Crocodiles

Crocodiles are an noise pop/indie pop band from San Diego, California, USA. The group was formed in 2008 by core members Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell after the break-up of their former punk bands Some Girls and The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower. Crocodiles' sound has typically been likened to The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Archies, Tommy James & The Shondells, and Gary Glitter. Whilst at the same time playing in an early incarnation of Dum Dum Girls (Welchez is married to frontwoman Dee Dee Penny), Crocodiles initially gained exposure in 2008 after fellow Southern California noise pop band No Age included their single "Neon Jesus" in a list of the year's best songs. This led to the duo being signed to Mississippi-based label Fat Possum Records, who released the band's self-recorded debut album Summer of Hate, in April 2009. After touring in support of their debut full-length, the first half of 2010 saw Crocodiles go into a studio in the Mojave Desert with British producer James Ford. The resultant sessions comprise the band's second album Sleep Forever. The record was released by Fat Possum in the September of that year. In addition to their own recordings, Crocodiles have collaborated with Television Personalties' frontman Dan Treacy as well as Dum Dum Girls. Although initially gigging as a two piece, Welchez and Rowell have expanded the band to include a live drummer, bassist and keyboard player. Musicians in the live band have included members of Blank Dogs and The Slits. Outside of his activities with Crocodiles, Rowell has published a book of prose writing with Cold Cave front-man Wes Eisold, while Welchez along with wife Penny, occasionally releases records by West-Coast bands under the ZOO MUSIC label name. Crocodiles are managed by Deb Fenstermacher of Red Light Management