Skipping Stones Records

Popfest New England!
Saturday, November 13 & Sunday, November 14
Two shows both days at The Elevens, 140 Pleasant Street, Northampton MA!



Check out the Popfest New England website for the schedule.

14 Iced Bears from England will Headline Saturday Night!

Formed in 1985 by Rob Sekula, 14 Iced Bears blended jangle pop with a psychedelic edge that set them apart from their C86 contemporaries. Inspired by bands like the Stooges, Velvet Underground, and Echo & the Bunnymen, Sekula injected heartfelt lyrics with a dose of experimental noise. While still owing plenty to the Byrds/Ramones influences evident in the output of labels like Creation and Pink, it was this dark 60s flavor that always set the 14 Iced Bears apart.

The first single, Inside, appeared on TV Personality Mark Flunder's Frank label in late 1986 and was an instant success. BBC recording sessions for John Peel and fanzine/music weekly adulation quickly followed. A second single for Frank, Balloon Song, further consolidated their following. The band toured England and Europe and the press was ecstatic. The late 80s revival of classic guitar-based pop was kind to the 14 Iced Bears, and complimented Sekula's talent at penning catchy, sometimes off-kilter melodies. A third single sealed the deal, the catchy Come Get Me on Sarah Records.

The band went on the release their self-titled debut album in 1988; it was a masterpiece of psychedelic pop that turned a lot of heads with it's ambition and skilled songcraft. A raft of singles and a second album in 1991 followed, and the band quietly disbanded in 1992.