located at 311 S. 17th St. in McAllen. Eduardo Escamilla/THE RIDER
From humble beginnings to headlining shows, The Red Pears, currently on tour to promote its new album, โBetter Late Than Never,โ has carved out a niche in the indie-rock scene.
Formed in El Monte, California, the band members have been friends since their teenage years, a bond that is evident in their tight-knit onstage chemistry and heartfelt music.
The energy at The Red Pears concert on Sept. 20 at Cine El Rey in McAllen was palpable as the crowd surged forward, singing along to every word and losing themselves in the music.
Composed of friends Jose Corona on drums, Henry Vargas on vocals and Patrick Juarez on guitar and bass, The Red Pearsโ new album โBetter Late Than Neverโ is a record both familiar and fresh, a perfect blend of old and new.
โโCorona described the latest album as โa time capsule,โ a collection of songs spanning from high school to the present.
The albumโs title aptly reflects the bandโs journey, according to Corona.
โA lot of things have taken a while to surface, or taken a while to, like, to flourish, and โฆ songs that were, like, finally also being completed,โ he said.
โBetter Late Than Neverโ marks a significant milestone for the band because it was the first time they used two guitars on stage and in the recordings, according to Vargas.
โIt was something we had always wanted to do but couldnโt achieve due to the lack of suitable members in the past,โ he said.
The albumโs standout tracks โDidnโt Realizeโ and โThe Way You Talkโ blend nostalgic elements with upbeat sounds, creating a memorable listening experience.
While the lyrics often touch on themes of broken relationships, they are also open to other perspectives.
โItโs just like multiple things that I always try to get, like, when I write a song, like, something thatโs relatable in more than one way,โ Vargas said.
Many of the lyrics were penned in high school, reflecting the enduring nature of these emotions.
The album is characterized by its unique contrast between happy-sounding melodies and introspective lyrics.
โI donโt know if you hear it, but itโs like the songs sound happy, but theyโre like sad songs,โ Juarez said.
The Red Pears has cultivated honesty and vulnerability in its music.
โWeโve always, from like high school โฆ made a point to be very honest and wonderful with anything weโre creating,โ Corona said.
The bandโs authenticity has resonated deeply with fans.
โWe had a fan who told us that their family member had recently passed away,โ Corona recalled. โThey had bought tickets to see us before their loved one passed.โ
The fan attended the show as a way to honor their family member.
This experience had a profound impact on The Red Pears, according to Corona.
โItโs important that weโre, you know, always doing our best for people,โ he said.
As The Red Pears continues to make a mark on the indie-rock scene, the band hopes to leave a lasting legacy.
โI would want people to see us as, like, those kids that grew up and lived their dream and were able to share it amongst their, like, best friends,โ Juarez said.
Corona said he hopes their music and the way they carry themselves can change someoneโs world, even if they do not necessarily change the entire world.
He wants The Red Pears to create a lasting impact that continues to influence people long after the band is gone.
Vargas said he wants his legacy in The Red Pears to be an example of what can be achieved, even as a โbrown kidโ defying stereotypes.
He added they came from nothing, with limited resources, but were still able to pursue their musical dreams and make an impact.
โIf you really want to do it, you could โฆ and, like, this band is an example of that,โ Vargas said.
As the final chords faded, the crowd erupted in applause, proof of the bandโs ability to create a truly unforgettable experience.
