Steve Carey and Bobby Amaru write women-inspired music.

Steve Carey and Bobby Amaru write women-inspired music.

Bobby Amaru and Steve Carey began their band, Amaru, seven months ago. They won Jacksonville’s Battle of the Bands, landing them a slot in November’s Planet Fest 8 where they played in a line-up with Seether and Breaking Benjamin. Lucky guys—they didn’t even rehearse beforehand. Steve, lead guitarist, began playing guitar at age 11 and lead vocalist, Bobby, was playing drums at just 3 years old. Both Steve and Bobby grew up in Jacksonville and are itching to tour. “The longevity of bands is shortening as we speak,” says Steve. “We have to keep putting out good songs. The best are the ones that seem real,” reflects Bobby. “Those are the songs that last.” Steve gets his inspiration from personal experience and sometimes crazy dreams, but in the end he says “ladies cause us to write songs.”