Growwing Pains

Detroit punk outfit Growwing Pains’ name isn’t necessarily reflective of their journey. Prior to starting the band, frontman Zack Bratto performed as a drummer. The transition to the guitar seemed effortless for the young songwriter, though, as he quickly attracted the attention of his soon-to-be bandmates. In 2013, they released their debut album, 17 Songs About the Same Girl. Now, Growwing Pains are preparing to release their latest EP, I Always Know, on August 25th via Volar Records. In anticipation, they’ve shared the title track.

“The song is a step in a new direction,” keyboardist Jeff Urcheck tells Consequence Of Sound. “In terms of sound, it’s kind of indicative of us getting more comfortable as a band. Lyrically, it’s more of a cathartic release in line with how we want things to be, rather than sort of a bunch of young punks sticking with what we know.”

Though Growwing Pains are still becoming more comfortable as a band, the track maintains a sense of self-assuredness and cohesion. The song moves briskly at a minute and a half long, with pounding drums and bright keyboard tones. Bratto’s vocals and guitar work both exhibit a devil-may-care attitude, straddling the line between unaffected and fierce. It’s a short burst of energy from a young band finding their own sound. - Consequence of Sound

This album's title is not a joke: Hamtramck, Michigan's Growwing Pains have written a debut album's worth of songs all about one special lady. (Though according to Urinal Cake head Eric Love, they initially wrote 22 songs about her.) Whoever she is, she's quite the muse—this album is completely great. Growwing Pains' sunny melodies, use of keys, and powerful delivery recalls the manic joy of the Barbaras. There's something frantic and desperate about the tone of songs like "Tonight". Then, after a full album high energy rock songs, things comes to a comparatively gentle finish with the jangling hum of "Ellen's False Teeth". Since there's a firm concept in place, the song titles offer a glimpse into the stories within: "Toothpaste", "Call Me Up", "Turn Off the Lights", "Misogynist", "Break Up". All 17 songs offer catchy, diverse melodies. - Pitchfork

Fans of the Growwing Pains’ ramshackle, rowdy garage-punk jams were introduced to the Detroit five-piece’s fondness for power pop melodies on 2013’s 17 Songs About the Same Girl, released on local imprint Urinal Cake Records. With a new 7″ out on San Diego-based Volar Records, the band deliver four sweetly packaged songs that listeners will have no problem replaying over and over again.



With an average length of around two minutes, each track packs in as many catchy guitar riffs and keyboard runs as possible while still keeping the arrangements economical. Vocalist Zak Bratto appears at the forefront of each song, delivering blunt, honest messages. He rides the propulsive guitars of the first two tracks, “Forever and Always” and “I Always Know”, with a charismatic attitude reminiscent of King Khan or other Southern rock ambassadors. There’s a manic urgency to the A-side that prevents things from getting bleak.



On the B-side, Growwing Pains slow down the tempo a bit and give a nod to Teenage Fan Club’s lamenting guitar pop. The band’s lyrical chops and musicianship are on full display here, and it sounds as if each member put a lot of thought into constructing each track, with the result being a welcome piece of ear candy. “Raw Raw Deal” replaces most of the fuzz with jangly, country-tinged guitar. Keyboards twinkle in the backdrop, while a steady drumbeat keeps the song from becoming too downtempo.



Who knew a young band could grow so much on such a brief collection? You can order a copy of I Always Know here and listen to our exclusive stream of the EP here. For more on Growwing Pains, check out our interview with the group - Detroit Music Mag