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.
Chinese Fountain
The Growlers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who's counting
1239 chicks left me brokenhearted
I was a pretty boy, till love left me scarred
There's something going around, can't put my finger in
Like bigger fish are going to shoot out of the earth like diamons
We are the miners of another generation
Everybody sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
Is techno so shitty, even disco seems punk
Like the water so filthy, it's no wonder why we're drunk
Every little kid wants a computer in his pocket
The trophies on the mantels of the digital profits
The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon
And nobody wants to know where we're heading
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but be creative
Everybody sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
Keep tossing quarters in a Chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who's counting
1239 chick's left me brokenhearted
I was a pretty boy, till love left me scarred
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but be creative
Everybody sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
The lyrics to The Growlers' song "Chinese Fountain" speak about the frustration and disillusionment felt by the younger generation. The idea of tossing quarters into a Chinese fountain represents the notion of making a wish, hoping for something to change, even though the chances of it happening are slim. The lyrics suggest that despite the multitude of wishes made, nothing seems to be changing for the better. The singer has experienced heartbreak and has been scarred by love. He is aware that there is something going on, but he can't quite put his finger on it. He has a feeling that something bigger is about to come, something like a revolution, when "bigger fish are going to shoot out of the earth like diamonds."
The second verse delves deeper into the frustration of this generation. The singer refers to them as "miners" who are scraping hills dry with no choice but to be creative. They are sick and tired of waiting for something to happen. The lyrics suggest that the music of today is not satisfying them. It seems that techno has become so shallow that even disco seems punk. The water is filthy, and as a result, they are constantly drunk. The younger generation wants to have everything, and they want it now. They want to live in an age where technology is king, and no one cares where they are heading.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep tossing quarters in a Chinese fountain
Continuing to wish for things that may not come to fruition, similar to tossing coins in a fountain.
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who's counting
Acknowledging the abundance of unfulfilled wishes, but accepting the lack of control over their outcome.
1239 chicks left me brokenhearted
The singer has dealt with heartbreak multiple times, using the hyperbole of a specific number to emphasize their experience.
I was a pretty boy, till love left me scarred
Love has caused the artist emotional pain, resulting in losing the superficial aspect of their appearance.
There's something going around, can't put my finger in
An unknown feeling or occurrence that cannot be explained in detail.
Like bigger fish are going to shoot out of the earth like diamonds
Anticipating something spectacular or valuable emerging out of an unexpected place or situation.
We are the miners of another generation
Describing the struggle of having to create something new and valuable in a time where most resources have already been utilized.
Hills scraped dry with no choice but be creative
Having to work with limited resources and having to rely on creativity to overcome obstacles and find success.
Everybody sick and tired of waiting
Impatience and frustration with having to wait for something to happen or change.
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
The difficulty of remaining patient has reached its limit.
Is techno so shitty, even disco seems punk
The quality of modern music has declined so much that even previously disliked genres seem more appealing in comparison.
Like the water so filthy, it's no wonder why we're drunk
Society is in a negative place, with difficulties and challenges that make it hard to remain sober.
Every little kid wants a computer in his pocket
The influence of technology is becoming more prevalent, with young children showing desire for the latest gadgets.
The trophies on the mantels of the digital profits
The success and wealth acquired through technology and digital industries.
The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon
Highlighting the immense impact and presence of the internet in current culture and society.
And nobody wants to know where we're heading
There is a lack of clear direction or vision for the future, and people are not interested in finding out.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fab7
Eight thousand quarters in a Chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who’s counting
One, two, three, nice chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
There’s something going around, can’t put my finger in
Like bigger fish gonna shoot out the earth like diamonds
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient
Isn't techno so shitty? Even disco seems punk
Like the water’s so filthy, it’s no wonder why we’re drunk
Every little kid wants a computer in his pocket
The trophies are on the mantles of the digital prophets
The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon
And nobody wants to know where we’re headed
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient
Eight thousand quarters in a Chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who’s counting
One, two, three, nice chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient
sergio guillen torres
Lyrics:
He drops his quarters in a Chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who's counting
One, two, three, nice chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
There's something going around, can't put my finger in
Like bigger fish going to shoot out the earth like diamonds
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody's sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
Isn't techno so shitty? Even disco seems punk
Like the water's so filthy, it's no wonder why we're drunk
Every little kid wants a computer in his pocket
The trophies are on the mantels of the digital Prophets
The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon
And nobody wants to know where we're headed
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody's sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
He drops his quarters in a Chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who's counting
One, two, three, nice chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody's sick and tired of waiting
Couldn't get any harder to be patient
Joan Canales
He drops his quarters in a chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who’s counting
One, two, three, nice chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
There’s something going around, can’t put my finger in
Like bigger fish going to shoot out the earth like diamonds
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient
Isn't techno so shitty? Even disco seems punk
Like the water’s so filthy, it’s no wonder why we’re drunk
Every little kid want’s a computer in his pocket
The trophies are on the mantels of the digital Prophets
The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon
And nobody wants to know where we’re headed
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient
He drops his quarters in a chinese fountain
A whole bunch of wishes unanswered, but who’s counting
One, two, three, nine chicks left me broken-hearted
I was a pretty boy, your love left me scarred
We are the miners of another generation
Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative
Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting
Couldn’t get any harder to be patient.
DreamEscape
The drunken voice, the retro music, profound lyrics and the funny clothes.......gotta <3 The Growlers !
lululululucia
<3 <3 <3
Sophia Anderson
"drunken voice"... never heard it put like that but that's perfect!!
Lesley Storey
Muppets r us
Abner Graves
nobody is laughing about the clothes dude, that means its not funny. dont cyber bully
Daniel Engsväng
Yes
Javier Benitez
I've been listenin to the growlers dicosgraphy from the earliest and up till this album no other track hits harder than this one. The lyrics are pure genius, I can't stress that part enough. The music? come on, this track has the funk, has the synths, has the froth, has the dirty, grimy, surfy guitar. Lovez!
Mac A
easily the best band I've discovered in years
MissxMachine
Who’s still bumping this fine tune in 2020?!
samaBaraba
or bumping you