Jet who is also an accomplished artist took up the guitar as a 12 year old and began singing soon after. During those early years The Beatles, Crowded House and Oasis figured highly in his musical repertoire. As he progressed musically, both as a soloist and jamming with friends, an interest in song writing developed but a career in music was not considered until he recorded his first independent demo in Adelaide aged 19. This demo recording of four self penned songs was forwarded to record companies for appraisal and was soon picked up and released by Warner Music as an EP entitled Are Ya Gettin' On? in late 2003 . The EP’s debut single Fight The Good Fight achieved regular airplay and a healthy top twenty chart position. With the EP's release Jet toured as a soloist before electing to form a band on his departure from Warner. Jet's introduction to Melbourne drummer Brett Wolfenden, ex The Pictures, on an earlier tour with the band was fortuitous in that both began working together in shaping a new musical outfit that would become The Gear. The later recruitment of bass player Damian Gibson would complete the three piece line up.
The Gear began continuous rehearsals and gigging in readiness to record with ARIA winning producer Paul McKercher who had already declared a strong interest in recording Jet's material. The recording eventually took place at Melbourne Sing Sing studios in late 2004 and produced four stunning tracks that would become The Gear EP. The Gear have continued gigging since the beginning of 2005 and have established themselves as brilliant live band. Having already performed in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney they have recently recorded and released their first video for the debut single I've got Trouble. The recent departure of drummer Brett Wolfenden saw the recruitment of Lee Baines on drums , further cementing the strong camaraderie within the band.
The self-titled debut, The Gear was unleashed in July 2005 through MGM Distribution. The Gear is a standout collection of songs, combining buzzing guitars of sixties pop with catchy lyrics and killer hooks. The first single I’ve Got Trouble, a two minute onslaught of sixties power pop jam packed with blistering drum rolls and killer guitar licks, has already been receiving airplay on Triple J, Triple M, Fox, Channel 10, PBS and more. With O’Rourke’s penchant for crafting catchy hook laden lyrics coupled with the group’s energetic live performance and rock and roll swagger.
