Though Gears has only been around for two years, it’s members are Metal veterans from bands such as Urban Rebel, Endo, Scarlet Carson, and Skin Mask.. You could say Gears is a Metal supergroup. They’ve gone through some changes in the past two years. They’ve replaced a few members, and they’ve survived a horrible wreck while on tour, but they keep on going and they’re doing their groove. Their EP, Pride Comes Before the Fall, is perhaps the most heartfelt and artistic album of 2015. Their music video, “Take Away”, brings the perfect visual to one of their best songs. This band has proven that Metal is more than big hair and screaming. Gears is a band anyone who likes good music, from novices to head bangers, can listen to. If you need a pick me up on a bad day, or if you are just in the cut loose and bang your head with some raw Metal energy, Gears will fit the occasion.
Is it difficult to start a new band? Did fans of everyone’s previous bands follow over?
It wasn’t difficult at all. Our previous bands had run their course, and we were each looking to start something new to be fresh as well as cohesive. As for our FAMZ, they’ve accepted GEARS with open arms
You mention that this current lineup is an improvement. How has this lineup changed the band for the better? What is it about this current lineup that has taken you and your vision to the next level?
Here’s the deal…You can be the best musician there is on this planet; however if your attitude is shit, or you can’t control your drinking, it gets you nowhere. I find it much better to not have to deal with someone like that. Any person without those issues or attitude problem are better off in my book!!!! (laughs) Like a good friend has always told me, “You must get along with the people you’re on tour with.”
As for Ethan and Chris, we cant wait to get into the writing process and see where the creation process takes us.
Was it difficult to adjust to the lineup change?
I won’t say difficult; however, it was initially somewhat a pain in the ass to get in sync with new members etc. I must say this, though; the new line up has been an improvement.
What is the process of making a music video like?
For starters, let the single choose you: you don’t choose the single. Second: find a director whom you’re comfortable with, like our dude James Shomo. Third: create a good story board together. Last, but not certainly not least, have lots of fucking fun doing it!
How do you choose the songs you make into videos?
As I said before, “let the single choose you”. That’s the best way of choosing a video for a song, in my opinion. As for our current EP, Pride Comes Before the Fall, we plan to release videos for all the songs.
In regards to your lyric video for “Take Away”, tell me how you took that song to a visual plane.
With “Take Away” it was pretty straightforward deal. After having written the song, Jimmy and I had the concept immediately for the lyric video. We pitched it to our main dude, videographer James Shomo (which by the way, is a fucking beast). He took our ideas and put them all together for us, and, like that, “Take Away” was born.
How do you decide which song will have a video, whether lyric or otherwise, and which one won’t? Is it like deciding between your children as to where your love and affection is going to go?
For the Ep, Pride Comes Before the Fall, all of our songs will have a lyric video. As for a music video, we’ll see what song will have the best result with our FAMZ.
** Hint : RISE WITH ME (laughs)
The lyrics and vocals in your songs are powerful and have a real authentic feel to them. Do songs like “Take Away”, for instance, have to be personal for the writing process to work? Do you have to be sad to write a sad song, angry to write an angry song, so on and so forth?
Thank you, man. When writing a song, I feel it needs to come from a genuine place; it needs to have a genuine feel in order to connect with others and give them something they can relate to.
You worked with Corey Lowery on your latest EP. He’s an amazing producer/bassist. I understand that he was originally part of the GEARS team, but he took off to work with his other projects. Tell me how he helped to forge your Gears sound.
Corey Lowery is a great friend to Jimmy and me. From the moment Jimmy introduced him to me, he’s been nothing but the best in all aspects. Corey will always be a part of GEARS as our producer and songwriter. He’s the fifth member of the band. As for playing for GEARS live you never know!
You are looking to launch another EP in the fall. We are curious to know if you prefer to release smaller chunks of music throughout the year, or will you at some point put together a full album?
We would love to do a full album, and we will. As of right now, with the way the music business is, it doesn’t make sense for us at this very moment.
GEARS – TAKE AWAY Official Lyric Video
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You all suffered a horrible wreck on tour. It was big enough to change the makeup of the band completely. Tell me the story behind that. What happened?
That wreck certainly tested Jimmy and me! I think what kept us going was the hunger we have for this music and not letting our FAMZ and club owners down etc., though I’m sure they would’ve understood if we would’ve stopped the tour. I can’t really get into the details of the accident because we’re in litigation at the moment, though I can tell you this: quitting for us was never an option. If nothing else, it challenged us to see how much we wanted “IT”.
When the accident was happening, what was the first thought in your mind?
WE ARE FUCKED!!
When the dust settled, what was your greatest fear?
Someone losing their lives.
Now that you are back out there, what is your greatest fear going forward?
As of right now, I don’t have any. For me, fear is not an option in my career. I don’t have time for that shit!
Beyond needing to secure new members and readjust, how has this accident impacted you as a person and traveling music professional?
At first it was hard to fall asleep while traveling, especially right after the accident. I didn’t trust anyone behind the wheel, so I did most of the driving that tour. Now we have less stress. The traveling has gotten better. The vehicles are dependable. We love and get along with the people that we’re traveling with, and the GEARS team as a whole, I feel, is the best one yet. The grind is hard, but I can’t think of doing anything else.
What can we look forward to from you guys in the future?
For starters, we’ll be back on the road and on tour this summer. We are also working on new music; we are looking to include in our next EP to be released in late November. We should have something up on our website.
Excellent. Thank you! I look forward to hearing more from you guys and hope to see you on tour.
Looking forward to it. Thank you for the support, and we’ll see you soon!
