Brian McTear started Bitter bitter weeks some time around 2001. Though he ultimately aspired for it to be a band, he released two full-length albums more or less as solo efforts in 2003 and 2004. The third album, Peace is burning like a river, finally sees the band vision come to life.

Peace is burning like a river is a rock record. While past Bitter bitter weeks records were perceived to be dark in their simplicity, this new record is vast, honest, assured and dare we say “triumphant”. The album picks up on arrangement ideas inspired by the work he and Quentin Stoltzfus did for Mazarin. At the same time, it taps into the American jangle of early to mid-80s college underground music (“alternative”, they used to call it), while sitting atop a subtle Eno-esque bed of organs and tape echo. There are songs about life and death, mid-air daydreams, cold war apocalyptic fantasy, ghost dreams, hyper-awareness in the last seconds of life, friendship gone sour, as well as apologies to future generations, and much more…

In addition to being a musician himself, McTear is a record producer and recording engineer who has worked with many great bands over the last ten years (Matt Pond PA, Mazarin, Espers, BC Camplight, Danielson, The A-Sides, Hail Social, Spinto Band….). He and long time partner Amy Morrissey make their living in their studio, Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia.

McTear began in the early 1990s with his band, the Marinernine. That lasted for nearly eight years, taking him from late high school, into and beyond his college years. When the Marinernine split up he focused on producing records, finding the likes of Matt Pond PA and Mazarin. It was a welcome change up, spending more time in the studio than in smoky clubs (McTear lives with Cystic Fibrosis, a respiratory condition, which is not always conducive to the details of being in a band). All the while, he never stopped writing songs.

His aspirations to sing and perform reignited sometime in 2001. It also became apparent that he was more than just any old frontman in a rock band. He was great singer, and with the release of the first self-titled album, Bitter bitter weeks, in 2003 (My Pal God Records), fans and critics agreed that his oft’ understated songwriting finally found a worthy partner in his stalwart, yet subconsciously trembled voice.

Said Philadelphia Inquirer’s Dan DeLuca,

“The songs are simple, melodic, hypnotic. The openhearted music never surrenders to moping, but there´s always a disquieting undercurrent of sadness. If McTear keeps writing songs this good, though, even better days will lie ahead.”

Brian Howard of the Philadelphia CityPaper wrote,
“His trebly voice and guitar strings pop and creak over some of the most inconspicuously brilliant lyrics you’ll hear ’round these parts.”

Bitter bitter weeks evolved to become a full band in 2005. As a group effort, Peace is burning… features the great work of:

Amy Morrissey is the singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitar player for the Novenas. She is an engineer and co-owner of Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia where she produced and engineered both Revenge (2004) and Peace is burning… with McTear. Recently she has been playing keyboards on stage with Bitter bitter weeks. Morrissey is also an artist whose work is truly exceptional and unique. It is her work that graces all three of the Bitter Bitter weeks albums.

Mike Fleming played bass guitar on Peace is burning… He joined the band briefly while on hiatus from Philadelphia’s The A-Sides.

Ric Menck played drums on Peace is burning… He and McTear met when Menck was in the studio for the Novenas record in 2005. Ric also plays with his band The Velvet Crush, as well as Matthew Sweet, The Tyde, and many others.

Jesse Gallagher (Apollo Sunshine) played most of the organ parts on Peace is burning… In five hours he learned and performed the eerily abstract parts that are a hallmark of the album.

Brian Christinzio (BC Camplight) played piano and some organ, as well.

The current touring band includes Amy Morrissey on keyboards, Ed Hogarty (the Bigger Lovers) on bass, and Mike Kennedy (Audible) on drums.