Story and photos by Thomas Iacobucci
On stage, under dim, changing lights and against a red velvet curtain, Brooks Nielsen — lead singer of the Los Angeles-based group The Growlers — led the six-piece band through a two-hour set on Sept. 19 at the Crowbar in Ybor City.
Beginning at 8:30 p.m. and forgoing the usual opening band, The Growlers started playing and immediately dove into their extensive setlist.
Spewing their lo-fi combination of indie, reggae, garage rock, surf rock and psychedelic rock — or self-described “beach goth” sound — to a sold-out crowd in the standing-room-only venue, the band played with the casualness of veteran performers, and the crowd responded with enthused vigor after each song.
The band formed in 2006 and released its first album, “Are You in or Out?” in 2009. Since then, The Growlers picked up traction and built a cult-like following that has spanned well over a decade, seven studio albums, and 10 singles, leading them from their Dana Point, California, origins to sold-out venues across the world.
Nielsen, guitarist Matt Taylor, and keyboardist/guitarist Kyle Straka are all that remain of the original lineup, though the band has in no way lost its style, which has evolved with each new album.
Opening with “Night Ride,” the fourth song on their 2016 studio album, “City Club,” Nielsen’s hoarse voice and the “beach goth” rhythm of the band charged the standing-room venue to erupt with fervor.
Though the energy of the crowd saw waves of passion, The Growlers remained relaxed and collected, segueing into each song as only a veteran touring group could.
The 300-plus crowd swayed and recited lyrics to hits like “Dope on a Rope” and “Who Loves the Scum?” as Nielsen and the backing members conducted the flow from atop the venue’s low stage.
Ahead of the band’s next album release, “Natural Affair,” the group previewed two new singles in a special treat for the people in attendance.
“Try Hard Fool” and “Natural Affair” were mixed in the middle of the setlist, and though only being recently released, each song is a departure from The Growlers’ usual style.
Cementing their visit to the small Tampa borough, the band closed out with “Humdrum Blues” and “I’ll Be Around,” a single from “City Club” that boasts vocals from the backing members and displays an indie riff in the chorus that juxtaposes the remaining beat.
As The Growlers continue their North American tour, the sheer intimacy of their set at the Crowbar will continue ringing in the ears of fans.
Those wanting even more of an encore can look for The Growlers’ new album, set to release this fall.
The Growlers at the Crowbar in Ybor City on Sept. 19 
Brooks Nielsen, lead singer and founding member of The Growlers. 
Kyle Straka, keyboardist/guitarist and founding member of The Growlers. 
The Growlers at the Crowbar in Ybor City on Sept. 19 
Matt Taylor, guitarist and founding member of the The Growlers. 
The Growlers at the Crowbar in Ybor City on Sept. 19 
The Growlers at the Crowbar in Ybor City on Sept. 19
