1-When and why did you start playing?
Eric: I started playing drums around age 5 at church with my grandpa. As early as I can remember I've been in love with music and making melodies in unorthodox ways.
Fred: I started playing music in church at age 13 and been hooked ever since.
Freddy G: In the early 80's I watched Stryper do their 1st show in Houston and that's when I knew I wanted to do THAT for my life!
2-Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Eric: I've always been a huge fan of Kurt Cobain. The symbol he became always inspired me to keep going. Also Ben Burnley, Aaron Lewis and Scooter Ward who, in my opinion, are the best structural song writers of modern times.
Fred: Abe Cunningham - Deftones and David Silvera - Korn and John Otto - Limp Bizkit influenced me to pick up drums because they helped revolutionize my favorite groove drumming styles.
Freddy G: Gerry Abarca is a Bassist for the Band "Helstar" who is probably the most Famous Metal band to come out of Houston and the best bassist I actually know. He has always been my Gold Standard
3-Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
Eric: The Doors, Pink Floyd, Elton John, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen etc.. My introduction into "heavy" music was KoRn - Issues in '99 so that one will always have its place in my heart.
Fred: Metallica, Eric Clapton, Elvis Prestley. All the great music from earlier times.
Freddy G: KISS, Van Halen
4-Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?
Eric: ahhh man! Mark Tremonti #1 for sure, Tool, Creed, Korn, DMB, Carman Licciardello..... I need more space to answer
Fred: Asking Alexandria, BMTH, Of mice and men, A7X, these are on my daily playlist.
Freddy G: Too many to say but a few are Metallica, Anthrax, Dream Theater, Fate's Warning, Watch Tower. I could literally go on all day.
5-What makes this kind of music "good" to you?
Eric: When its honest and from the true heart of the musicians. If you can feel what they felt while writing it, it'll stick. And that's what creates life long fans.
Fred: I find these bands write with intense emotion heart and soul in their songs with the heavy driving music that resonates to me personally because its raw. Rather than a band just trying to write a no 1 catchy popular song.
Freddy G: Catchy, Heavy, Melodic and Heavy.... yeah. I said heavy twice.
6-Where can fans find your music?
Eric: Suffer the Kids is available on all streaming platforms. Hold Your Fire is an exclusive release to The Sound 228 and affiliates.
Fred: At our live shows most importantly with us supporting live bands the way it was meant to be listened to.
Freddy G: Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, The Sound 228 radio app. All platforms
7-Tell us about your latest release…
Eric: our 2 releases to date: Suffer the Kids and Hold Your Fire have both been our live feedback fan favorites so we put those 2 out there mainly for our in person fan base to have and listen to at will. We will be in studio this summer preparing a brand new single for a more widespread release.
Fred: STK and HYF are out but get ready for bigger things are in the works.
Freddy G: I'll let Eric explain that one. It's just a cool song
8-How do you feel about the internet in the music business?
Eric: its bittersweet really. The possibilities are endless but the oversaturation does make it a tougher market to compete in and remain relevant. We're work horses though so its a little fun for us
Fred: I feel it can be a beneficial tool if managed correctly with the right goals in mind.
Freddy G: A double edged sword. Good for getting yourself out there but deludes music by giving people a billion songs to choose from so it's easy to get lost in the mix.
9-What are the plans for the future?
Eric: hoping to make the same impact or better on the MS Gulfcoast as we did in Houston. We'll be hitting the stage April 23rd at the Hot Spot in Gulfport with Rise the Pheonix and THEM GUYS. Back in studio in July to lay down a new single with a video to follow. So far things are looking to be on the up
Fred: More live shows and quality recordings coming to y'all.
Freddy G: Only God knows but I hope I'm part of it.
10-How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
Eric: I don't suck as bad now I know just in the 2 years that we've been going as Planet Gears I've learned to be much more of a disciplined musician than I had been in the past. The musical maturity has been amazing.
Fred: I'm finding myself evolving now playing acoustic guitar more and enjoy jamming an old country song or some John Mayer singer songwriter type music.
Freddy G: I've always been attracted to the heavier stuff but but I have evolved and expanded as the New Metal has taken over. I'm older but have a very open mind. I am not stuck in the 80's
11-Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Eric: I'll show a riff or lyrical structure idea to Fred and he'll take it and run with it. He ends up writing more than he'll ever take credit for.
Fred: Its just magic in the room. Hard to describe how it happens exactly
Freddy G: Eric Writes it and we Jam it