GEARS ACCELERATING YOUR HEART RATE ONE SONG AT A TIME BY STEPHANIE STEVENS
I get to do some kick ass things with this little online magazine I started way back in 1994 and the gratefulness engulfs me especially when it comes to the Miami, FL based band GEARS. I love getting my ears on new bands and up n coming artists and a lot of the time if I didn’t have this platform half these bands I do cover would never cross my ear waves and I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of chatting with them and giving you guys the opportunity to get to know. GEARS has been a game changer in my playlist since my first inception to them. They not only have this authentic and real powerful attribute to them; when it comes to songwriting and writing music they also share raw emotion and turmoil that anyone can relate to! Within the music they find the positive and “light at the end of the tunnel” vision of some of the most mentally draining problems the world faces. Just recently the guys put out another show stopping single with the track MY CURSE. Laying down the melody and intertwining the gusto of their culture into this song brings a new level and dimension to the band in all aspects. Lyrically the song approaches our own humanness and reminding us of imperfections and how we carry a dark passenger with us; but do the work in self-discovery and you can be as powerful as you want to be! GEARS music moves you in that direction with its realness and depth within every aspect of the writing process. As Rihanna said “shine bright like a diamond” and the guys in GEARS do just that! The band is still working on building a fan base but through the years they have climbed the ladder of growth musically with each and every single they let the world into! Having worked with icons like Lajon of Sevendust, Clint Lowery, Corey Lowery and Corey Glover to name a few how can you not grow interacting with artists like that. I truly believe GEARS is an absolute gem in the music world and the music they release should be shared, talked about and brought into every household in the world. I had the extreme pleasure to speak with drummer Jimmy Wooten about the new single MY CURSE, working with the powerhouses in the music business, how Miami has shaped the band’s music and so much more
Q: Firstly, what I love about GEARS is how diversified your music is and you can relate to so many cultures, people and personalities within each song you guys release. If you could explain the mission statement you would and could write about the band GEARS how would it be worded and what do you hope it could do to the music community?
Jimmy: I would say that our mission statement throughout the band’s existence has been to maintain musical integrity and make music that is true to ourselves and who we are, both as a unit and individually. As far as how that could impact the music community as a whole, I just hope that it would inspire other artists to stay true to themselves and make the music that represents them best. Take a chance on going against the grain to let your talents shine.
Q: Your newest song and single MY CURSE is yet heavy yet melody driven with this accents of that reggae-ish layer to it a complete song for the hard rock world. What was the first inspiration musically you had for the song?
Jimmy: We have been working hard to find a natural process to include certain influences and culture into our music, while still being true to the heavy side of our sound. I feel like, the first time that really came to fruition was with “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye.” That being said, “My Curse” takes the next step for us in that realm of our musical journey.
Q: How did you incorporate the sound you had for the track into the lyrical story you wanted to tell?
Jimmy: Man, I wish I could explain it. I hate the word “organic” as it is used way too much in the music industry to the point it has lost its potency for me as an expletive, however, that is really the only way to put it. When we were in the studio with Dawson and Jimmy Beattie, all 5 of us were just kind of throwing ideas out and they were all landing in a fashion that is the true definition of organic. Where we normally have a bit more of a plan and there is some pre-production to give us some direction when we finally get to the point of being in a room together, that was not the case here. Everything was done in the room on that one and I feel like that enables us to really react with true emotion and put it into the music. The story comes a little more naturally in the arena of lyrical content because you’re not overthinking it or overanalyzing the emotion out of it,
Q: I also appreciate the way you write to show emotion and show almost the light at the end of the tunnel in your music. This song deals with carrying a dark passenger within all of us and reminds us of imperfections. Do you feel like in this day and age humans carry a lot of emotional stress about themselves in them and how does one break that cycle?
Jimmy: I’ve always said that lyrical content is so important to be descriptive enough to show the emotion that the song was written and ambiguous enough to give the listener the ability to connect that piece with their own experiences, that’s a great song in my eyes. I think that people today have so much on their mental “plates.’ I’m not sure there is a blanket solution to breaking any sort of cycle because they’re all so personal and specific. I just hope that music helps to inspire change where it’s needed and steadfastness where also needed.
Q: Self-discovery as someone that has a platform to guide and help others along with having your own emotional nature, how do you view self-discovery and do you believe it can be a very powerful thing and do you feel you got that message out with MY CURSE?
Jimmy: I will refer to the previous question partly for this answer as I feel that so much of conveying a message that can help is through the delicate balance of descriptive, yet open for interpretation lyrical content. Self-discovery and self-accountability have to start from within. As far as conveying our message, I think it was delivered the best way that we could.
Q: The coolest thing about this new single is that your video visually shows real life in Medellin, Columbia. For one, do you have roots here and what made you want to visually portray this culture and how important was it for you guys to have a lot of control over the video?
Jimmy: There is a great connection for us to Spanish and Latin culture. Taking the trip to Medellin and allowing the real-life element of Colombia to set the table visually and artistically was special. We always try to maintain as much creative control over our product as we aim for it to accurately represent our intention and integrity. That is so important to us. Being able to control almost every aspect of what we put out is about the only advantage to being an independent band, so yeah, it is very important that we exercise the freedom that comes with that.
Q: For some people you may not know, can you tell us a little background on the members of the band and also how you all got together and decided to be based out of Miami, FL?
Jimmy: When we started this band, it was in Miami. We did the first record there and sort of grew the bands infancy against the vibrant feeling of the city. Not all of us were living there at the time, but most of us had lived there and had some sort of “roots” there. Miami is such a special place that holds a lot of meaning to Trip and me, so that will always be the band’s home. So many special people and memories while the band cut its teeth there.
Q: Being that your music is so diverse and Miami seems to be culturally diversified does that help you get inspired and motivated for your music with the atmosphere you have surrounding you on the daily? Jimmy: I am no longer there daily, but whenever I am in South Florida, it really is inspiring to reconnect with certain roots there. So, as far as the inspiration coming from the external, maybe not, but it is definitely a part of us and obviously influences our approach to many things musically.
Q: Along your career as GEARS you guys have come to collaborate with some awesome artists in the business like Lajon from Sevendust and Clint Lowery along with Corey Lowery Troy Mclawhorn and Corey Glover. Being able to bounce ideas about stuff you want to create with these guys has enhanced your way of writing, recording and just being present when it comes to live performances?
Jimmy: Absolutely. Corey was so influential in the early days of helping us find our sound and to this day, I think we still maintain that certain “thing” that makes our sound special. Every song that we’ve collaborated with those guys on, their influence is extremely evident and really makes us proud to have had the opportunity to work with them. We have been so fortunate to learn from so many talented musicians. Furthermore, I think everyone that we have worked with in any capacity has really helped us get the most out of ourselves and continue to develop as musicians and songwriters.
Q: Although LOST AGAIN has been out for a bit, it's still a go to track for me, can you give me some insight on how you feel about the song and how was the acceptance of the song by the music world and your fans?
Jimmy: “Lost Again” continues to be an absolute enigma to me. (laughing) That song probably had the least amount of promotion behind it. I mean, sh*t, we didn’t even really do a produced music video for it, yet it still clocks a really impressive number of streams and seems to come up in every interview that I do. That song has definitely been one that I feel like we hit the exact mark on. So, I definitely think it has its place in our catalog solidly defined as far as acceptance and appreciation for the piece goes.
Q: In 2023 you guys have released MY CURSE, FIX WHAT'S BROKEN, THANKS FOR THE MISERY and ALL OR NOTHING. What has stopped you from releasing a full length and do you feel this day and age the single route will be the way to get to more people and keep them interested more? and does it cost you guys less to do it this way?
Jimmy: Releasing singles has really been a staple of our business model even before everyone was doing it. It just becomes a way for us to release more music, more frequently, while giving each track its due attention. We’re still building our fan base. Releasing singles allows us to market each one as an individual event or focus and I think that the approach in addition to the amazing team of people we work with is truly a strength for us. As far as expenses, it’s not cheap. However, you put so much time, money and work into producing something you’re proud of, you have to promote it. I see so many bands make this mistake in today’s marketplace and I don’t understand it. It’s like buying your dream car and refusing to put gas in it.
Q: I know you guys tour but I haven't seen anything about full blown tours in the US. Have you guys toured the full states and in the current world now do you feel that is something you need to do or can you be represented enough because of your online presence? When you have toured and done shows what does it mean to you to have those moments with fans and how has it changed your lives on a personal level?
Jimmy: I am going to answer both of these questions in one shot. We have toured most of the US several times. Yes, we want to tour. Very badly. BUT, and this is a huge but, it has to make sense. It has to make financial sense and with current touring expenses, it gets harder and harder to make it happen. We will be out sometime in the near future; we always have irons in the fire on that front. Recording and releasing music is great, but the whole reason I picked up an instrument was to play in front of people. Connect with people while playing the best songs that the boys and I could. The fun and comradery that comes from traveling and playing shows every night is something we built this band on. We hope to get back to that very soon.
Q: Is there anything else I haven’t hit upon that you are doing before the end of the year and also drop your socials so people can follow you?
Jimmy: Honestly, this was probably one of the most comprehensive and thorough interviews I’ve done over the years. I’m not sure we left any stones unturned on this one. Lol.
Q: And lastly, what do you want GEARS legacy to be?
Jimmy: I just want the band to be regarded as one that wrote and recorded songs that were honest, musical and meaningful. Whatever else comes with that, I’ll take, but that’s what I think is most important.
Q: Thank you guys for doing this and honestly I am so in love with your music and how you guys bring passion and real authentic love to the music you make. Happy holidays!!!!
Jimmy: It’s my pleasure, Thank you, Stephanie for being such a great supporter of what we’re trying to do. We appreciate you!