Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The Gear opened with I've Got Trouble-a two and half minute onslaught of 60's power pop jam packed with blistering drums and great guitar licks. Like A Groover followed with its infectious chorus which was matched beautifully by Eight Arms To Hold You. At just 22 years of age, Jet O'Rourke has all the makings of a great songwriter and it's no wonder The Gear won a spot on the Coke Live 'n Local Tour 2005 as Melbourne's best unsigned band. Bass player Damian Gibson introduces the beautifully crafted ballad Always Changin' as Bert Newton's favourite. Children Of The Revolution is executed with a cut throat force, it is a fitting cover for this 60's inspired group. New drummer Leigh Baines has not only filled the void left by Wolfenden, his addition to the line up has lifted the bands intensity to an entirely different level. Jet takes to the stage solo for an acoustic rendition of Emily demonstrating just how versatile his voice can be. Electric Lane, She's A Man, What's Gonna Make You Smile? and Poisoned By The Ivy prove this three piece have a stadium size sound. Never There and Didn't Love Her Anyway again showcase O'Rourke's penchant for writing a catchy tune. Encores were Saturday's Child and Face At Me, both clearly crowd favourites.
The Gear have lived up to expectations: they have a killer sixties sound that matches their manicured hair and pin striped suits.
BY JOHN FILIPPONE - BEAT MAGAZINE MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
Discography
The Gear EP
(Independent) 2005
The Gear EP's debut single I've Got Trouble has received airplay throughout Australia.
A second song from The Gear EP entitled
Eight Arms to Hold You features in the new Australian movie 48 Shades.
The Gear EP has also received regular airplay on LA's KROQ courtesy of Legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer.
Are Ya Gettin' On?
Jet O'Rourke solo EP
2003
Featuring the Australian Top twenty hit
Fight the Good Fight
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Gear are a rockin’ little three piece with some great tunes and a good measure of swagger to boot.
The Gear came together in 2004 after singer- songwriter Jet O’Rourke (yes, that is his real name) relocated from his hometown of Adelaide to the rock Mecca of Melbourne, with the clear goal of forming a great new band.
The genesis of The Gear is an almost perfect story of luck and sheer coincidence.
Jet (the singer) spent 2003 performing songs from his debut EP Are Ya Gettin’ On? Achieving chart success with the single Fight the Good Fight, which received regular video play on Rage, Video Hits, Channel V and MTV as well as rotation on commercial and alternative radio across Australia.
During this period as a solo artist Jet's desire to form a band was never far from his mind. An important moment in the formation of The Gear was Jet's introduction to infamous Melbourne drummer Brett Wolfenden (ex-Pictures).
The pair had first met when Jet supported The Pictures on a national tour and both discovered a mutual taste in musical styles and influences of The Beatles, The Who, Oasis and T-Rex. Unbeknownst to each other, it would be only be a short while before they were on stage together, sharing those influences with appreciative audiences.
Jet’s arrival in Melbourne in early 2004 sped up the development of the band with his introduction to another like-minded musician, namely bassist Damian Gibson (ex- Voxsound) who quickly completed the three-piece line-up.
The departure of Wolfenden in early 2005 was quickly rectified with the introduction of Leigh Baines on drums, solidifying the strong camaraderie that already existed within the band and is most evident onstage.
Since their formation The Gear have progressed at a formidable momentum, having begun with a series of low-key gigs around some of Melbourne’s most reputable establishments, they have built upon their already strong repertoire and developed into a truly memorable and popular live band.
So much so The Gear were named Victorian winners of the Coke Live ’05 Best Unsigned Band Competition and as a result performed to a sell out crowd at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena with a line up including The Living End, Spiderbait and Dallas Crane.
On the recording front Jet O’Rourke’s penchant for crafting catchy hook laden lyrics coupled with the groups electrifying live performance caught the attention of Aria winning Producer Paul McKercher. As a result The Gear recorded tracks independently with McKercher at Melbourne’s famed Sing-Sing studios and released their self-titled debut EP to critical acclaim in mid 2005.
‘The Gear EP’ is a standout collection of songs, combining the buzzing guitars of sixties pop with catchy lyrics and killer hooks. The first single I’ve Got Trouble is a two-minute onslaught of sixties power pop jam packed with blistering drum rolls and killer guitar licks. Jet’s versatility as a musical craftsman is made apparent in Eight Arms to Hold You, with its spine tingling vocals and upbeat melody. This is matched beautifully with the Lennon-esque vocals of Always Changin’ and the guitar hook on Faces at Me commands your attention with earth shattering results.
The Gear have kept the momentum up in 2006 with their first international tour including showcases at SXSW in Austin Texas and Toronto’s Canadian Music Week as well as gigs in NYC and LA. As a result of this tour The Gear were invited to sign a U.S. Management deal and returned to LA in August 2006 to perform at the International Pop Overthrow Festival and Hollywood’s infamous Key Club.
The Gear have also benefited from the support of Legendary LA DJ Rodney Bingenheimer who has played tracks from the bands infectious debut EP on his popular radio show Rodney on the ROQ. A track from The Gear’s debut EP Eight Arms to Hold You also featured in the new Australian movie ‘48 Shades’, which premiered around Australia in September 2006.
The Gear were recently chosen to support NYC Cult Legends Living Colour on their 2006 Australian Tour and are currently in negotiations to support The Rolling Stones in 2007, the year of The Gear!
‘The Gear EP’ is available through MGM Distribution Australia.
For USA bookings or further information on The Gear please contact:
Leslie Currier/Manager
Ph: (323) 883-0958
Cell: (310) 963-9233
Email: LAmusicbiz@msn.com
For International bookings or further information on The Gear please contact:
Tel: + 61 (0) 417 862 328
Email: info@thegear.com.au
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