Middle Boop Mag managed to catch up with LA-centric hippies The Growlers recently whilst on their US tour - their new album Chinese Fountain was released September 29th here in the UK.
We discussed their recent tour with Fat White Family, our competitive drinking culture and their amazingly brilliant Beach Goth festival – held annually in LA...
MBM: How was your UK tour? Was it as ‘mad’ touring with Fat White Family as we'd all imagine it to be?
GROWLERS: No, it was pg-13 (Urban Dictionary’s definition – ‘A movie rating for films they add a few "oh, shits" to so it will appeal to pre-adolescents’). Nothing crazy. They’re just killing boredom being cheeky. Drinking wine and having a good time.
MBM: How do UK crowds differ from that of your native Golden State?
GROWLERS: As soon as we get there (the UK), we feel at home. Freely speaking English and chuggin’ pints –it’s pure Island Vibes. I love the after show crawls through the streets with the fans we meet that turn into dancing and black outs. The UK crowds are pretty much the same as ours - less Mexicans, less surfers, but competitive drinkers and dancers.
MBM: I've heard about your amazing Beach Goth festival which is now in its third year. Can you explain how the idea came about and how you managed to turn that idea into a reality?
GROWLERS: This is what we did when we started. The band all lived together in my warehouse and I’d throw under age raves, with loads of bands and an open bar. Eventually, the venues started shutting us down with cop calls and we'd have to graduate to the road. Tour Beach Goth is a chance to be involved again with making the show a weird and fun experience - more so then a bar is ever able to do. 30 bands, 20 giant art pieces and beach goth island with sand and dub carnival rides - games like ‘laser-tag’ and spray painted donkeys and everyone in costume. Yew (Urban Dictionary definition: an excited state of mind).
MBM: How do you choose the other bands that you have playing there? Are you quite selective in the process?
GROWLERS: We’re a little out of the loop with bands. We made a giant list that’s all money and politics that we stay out of. I get some of my picks and leave the rest to the promoter. He is more open minded then I am.
MBM: Are there any current UK bands that you're rating at the moment?
GROWLERS: The Wytches!!!!!!
MBM: And finally - do you feel that your geographical setting (LA) enhances the general making and recording process of the album?
GROWLERS: We're inspired by everywhere we go and feel like there’s hundreds of places we need to be. However, I am grateful for coming from Southern California – I see and feel it in everything we do
The Growlers are playing a selection of UK dates in November including:
November 12th: Leeds Belgrave Music Hall
November 13th: Village Underground, London
November 14th: Temple The Institute, Birmingham
November 16th: The Roundhouse, Manchester
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