Live @ WKDU: GRMLN

Empire is the debut album of 20-year-old Yoodoo Park (aka GRMLN). After the release of his Explore EP in late 2012, Park wrote Empire in-between classes at University of California Santa Cruz, creating songs with more of a rock n’ roll edge than his past soft dream pop releases. Park also put together a live band, including his brother Tae San Park on bass and friend Keith Frerichs on drums. The kinetic punk energy of the new band comes through in songs like opener “Teenage Rhythm”, with its chanting chorus “telling you to get out, get out, get out” and heavy bassline. Single “Hand Pistol” plays like a homage to Superchunk with a hazy, Southern California influence.