GRMLN: Punk Sounds from the Land of the Rising Sun

There is plenty to be excited about for front man and mastermind behind Southern California’s new punk sensation GRMLN. The fact that he is about to embark on a big US tour definitely has his spirits set high in motion, and he will also be performing at this year’s Galax Z Fair in McAllen on March 10 at The Flying Walrus. Yoodoo Park is certainly on top of the world right now.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZEAkV9UH4′]

As a 20 year old Southern Californian with roots that stem back to his birth place in Kyoto, Japan, (he’s actually been going back and forth ever since he moved to the US at the age of 3) Park has always been an avid music lover and began pouring out a majority of his songs as a student at the University of California Santa Cruz where he is currently studying psychology, pursuing school on the side as he continues to evolve and propel himself forward doing what he loves to do.

He had begun writing before college, but he gained more attention once he began establishing himself while in school. By the time he had enrolled he had already put out his first EP, the lucid Explore, followed by his first full-length, Empire, in June 2013. By that point Park had already reformatted GRMLN to fit a full-ensemble which included his brother Tae San Park on bass and drummer Keith Frerichs. This all of which lent to the album’s punk rock, So Cal sound. Read our Q&A with Yoodoo after the video.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNckRV-jr-k’]

Q & A

Will this be your first time in Texas?

YP: We did a north American tour in the past, so I’ve been through North Texas, but this show coming up at Galax Z Fair will be my first time in South Texas. I would definitely come back if it’s a success.

What other festivals have you played so far? Which ones would you like to play that you haven’t yet?

YP: We’re doing this noise pop festival coming up soon around here, plus we recently played the Filter Culture Event in LA. As far as what festivals I’d like to get billing with, maybe Primivera in Barcelona. Barcelona just seems like a magical place and a great environment for music, food, and what not.

What bands have you played with and are looking forward to playing with?

YP: We played with Yuck and they were super nice and really good. Tijuana Panthers were another band we had our first tour with. Our longest tour was with a band called Geographer. They’re more electronic based.

What bands are you friends with?

YP: I’m not part of a scene, I’m kind of out of it. But I’m really tight with a band called Same Difference, hardcore band. Really good local band, but they’re really underrated. They’re super anti-mainstream.

What are some of your biggest influences?

YP: Fugazi a few years ago, Interpol, maybe one or two songs that I get into from new bands here and there. Really dark music. Anything with a heavy, dark undertone. Heavy rock and roll, punk rock, etc.

How do you feel about the music industry today?

YP: It’s kind of like an inevitable downward spiral. I’m grateful that CarPark, the label I’m on, is super supportive and cares about what I do musically and gives me the opportunity to do what I want. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them.