Local rockers Tropical Popsicle create psychedelic surf jams with a modern twist
By Logan Broyles | SDUN Reporter
The name Tropical Popsicle has caused founder Timothy Hines some grief over the years, but damn it sure is catchy. The band’s music is just as unique as it’s name, a wild mix of indie, garage rock and surfer tunes that channel MGMT with a Southern California beach vibe twist.
Tropical Popsicle got its name as something of a fluke, one night Hines was the DJ at the Tin Can Alehouse and blurted the name out just so there would be something listed for the show.
Within a week local magazines and newspapers were reporting on Hines new ‘side project,’ so he decided to actually follow through with it and began writing and recording some new tracks with a unique style that he describes as “a modern hybrid of 60s psychedelic, pop, goth and new wave.”
Hines had plenty of connections in the local music industry since used to play with local acts Lights On and the Stereotypes before branching off on his own with Tropical Popsicle.
He played his new music for Craig Oliver, a close friend owner of Volar Records. The two agreed that they needed a full band to really get the sound right, so Hines pulled together three good friends that all had past experience working in other bands.
In addition to Hines leading the way as singer, guitarist and keyboardist, there is fellow guitarist and backup singer Kyle Whatley, bass player Chase Elliot and percussionist Ryan Hand.
“The chemistry we’ve developed as a band is what it’s all about, and they’ve really transcended the recordings into an awesome live show,” says Hines. “Kyle has this cool Sterling Morrison [the Velvet Underground’s guitarist] look; Ryan’s a one of a kind, crazy enigmatic guy; and Chase is an awesome multi-instrumentalist with an endless drive to get great music out there.”
The quartet released their first 7” vinyl, “Beach With No Footprints,” in June 2011. Their second release, “The Age of Attraction,” came out less than five months later.
The band’s style touches on so many genres because Hines grew up listening to a wide range of music, jamming to everything from basics like the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, to 80s punk, Brazilian music and French pop.
“This year we’re going to try out lots of new songs and musical stylings,” he says. “It’s only been two years so I am still evolving and the band is evolving stylistically while still staying true to our roots.”
He added, “Trop Pop is generally very simple, I never like to plan stuff or think too much about it. I write and record a lot, and some of it will see the light of day or some will go into my proverbial junkyard of half baked tunes, to be pillaged from at a later date.”
The group is currently wrapping up three new music videos that will debut in the next few months, and they will be releasing a full-length vinyl LP due out in late spring or early summer and hope to add a couple additional EPs as well.
“The songs are there and coming,” says Hines. “I’ve always wanted to go back to the days when bands did two full-length records in one year… Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and all the great bands in the 60’s didn’t waste any time or get lazy.”
A promotional tour for the new CD is already being planned for this summer, with stops along both the West and East Coast and possibly a few in between. They will be playing at the Casbah on Feb 25.
