Photo: Dillon DonovanWith rent prices squeezing many of the city’s scuzz bands out of town it’s good to see that Tiaras continue San Francisco’s long tradition of weirdo freak bands. Their debut album was written in a garage in a part of the city where Jerry Garcia used to live and is full of bright power pop doused with Bay Area melodies. It makes sense when you find out that Tiaras are partially made up of Ganglians and Blasted Canyons, two of the city’s best punky ne’er-do-wells of recent times.“Thought I Could Know”, a track from their upcoming album is pre-packaged sunshine with big hooks and a soaring chorus. Imagine the big dreamy and breathy pop of Tears For Fears performed by guys wearing Giants caps.We had a chat to guitarist and vocalist Ryan Grubbs to find out more.Noisey: The album was written in the Excelsior area of San Francisco which is known for it’s streets named after national capitals and where Jerry Garcia used to live. Any other cool facts we should know?
Ryan Grubbs: No one thinks the XLCR is cool yet but they just haven't spent the time here. Pretty soon they will because it's the last affordable place to live in SF that isn't the Sunset, which I find suburban, foggy, and depressing. There's some of the best Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food that doesn't have nightmare lines out the door and tons of wild murals many featuring Jerry. Also we have McLaren Park and Jerry Garcia amphitheatre, home of Jerry Fest.It must be tiring explaining your change from the Ganglians to Tiaras. Can you do it under eight words?
Needed change. Friends forever. Never say never. SF is known for it’s garage rock scene and bands with a smash and bash approach to recording. You spent some time on the record. Does this have to do with the higher fidelity?
Oh definitely. We scrounged together money for a couple high end mics and gear from Guitar Center. We recorded at home in the XLCR and returned everything. As far as the garage rock scene most of us have been there and we are definitely all now part of a new group of musicians trying to distance ourselves from the old garage scene fidelity aside. Check out our friend Brian Wakefield's new label he started called Death Records for reference. It's a good slice of what's happening and what's to come here. What’s the story behind “Thought I Could Know”?
It’s about a girl naturally. But she's hardcore and you're emotional and sensitive so you know she's gonna wreck you but you're not going to stop yourself anytime soon.The record is coming out on a cool little Sacramento label Mt St Mtn. How did you hook up with them?
Kyle, Antonio, and I used to live in Sac and knew Mark from the label through the scene there for years. Ganglians first big show was with Mark's old band Mayyors.
Dec 11 - San Francisco at the Hemlock Tavern
Jan 7 - San Francisco at the Hemlock Tavern
Jan 8 - San Francisco at El Rio
Jan 31- Oakland at the Night Light
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Ryan Grubbs: No one thinks the XLCR is cool yet but they just haven't spent the time here. Pretty soon they will because it's the last affordable place to live in SF that isn't the Sunset, which I find suburban, foggy, and depressing. There's some of the best Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food that doesn't have nightmare lines out the door and tons of wild murals many featuring Jerry. Also we have McLaren Park and Jerry Garcia amphitheatre, home of Jerry Fest.It must be tiring explaining your change from the Ganglians to Tiaras. Can you do it under eight words?
Needed change. Friends forever. Never say never. SF is known for it’s garage rock scene and bands with a smash and bash approach to recording. You spent some time on the record. Does this have to do with the higher fidelity?
Oh definitely. We scrounged together money for a couple high end mics and gear from Guitar Center. We recorded at home in the XLCR and returned everything. As far as the garage rock scene most of us have been there and we are definitely all now part of a new group of musicians trying to distance ourselves from the old garage scene fidelity aside. Check out our friend Brian Wakefield's new label he started called Death Records for reference. It's a good slice of what's happening and what's to come here. What’s the story behind “Thought I Could Know”?
It’s about a girl naturally. But she's hardcore and you're emotional and sensitive so you know she's gonna wreck you but you're not going to stop yourself anytime soon.The record is coming out on a cool little Sacramento label Mt St Mtn. How did you hook up with them?
Kyle, Antonio, and I used to live in Sac and knew Mark from the label through the scene there for years. Ganglians first big show was with Mark's old band Mayyors.
Tiaras debut album is out January 14 on Mt St Mtn.Upcoming shows:
Dec 11 - San Francisco at the Hemlock Tavern
Jan 7 - San Francisco at the Hemlock Tavern
Jan 8 - San Francisco at El Rio
Jan 31- Oakland at the Night Light