The Growlers are sitting pretty.
That warm, unmistakable glow of success that now surrounds the band has been nothing if not hard earned. The Orange County, CA band have been working their asses off at honing their off-kilter, sooty brand of rock 'n' roll (or goth polka, if you like) for more than a decade; but they're only now really reaping the fruits of their labor. Gravel-voiced frontman Brooks Nielson and co.'s trajectory hasn't been the kind of meteoric rise to popularity that one might expect of a band so adept at creating both a robust catalog of anthems and a mythology as enduring as The Growlers.
Instead, The Growlers have fought for success the old-fashioned way: by making great albums and then touring the ever-loving shit out of them. This slow and steady traditionalist formula has finally paid off. The band's latest tour sees them playing to the biggest crowds of their career, and they seem to finally be getting paid an honest wage to do so. We spoke to lead singer and de facto band leader Brooks Nielson about contentment, not listening to music, breaking his finger, and more.
Do512: What's the most exciting thing happening for The Growlers right now?
The Growlers: The fact that the guys are getting paid right now. We're dedicated, working hard, & saving money.
What is your least favorite song from your favorite album?
The Growlers: Shit, you got the wrong guy in the band. I have no idea. Do I have a favorite album? I don't think so. Something happened when I started making music; I almost stopped listening to it. I don't know if I thought I'd be ripping it off if I did that, or I just got so focused on making it that I just forgot to listen. It's the same way I got into it, too. I started listening to music after high school so I kinda skipped it. It's all new to me, I don't know bands and records and whatnot. Same with movies.
What smell reminds you of your childhood?
The Growlers: Cumin reminds me of grandpa's house. Cigarettes remind me of grandma. Beer reminds me of dad.
Photo by David Brendan Hall
Have you ever had a paranormal experience, and could you explain it?
The Growlers: No. Some friends have, where he thought he was being abducted by aliens while sleeping in straw in Africa. Me? No. The closest thing is a real fear of dying from surfing.
What's the dumbest way you've hurt yourself?
The Growlers: I was climbing a wall during a video shoot and I slipped and my wedding ring got caught and I broke my finger. I had to tattoo a wedding ring on because there's no way I'm slipping one on. It's my defense mechanism.
What is the best compliment you've ever received?
The Growlers: "You're lucky," when I'm with my wife. Someone last night said, "Hey, I heard you just became a father? Oh never mind, I guess you always have been." He was kind of joking, but I kind of play the dad role sometimes.
Photo by David Brendan Hall
If the universe had a suggestion box, what would you put in there?
The Growlers: Love each other. Stop fighting. I don't know; that's difficult to say in one answer. This world's so crazy, suffering's a part of it for everybody. Show yourself.
What is something you wish you could experience for the first time all over again?
The Growlers: I'm content.
If somebody was writing the biography of The Growlers, what would this chapter be called?
The Growlers: "First Trace of Success" - I'm just really content with everything right now, we're on the up and up, everyone's getting taken care of.
Photo by David Brendan Hall
