perform, he told me he could hear countless drum parts and ideas woven throughout the songs and wanted to be part of bringing them to life.

Brian brought a driving style, genuine passion, and an infectious enthusiasm for the band’s future. More than anything, he believed BEARX could become something greater than it was at the time, and that belief helped push us forward. His confidence, creativity, and willingness to invest himself in the music left a lasting impact on both the band and me personally.

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Rob Parker — Drums

Rob brought an intensity and precision to BEARX that transformed the band’s sound. Influenced by the hardcore scene, his drumming combined relentless energy, technical skill, and a powerful stage presence that was impossible to ignore. Whether through intricate fills, driving rhythms, or thunderous double bass patterns, Rob approached the drums as more than a backing instrument—they were a voice of their own.

As a three-piece band, every member had to occupy more space, and Rob excelled at making BEARX sound far bigger than it was. His performances were as entertaining to watch as they were impressive to hear, bringing a level of excitement that elevated every live show.

His work on Our Friend Hope remains one of my favorite examples of his talent. The drum parts he created for those songs are iconic, helping define the sound of that era of BEARX and leaving a lasting impression on everyone who heard them.

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Mason Waldrup — Bass

Mason taught me what it means for a song to have “beef.”

Coming from the hardcore scene and possessing a deep understanding of both guitar and drums, Mason approached songwriting with a unique perspective. He understood how synchronized rhythms, diverging bass lines, and powerful grooves could transform a song from something merely played into something truly felt. Many of the ideas that define BEARX today—heavy rhythmic foundations paired with memorable sing-along melodies—were strengthened through his influence and countless conversations about music.

More than anything, Mason taught me the importance of being in sync with the musicians around you. There was an unspoken connection between the three of us that pushed songs further than any one person could have taken them alone. The Sky Tears Apart, my favorite BEARX song, was born the very first time Mason, Rob, and I played together—a moment that perfectly captured the chemistry we shared.

Mason and Rob remain two of the most talented musicians I have ever had the privilege of playing with. The artistic direction I continue to pursue today is due in no small part to Mason’s influence, both on and off the stage. His impact on BEARX can still be heard in every heavy groove, every soaring melody, and every song that strives to be bigger than the sum of its parts.

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To Justin, Josh, Brian, Mason, and Rob—thank you.

Thank you for the songs, the rehearsals, the long drives, the late nights, the conversations, the laughter, and the memories. Thank you for sharing your talent, creativity, and passion with BEARX during the time we spent making music together.

Each of you left a mark on the band and on me personally. The lessons, ideas, and experiences we shared continue to stay with me, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to have created music alongside all of you.

No matter where life has taken us since, I look back on those years with appreciation and respect. Thank you for being part of the story.

— Jason Eure