The last time we heard from Puyallup's indie sweethearts SHEBEAR, the band had just released its self-titled EP, and had several significant shows lined up: The Sound Off! battle of the bands finals, as well as a spot on one of the 2013 Cult Records tour dates. As an attendee of both of these performances, as well as a continuing fan of its EP, I saw it fitting to provide some up-to-date SHEBEAR information.

On March 2 the band returned to its hometown with a second place finish in the Experience Music Project's Sound Off! battle of the bands. Bringing an awesome performance to the competition, and seeming 80 percent of Puyallup's population, this triumph promises to bring them many opportunities in and around the South Sound.

March 25, at Seattle's El Corazon, the band was billed with some heavy hitters in the music industry. I had the privilege of seeing SHEBEAR alongside the likes of Har Mar Superstar, C.O.L.O.R. and one of my very favorite bands, The Virgins. All these artists were in the area on the 2013 Cult Records tour - with Cult Record being the NYC record company founded by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.

SHEBEAR's performance Monday, though plagued by a sparse crowd, was one to be remembered. Band members Evan Bedlion, Cody Kissner, Jeffrey Anderson and Tobin Risser were all at the top of their game musically, and sounded better than I've ever heard them. As if the band's earlier performances weren't stellar enough, they've seemed to tighten as a band even further, with their instrument tones, mix, and stage presence more superb than ever.

This is undoubtedly not the last you'll hear about SHEBEAR. They are on their way to earning Puyallup some serious bragging rights.