New Age Psychedelic Rock Bands You Need to Know About
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There’s a new wave of psychedelic rock bands making waves and you need to know about them. From retro-influenced to modern and experimental, these bands are expanding the boundaries of what psychedelic rock can be.
The Growlers
The Growlers are a new age psychedelic rock band that is quickly gaining popularity. The band has a unique sound that combines elements of punk, surf, and garage rock. The Growlers have a DIY ethic and produce most of their own music. The band is currently signed to Cult Records.
Their sound
New Growlers material is characterized by its “laid-back California sound,” which, as Consequence of Sound described, is “reminiscent of the Beach Boys and The Byrds filtered through [Tame Impala’s] modern lo-fi psychedelic lens.” This sound is often achieved by the band’s use of vintage analog equipment, and its ” dedication to recording to tape.”
Their story
The Growlers are a new age psychedelic rock band that was formed in 2009 in Dana Point, California. The band currently consists of singer/guitarist Brooks Nielsen, lead guitarist Matt Taylor, keyboardist/percussionist Kyle McDonald, bassist Brad Bowers, and drummer Scott Montoya.
The Growlers’ music has been described as “a beach-infused take on The Velvet Underground’s brand of mellow, hazy proto-punk” and as “psychedelic country-tinged garage rock”. Their sound has been compared to that of acts such as The Zombies, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beach Boys, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, and Gram Parsons.
The Growlers have released six studio albums: Are You In or Out? (2009), Hot Tropics (2010), Hung at Heart (2013), Chinese Fountain (2014), City Club (2016), and Natural Affair (2019). They have also released several EPs and singles. The Growlers have toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australasia, and Latin America.
The Allah-Las
Their sound
The Allah-Las have a classic, old-school sound that falls somewhere between The Byrds and The Zombies. With their reverb-drenched guitars and jangly melodies, the Allah-Las evoke a bygone era of music. But while their sound may be steeped in the past, the Allah-Las are very much a band of the present. Their songs are immediate and catchy, with a distinctly modern edge.
The Allah-Las song “tell Me (what’s on your mind)” is a perfect example of their retro style meets modern sensibility. The song opens with a jangly guitar riff that wouldn’t sound out of place on a surf rock record from the 60s. But as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this is not your typical surf rock tune. The guitars become more distorted and the rhythm more urgent. By the time the chorus comes around, it’s clear that the Allah-Las are a band for today.
If you’re looking for a band that captures the best of both worlds – the old and the new – then you need to check out the Allah-Las.
Their story
The Allah-Las are a Los Angeles-based band that formed in 2008. The quartet – which includes Miles Michaud (vocals, guitar), Matthew Correia (drums), Pedrum Siadatian (guitar) and Spencer Dunham (bass) – is influenced by 1960s garage rock and psychedelic music.
After self-releasing their debut album in 2012, the Allah-Las caught the attention of Rolling Stone magazine, which named them one of the “10 New Artists You Need to Know.” The band has since toured internationally and released two more albums, including their most recent, “Calico Review,” in 2016.
The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites are an Australian indie folk-rock band that formed in 2010. The band consists of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Sam Rasmussen, and Josh Bentley. The Paper Kites have released five studio albums, one live album, and one EP. The band’s music has been featured in various films and TV shows.
Their sound
The Paper Kites’ sound has been described as “cinematic indie folk”, drawing comparisons to Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Mumford & Sons. The band’s musical style has evolved since their formation in 2010, moving from a more traditional folk sound to a more atmospheric, dreamy soundscape with their 2016 album twelvefour.
Their story
The Paper Kites is an Australian indie rock band that formed in 2010. The band consists of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, David Powys, Sam Rasmussen, and Oscar Dawson. The Paper Kites has released three studio albums, twelvefour (2014), States (2016), and On the Train Ride Home (2018).
The band’s name was inspired by a scene in the film Paper Moon (1973), in which the protagonist AddieLoganscreens leaves her paper kite for someone to find.
