Stouper - Gripper

Stouper is a rising Encinitas garage-punk band who knocked our socks off at the recent Day At The Che mini-fest at The Che Café, which featured several of San Diego County’s best up-and-coming DIY bands. From what we can tell, they’re pretty much a brand new band - at least discography-wise. The only track they’ve got on streaming services so far is the recently-released “Gripper,” but it’s an absolutely phenomenal debut single that’s been in our constant rotation for the past couple weeks.

Pummeling rhythms and riffage combine to form a nostalgia-soaked garage rock and pop-punk banger that toes the line between sentimental and aggressive. The energy of the track ebbs and flows in hypnotic ways, sometimes pulling back into sparse, minimal detours before revving back up and going all in on the sonic whiplash. Singalong-inducing lyrics rise to the surface on the anthemic chorus - full of longing, desire, regret, hope, sadness, and a myriad of other poignant feels. Right out the gate, Stouper feel like a fully-formed group with a distinct sound and thematic outlook. After just one track, we’re ready to keep close tabs on them and devour whatever they put out next. In the meantime, give “Gripper” a spin or two below: