Crocodiles
Band form
2008
Crocodiles (formed 2008)
Crocodiles are an American indie band whose line-up includes Brandon Welchez, Charles Rowell, Marco Gonzalez and Robin Eisenberg.
Formation: Crocodiles formed in San Diego, California by Welchez and Rowell after their own bands dispanded. They were signed to Fat Possum Records after the band No Age cited their single 'Neon Jesus' as one of the best of the year.
Musical career: Crocodiles' debut album 'Summer of Hate' was released in 2009, after which they embarked on a supporting tour. In 2010, they recorded their second album 'Sleep Forever' in the Mojave Desert. That year they caused outrage with their song 'Kill Joe Arpaio', which angered the song's subject. In 2012, third album 'Endless Flowers' was released, featuring guests Hollie Cook as well as Dee Dee from the Dum Dum Girls. Joining them on their 2013 album 'Crimes Of Passion' were Cat Power's Gregg Foreman and Afrodyete of Breakestra.
Ben Walton's Top Ten Albums Of 2016
By Ben Walton in Music / Festivals on 25 December 2016
2016 has been an interesting year for music, often making headlines for the wrong reasons instead of the right ones.
Some great bands made awful albums and other surprising bands put out great work.
Putting this list together was pretty hard work and near misses on the top ten go to CRX, Banks and Steelz, Suede and We Cut Corners who all produced decent records. Next year is already shaping up to be a cracking year with releases planned for Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, Beck and Father John Misty, but for now, here are my top records of 2016:
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Crocodiles - Dreamless Album Review
By Ben Walton in Music Reviews on 19 October 2016
It has been a tough year for New York's Crocodiles since the release of their fifth album Boys last May. Suffering all manner of difficulties, it's a wonder they have even come back at all, never mind so soon. When listening to Dreamless, their sixth album, forget everything you know about Crocodiles. Forget those searing signature washes of distortion laden guitar, because Crocodiles have gone experimental.
Next up is Maximum Penetration, which again shies away from the guitars but pairs the insistent drumming and slinky bass work with more subtle keyboards. To say that this LP is more experimental sells it short; there are still a bunch of total anthems here such as the extreme disco of Welcome to Hell and the sure-fire indie banger Jumping On Angels. There's a lot here that old school Crocodiles fans will identify with.
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Crocodiles - Boys Album Review
By Ben Walton in Music Reviews on 10 August 2015
San Diego's Crocodiles have traditionally traded on a noisy, arty sound indebted to The Jesus and Mary Chain and even hints of My Bloody Valentine. On 'Boys', the duo's fifth full LP, Crocodiles have developed a great big pop side to their distorted rumblings, and are all the better for it.
Elsewhere on the album, Crocodiles refuse to play by the rules and go into all sorts of weird little nooks and crannies, such as the dirty, nasty, fuzzed up 'Do The Void', the elevator-music-gone-wrong melancholia of 'Don't Look Up' and the spaghetti western influenced 'Blue'.
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CMJ Music Marathon Returns In Its 33rd Year With More Incredible Showcases
By Holly Williams in Music / Festivals on 04 October 2013
Expect an amazing New York takeover with CMJ Music Marathon's awesome 2013 line-up.
The CMJ Music Marathon comes to New York City for its 33rd year bringing with it hundreds of seminal artists from the newly emerging to the well-established.
CMJ has been holding electrifying music events over the course of its existence as well as publishing a weekly music magazine for music and college radio stations. This year will be no different in excellence on its journey through New York from October 15th-19th as it fills over 80 venues across the city with more than 1,000 incredible musical showcases. There will also be a range of other musical events including seminars Q&A sessions, amazing parties, workshops and other special activities.
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Crocodiles, Endless Flowers Album Review
By Hayley Fox in Music Reviews on 19 June 2012
Crocodiles are known for their racket; good racket mind and they haven't given this up on this for 'Endless Flowers.' They seem to have tamed themselves, something that may make them likeable to a wider crowd and spread the love of this cleaner noise pop sound. Don't worry; it's not that squeaky clean, they haven't turned this Jesus and Mary Chain influence on its head. But it sounds like they're progressing and taking anxious baby steps out of this 80s Jesus and Mary Chain shadow that has been cast upon them since 2008.
Crocodiles, Interview
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Crocodiles - Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)
For the latest single, 'Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9),' Crocodilesexhibit their blend of poppy hooks, garage rock and artsy focus perfectly; the track is complemented by the video directed by Sam Macon. Littered with religious imagery, Macon has told of how the songs opening lines - "it's Sunday and the world loves itself" - crafted the hazy, religious symbol-heavy video.
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Crocodiles, Interview
Last year's James Ford produced follow-up album 'Sleep Forever' displayed a deeper, more wholesome sound than its predecessor, whereby electronics and samples also reared their heads in small dispatches. Listening to songs like 'Girl In Black', 'Billy Speed' or the title track itself, its clear they're developing at a rate of knots, which makes us all the more excited for what's in store next.
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Crocodiles, Sleep Forever Album Review
By Ben Walton in Music Reviews on 02 September 2010
On first listen, all that Sleep Forever by Crocodiles offers is lo-fi mess, but if you give it time and let it in - like you should with many great albums - it reveals itself as one of the most lovable psychedelic gems of the year.