Photo: Michael Jamison
In the UK especially, The Growlers seem to maouever in cultish circles, with most of their fans believing they truly are the best thing since sliced bread or pizza vending machines or those sleeping bags you can walk around in. Originally formed through the holy trinity of skating, surfing and partying, the California-based group somehow managed to franchise a new brand of druggy surf/psych rock which they fondly called "beach goth." Yep, they have a sense of humour, too.
Since then, The Growlers have progressively slicked back their style and sharpened their production techniques. The release of City Club last year, an album which was produced by Julian Casablancas, was funkier and more polished than their previous albums. Their guitarist Matt Taylor even stated that he wanted "less surf, more synth", which could go either way for a band who are so adored for their authentic, whiskey-soaked sound. Its reception has been good, but you wonder how some of their icier-pop morsels would translate live when they seem to have such a reputation for drunken, brash gigs.
Very well, it would seem. Firstly, we need to talk about Brooks Nielsen because Brooks Nielsen possesses a voice that could belong to no one else. Undoubtedly, on the surface he sounds sexy. But he also sounds like a hybrid between a dreamer and a defeatist who has been drinking on the beach all day and started to take a rare moment of introspection. He seems lost in his own little world, squinting down at the audience through a mixture of mirth and bemusement. Halfway through the set he launches himself off the stage and goes backstage for reasons unknown, although I'm guessing it wasn't for a costume change, leaving his bandmates to continuously jam until he returns. They seem completely and utterly unfazed; it's brilliant.
The Growlers always skilfully seem to have fun and I think it's largely because they understand the fine art of mockery. The line in 'Chinese Fountain', "isn't techno so shitty even disco seems punk", is slightly snarled by Nielsen tonight as he sings the song that was indubitably a touchstone for the band's album of the same name. 'One Million Lovers' had people swaying with their partners as its woozy, slippery beat crept into the crowd whilst moshpits ensued for the thrillingly groovy, 'I'll Be Around'.
During the encore, Nielsen calls for the lights to be lowered onto the audience before mock recoiling in horror and laughing, "on second thoughts, turn that shit off." Cheeky, isn't he? However, we need this. We need this humour and light-heartedness at gigs. In the wake of the Manchester bombings at an Ariana Grande concert on Tuesday, we need to still hold the resolve that gigs are fun, joyous and exciting places. It was especially poignant to see how inexplicably happy everyone was, completely letting themselves loose to the music. The Growlers give people, pure unadulterated pleasure. I didn't see one person last night who wasn't dancing, even if it was that awkward little shuffle that most people do.
The Growlers sheer refusal to tread water and keep to their tried and tested formula is commendable at the very least, and not just because they seem to get it right every time. Tonight was a peek into the band's world; a pit stop between finding life utterly vacuous but enjoying everything that it has to offer at the same time. A truly resplendent show.
