The band was formed by guitarist Charles Rowell and singer Brandon Welchez after the break up of their post-hardcore bands The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower and Some Girls. Welchez and Rowell both played together in The Plot To... so when that band came to an end, and Rowell was no longer playing in Some Girls, the duo initially joined Dum Dum Girls, the band of Welchez's fiancée Dee Dee Penny. However, the duo were working on their own project while also playing in Penny's band, and “Neon Jesus”, their first single as the duo Crocodiles, was heard by the Southern California noise-pop legends No Age who promptly put the track on a list of their favourite tracks of the year. The kind of respect that No Age continue to command meant that Crocodiles scored a record deal with the Mississippi based label Fat Possum Records very shortly after that list was published.
To strike while the iron was hot, the band recorded their debut album by themselves and in April 2009, barely a year after the duo started working together, the band released “Summer Of Hate”. The reception that the album enjoyed meant that the following year, the band were able to head into the studio and work with Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons producer James Ford to record its follow up. “Sleep Forever” was released in September 2010 to huge critical acclaim, and ever since then, the band have remained one of the most respected indie rock acts of their time. They've been able to collaborate with everyone from Hollie Cook to The Television Personalities' Dan Treacy, and with the kind of cult following that the duo command, nothing seems to be able to stop them from becoming true indie rock icons. For that, they come highly recommended.
Crocodiles are a super cool band to see live. The lights were bright and colorful. I love indie pop bands who know how to rock. They came out that night ready to play their hearts out for the audience.
I fell in love with the lead singer Brandon Welchez that night. Seriously, he's so funny and lively. He's got a big heart, and he's incredibly sexy. He looked so cool on stage; all of the band did.
Crocodiles back up their cool attitude with an amazing musical ability. They are super inventive musicians, who enjoy experimenting with sound and technique while still creating a catchy pop melody.
They had a pretty good turn out the night I saw them a few years ago. There were some die hard fans and some people who had just heard them play for the first time. When they played one of my favorite songs, "I Wanna Kill," I screamed like nobody's business. I'm not usually a loud talker or someone who wants to get everyone's attention, but it was hard not to get wrapped up in the energy of the crowd.
Everyone was having a good time! I have no regrets seeing Crocodiles come out live. I know I'm going to have to see them again one day.