The Bay Area’s own Fresh & Only’s have really come into their own since I last saw the group, with lineup changes that nixed tambourine girls and took the band away from the rest of the
garage rock pack into something darker and different. A mix of Joy Division and nostalgic guitar rock, reminiscent of the most rockin’ Cure songs spliced with a tiny bit of spaghetti western scores, the Fresh & Only’s will surely please just about any discerning music lover. At a live show there’s twang, jangle, and psychedelia aplenty.

Noise Pop: How did you meet?

Shayde Sartin of F&O’s: A record store. That evolved into many nights getting drunk together and eventually playing music together.

NP: Pitchfork recently called y'all “Jangle Rockers,” what do you think about that?

S: There are worse things to be called. And we do love to jangle. I would say we have no problem with name calling.

NP: Are you excited about your Noise Pop show?

S: Very excited for the show. Ramona at Bottom of the Hill is great and I always enjoy playing there. It has a very San Francisco feel to it as well. Noise Pop has always been an exciting week as well.

NP: Do you use San Francisco as inspiration for creating, and/or what is your main inspirations, what are you fascinated by?

S: If you're not influenced by your immediate surroundings then you probably looking in the wrong direction. San Francisco has always been a huge part of our inspiration. It's really a small
town so there's always a very intimate feeling. Not just with the people but the places and the history as well.

NP: What do you try to bring to your live shows (good vibes, lucky charms, etc)?

S: I feel like we all try to bring something different. But collectively our goal is total domination.

LAUREN ROSENTHAL

Southern California’s The Growlers are a band of upstart dudes who play rock music with groovy vibes semi-sweet lyrics, plenty of guitar echo and enough rock and roll to go around. This band, made up of six guys who obviously like to chill and make music to listen to at the beach, in vans, under palm trees, etc, brings a lot of energy to their live shows. Some have described seeing The Growlers as a similar experience to taking a bunch of psychedelics at a high school dance–there’s only one way to find out.

LAUREN ROSENTHAL