1971 Dave had guitar lessons from a local guitar tutor, John Court, who played in a local show band. ( Roy Love Showband )

1978 Dave joined Bath rock band BLACK ICE who were stuck for a bassist.

They were playing classic rock covers like Hey Joe, Paranoid, Black Knight, Stairway to Heaven etc. Later, Dave's good friend John Goddard joined the band on vocals.

Dave wrote an original song called "Black Ice" for the band.

The band BLACK ICE were made up of Shaun Holloway (guitar), Eric Milne (Lead guitar), Dave Wheeler (drums) + Dave and John.

1979 John and Dave loved the latest music which was New Wave + Power Pop, so they both left Black Ice. John asked Dave G, "shall we make a record",

Dave replied "Yes".

1979 John and Dave booked studio time at Crescent studio's in Bath. They wrote one song each but needed a drummer. Mark Willis (also a great guitarist ) offered to help them out, he was an excellent drummer who played in local bands. David Lord was the producer, he also played keyboards on both tracks. They did not have a band name to put on the demo tapes. John and Dave live in the Bear flat area of Bath, there was a local pub which was called The Bear. Over the doorway was a life size polar bear so they used the names The Bears.

Ivo contacted the The Bears to say that his new rcord label was interested in signing up the band.

When they met Ivo and Peter at the Beggars Banquet offices, the band were informed of two or three other bands called "The Bears" and "Bears" he sugested using the name BEARZ, the band agreed.

1980 The two songs released on the new record label (Axis records) were "She's My Girl" written by David Gunstone and "Girls Will Do" written by John. The single was one of four released at the same time to launch the new label. The other bands were Bauhaus, Shox and The Fast Set. The label could not continue with that name as it was already in use by another company. From the 5th single onwards the label was rebranded as 4AD .Their label achieved great success and has since become Iconic. At a later date the single was also available in Italy on the WEA record label.

DISCOGRAPHY

Dave and Mark recorded a three song demo for 4AD which included Sheila, She was my girl and one other song.

Dave and Mark also recorded another three song demo for 4AD which included Darwin, Julie and The Night.

1980 BEARZ "She's My Girl" and "Girls Will Do". Axis Records, 4AD, WEA.

1980 John and Mark recorded 2 songs as APRICOT ANALYSIS. "Jonathan" and "Cinema".

1984 BEARZ "Darwin" and "Julie". Occult Records.

1989 JACK IT IN "Santa's House" and "Dance With Me". ( JACK IT IN, were Dave Gunstone, Mark Willis, Tracy Humpage and Laura Hayward.) ( Dave had been running a mobile disco and enjoyed the latest House music. So Dave and Mark produced these dance tracks.) Trilogy Records.

2006 BEARZ, CD "Gone". (4 tracks + cd video) Occult Records.

Gone, Vampires, The Night and Darkest Shadow.



2007 BEARZ, CD "Velveteen". (4 tracks) Occult Records.

Velveteen, Ivo, John, Samhain.

2008 BEARZ, CD Album, "Rainbow Warrior". ( 10 x tracks) Occult Records.

Born In Clover, Exorcism, Alien, Rainbow Warrior, Zombie, Nomans Land, Black Ice, Lundy, She Loves Me Not and Live Your Life.

2008 THE UK FRESHERS, CD Album "Party Animals".

2014 THE UK FRESHERS, CD Album, "In A Void".

2012 Horror movie on DVD,"Vampire Dawn" featuring music from Bearz, The UK Freshers, Amber Sulis and Melissa Barry. Score by Dave Gunstone and Darren Ash.

2014 Horror movie on DVD, "The Doomsditch Demon" featuring music from Bearz and The UK Freshers. Score by Dave Gunstone.

(Note from Dave G.) 2019-. I am planning to re edit the Rainbow Warrior album and compile another album of previously unreleased material. I have various musical projects lined up plus three new horror movies underway.

Thanks to the DJ's in San Antonio who have been playing Bearz tracks at Goth clubs etc. DJ Fell and DJ Malediction and The Requiem.

Regards from Dave G.