The Growlers
Biography
Formed in Long Beach, California, way back in 2006, The Growlers' lifestyle has always been a simple one; blending surfing and experimentation, both in music and road dog life. The band's latest album - Chinese Fountain was released through FatCat Records in September 2014. Having demoed the tracks at guitarist Matt Taylor's Topanga home, the 11-track album was recorded quickly in a week-and-a-half at Sea Horse Sands Studio in downtown Los Angeles, produced by JP Plunier.
Self-describing their music as "Beach Goth", sunburned and salty, the term perfectly describes their distinctive melding of reverb heavy surf guitar and Bakersfield-style honky tonk with '80s post-punk. Chinese Fountain, their fourth long-player having formed in Dana Point, California in 2006, is their most confident album to date.
"The band played better than they've ever played," says Brooks Nielsen. "We've got the process down now. There's less screwing around to get the songs laid out and we weren't waiting around for take after take. We knew it and we played without much time to spare."
The Growlers' early songwriting was rooted in 1960's rock and roll and skiffle, but gradually evolved with every mind-bending experience. After all sharing a warehouse right by Newport Beach, surfing, putting on bands and throwing parties, their shambolic sound and weirdo, extravagant showmanship naturally took shape, and hitting the road quickly earned them reputation for wild live shows and with that, a loyal following.
The Growlers are Brooks Nielson (vocals) Scott Montoya (bass guitar, vocals,), Matt Taylor (lead guitar, vocals) and Brian "don't surf" Stewart (drums, vocals).
