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If there is one thing that the Crocodiles seem to do all the time, it’s touring. The duo, described as a (good) cross between Velvet Underground and Jesus and Mary Chain, formed in San Diego in 2008 , released their debut album Summer of Hate on Fat Possum Record last April and just toured with the likes of Ladytron and The Faint. They are still on tour all over Europe; they'll play in the USA with the Horrors in September and with the Raveonettes in November. Here's what Brandon Welchez (vocals) and Charles Rowell (guitars) told Inspired Flight after their last gig in London at Bardens Boudoir.

 

 

Who are the Crocodiles? Where does the name come from?

Brandon Welchez: Crocodiles are me and Charles. Finding a name for a band is the hardest part about getting one together. We threw around many ideas, the Electric Stares, Dum Dum Girls (which we passed on to a friend), and Crocodile Tears were the top contenders. In the end we went with Crocodiles because it sounded quite 60's but also a bit dark. 

Charles Rowell: Brandon and I are Crocodiles and the name comes from our lips.  

 

 

Is there a particular reason why you guys started playing together?

Brandon Welchez: We started playing together close to 10 years ago. We've been through many (mostly shitty) bands together. San Diego, where we come from, is a small place with very few musicians of taste. The ones who are into cool music all find each other. Chuck and I found each other!

Charles Rowell: We like being in the same room together.

 

 

What do you think is your main feature as a band?

Brandon Welchez: Good songs.

Charles Rowell: Feature, probably our big noses.

 

 

You were born in San Diego. Has your city influenced your music and how?

Brandon Welchez: I wasn't born in San Diego, but I moved there when I was 7. Yes, I'd say it's influenced me in a few ways. Firstly, the suburb that I grew up was extremely boring. All there was to do in that town was skateboard, have sex, do crystal methamphetamine and play in bands. I wasn't very good at skateboarding, so I quit. Girls didn't like me, so I didn't have much sex. I saw friends’ teeth fall out and them have to go to rehab for crystal meth, so I didn't get into that.

But playing in a band was fun, so I started doing that around 13. A few years later, I became aware of cool bands from San Diego that had existed but that I had missed by a few years because I was too young. Bands like Antioch Arrow, Heroin and Vicious Ginks. I hated pop punk like Blink 182 and NOFX (which was what was big in my town) and these bands gave me an alternative. Something darker and more artful and creative. Crocodiles don't necessarily sound like any of these bands, but I think because they were such a foundation when we were teenagers, their influence will always be with us. San Diego is still a boring place to live. It's beautiful but there isn't much to do. And it gets very very hot. And it's very expensive. A lot of the negativity in our music comes from being bored the last few years, with no money, nothing to do and trying to escape the sun.

Charles Rowell: Being from San Diego has motivated us only to make music that can take us away from the city... to Italy perhaps.

 

 

 

How do you feel being described as 'the dark side of the california sun'?

Brandon Welchez: It's better than being described as the dark side of the moon haha....

Charles Rowell: Egala!

 

 

What song sums up you best?

Brandon Welchez: I think they all do - I think our album is quite varied and if people listen to the album as a whole they could see a wide range of emotion and influence.

Charles Rowell: "I'm A Girl Watcher" by The O'Kaysons.

 

 

What's in your stereo?

Brandon Welchez: Nothing at the moment - the van we rented for this tour doesn't have a working CD player. So for now it's been shitty European radio. But in the hotel room, we listen to music off the computer. We've been listening to Phyllis Dillon, the Jamaican soul singer and the song "Warrior" by the Bitters.

Charles Rowell: Northern Soul and Electronics.

 

 

You guys show a strong attitude on stage. How much do you think attitude is important for a band?

Brandon Welchez: I just think it's important to be yourself. If you are having fun on stage, dance around and have a good time. If the audience hates you, hate them back. It's important for me to be honest with myself and with the crowd. 

Charles Rowell: Attitude, positive or negative is the key.

 

 

Your top 5 favourite bands ever?

Brandon Welchez: This is too hard --- Sex Pistols, Beatles, Birthday Party, Nuggets Compilation, Max Romeo. Not sure!!

Charles Rowell: Sex Pistols, Primal Scream, The Ramones, The Smiths, & Crocodiles.

 

 

You are currently touring all over USA and Europe. What will you do after that?

Brandon Welchez: We will tour all over the USA and Europe again!

Charles Rowell: Tour all over New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

 

Raffaella Cara 

Photography by James Norton.