The Red Pears are everywhere. Every weekend, without a doubt, they’re on the road to perform. Whether this show is in Whittier, The Valley or even in Las Vegas, they are quite literally, everywhere. They’ve managed to spread their sound across state lines and across the ocean to places as far as India, which is pretty cool for a band that doesn't even have a manager. Since banding together in late 2014 the alternative rock trio has been making noise in and around their hometown of El Monte, California, with Jose Corona on the drums, Juan Aguilar on bass and Henry Vargas on lead guitar and vocals.
Earlier this year they self-released their debut album, We bring anything to the table……except tables we can’t bring tables to the table, which is a collection of anthems about old loves and tough times*. Since it’s release they’ve probably broken some sort of record for most shows played on the weekends and have worked tirelessly on social media to connect with their fans. As of lately, for these boys there is no difference between life and the band.
"Our life is now the band, when we aren't at a show we're still doing little things that contribute to the band; we're either answering to messages we didn't reply to or making T-shirts,” says Henry.
In return their dedication is paying off because all those online interactions and live performances are creating online buzz for them. If you follow them on social media you know that they reply, or at least try their best, to reply to every comment/tweet. I’ve been up at 3 in the morning scrolling through Twitter and I’ve seen them active on social media trying to respond to everyone. They’ve even made the pear and red heart emoji an iconic detail in their fan base or as Henry says, they’ve given those emojis a purpose. So any (real) fan sending them some love over social media will finish it with the pear emoji and the red heart emoji.
With over 8,000 followers in all their social media combined they’ve managed to form a very loyal fan base that are repping their merchandise, creating fan art and overall motivate them to keep making music.
“Before, when we were starting, we wouldn't get anything like that, we wouldn't get any social media messages what’s so ever and now it’s just crazy,” says Henry.
And trust me when I say that they appreciate all of it. While walking into Jose’s garage, better known as Daycare Records, the place where they record all their music and hold practices, you see art that friends and fans have made for them adorning their walls. Honestly, It’s easy to see why they’ve gotten so big. Besides the fact that their music is fucking good they are just really humble, friendly, and full of charisma.
“...they genuinely care about their fans and their music. I always see them at shows openly meeting new people, because that’s them. I think that’s how they will always be,” says Luis Martinez, a close friend of the band.
No matter who we talked to we always got a similar response. They are friendly, down to earth dudes. They mentioned how much their fans motivate them but they also talked about all the help and motivation they get from everyone else around them. Their friends, family and even co-workers have made their lives a little easier and they completely acknowledge it.
“I wouldn’t be here without them” Juan says about his co-workers.
Since they are usually out playing gigs every weekend they sometimes have to miss shifts at work, but thankfully they have the best people behind them, including co-workers, that are willing to lend a hand.
“Neighbors, family, and friends, they’ve helped us a lot.” says Jose adding to Juan’s comment.
The Pedestrians, another popular local band, are to thank for their constant appearance at your local backyard show.
“We owe a lot to the Pedestrians, they liked our music and we liked theirs and after awhile we’d even chill with them on the regular, we’ll go out to In n Out” says Henry.
“Yeah, or play Futbolito” added Juan jokingly.
Henry even mentioned a strangers comment when he was a musical rookie as motivation.
“It was that one Youtube comment, bro. This guy commented on an old youtube video saying to keep writing, it’s only gonna get better and better. ”
Obviously, he was right.
Obviously, he was right.
Its not difficult to imagine them making it big. If you’ve ever seen The Red Pears perform you know it’s something special. Whether it’s moshing to Hello-Sin-Nation or getting in your feelings to Forever, it’s going to be a good time. They were actually our introduction to the backyard music scene and the reason that we stuck to it. They got a good mosh pit going in the middle of someone’s LIVING ROOM the very first time we watched them, which obviously left a very good impression on us. We’re sure we aren’t the only ones with a story like this. Their performances are always memorable and something always happens whether it's a fun mosh pit or a little kid jumping off the roof into the crowd, you can expect it to be a memorable show. The best part about their performances is that they are unscripted, they don't ever plan a set list for a show, which means that each show is an intimate experience with their audience. That gives the crowd an open opportunity to yell out their favorite tune and hope the rest of the crowd agrees.
Also, don’t expect The Red Pears to play a show with a planned encore, if you want it you better make sure they hear you, because the band sees that as simulated and they want each performance as unique and intimate as possible.
“People could yell out songs and we’ll just go with it,” says Juan.
“We always get people requesting Wonderwall by Oasis,” adds Jose.We’d personally like to hear that. Maybe next time, if the crowd yells hard enough, they’ll finally cover the song.
Their shows bring in a diverse group of people that, without a doubt, know the lyrics to at least one of their songs. You’d think that it’d only be girls that are the fans singing the lyrics along with them but this boy band attracts both of the sexes equally. There are guys in the crowd yelling I love you's and specific requests while they perform. It's obvious that their success is based on legitimate love and friendship between their listeners and them, also it doesn't hurt that these boys are talented.
It’s been established that the band has become their life and yet when we asked them If they would take the opportunity to make music their profession Henry answered,
"Depends."
Juan and Jose immediately agreed with him.
I have to admit that at first we immediately thought that they were completely oblivious to the possibilities of their own success as a band by not taking an opportunity like that if offered but then we realized that The Red Pears take their craft seriously. They want complete creative control over their music. Which makes sense, a band as real as them won't be able to be molded into something they aren't not by some random music label. They have a raw and authentic approach to their performances and musical sound that cannot be replaced. They’ve already gotten this far without any “professional” help so the future looks auspicious for this humble trio regardless of what happens.
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Catch The Red Pears at The Smell tonight!
words by diana c. martinez / photos+editing by stephanie mejia
