The Garden is an American experimental rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 2011 by twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears.[1] The duo released their debut album The Life and Times of a Paperclip in 2013, with several smaller releases following. In 2015, the group released their second studio album Haha along with the lead single "All Smiles Over Here:)" to critical acclaim after being signed to Epitaph Records. The brothers have toured across the US, Europe, United Kingdom, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and in 2019 and 2023, they appeared at Coachella.
Twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears formed The Garden in 2011 aged 17, as a side project of their band M.H.V (Ms. Hannah's Victims), but eventually they departed in order to pursue The Garden full time. Their name The Garden is intended as a metaphor for their music "growing" and evolving.[1][2][3] They began playing shows and soon, still signed to their previous band's label Burger Records, released their debut self titled EP in May 2012 on cassette,[4][5][6] followed by Everything Is Perfect in December.[7] They released the song "I'm a Woman" with a video in late 2012 before releasing their debut album The Life and Times of a Paperclip in July 2013.[8][9][10] A month later they released the Rules EP, featuring "Spirit Chant" (previously released on Everything Is Perfect) and "Get Me My Blade", which released along with a video earlier that year.[11][12]
2014–2015: The Vadaverse Platforms and haha
The twins would then go on to release quite a few more singles throughout 2013-14[13], as well as 2 songs titled "Crystal Clear"[14][15][16][17] (released both in January, with b-side "Slice Em", and April 2014), and "Cloak"[18] that would eventually appear on their then upcoming, second album.[13][19][20] These 2 tracks would later be put on their 3 triple-single compilation - The Vadaverse Platforms; collectively released same-day in June 2014,[21][22] separately physical on 3 separate labels,[20] shortly following a video for a track that appears on all 3; "Crystal Clear".[23][24]
In December 2014, The Garden twins released a 7" titled "Surprise!", featuring the B-side "This Could Build Us a Home"[25][26][27][28][29]; a future cut off of what was next for The Garden..
In 2015, they signed to Epitaph Records, and in March, premiered the track "I Want That Nose I Saw On TV".[30][31][32][33] Later in August, they announced their second studio album haha, simultaneously with their lead single "All Smiles Over Here:)".[34][35] After a[36] few[37] more[38] singles[39] and videos[40] within the following months, the twins ultimately released their second studio album haha, on October 9, 2015.[41]
2016–2017: U Want The Scoop?
In 2016, they released a string of singles, "Play Your Cards Right" (featuring Crazy 8), "Call This # Now" and "California Here We Go", coinciding a US tour[42], a later "BIG$HOT JACKPOT TOUR"[43], and Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival appearances[44], before releasing the U Want the Scoop? EP in March 2017; following a video for "All Access".[45][46][47][48][49]
During September 2017, the duo opened for Mac DeMarco on his North American tour.[50]
2018: Mirror Might Steal Your Charm
On January 24, 2018, The Garden released the single "No Destination" on Epitaph Records with an accompanying music video.[51][52] On February 27, they released a new music video for the single "Stallion", and announced their new album, Mirror Might Steal Your Charm, was set to release on March 30.[53][54] A third single, "Call The Dogs Out", came out three days before the album's release on March 27.[55] They also played songs from the album at the ARTE concert in 2018.[56]
2020: Kiss My Super Bowl Ring
The band announced the release date of their fourth studio album, Kiss My Super Bowl Ring, on January 16, 2020. The announcement was supported by the album's first single, "Clench to Stay Awake".[57] The album was released on March 13, 2020, and features production from 100 gecs member Dylan Brady and Kero Kero Bonito bassist James Bulled under his side project Wharfwhit.[58][59]
2022–2023: Horseshit on Route 66
The singles "Freight Yard", "Orange County Punk Rock Legend", and "Chainsaw the Door" were released ahead of their fifth studio album, Horseshit on Route 66, which was released on September 8, 2022.[60]
In June 2024, The Garden announced the release of their first single of the year titled "Filthy Rabbit Hole"[62] described as a West Coast lofi hardcore punk track from the '80s.[63]
In September, another single along with a music video was announced for the track "Ballet" with a confirmation for an upcoming Extended play.[64]
These singles were released ahead of their fifth extended play Six Desperate Ballads, which released on October 30, 2024.[65]
The band is known for their fast, punk-influenced two-piece bass and drum songs. At some point Wyatt has stated he switched from bass to guitar, but most people didn't notice because of his playing style and use of low notes.[citation needed] Their later music contains synth in addition to or instead of the guitar and drums. Both their music and image is characterized by "DIY principles, thrift store-cum-glam fashion style and a vast list of influences".[70] The brothers classify their sound as "Vada Vada", a philosophy which Wyatt Shears describes as "an idea that represents pure creative expression, that disregards all previously made genres and ideals".[71] The twins have cited influence from artists such as video game composer Manabu Namiki, rappers E-40 and Mykki Blanco, country singer Johnny Paycheck, and punk rock bands Minutemen and Big Boys.[72][73]
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