The Growlers

The Growlers are an American band formed in California in 2006, now based in Los Angeles.The band is currently composed of singer Brooks Nielsen, lead guitarist Matt Taylor and keyboard player/guitarist Kyle Straka.They have released seven albums, several EPs and a number of singles. The band’s sound has been described as “a trademark style of music that somehow combines surf, pop, rock and beat” which has been labeled “Beach Goth”.

History

The band released their first album, Are You in or Out in 2009. Their second album, Hot Tropics, was released in 2010. The band’s third album, Hung at Heart, the first to feature Anthony Braun Perry, and Jason Kaiser on percussion (Hung at Heart/Chinese Fountain), was released January 22, 2013.The band originally worked with Dan Auerbach to record the album, but the finished version never saw official release. Instead the band recorded a new version of the album in Costa Mesa, CA with Mike McHugh at his studio, the Distillery Recording Studio, to get a more lo-fi sound.

Chinese Fountain, their new “more grown up, well polished” album was released September 23, 2014. This album was produced by JP Plunier at Seahorse Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Whilst touring the album, the band expanded their live band with percussionist Nick Murray.

The band’s fifth studio album, City Club was released by Cult Records on September 30, 2016, while they embarked on a supporting tour in the same month. It was the first Growlers album to be credited solely to Brooks Nielsen and Matt Taylor, as opposed to the whole band. Nielsen and Taylor wrote and recorded demos for the album over a span of 2 to 3 months with the help of Kyle Mullarky at his studio in Topanga Canyon, CA. It was preceded by the title track as a single produced by Julian Casablancas,who also owns the label. Neither drummer Scott Montoya nor bass player Anthony Perry feature on the album. On September 25, the band confirmed Montoya’s departure from the band and stated that Perry was set to return in the near future.The band toured for this album with Brad Bowers on bass, Adam Wolcott Smith on keyboard, and Richard Gowen on drums. Whether their membership in the band is permanent is currently unclear.

Albums

Are You In or Out? (2009)
Hot Tropics (2010)
Gilded Pleasures (2013)
Hung at Heart (2013)
Chinese Fountain (2014)
City Club (2016)
Casual Acquaintances (2018)