Concrete Playground Meets SoCal Surf-Rockers The Growlers

The Growlers are a rowdy bunch. What else would you expect from a bunch of skater-surf-punks from California? They are in your face and love to party, and they put on a great live show, so what's not to like? Get this, though; it's their first time to Australia, so, naturally, we'll have to show them a good time and let them know that we like to party hard as well.

The band recently released a new EP, Gilded Pleasures, which was a quick follow up to their last full-length, Hung at Heart. This means they have a bunch of new tunes to show off to Australian audiences. I'd say it is going to be a treat.

The Growlers will be playing shows along the east coast of Australia before jetting off to New Zealand. We had a quick chat with singer Brooks Nielsen about the upcoming tour, their music and what they are looking forward to experiencing in Australia.

You guys released a new full-length, quickly followed up by the EP; has the past year been crazy for the band?

It's always crazy for us, but we love it. The EP is full and fat of very Growler-ish stuff. The songs are quite simple and a lot like Growlers from the start. So fans get something new and something old at the same time and they are super fun songs to play live.

How did the process for Gilded Pleasures start? Did you always want such a quick turnaround between releases?

It's not intentional, when we have something new we want to get it out as soon as possible. Writing songs comes easy; our love for creating is never-ending. It's the guidelines that create difficulties.

Well, now you're touring Australia for the first time. What took you so long?!

In Costa Mesa, we call it the 'Aussie Invasion' because there's always Aussies everywhere. We have had so many Aussie friends, and Aussie's sleeping on our couch so we love 'em but we just haven't had a chance to come over yet. Every time we planned to, things happened. Finally it worked out, and we won't make much money but we'll have a good time.

You'll be playing some shows in rapid succession. Any chance you are going to stop and see the sights?

We have a few days in 'Brisvegas' as it's been called to me, and a day in Melbourne or something, and then we go to NZ so we won't have time to see a lot ... We'll find time for surf.

What are you hoping Australian audiences get out of listening to your new stuff and what do you reckon we Aussies will dig about your live shows?

I know Aussies; they are a lot like we are in Costa Mesa. Partying and having a good time will be unavoidable.

Does anyone in the band follow Australian music? What do you guys like about us?

We hear some things here and there; we really dig the bands we picked for supports. We've listened to The Babe Rainbow track a lot. They have a super chilled vibe

The American music scene is massive. What makes a band stand out these days? What would you say to a small Australian band to motivate them to success?

Always remember you're making music to make yourself happy, and hopefully other people. Nothing in the world makes people happier than music. Not religion or anything; art in any other form you can't play and immediately change someone's mood. I don't think there's anything more important than that. If everyone was happy we wouldn't have as many problems.

The Gowlers will be playing shows all this week. The locations and dates are as follows:

Wednesday 5th March - Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Thursday 6th March - Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast

Friday 7th March - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Saturday 8th March - The Tote, Melbourne