Have you heard? It’s that time of week again! Happy Wednesday and welcome to another edition of Now Listening by yours truly. Today we’ll be reviewing one of the fiercest bands on the prowl; The Growlers.

Originating in Southern California, and very close to home, this five man band formed in Dana Point in 2006. Known for their unique sound, The Growlers are responsible for the trademark “Beach Goth” and are considered to be where the Californian rock all started.

These garage rockers combine the use of heavy effects with the sounds of country, surf, and rock inspired by the music of the late 60’s. The reverb heavy result being their creation of psych pop! You may know the term Beach Goth from the festival thrown in the OC in October, but it’s also become this entire genre.How cool is that? The sound is completely unique to anything out there in music right now.The rise of Beach Goth has created a wave so big, you just can’t ignore it.

Not releasing any album until 2009, The Growlers have six albums and a couple EPs as well. Their last full album release in September of 2014, Chinese Fountain has catchy tunes of rock and roll hill billy hits. Personal favorites include Going Gets Tough and Dull Boy. Their most popular track off of 2013 release Hung At Heart, One Million Lovers is an absolutely accurate representation of this Californian rock that I’m talking about. Take a listen and I promise the Beach Goth will take over, you won’t have any choice but to dance along. Don’t worry, I’ve posted it below ;-).

If you were lucky enough to get the heads up, The Growlers played two nights in San Diego last week at the North Park Observatory! The Smile Now, Smile Later Tour has been playing dual night shows in cities up and down the West Coast. I granted the honor to go the second night, 2/17, and woah woah wee wow it was quite a show. Surrounded by lots of friends and all good people, I swear I had the time of my life. The band played every song you wanted to hear with so much precision and accuracy that you’d question whether you were listening to the recorded track or not. A blur of fluorescent lights and swaying dances, The Growlers are one heck of a band and a hell of a time.

So take a listen to the pioneers of Beach Goth below, I hope you dance at least half as much as I do. ❃

 

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