About the BiPolar Bears | EP 'New Shoes' | The Mental Health Music Network | Music Workshop | Up Coming Gigs
About the BiPolar Bears
The BiPolar Bears are well known throughout Victoria for their high energy performances and high profile advocacy of mental health issues. The band is part of the City of Port Phillip's Access Arts program, designed to create arts participation opportunities for people living with a mental illness.
But having serious mental illnesses has not meant a lack of success for the band members. They have performed hundreds of gigs and they describe themselves as semi-professional. “We have a serious work ethic,” says Kevin, the band's bass player, “We work hard, write hard and play hard - we're about making music”.
The band has been playing for 15 years, making it one of Melbourne's most stable rock groups. They've played at Federation Square, the Sydney Opera House, Brisbane's Powerhouse, Rockhampton, with the Choir of Hard Knocks on ABC radio, across country Victoria, St Kilda Festival, regularly at Club Wild's discrimination-free dance party events, endless mental health events and even a performance for inmates of the psychiatric ward at Port Phillip prison. The band has featured highly on radio, in print and on C31 TV over the years.
The BiPolar Bears play a wide ranging repertoire of original and covers songs, from rock to blues to punk and have released 2 CDs of original songs. Original lyrics like “I'm not schizophrenic, I'm just paranoid, so why don't you all, go take a polaroid” tell the band member's stories of living with mental illness and its stigma.
The band is led by Phil Heuzenroeder, a passionate musician who also directs a local 100 voice gospel choir, leads the Mental Health Music Network and runs Club Wild, one of Victoria's leading disability performing arts organizations.
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EP 'New Shoes'
In Oct 07 the band released their second original album with the EP “New Shoes”. Packed with 4 powerful new songs, including the title track by friend of the band Heidi Everett, the EP goes from ska, to country rock, to rock and finishes up with lead singer Dale Bridge's punk “Scars”.
CD “Only Breathing”
In 2003, the BiPolar Bears released their album 'Only Breathing', with 11 rock, reggae and blues tracks and even a locally commissioned folk song ! The CD contains some of the bands now classic hits, including Getaway and Little Miss Pink. Ross Hannaford (Daddy Cool) makes a guest appearance on a number of tracks and mentored the band through its first studio recording.
To order a copy of the BiPolar Bears EP "New Shoes' or their 2003 CD 'Only Breathing', please contact the Access Arts Development Officer via eServices or (03) 9209 6777.
Check out The BiPolar Bears on myspace Bears MySpace Site
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The Mental Health Music Network
Started in 2006 as an initiative between the City of Port Phillip, Phil Heuzenroeder and the BiPolar Bears, the Mental Health Music Network offers music development, performance and social opportunities for people living with mental illness from across Melbourne and Victoria.
Weekly workshops, monthly Go Live! performance gigs at the St Kilda Bowls Club and the annual Mad Hatters Music Festival in Mental Health Week are highlights of the Network's program. The Network also links up the many bands, artists and services across the state involved in music and mental health, including Heidi Everett, James Houston, Beware of Doug, Full Mental Jacket, It's Only Paranoia, the Odd Bods, Lunadenta, Moon Rockit and The Deep End.
The Yourng Odd Bods at Go Live!
Check this out AGE article 'Mental As Anything'
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Music Workshop
Weekly music workshops with a focus on professional development opportunities take place each Wednesday at the Sol Green recreation Centre in South Melbourne. To find out more visit the Mental Health Music Network site www.mentalhealthmusicnetwork.net
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Up Coming Gigs
 Come early for our end of year BBQ, then check out the BiPolar Bears, The Certifiables, 12 fabulous musician/songwriters from the Mental Health Music Network Workshop series, videos on the big screen and much, much more!
Date: Wednesday 5th December
Venue: St Kilda Bowls Club, Fitzroy St, St Kilda
BBQ: 6.00 - 7.30pm
Gig: 7.30 to 10.00pm
Entry by gold coin donation. Bar service, Tea/Coffee available
GO LIVE! is a monthly gig at the St Kilda Bowls Club, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. The gig runs from 7.30pm til 10.00pm, entry by gold coin donation. GO LIVE! features some of the best new and established bands from the Mental Health Music Network including GizmoMania, Moon Rockit, Heide Everett, Dale Bridge, Alex Haydon, The Deep End and many more. Check out www.mentalhealthmusicnetwork.net for more information.
More information
The BiPolar Bears are supported by the City of Port Phillip as part of a commitment to creating arts participation opportunities for people with mental illness and disabilities.
The BiPolar Bears CD has been assisted by the Federal Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for the Access Arts Development Officer.
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