Bow Down to The Grinns

Lana Valdez - Staff Writer

To celebrate the release of their new album, Let the Daze Go, self-described “60s British Invasion-esque surf rock” band The Grinns threw an album release show at the Santa Ana Observatory. Naturally, they were joined by a few friends, and the hype leading up to their performance at the end of the night was tangible on the floor (and in the pit). 

Makeout Reef opened the show, having mastered the perfect mix of a throaty yet vivacious sound; the kind of punk that makes crowd-goers dance around like uncontrollable children. People swayed (and bounced and shoved) and awed over the band members’ engagement with the audience (lead guitarist Josh Renner crowd-surfed multiple times throughout the night) until the next act was up, twin sisters Rio and Zoe of Strawberry Army, who rocked all the individual worlds in the crowd, and could’ve rocked an entire planet under the soles of their high-heeled platform boots. 

By the time the next act came on, the pit was in full swing, and 3lh, known for their “moshable” songs, was definitely music to their ears. Rafa Heredia, the lead singer and dual vocalist for the OC Hurricanes, greeted a few fans after their performance, still sweaty and pumping with adrenaline, with a huge smile stuck on his face. Psychic Barber came out next in full mellifluous glory, and hypnotized the crowd for a full thirty minutes of mellow harmonies and beach-happy lyrics, the perfect bridge to the last opening band, the newcomer indie-rock gods known as Carpool Tunnel, who finished out with some of the most emotional performances of the night, all songs yet to be released.

After three hours of watching their fellow bands tear up the stage and probably counting down the minutes until ten PM, The (legendary) Grinns finally entered the stage, basking in all the glory and the knowledge that everyone, including the bands and the crowd were beyond excited to see them perform- that they came for them. Let the Daze Go was released that morning, and they were undoubtedly reeling in the success of that, too, and their single, “Mona Lisa Lamborghini.” With nothing but smiles the entire set, they played a mix of old and new songs, from the new album and their prior album, Golden Hour. 

It was easy to see that one of their biggest inspirations was The Beatles, something the band claimed in an interview last year. Their disposition was sunny and heartfelt, but allowed room for roughhousing in different parts of their songs, like their inspiration, but a step more punk. Joey Kolk, the lead singer, sang with his entire heart, his vocal talent shining through all of the songs, especially in “Golden Hour” and “Don’t Look Back.” The band as a whole completely rocked out, sounding just like they did on the tracks- maybe even better, with the performance energy and life they gave to their songs. 

The release show and their album are just the beginning of their successes, as their growing talent definitely won’t go unnoticed.