10 Most Obscure Punk Bands Of All Time
5. The Gears
Another legendary band on the L.A. punk scene, The Gears formed in the Glassell Park area, 1978, the brainchild of childhood friends Axxel G. Reese (vocals) and Dave Drive (drums). They managed one album, 1982s Rockin' At Ground Zero – a live document which captured the band at their visceral best, before disbanding in suitable punk fashion, when guitarist Kidd Spike smashed his instrument to pieces mid-set.
Nevertheless, The Gears' distinctive sound earned them a cult status which they enjoy to this day. There's a wonderful back-story here – Reese and Drive took inspiration from the Taylor Train Yard where they used to hang out as teens, eventually incorporating the heavy chugging rhythms which they heard into their musical identity. An excellent documentary, 2015s Don't Be Afraid To Pogo, delves deep into The Gears' origins and legacy, broadening out to present the band in context against the wider L.A. scene of the time.
Reese and Drive resurfaced as The D.I.s (also known as The Drill Instructors), and released an EP in '84. Compilations featuring rare material by both The D.I.s and The Gears exist, and are well worth tracking down.