If you're a fan of post-punk, surf and garage rock, boy do I have a band for you. The Growlersare insanely unique, and combine rock with psychedelic and surf music. The band falls under the genre Beach Goth. Listening to them takes me to a vintage beach town full of cool, sullen-faced people, which makes me feel cool too.
Lead singer, Brooks Nielsen, has a washed out voice, topped off with some reverb. The guitarists have massive reverb, which gives it that iconic surf sound, and what really makes this band stand out is the keyboard.
Currently, Brooks and guitarist Matt Taylor lead the band, and the other original members have left. They continue to make music though. Their most recent record, City Club, has a much different sound than their earlier stuff. This is because Brooks Nielsen and Julian Casablancas from The Strokes worked together on this record.
During The Strokes' hiatus, Julian Casablancas made a debut solo album called Phrazes for the Young. The Growlers new sound is highly resonate of Julian's sound in this album. Julian gave Brooks tips and helpful critiques on City Club to help the record be the best it could be. In an interview, Brooks said he was frustrated with how much Julian slowed down the process, but now he realizes it gave them the chance to see the songs through. Before Brooks starts singing, City Club sounds like a song from Phrazes for the Young, like 11th Dimension by Julian Casablancas.
See how much The Growlers have changed for yourself. Here is an earlier album I like by The Growlers: Hung at Heart (2013). Here is a song from their most recent album City Club (2016).
While I loved their beach goth vibe, their new stuff is awesome and something I'd play at parties. This band is far too underrated. They have been making music since 2006, and I only recently heard of them, and I have fallen in love. My ears have never been happier.
Like music festivals? The Growlers created the annual music festival Beach Goth, which takes place at the observatory in Santa Ana, CA every October.
This summer they are going on tour!
