GASTEM began in early 1984 within the small Maryland suburb, Damascus. Originally, it was a recording project between three high school friends who had played together in previous local bands. What happened next was nothing they could have ever expected.

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In early 1985, they found themselves winners of legendary radio station DC-101's regional search for best unsigned act, with their track "Don't Mess With Love" (from their first album, "Catch The Flame"-1985).

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The band added rhythm guitarist Mark Schenker to make the band a 4-man machine that found themselves touring the entire East Coast club scene as headliners while also securing opening-act status on the big stages for many of the top-selling artists of the time, including their Platinum-Selling, Maryland brothers: KIX.

 

GASTEM recorded two albums, Catch The Flame (1985) and Do It Like Wild (1986) which enjoyed local DC/MD/VA fan and critical praise (Maryland Musician Magazine said "GASTEM is a band for rockers who don't find 'intelligence' a dirty word" when reviewing Do It Like Wild.

 

After officially disbanding in 1989, Rob and Mark went on to enjoy a stretch as the guitarist and bassist (respectively) for KIX frontman Steve Whiteman's early 00 project FUNNY MONEY. Rob & Mark additionally co-wrote many of the tracks that appeared on FM's "Skin To Skin" & "Stick It" albums, two of which were GASTEM songs from the mid-80's; "Bump & Grind" and "I Don't Care About Everything.”

 

In 2003, Steve Whiteman announced that KIX will reform, and Mark Schenker joined as the new bassist.

 

Due to both Mark & Rob's involvement with Steve's music, they were both asked to help write KIX's 2014 album; Rock Your Face Off.

 

In mid-2023; all four members spoke of reuniting to record again, just for old times sake. Mark Schenker was touring extensively for KIX's final Farewell Tour, so the plan was for Craig to fly in from Florida after September when Schenker would no longer have a commitment to touring with KIX. Before it could happen; Mark Emon unexpectedly passed away in late-November 2023; a few months shy of the band's intended reunion of-sorts.

 

As a tribute to Mark and the band's early fans; the guys decided to record an entire album of new music together. Along with the encouragement and full support of Mark Emon's family and through a partnership with Avalon Street Records, GASTEM will be releasing an album of all-new material, which will include the final two songs written by Emon prior to his untimely-passing.

 

With a release date set for June 21, 2024, GASTEM III will contain 12 brand new tracks. Leadoff single, "Did You See That Girl" (mixed and mastered at the famed The Mix Room Studio in Los Angeles by Paul Pauvo and Ben Grosse) hits all streaming platforms on March 1, 2024 with an unnamed 2nd single to be released on April 1st.

 

Following GASTEM III's release, Avalon Street Records will be releasing digitized, remastered versions of GASTEM's long out-of-print albums; Catch The Flame (1985) and Do It Like Wild (1986) before the end of the year.