California-grown Red Pears play in McAllen

From humble beginnings to headlining shows, The Red Pears, currently on tour to promote its new album, “Better Late Than Never,” 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 Pears’ new album “Better Late Than Never” is a record both familiar and fresh, a perfect blend of old and new. 

​​Corona described the latest album as “a time capsule,” a collection of songs spanning from high school to the present.

 The album’s title aptly reflects the band’s journey, according to Corona. 

“A lot of things have taken a while to surface, or taken a while to, like, to flourish, and … songs that were, like, finally also being completed,” he said. 

“Better Late Than Never” 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.

“It was something we had always wanted to do but couldn’t achieve due to the lack of suitable members in the past,” he said.

The album’s standout tracks “Didn’t Realize” and “The Way You Talk” 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. 

“It’s just like multiple things that I always try to get, like, when I write a song, like, something that’s relatable in more than one way,” 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.

“I don’t know if you hear it, but it’s like the songs sound happy, but they’re like sad songs,” Juarez said.

The Red Pears has cultivated honesty and vulnerability in its music.

“We’ve always, from like high school … made a point to be very honest and wonderful with anything we’re creating,” Corona said.

The band’s authenticity has resonated deeply with fans. 

“We had a fan who told us that their family member had recently passed away,” Corona recalled. “They had bought tickets to see us before their loved one passed.”

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.

“It’s important that we’re, you know, always doing our best for people,” he said.

As The Red Pears continues to make a mark on the indie-rock scene, the band hopes to leave a lasting legacy. 

“I 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,” Juarez said. 

Corona said he hopes their music and the way they carry themselves can change someone’s 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 “brown kid” defying stereotypes. 

He added they came from nothing, with limited resources, but were still able to pursue their musical dreams and make an impact.

“If you really want to do it, you could … and, like, this band is an example of that,” Vargas said.

As the final chords faded, the crowd erupted in applause, proof of the band’s ability to create a truly unforgettable experience.