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The Lears Biography

the-lears
  • Years Active: 1990s
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

The Lears were formed in St. Petersburg, FL, in August 1990. Before then, Dennis Dalcin (vocals/guitars) had spent time in Los Angeles, where he was involved on the fringes of the paisley underground (he had previously been the guitarist in a band called the Shades). Dalcin moved back to Florida in 1989, where he met Paul Mutchler (vocals/12-string Rickenbacker/bass) of the Green Today, a Byrds/R.E.M.-inspired psych-folk band from Orlando. The duo formed their first group together, the Petal Pushers, along with drummer Ken Chiodini, another member of the Green Today, and bass player Steve Rybka (bass/backing vocals/acoustic guitar). They recorded four songs. After Rybka moved to New York, Scott Sugiuchi came aboard as the new bassist. The Lears recorded original material, inspired by '60s folk-rock bands like the Byrds, Love, and the Leaves, which was released on various labels as 7" singles, EPs, and compilation tracks available through the purchase of fanzines. The Petal Pushers and the Green Today eventually both split after Mutchler moved to Clearwater, near Tampa Bay. In 1994, Chiodini and Sugiuchi left to pursue their love of garage revival rock with the Hate Bombs. The Lears continued on, and in February 1995, the band was reconfigured with two new members: drummer Suzy Dozier and bassist Mark Dewey (both were bandmates in the country-punk band Psycho From Texas). This version of the band lasted for about a year. Dozier left the band in 1996, and was replaced on a part-time basis by Dan Eggelston (Barely Pink). In November 1997, the band's four-track recordings were collected for The Story So Far... and remixed/remastered and released by the Get Hip label. The band has appeared on Full Circle, a double-CD tribute to Gene Clark released by Not Lame in January 2000. Dalcin is also involved with a jazzy-psychedelic pop side project called Echoes Remain, while Mutchler became involved in another side group, the Fondas. Dalcin writes a column, D.D.'s Garage, for the London-based Bucketful of Brains fanzine. ~ Bryan Thomas, Rovi

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