Grampfather is an eclectic rock band based out of Kingston, NY, whose material traverses a variety of rock genres, such as indie, garage, punk, psych, chill, and thrash. The band is composed of James Kwapisz (guitar and vocals), Andrew Blot (lead guitar), Tony DiMauro (drums), and Jake Offermann (bass). Kwapisz started the band in 2013, bringing lively, chaotic, fun-rock to the Upstate New York basement and house show scene. The then two-piece garage rock ensemble has since evolved into a four-piece genre-whirling force.
Although Grampfather has had members come and go throughout the years, the current lineup is dedicated to the vision, and their forthcoming fifth LP, Gramppappies, is a testament to their passion. Following Pipes (2015), Gramps of Wrath (2017), The Gramp Stamp (2019), and Magnum Grampus (2020), Gramppappies is their most realized album yet. Staying true to their essence, Grampfather’s new album wavers between abrasive rockers and chill indie vibes. As such, the album, like their live shows, is sure to keep listeners on their toes. Look for Gramppappies everywhere on February 25th.
Today Glide is excited to premiere “Poppies,” a standout track on the new album. Fans of Ween will find plenty to appreciate in this song, which incorporates bouncy, oddball pop with indie and psych rock. Catchy vocals and jangly guitar give the song a dreamy and druggy quality, which is perhaps not surprising considering what the name alludes to. The band takes off on spicy guitar jaunts that dance around the vocals and make you want to bob up and down as they howl away. There is an early 2000s vibe to the tune as well as the trippier aspects, making for a tune that showcases the potential of this strangely cool band from Upstate New York.Â
Guitarist and vocalist James Kwapisz shares the inspiration and process behind the track:
“I wrote the main riff for this song a few years back, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it until I connected it with the chord progression in the second half of the song. I liked the poppy vibe of it, so I just named the song file “Poppy song,” which then became “Poppies, drawing a connection to the title of the album, Gramppappies. The first half of the song is kind of sarcastically thinking about life without music/art/beauty/flowers (poppies), and the second half genuinely expresses my passion and appreciation for music in my life and how barren this life would be without it.”
LISTEN:
