Fresh from finishing the recording of their upcoming release, More Songs, Grown Ups are heading to the East Coast and then some as they embark on a lengthy tour that will take them as far as Spain. The four-piece band has been doing residential double duty in Chicago and Furnessville, IN, while doing the all too familiar juggling act of college, work, and touring, why still finding time to release their debut EP Songs in 2009.
Inspired by such bands as Colossal and Jimmy Eat World, the boys in Grown Ups graduated into pop punk from their past screamo bands, a change their many fans surely appreciate. Slightly gravelly and loose vocals front a collection of trilling, sometimes-spacey guitars, cymbal heavy percussion, and catchy hooks that make it hard not to nod along. The band has shared two new tracks, ‘Weed Science’ and ‘Pears’ online, both of which hold true to the slight 90’s emo/ garage band feel the band has played in the past, akin to fellow locals Castavet and Into it. Over it.
With lines like “I’m not sure what we’ve been after/I’m scared of change/what scares me worse is that you’ll go and do it first” (Weed Science), the band delivers tracks that are relatable and likeable, and we’d call Grown Up’s new tracks lyrically honest and simple in the way that says, “This band gets to the point” not in the “they’re talking but not saying anything” way.
Essentially, Grown Ups is a band that you can count on finding a little bit of yourself in- be it lyrically, in their slight throwback sound, or in the fact that they’re clearly four friends having a good time. The bands first full-length More Songs will be out May 18th through Big Scary Monsters so be sure to mark yourcalendars for “fun”.
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy a set by the quartet tomorrow at 6pm as the band playsRonny’s over at 2101 N. California ave.
Grown ups singer/guitarist Doyle Martin took the time to talk with Reviewsic about the bands biggest influences, dream tours, and what’s next for Grown Ups.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Doyle Martin: Ah, trying to find jobs that are cool with our band schedule. 3 of us are rigorously trying to not flunk out of college. I may speak for myself but I can’t see us hitting the books too hard next year. Figuring out how to get passports. Procrastinating, and playing shows with our buddies.
Reviewsic: We know you’re already about to embark on a great tour…but: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Doyle Martin: Metallica circa 1986. Why? To smoke a jazz cigarette with Cliff and tell him to watch out for black ice. Lucero. Why? I love that sad bastard music. Weezer, only if they played the World has Turned though.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Doyle Martin: Jimmy Eat World, The Smiths, Colossal
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Doyle Martin: I don’t play a Rickenbacker, and I wish I did.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Doyle Martin: Galaxie 500: On Fire, His Hero is Gone: 15 Counts of Arson, Codeine: The White Birch
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Doyle Martin: Scott Weiland.
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Doyle Martin: One of the dudes from the Monkees with my aunt and my mother at a fair.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Doyle Martin: The Syndicate, Blood In/Blood Out, Like Bats
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how the band came to be what it is today?
Doyle Martin: Fuzzy and I were roommates at our shitty house called The Creephole. Adam Sheets wanted to move out of his folks place, so he came and squatted with us. Adam and I were in a screamo band and then we realized that there’s no chicks that come to those shows so we started a pop punk band. Our bass player at the time was getting too hyphy, so we got our new bassist Andy Tokarski who also made the screamo to pop punk conversion as many of us have before. We taught him our demo and wrote some new ones with him. Toured a little in the winter, recorded with Matt Allison and Justin at Atlas Recordings out of Chicago, and that pretty much brings you up to speed.
Reviewsic: Tell us about More Songs- is there a particular concept behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
Doyle Martin: I wouldn’t want to say that there’s a definitive concept regarding More Songs. Lyrically it’s just what I’ve done or haven’t done the last 6 months or so. My reading material, going to the beach, sea life, moving, winning, losing, ghosts, the occult, my pets, cleaning out our new house. The artwork has a theme. I suppose we just wanted to make a cool mess and have our roommate Jay take photos of it. The artwork looks like a ritual of sorts. I liked concept of a Ouija board. I fully support semi-legitimate attempts at communing with the dead.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians with this release as opposed to the release of Songs?
Doyle Martin: I think we’ve taken a few steps in the right direction as far as our musicianship goes. The re-recorded tracks off Songs are incredibility more satisfying for us than the older versions. I also think our newest addition Andy really holds down the rhythm fort with Fuzzy live. Recording at Atlas really made us tight as shit too. I love when I see a band live right after they recorded.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities/venues to play?
Doyle Martin: The Cycle Space in Baltimore has always been so awesome and giving to us. Great dudes, Cheap beer.
The Lemp Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Mark the owner is an incredible, down to Earth dude that makes us good food and knows what having a DIY venue is all about.
And of course Chicago’s great. We have a lot of good forward-thinking friends up there that know how to have a good time and do shows at their houses
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Doyle Martin: Best: In theory, telling my ma I’m going to Amsterdam with an actual purpose.
Worst: Constantly overdrawing my account. Throwing away my money on a sheetbox of a van. Power Van 5000 gets us from point A to point B though.
Reviewsic: Individually, how did you get your starts in music?
Doyle Martin: Metallica fishing trips with my Uncle.
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Doyle Martin: Fast, High, Youthful
Reviewsic: What are three items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Doyle Martin: Lighter, cigarettes, tea bags
Reviewsic:. What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Doyle Martin: Get our album reviewed in High Times. Tour with the Get Up Kids. Evade college and work. Get more tattoos.
Tags: Free Music, Interview, New Release, Tour, Upcoming Show
May 21, 2010 at 10:44 pm |
Sick Interview. These dudes rule and if you haven’t seen them, it’s your loss. Stoked they used my photos, if you’d like to see any more… (SummersPhotography.org)