Singer Brooks Nielsen and music director/guitarist Matt Taylor met in high school in the beach town of Dana Point, California, bonding over surfing, skating, and partying. When offered the chance to perform at a house party, the duo quickly wrote their first six songs in a single day, leading to the first incarnation of the band that would eventually become The Growlers.
After releasing a handful of self-recorded cassettes and CDs, The Growlers issued their first studio album, Are You in or Out? in 2009 on Everloving Records. Aquarium Drunkard described it as “consistent in sound and tone that is as enjoyable straight through or on shuffle… Taken as a whole, the record is a beautiful mix of late 60’s freak-out, folk calmness and surf rock.” Their second album, Hot Tropics, was released in 2010, also on Everloving Records. The band's third album, Hung at Heart, the first to feature Anthony Braun Perry on bass and Jason Kaiser on percussion, was released in 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 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. While 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.
The band released Casual Acquaintances on July 27, 2018, a collection of demos and unused material from the City Club sessions.
Allegations of misconduct
In July 2020, allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against the band, along with other artists associated with Burger Records and the Southern California surf and garage rock music scene. Arrow De Wilde, the lead singer of the L.A. rock band Starcrawler, shared a personal encounter on her Instagram. In her post, Arrow claims she was assaulted by a male stripper hired by The Growlers while they were on tour together in Australia. In a statement issued via Instagram on July 31, 2020, Growlers singer Brooks Nielsen took "full responsibility and accountability for the behavior of all Growlers' band members, past and present," and announced that Matt Taylor would temporarily leave the band. Additionally, former Growlers touring keyboardist Adam Wolcott Smith admitted to an incident of abuse on his Instagram, while on tour with his band Zen Mother.
Black Memories
The Growlers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're not around
Finally free but I'm lying to me
Searching for the black memories
To show my heart what I mean
But nothing puts me at ease
Where are you going
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing's going to heal these scars
Broken promises you've given me
Make me want to live a life without words
Expectations die before birth
Trying to kill the pain before it hurts
Where are you going
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing's going to heal these scars
Prescribe me at 10 times my weight
In a vegetable state so they lock me away
Pretending it will get better
When I'm not around
Finally free but I'm lying to me
Where are you going
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing's going to heal these scars
Where are you going
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing's going to heal these scars
The Growlers' song "Black Memories" is a hauntingly introspective reflection on heartbreak and the struggle to move on from painful experiences. The opening line "Pretending it'll get better, when you're not around" sets the tone for the song, indicating that the singer is trying to fool themselves into thinking that things will improve once their former lover is out of the picture. However, the second line "Finally free but I'm lying to me" reveals that this is a futile attempt, as the pain and memories of the past continue to haunt the singer.
The chorus "Where are you going, come back with my heart, sure as the wind keeps blowing, nothing's going to heal these scars" further emphasizes the singer's longing for their ex-lover to return, even though they know that it won't change the pain they feel. The broken promises and shattered expectations that the singer experienced in the relationship have left them feeling disillusioned and hopeless about ever finding true happiness.
The lyrics "Prescribe me at 10 times my weight, in a vegetable state so they lock me away" suggest that the singer has contemplated using medication to numb the pain of heartbreak, but ultimately realizes that this won't help them heal. The final chorus repeats the same desperate plea for the ex-lover to return, emphasizing the unending nature of the pain caused by heartbreak.
In summary, "Black Memories" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of heartbreak and the ongoing struggle to move on from painful experiences. The singer's attempts to pretend that things will get better without their ex-lover are ultimately futile, and the scars of the relationship remain. The song is a powerful reminder of the long-lasting impact that heartbreak can have on a person.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretending it'll get better
Falsely hoping for improvement
When you're not around
Lamenting the absence of someone
Finally free but I'm lying to me
Exploring newfound freedom while still deceiving oneself
Searching for the black memories
Deliberately recalling negative experiences
To show my heart what I mean
Trying to communicate the true feelings
But nothing puts me at ease
Unable to find peace
Where are you going
Asking someone where they are going
Come back with my heart
Requesting someone to return emotional investment
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Embracing the certainty of a natural phenomenon
Nothing's going to heal these scars
Acknowledging the wounds that cannot be healed
Broken promises you've given me
Regretting unfulfilled commitments
Make me want to live a life without words
Craving a silent existence
Expectations die before birth
Feeling let down before even beginning
Trying to kill the pain before it hurts
Attempting to prevent pain before it arises
Prescribe me at 10 times my weight
Jesting about a ridiculous prescription
In a vegetable state so they lock me away
Fantasizing about being put into a coma
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paranoidsam7197
Pretending it’ll get better
When you’re not around
Finally free but I’m lying to me
Searching for the black memories
To show my heart what I need
But nothing puts me at ease
Where are you going?
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing’s gonna heal these scars
Broken promises you’ve given me
Make me wanna live a life without words
Expectations died before birth
Trying to kill the pain before it hurts
Where are you going?
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing’s gonna heal these scars
You strike me at ten times my weight
In a vegetable state so they lock me away
Pretending it’ll get better
When you’re not around
Finally free but I’m lying to me
Where are you going?
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing’s gonna heal these scars
Where are you going?
Come back with my heart
Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing’s gonna heal these scars
Ik Ik I'm greatest person alive ;))
@alexandergomez1710
This song is about healing heartbreak w/ black tar heroin…
“Sure as the wind keeps blowing
Nothing's gonna heal these scars
You strike me ten times my weight
In a vegetable state so they lock me away
Pretending it'll get better
When you're not around
Finally free but I'm lying to me”
The singer struggles with addiction to BTH aka black tar
@losgrowlers
New! "Dream World” video premiere this Thursday, June 25, 7PM (LA time).
@paulkevorkian2685
I remember when I first started dating my now ex, she would always play this. Anytime I come back to this song, the memories of our honeymoon phase when we first started dating and were nothing but happy, young and in love flood me with emotions. Although we didn't work out and we don't talk at all now, this song holds a special place in my heart because of her.
@supreme_sal_5164
Yo same bro lol no bs
@michaelmorsella7946
Same here. No lie. Damn.
@Jcdelgado503
Being human isn't easy my friend
@javierbravo0886
If you wanna make it work you can. Unless she fucked you over lol
@alexr3609
Same 😩
@JorgeSomething
enjoy skating home to this
@anthonymarquez9499
JorgeSomething they are great for Just skating in general or chilling with people .
@Anyataylorjoi
What’s your favorite trick??