The Growlers are a US rock band from Dana Point, California, formed in 2006 and active since then. Their music is associated with garage rock, psychedelic rock and surf rock, and their sound is also described through the term “Beach Goth”, reflecting a mix of surf, pop, rock and beat influences.

Formation and early years

Brooks Nielsen and Matt Taylor meet at high school in Dana Point and bond over surfing, skating and partying. After being offered a chance to play at a house party, they write six songs in a single day, which leads to the first version of the band. The group begins in Dana Point and is later based in Costa Mesa.

Before their first studio album, they release a number of self-recorded cassettes and CDs. Their early line-up develops over time, with the group later including singer Brooks Nielsen, lead guitarist Matt Taylor and keyboard player/guitarist Kyle Straka among its members. The band is also associated with Scott Montoya, Adam Wolcott Smith, Warren Thomas, and bass player Anthony Perry in different periods.

Albums and releases

The Growlers release seven albums, along with several EPs and singles. Their first studio album, Are You in or Out?, appears in 2009 on Everloving Records. Their second album, Hot Tropics, follows in 2010, also on Everloving Records.

Hung at Heart, their third album, comes out in 2013 and is the first to feature Anthony Braun Perry on bass and Jason Kaiser on percussion. The band initially records the album with Dan Auerbach, but that version is not officially released. They then record a new version in Costa Mesa with Mike McHugh at Distillery Recording Studio, aiming for a lo-fi sound.

Chinese Fountain is released in 2014 and is produced by JP Plunier at Seahorse Studios in Los Angeles. While touring that album, the band adds percussionist Nick Murray to the live setup. City Club is released in 2016 on Cult Records and is credited only to Brooks Nielsen and Matt Taylor. Nielsen and Taylor write and record demos for it over two to three months with Kyle Mullarky in Topanga Canyon, and Julian Casablancas produces the title track single. Scott Montoya and Anthony Perry do not appear on the album.

Casual Acquaintances follows in 2018 as a collection of demos and unused material from the City Club sessions.

Style and labels

The Growlers’ sound is linked to surf rock, psychedelic rock and garage rock, with their music also described as combining surf, pop, rock and beat influences. Their early albums appear on Everloving Records, while City Club is released through Cult Records.

Band line-up

The listed members include Scott Montoya, Adam Wolcott Smith, Brooks Nielsen, Matt Taylor and Warren Thomas. Across different releases and tours, the band also includes Kyle Straka, Anthony Braun Perry, Jason Kaiser, Nick Murray, Brad Bowers and Richard Gowen in various roles.

Controversy

In 2020, allegations of sexual misconduct are made against the band and others connected to the Southern California surf and garage rock scene. Brooks Nielsen says he takes responsibility for the behaviour of Growlers members past and present, and Matt Taylor temporarily leaves the band.