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.
City Club
The Growlers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The love sprouts from the decay
The night's pulsing, streets are convulsing
Dark libations through the bray
I stop trying to make sense of it all
Start sniffing around the continous strife
Grab fear by a strange hand
I wouldn't change a
I love her just the way she is
I'll love her flaws and friends
Don't care what anybody says about her
she has a spear and a vow of mother noture
You'll never know what she'll do
Hardened from her mysterious sun
I'm not a muse, I play the fool
I stop trying to make sense of it all
Start dancing around the continous strife
Grab fear by a strange hand
Keep her cool under the pale moonlight
I wouldn't change a
I love her just the way she is
I'll love her flaws and friends
Don't care what anybody says
I wouldn't change a
I love her just the way she is
I'll love her flaws and friends
Don't care what anybody says about her
The lyrics of The Growlers’ song “City Club” are a complex and intriguing mix of contradictions that suggest a wild and unpredictable lifestyle. The first few lines describe a woman who lives in a prison-like environment, but seems to find love amidst the decay. The imagery continues with descriptions of pulsing nights, convulsing streets, and dark libations, creating a sense of frenzied passion and hedonism.
The singer seems to embrace this chaos, choosing to stop trying to make sense of it all and instead surrendering to the continuous strife. He describes grabbing fear by a strange hand, which could be interpreted as a willingness to take risks and live dangerously. The woman he loves is similarly unpredictable, with a spear and a vow of Mother Nature that suggest a primal and untamed spirit.
Despite all of this madness, the singer insists that he wouldn’t change anything about his lover. He loves her flaws and friends, and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks about her. This final sentiment suggests that the song is ultimately about accepting and celebrating the darker, more wild aspects of life, even if they don’t fit society’s expectations.
Overall, “City Club” is a complex and intriguing song that explores themes of unpredictability, passion, and acceptance. It invites the listener to embrace their wild side and reject the constraints of society, while also acknowledging the darkness and chaos that such freedom can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
She lives in pans at the end of this prison
She resides in a cramped and unpleasant dwelling, confined within the walls of this place like a prisoner.
The love sprouts from the decay
Even amidst the decay and decline that surrounds them, they find love and hope.
The night's pulsing, streets are convulsing
The energy of the night is palpable, and the streets seem to shake with it.
Dark libations through the bray
Strong, dark drinks are being served, causing the voices and laughter to become louder and more raucous.
I stop trying to make sense of it all
Rather than attempting to unravel the mystery of this situation, I choose to embrace it and go with the flow.
Start sniffing around the continous strife
I explore this environment, taking in all of the chaos and turmoil around me.
Grab fear by a strange hand
I confront my fear head-on, but in a way that feels unfamiliar or unconventional.
Sweet neglection in her own right
Despite her imperfections, this person is still deserving of love and attention.
I wouldn't change a
There is nothing about this person that I would alter or improve.
I love her just the way she is
I accept and appreciate this person exactly as they are, without any desire to change them.
I'll love her flaws and friends
I will love and embrace everything about this person, including their flaws and their associates.
Don't care what anybody says about her
I am not concerned with the opinions or criticisms of others when it comes to my feelings for this person.
she has a spear and a vow of mother noture
This person is formidable and powerful, with both a weapon and an unbreakable bond with the natural world.
You'll never know what she'll do
This person is unpredictable and enigmatic, with actions that cannot be easily anticipated or explained.
Hardened from her mysterious sun
This person has become tough and unyielding as a result of their mysterious past or origins.
I'm not a muse, I play the fool
I am not here to inspire or guide this person, but rather to be a participant in their games and follies.
Keep her cool under the pale moonlight
I try to keep this person calm and composed, even in the face of the eerie and unsettling night.
Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@elishaellis7818
@Surf wave Tim Ray Law li0
@balharher7365
Who else just goes "i love her just the way she is" singing?
@kaylanelson659
omg I literally sing that every time, haha
@rickyswain9211
me
@heavenjackson1703
That’s what the lyrics are..
@straybratt8795
All of her flaws and frizz don't care what anybody says 👀
@benosick9927
I would like to point out something that I feel goes overlooked a lot in the modern era of music.
I just LOVE the cover art for this album.
@mz2751
I once eyeballed every single character on the cover