The Gears were formed in 1978, the heyday of Los Angeles punk, when two childhood buddies from the Glassell Park neighborhood near downtown L.A. — singer Axxel G. Reese and drummer Dave Drive — joined forces. They created the “punk surfabilly” sound after seeing the early Hollywood punk bands while being influenced by local cultures. Later Brian Redz was recruited to play bass and Kidd Spike was brought in after leaving The Controllers. This lineup recorded their “tour de force” album Rockin’ at Ground Zero. Shortly after the album, The Gears’ guitarist Kidd Spike angrily smashed his ax to smithereens mid-set at Hollywood’s Starwood club and The Gears were done.

In the 90’s, The Gears started doing reunion gigs and more as the 2000’s unfolded. Then in 2003, three of the four originals with Sean Antillon replacing Dave Drive on drums, recorded four tracks for Orange County’s Finger Records. Finger folded before they had the chance to release them. Chris Ashford’s Wondercap Records bought the tapes, mixed them and released them as the 4 song 10” vinyl record called “Four On The Floor” that includes the title track, F.U.F., The Devil’s Dancing & Sweet Little Sixteen.