Polar Bear Club at Rocketown, September 10

Rochester, New York, five-piece Polar Bear Club is among a crop of late-'00s bands looking to change the path of "posthardcore" away from its "brootal dood" leanings. Instead of opting for more run-of-the-mill metal injections, the band updates a '90s model of what is essentially punk-fueled, introspective indie rock with...

By Arielle Castillo

September 8, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Rochester, New York, five-piece Polar Bear Club is among a crop of late-'00s bands looking to change the path of "posthardcore" away from its "brootal dood" leanings. Instead of opting for more run-of-the-mill metal injections, the band updates a '90s model of what is essentially punk-fueled, introspective indie rock with slightly gruff, early-hardcore-influenced vocals. Against the overblown leanings of many of their scene peers, Polar Bear Club sounds positively fresh, earning the band the respect both of kids and cranky old-timers alike. Among the most compelling open-minded acts it brings to Rocketown on Saturday is the like-minded Make Do and Mend, a melodic quartet that continues the long tradition of amped-up Connecticut hardcore.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.