Home Grown

"We like to keep changing our style and challenging our fans," says vocalist-bassist Adam Lohrbach. "They’re growing up with us, and you can’t keep writing songs about how some girl broke your heart in high school. I have to sing about what’s happening in my life now - although I’m still going to act like a goofball for the rest of my life." Maturity has never been an easy fit for punk bands - even for those who value hooks and heart over aggression and angst. In too many instances, talk of growing up signals the end of the fun and the beginning of the suck. Meet a rare exception. With Kings Of Pop, Southern California’s Home Grown has made its most thoughtful and fully realized album to date, without sacrificing the high-energy and irreverence that has always characterized its best work. Produced by Steve Evetts (Saves The Day, Snapcase), the band’s third full-length album - and first for Drive-Thru Records - features bittersweet numbers like "You’re Not Alone" that sit comfortably alongside "love sucks" shout-alongs like "I Love You Not." It shouldn’t work, but it does, thanks largely to the band’s talent for pure melody that links every song.

"We explored everything we’ve always wanted to explore on this album - each song has its own character," says vocalist-guitarist John E. Trash. "But we didn’t slow down or get soft or turn into cheesy pop." Hence the album’s title: "We wanted a cocky name that was still funny," explains Adam. "Someone suggested "Kings Of Pop", then we thought, ‘Hmm, maybe "Gods Of Pop"? Nah. Too much - that’ll be the next album."

As John and Adam repeatedly state, Home Grown isn’t a band, it’s a brotherhood. Sure, they may verbally antagonize each other onstage. And, yeah, they frequently drop the PlayStation controls to physically batter each other during especially vicious games of Tekken Tag. But ultimately, Home Grown operates in complete harmony. "We’re such good friends that we hang out all the time even when we’re at home - we play video games, surf, fish," says Adam of the three-piece line-up, rounded out by drummer Darren Reynolds. "The chemistry we have now is great."

"Yeah, I’m the angry, bitter guy - plus I suffer from minor schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Disorder," he says with a laugh. "And I guess I got a little more sensitive and serious on this album," admits Adam. "But John and I complement each other that way. John is a non-stop character, even though he’s mellowed out a little - but just a little. He still gets wild every night." "And Adam is a 12-year-old trapped in a 27-year-old’s body," counters John. "He’ll pick up any video game he sees and start playing it." So much for growing up.