The GEARS are a Northeast Los Angeles by-product of the late 1970’s punk scene. Dave Drive and Axxel G Reese started the band in late 1978 after Axxel heard Dave practicing in his basement with “The L.A. Shakersâ€. Crazy Ruben was the original Gears guitarist Gabriel Shock was amongst a slew of bass players sitting in at shows. Eventually Brian Redz, a roadie for the Controllers, would become the permanent bassist, something Dave Drive happily takes credit for. Let’s go to the Beach was recorded in 1979 and included Don’t Be Afraid To Pogo, Hard Rock, and the title track. Gabriel Shock plays bass on the single but for some reason Brian Redz is on the cover. After a few shows with everyone from The Controllers, The Bags, The Germs and so on, a pool hall incident between Crazy Ruben and a Gears roadie, involving a flung cue ball by the guitarist, would result in Crazy Ruben never being seen by the band again. By 1980 The Controllers had run their course and Axxel asked Kidd Spike to replace Crazy Ruben. Spike accepted and this classic line up of Axxel, Drive, Redz and Spike would go into the studio to record their one and only LP “Rockin at Ground Zeroâ€. Gary Hirstius and Noah Shark produced the LP which was one of the first of its kind put out independently in L.A. After a few years of constant gigging and partying, The Gears would disband when Kidd Spike left the group for personal reasons. Dave Drive and Axxel went on to form “The D.I.’s†which lasted into the 90’s. In 1997, with Kidd Spike back on the scene, The Gears would reform with all but Dave Drive. Sean “Shift†Antillion, a cousin of Dave Drive, would carry the torch for the Gears, and played a big part in getting the guys back together. 1997-on… The Gears would play very sparingly from 1997-2004. In 2005 at the Knitting Factory, Dave Drive joined the band for 5 songs making it the first time the four had played since the 80’s. The four would play once more in December at The Celebrity Theater as the Adolescent guests. In July of 2005 Mike Manifold became the permanent back up for Brian Redz who now lives in Oregon. In December of 2006, Sean Shift would have to leave the country for Germany, creating a need for a drummer for two shows that had already been set up. Mike Manifold called Dave Drive and didn’t even have to convince him to do the shows. Drive filled in his old position with a new passion. Taking back his throne to the group he started in 1978. Today in 2008 the Gears are celebrating 30 years since the formation of the group. The line up of Axxel, Spike Drive and Manifold continue to tear up stages in the So. Cal. punk scene and celebrate 30 years of rocking the scene in So Cal ! Check here for all the show info you need!NEXT SHOW.....
