How unfortunate, for the Gears, that Kulashaker come along with a similar vibe and hit the big time first; how fortunate, for the Gears, that they don’t need to sell the same mad idea to the record industry...
Everybody knows that an act with ‘60s/’70s influences, eastern sound and philosophical outlook is a viable proposition, but not everybody yet knows of Disreali Gears. They’re not tripping out on anybody’s bandwagon but, hey, why ignore an easy reference point when it’s there? Here’s what you need to know...
Fronted by vocalist/songwriter Paul Archer - who thrives on the dichotomy of a confrontational image and gentle virtues, angelic falsetto and animal roar - the Gears began life in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Summer ‘92. Guitarist/co-writer Jimmy Symington has been the only other consistent member in five years of evolving sound and personnel. Iain Archer - Paul’s brother and cult singer/songwriter in his own right (with two nationally available albums to his credit) - has been an ongoing ‘special guest’ on lead guitar. The rest of the current line-up includes John Rossi on bass and Johnny Quinn on drums.
Their sound is, of course, their own - who else’s would we say it was? - but influences are unashamedly The Velvets, The Doors, Quintessence, Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, Daniel Lanois and anything with a Celtic or Eastern vibe. What’s it called? Celtic & Eastern music, anyone?
The band have long been a serious live draw on the Belfast gig scene - Paul cutting a towering presence on stage with psychadelic garb, martial arts movements and, increasingly, thrilling light shows and multi-media backdrops. The Gears’ ‘happenings’ at Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre during ‘96 have become legendary in the town’s rich musical folklore, and their debut album Pure Groove captures all that rock energy, spiritual vision and universal aspiration for the first time, definitively, on record. The Gears have honed their craft and gone as far as they can in Northern Ireland; now is the time to move on. Here, though, is their tale thus far: