On January 8, 2009, the band announced they had signed to independent label Bridge Nine Records. Drummer Emmett Menke said the group had been in discussions with labels for a while, "and as cliche as it sounds, there isn't a better match out there for us."[5] He said that the band were long-time fans of the label, in addition to "the bands they've worked with. It's rare these days to be a part of a label that doesn't feel the need to rest on its laurels and is not afraid to push the envelope."[5] He mentioned that the band had been writing a new album for two weeks up to that point. Their next album was expected to be released some time in the fall.[5] In mid-January, it was mentioned that the band would be recording in three months' time.[6] In March 2009, they went on a short East Coast tour with Have Heart.[7] On April 6, the band began recording with producer Matt Bayles.[8] Bayles engineered and mixed the album, with assistance from Derek Moree. Ed Brooks mastered the album at RFI.[9]
Release
In early May, the band went on a brief west coast tour with Living with Lions. In late May and early June, the band toured the UK with Ruiner and Defeater.[8] On May 28, 2009, Chasing Hamburg was announced for release in three months' time. Following this, they supported Every Time I Die on a few North American shows.[10] On June 18, 2009, the album's artwork and track listing were posted online.[11]The Summer of George EP was released on July 28, 2009, featuring two songs from the album, "Living Saints" and "Boxes", alongside the exclusive song "Dead Man".[12] In August 2009, the band supported Set Your Goals and Four Year Strong on their co-headlining US tour, which was followed by an appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK.[13][14] Shortly after this, "One Hit Back" was posted online.[15] It released on September 8, 2009 through Bridge Nine Records. To promote the album, the band played a handful of New York shows and then supported Face to Face on their US East Coast tour.[16][17] Following this, they went on a US tour in October and November 2009, with Strike Anywhere, Crime in Stereo and Ruiner.[18] The trek included a performance at The Fest.[19]
Following this, Polar Bear Club supported Thrice on their headlining US tour until the end of the year.[20] On November 10, 2009, a music video was released for "Light of Local Eyes".[21] Following an Australian tour in January 2010 with Break Even and the Gifthorse, Polar Bear Club went on a European tour with Shook Ones and Title Fight in February and March 2010.[22][23] In March and April 2010, the band went on a US tour alongside Four Year Strong, Every Time I Die and Trapped Under Ice, and then appeared at Skatefest and Bled Fest.[24][25][26] During this trek, a music video was released for "Living Saints", directed by Thomas Colella. It is a "conceptual piece" akin to the video for "Sledgehammer" (1986) by Peter Gabriel.[27] Following a headlining tour with support from Moving Mountains, Lemuria and Living with Lions, Polar Bear Club performed on Warped Tour through to July 2010.[28][29]
