The Growlers in St. Louis

About The Growlers

The Growlers are an Orange County indie rock band that emerged in the late 2000s with a sound that blends surf rock languor with garage rock grit. Built around Brooks Nielsen's deadpan vocals, they've developed a reputation for moody, hypnotic tracks that feel both detached and deeply felt. Their earlier work carried a stoned, coastal vibe—think lazy afternoons that suddenly snap into focus. Songs like 'City Club' showcased their ability to construct simple melodies that burrow into your head, while tracks like 'Artificial Light' demonstrated darker, more introspective leanings. The band has evolved beyond their initial Beach Goth aesthetic while maintaining the core appeal: songs that sound effortless but aren't, lyrics that reveal themselves slowly, and a general refusal to seem like they're trying too hard.

Their shows move at their own pace—no false energy, just a steady, almost hypnotic pull. Crowds tend to sway rather than thrash. Nielsen's delivery stays cool and measured even in intimate venues, which somehow makes songs hit harder. They're the band you watch rather than the band that demands your participation.

Known for City Club, Sunshine, Artificial Light, Floating, The One That Got Away

The Growlers + St. Louis

The Growlers touched down at The Ready Room in May 2017 for a deep-cut heavy set that ran 24 songs. They opened with 'Big Toe' and leaned into their catalog's stranger corners — 'Naked Kids', 'Dogheart Blues', the oddly titled 'Gay Thoughts'. By the time they reached the closer 'Going Gets Tough', the room had gotten a full inventory of what makes them tick: surf-garage grit mixed with something heavier and more introspective. St. Louis got the full experience, not the highlight reel.

The Growlers in St. Louis News

• "Night Ride" by The Growlers Is a Slinky Farewell to FOMO VICE · Aug 19, 2024
• The Growlers Announce Summer 2020 Tour Glide Magazine · Jan 23, 2020
• The Growlers Announce ‘Natural Affair’ Summer 2020 Tour Live For Live Music · Jan 21, 2020
• The Growlers announce "Natural Affair" summer tour dates BrooklynVegan · Jan 21, 2020
• The Growlers Tickets, Concerts & 2026 Tour Dates Event Tickets Center · Jun 26, 2018

Live Music in St. Louis

St. Louis has a long history of producing its own indie and alternative sounds, but it's also become a respectable touring destination for West Coast psych and garage acts. The Growlers fit naturally into that lineage—their lo-fi sensibility and moody California aesthetic have enough grit and edge to appeal to a city that's never been afraid of darker, weirder sounds. Local venues have been hosting more acts in that lane lately.

St. Louis road trip to see The Growlers?

Base yourself in the Central West End, where the tree-lined streets and converted lofts give the neighborhood a genuinely livable vibe. Hit Broadway Oyster Bar for something with actual character, or Park Avenue Coffee if you need to ease in. Spend an afternoon at the City Museum—it's genuinely weird and worth your time, not a tourist trap. The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is also worth an hour if contemporary art is your thing. St. Louis takes itself less seriously than most cities, which makes it easy to move around and find decent food without overthinking it.