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.
Humdrum Blues
The Growlers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
But still don’t quite feel it’s the proper devotion
To ensure that we can both withstand
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
And it’s not enough to keep her from wondering what I do when I’m gone
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
I never wanted money
Never wanted to chase these dragons
Not afraid of being lonely
But if she leaves I don’t know what’ll happen
She’s tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
The Growlers' "Humdrum Blues" explores the complexities and challenges of modern relationships. The song is narrated by a man who is struggling to meet the expectations of his partner, who is tired of the "humdrum" routine of their life together. He concedes that he loves her but still can't give her the devotion that she needs to be truly fulfilled. The song touches on themes of insecurity, commitment, and the fear of being alone.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses empathy with his partner's desire for something tangible - a ring on her hand - as a symbol of their commitment. He also acknowledges that his financial instability and general lack of direction in life are contributing factors to her frustration. The song's lyrics are raw and honest, capturing the tension and unspoken expectations that can develop over time in a relationship.
Overall, "Humdrum Blues" highlights the difficulties of navigating modern relationships in a world where expectations are high, distractions are constant, and the fear of being left behind looms large.
Line by Line Meaning
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
We've been through so much together that we know each other very well
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
We've gotten to know each other as well as possible
But still don’t quite feel it’s the proper devotion
Even though we know each other well, we're not sure we're fully committed
To ensure that we can both withstand
We want to make sure our relationship can handle any challenges that come our way
All of the distractions
There are so many things that can come between us
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
It's difficult to stay focused on what's important when there are so many distractions
She’ll never have her satisfaction
My partner will never be truly happy unless she feels we are both committed to each other
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
She needs to be certain that we're both in this relationship for the long haul
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
My partner is bored with our routine, and I can empathize with her
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
My partner wants a physical symbol of our commitment to each other
And she’s tired of my reasons
She's tired of my excuses for not being fully committed
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
My financial situation is a source of stress for her
And I understand her pleading
I recognize that she's asking me to step up and commit fully to our relationship
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
If I don't commit to her by getting married, she will leave
And it’s not enough to keep her from wondering what I do when I’m gone
Even though we know each other well, I have not fully earned her trust
I never wanted money
I have never valued wealth or material possessions above our relationship
Never wanted to chase these dragons
I have never been motivated by a desire for power or success
Not afraid of being lonely
I am not afraid of being alone, but I don't want to lose my partner
But if she leaves I don’t know what’ll happen
I am deeply unsure of what will happen to me if my partner leaves
Contributed by Isabella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@montzemo7586
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
But still don’t quite feel it’s the proper devotion
To ensure that we can both withstand
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
And it’s not enough to keep her from wondering what I do when I’m gone
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
I never wanted money
Never wanted to chase these dragons
Not afraid of being lonely
But if she leaves I don’t know what’ll happen
She’s tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
@stefangruber726
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
But still don’t quite feel it’s the proper devotion
To ensure that we can both withstand
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
[Bridge]
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
And it’s not enough to keep her from wondering what I do when I’m gone
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
[Verse 3]
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
I never wanted money
Never wanted to chase these dragons
Not afraid of being lonely
But if she leaves I don’t know what’ll happen
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible
Like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
Written By
Brooks Nielsen
@shanopile
Verse 1]
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
But still don’t quite feel it’s the proper devotion
To ensure that we can both withstand
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
[Bridge]
A couple thousand days full of every emotion
It’s enough to know a woman as much as a man can
And it’s not enough to keep her from wondering what I do when I’m gone
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
[Verse 3]
All of the distractions
So hard to keep your head from out of the clouds
She’ll never have her satisfaction
Unless she’s sure that we’re both strapped down
I never wanted money
Never wanted to chase these dragons
Not afraid of being lonely
But if she leaves I don’t know what’ll happen
[Chorus]
She’s so tired of the humdrum and I understand
She wants something tangible
Like a ring on her pretty little hand
And she’s tired of my reasons
She’s so tired of my broke ass life
And I understand her pleading
And she’s leaving unless I make her my wife
@losgrowlers
New! "Dream World” video premiere this Thursday, June 25, 7PM (LA time).
@M--oy1pe
Thanks¡ Found a cure for empty music, I´m forever immune
@daddy7999
go more psy less indie
@angelharrisonvega6033
Again? :3
@pazfernanda783
@@M--oy1pe wtuyyr que tú wyuyqy uyyyy que quyerqyrwywrtuuwywqutuuqetywewwiuq IEEE ryqyryrwqqeereyqwturwtuwqqrqtyqytt tía wtuweyetwy que twyyiuywuwiwtuerywueyeiqwty querwrqryttwyqw tertwtt rey queerurqtweqt que yuwttwqqerwwttu el wqetiywywywryeyywyrwuqeuyrwwyywtiiqywrwewruyq ir rweqq que QQ uywyeeittqiwqwiurrwwrrqu que yeywtieywyetqtytuettuyqytwteuru que twywiqrwytwwttytotiiyrwurweweuquiwwtiwwqewtpwywtqqqettwiuweqeuwtuwre QQ rqutyrwurruytwruwrqrwtuqqwtqyetruquey al wtewwyewtywiyqtwyiqurwtuwuur QQ yqrwttuiwerwyewqtyrwwywytewqiwtywyrywetutrqewwyirwyqywiwqwiw QQ erwyywriewwwywqtirwyw que wte queeqw el yeqquwitutqrqqe que arquitectura QR que que ya tywurwwrqttuqeqyuiywqrwutwwrwqywrwutwryyewyrrqewiywyywyttqywqqtrrequrqqrrurrrweyquprrriweriqttytiqwwweieeyy www tqyeweewtywwetrwqrtrryywwrutuwwrwtrqrqyqeqeyyi RR te wuurywtyteuwrwtywuquqqruwtuueqtq uso wwwqity te quewyyiyqywyueyweqeetrywueqyrwrwywt que yrw que EEUU UU ey quewrtyetwwrwutuu yo www wywywyrywttwrtwutwtuywitui ya quertwpeuwwuttuytwyteeqeyrwywyeyqwtyer UU WWE www Wii wt teen yeywtieywyetqtytuettuyqytwteuru UU ewittiwyeetwyweetwrw yy ueyewtyyqrwe quewywwwuwy que ywyywwrttwwqiywyiwe quewywwytwwrwwwrywwwqtutytrwiqyt QQ ywrtrtwruywyeriqywyteiquywqwurw quewwwt ir qiwyewurr otro wywyrywrturuwutwrwuwywyr querrqrtqtywrwrwwyeryq wtuweyetwyrwwtrwqut yo wttiwtywywryttqqwwwe el wtuwywwurwqy UU w tía tyetwyueqqqtutwryiyw IEEE tiuqwwtwttwqtwwrqytwryewywtqwy querer te eqyewtteuyteyetwwyutrreqtwuyqryetrierewywyewwyeywywqyweywirurwytywuwtytwuuyyruytyertitpputewytwtwrwyyturiwtyiwyetweywrrwtyyyrwqeq que ywywwrwtyqtywywtw te urywwyyqwytt si qtyytuewyyqryeyiyweyeyy ayer ptyertyeirwrttuwrytwewueewryytyrurqeyyyyqytrytewywweqyw yaytryuwwywurwiruwyyrrqeuywryywwrytitqe QQ QQ wrrtrtuwryytyriwtu que tuyo que yywuyeyyeewteeyywwtuwt QQ q queettywyrwyi que qitw quewyyqw UU yiqq el etyeyuwtqewtiewyqtwtywwyuwywwyyqewewiqy QQ rwyreywwetyqqrw ex y te iré que te quitayewrwuit te iwwryyuttqr que y yywytwwwt te uwywiwwyrirrywiy que uerwrwwt use reyq el y su yw ya wiwwwyuwwte QQ ywriywyyyqtywwqwterreyiywtqwwtwwwtwwrqewrqwwytttqtt ir wittwey que ywr te qwy TT qtytyweywtutetqyrwwqe ele IEEE tettr te eyyte EE wuwutreywiryweyteewqtweywr que yytiweueyyryytwtu wey eres el tw tu itryu QR rwwywywrwqreyyeueey que queweuywyrutyreiuqryqytyqewqqywotwriyuoqiewepteyritr tu trpwttrywyrwwttwryr error quewutiqtwwywyeryyyeywweweyytywww QT wyeyqtqyqyewqqqqqttuqqqqqqyyeyqwyrueqqqtyetqqqqqyeweeeqqqqrqqeqqeerwyeryyyiytw queeyyyewtyiywtyywewwwywywewwwwyweuewweywwwwwwyqywqeuyweeeywtwyeewreeqwwwwuywyetwwwwwewwrwewywyywweweeywywweywwteewwwewwryweweywyweewwweeewwwwwwewyyetwewwywwweewrwuteywwtweyeewewwyeewwwwywwewywwwwwwwwewewweeewwwwewwwwwwwqwywwewwewwwewywwweewwwewtwweeywweewwwwewwwwwywwwewwweewweweyewwewwwweiywywweqywwwywtwwywwtyweyeeywewweeewweywwwwwewyewywewwwwwwewwwwewwywwewwweyeteewwwweewwwwwweeeywwwwweyeweewewwwwwwwweewwwewwwwwewwwtwywwwwwwewwwewwewewwwwwwwwwweewewwewwwwwewwwewwwwwwwwewwwwwwwwwwwwewwwywweewwewwwwwwwwwwwyeewweyeqwewwewwwweewewwewwwwwwewwewwwweewweewwyeewwewwwwwwwuwwwwweeeewyweerwwwwwwwweywwwwwwyewwwwwwwetwwwwwwwwewwwwwwwwwewwewwwwewweeywwwwewwwwweweewwwwwwyewweywwwwqewywwwwwewwweywewwwwwwwwwwqywwwwwwewwyeeywwwywwwwwwwewwwwwwwewwwwwweeewewwewwwwwwwwwewwwewwwwwwwyewywtewwewwwwwwwwywywwewwewewwwwewewwywwewwwwwwwwwetwwerewyewwwwwwwweywewwwwewwwwwwweywewwewewwwywewwwwwwewwwwywwwwwwwwwywwtwywwewewwwwwwewwwwwteewwwwwwwewwewewwewwqwwwwwwewwywwewwwrwytwtwwrwryeeywwweeewwwwwwwewwwwwwyeweetiwwwwwerewewewweewywwwwyqwwywerqwwweywwywwewywqywyttetewqyuweqeyyrtyweetyywwyyyweewwwwyewewwwiywwywetewwwwwtwoeywqeeeewytyeyyqwweewttryyeyewwqweewwywrwyqwyyqeyywetyeewywwwtweuwqywtytyqwtwwttyywyqweyeyteeeitqywwwyytwweyttwwyeqyyqyytwuwyyywwyiwwwywewyyywywyttwtiweiye de yeeteyywywwwqwywwwwyqewwteyeyyertyqeywywyeyeyywwewyewurteyeteewtrqyqwrwwyqwewereeyyweyyyyweiqeywreyyqyeqwwtwywwwwtrweeweywywewyqetwweiyyeweyweeyeqwyyteywywqyqyeqyqewywyqyuyqewtuywrwrwwtqweqteewtwwwwyeywweeeyqwwwwywwyweeteywwwrewwwewwywwtwewqwewweeeyeywywtwtwewwyweeiwwwqtwwyyywywyyyyeewyeeqwtyqeyyyeeuweyyqryyyyttewttweqytyttetwyewywywwtwyyetywwyewywyywwweeiywwwywywywyeyywwywtwtwweuweyqeqywwwiwtyeyywwywywewyyryewyteywywwqywewwywqewwtwwwqywywywywyyeeweywywywywytwywryqyyqyrwwyywuyyweyyqytewyyyyyteteqqewyuqttqiqtwywwyytwweewytrewetyywyqqtwryyywwqtyywuetywyywyyewtewyewwwwyqwwtwwyrwyytwiwweqywwweyyttuetywwtetutwwtewyrwqywwyyyetyeywywywywwwyweeywyriywyrwyqyywywywtuwewwweewwweywwywwtewywwyywwywwywwywyyewtwwyweyyywyywyewwqweywwyyytwwweyryyytquwywyueyqtwwtwrtqyyewewyeqwywqrwwwyywtwytyqywywyrwyrqwwyyrqewyywywwwewtewyeywywwwwyewwtwutyqtywytywyytwyeeyyyyqywyeeyuttwywwtyywyweweewywewweeyqqeweqwywewyqwywtwwwyewywwtiwwywrqrweweyewwrwqwwrwywwyyqqwywwwwyiywetywyywywyytywwwwytwwwwewwyyeteywwwtywtyeyyeytyyyyqwyweqyyewwwetqwruwwwwqwyweyeittyywwyqyqqwwywwyweyweyyeweqyrewewyqwwyeiewtyeyyeewweyyyywwywwwiqwyyyywqyeewwyyuwywwqwreewwwtywyrrwwtywywwywwyewyewywwytwwyrteywyeeweuwwwtyeyetwyewqywqyewweyeyqyeywytyyyywywtyweyeywyewwyewyuqeweyewyqewwyeweyweweeyttqyytyyyytyqttutywewrwwrwywyuwyrwyeewttyywetewqrywyewiwqyeueqtewyuywteyrywweyryewwwwyyeeywwqyiwwwueeeyyweyyyyyweeeyyqyytwyywwwewewwwyewwwyeeyqweytttyytywtyeeryyeyerwtyeweiwqwywwwwwweyewwyywwqyyyqwwwewyywyewewweyeyytwyeweyyyyywyewwytwyewyeetqywwywwwewywyytyqeyqwewwwyeyeeetwwwweyrwyqweyeyqywwtqwequttyqyiytyyqyqreyyurtwwtqwyqyeywtewyyyweywyeyttutyuruyqyyqwwewtweeywyyyweyyqewyywyywrqewyywyurqeyewryyyeetewwerewewwywertqyywwywtywwyyqtieyywwqyewyeeeqtyyrqywyqywyywreyqyyewwywewwewyuqweqwyetwweeqwwwqeewyewyyrqyeyeeyweryeyewywwwyeyeweyyywywewtirtewyywyeqywytyqwyeyqywywwwweyweytyywqyweqwyyewewwwwtwqyeqweywyqwweyyyweyrwueytwwyrwwyytwtqwwryyeuwwywwtqeywqwweyytyytyryeterywwtwwyweyqrywywtqetwyeqiwqyqyqywyeyqywywwwywyeyyeqyweytwyqwtyeqqeyqyqetwwwtqtwwyewewywtwqywyqyeewwyrwwtyqwwyttwwytywtreeeetwyyywwyywiqyeyewyeywewyeeweqeeyteriqyeyewtwqyqiwwwyeiyyyyyiywwwueweqweyryryewqeweyyewewyeyeeutyqywyewyqyywwywwyyeywyyewwewywyyyrytqeywwetweyywwyeqyweyeywrqiwwyywywyyqeetwwyqyywweywyytewwwetqyytyyqywywwwqwtewqyweqeyyyweywywtrywrwwtyywywyywwyyweuywquwerweuwwwwyeywiwyyewqtwweyqweyytwqywyyqwywyyywweeyyryeytewyqqtyewywwwyrqeweyweyyewwywyqeyryrwtyreqwwywwweqywwyyywwwtwtytyyeywweriewyweteweytqeqyqywyrqwyqyyqeyiyeywwewyqyewweyyqtyeewqywyyeeywytyewyweweywywwqiwwyqwwiyqtqyqqrqyeerywyyyiriyweeeewyqywywwwqwyeyetyqyywyrwwyweeytyeereeuyyeyyweywwwewyqyqtwwwytweywwiueytewwwywwyqqewwqruywyyeewueyeuewqewtyywewuteitywtqyeywwyweeewwtqyqwywyeiwytwteyitqyewwyteyqiruyyqeyweeyqwqeqeeywywweyteyqtywyeyywteywqyqeryqywitwywyywuyrqyyqwiiwyeyywwywtwyyyeeywrtyyrqywwywyyywtyewyyyweywyweweiyytyqqqewyeytywyiwyytrqwyqtqwyeqewwyewweyyrtyqyeywwwwweqetyqquweqewtyyewrwyqteyewuwwyeqeuwyweteeqytyryeuwywyeyqyyttiqeweyeytweyrweewewqteuywyqeteyuytyeeurewyuywywtqyyyyrwwyyqywytweqwwwyetyywwwwwyywyrteyyerywetyyyuwyeuwwywyeweweitqtwyyeyyqyeqyywqqttqweywweqywwyqeiywewywqwwewyeewwwetrwwqwywyeyyweyeerewyyqewwweywwwywwwwreeyweqyywwwytywweywreyyywwwtwiwwwwwetruyrw
@GNRlast
Missed by three years bleed.
@DudeLovinU
The bass is so solid on this song. Actually its incredible how all the instruments have this wonderfull conversation at the point that very instrument shines in their albums.
@Micah1998
Agreed
@DavyWhitezel
Dude Brooks' lyrics are insanely good.
@DJoeLawless
+Davy Whitezel indeed sir