Exploding Flowers are a Los Angeles quartet who have crafted their own universe of guitar-based pop, with its flourishes of piano, organ, synthesizers, vibraphone and glockenspiel on top of a foundational rhythm section. This music continues a lineage of like-minded melody chasers, from both past and present. Led by Sharif Dumani who has worked with a variety of artists which include Alice Bag, Cody Chesnutt, Sex Stains, the Moon Upstairs, Classics Of Love, Nick Garrie, Jowe Head, Nikki Sudden, Silver Apples and many more, the quartet is comprised of members Josh Mancell (the Moon Upstairs, Cell\Borg), Happy Tsugawa-Banta (Lassie Foundation, Ray Barbee), and Mark Sogomian (the Moon Upstairs). With two previous albums and an ep released, they have been compared to everything from Big Star to the Soft Boys, and L.A.’s Paisley Underground to New Zealand’s 1980s-era Flying Nun Records guitar pop roster (such as the Chills, the Bats, etc.). Exploding Flowers explore some similar territory but expand to occupy their own space in that landscape. Watermelon/Peacock is Exploding Flowers third release packed with analog production, poetic lyricism, and the same strong melodies and hooks we’ve now come to expect from a band that prioritizes its songwriting with smart left turns. Both economic and expansive, they utilize all measures to craft something both beautiful, grand, and driving. Joined on this release by indie veterans Rachel Love of seminal pop legends Dolly Mixture, and Jowe Head of D.I.Y. legends Swell Maps and post-punk/mod/psychedelia legends Television Personalities, this is a release that has something for everyone to enjoy. The album artwork is by artist and musician Jill Emery (Hole, Mazzy Star).

 Exploding Flowers – All In Stride

What Sharif Says: “This song features Rachel Love of Dolly Mixture singing the second verse, providing harmonies, and playing cello. It was a privilege and honor having one of my favorite songwriters contribute to our album, and completely adding her unique “Dolly Mixture” touch to our song.“

Exploding Flowers – A Colour Box

“This song is on our latest album, Watermelon/Peacock, but it was originally used for a compilation called Art For All that Jowe Head (Swell Maps/Television Personalities) assembled and released on the revamped legendary 1980’s Glass Records, now called Glass Modern. When Jowe Head came to the West Coast for the first time in 2016, I backed him on a number of shows. We struck a friendship, and some years later, he wanted to include us on this compilation that features BMX Bandits, Jeremy Gluck (Barracudas), Jowe Head, and many more. This song was our tribute to the late experimental filmmaker, Len Lye, whose experimental short film A Colour Box was so divisive for its time that at the 1935 international screening premiere in Brussels, it caused Nazi viewers to storm out, labeling the work “degenerate modern art,” protesting the film leading to the screening being stopped before its completion. Len Lye’s influence can be seen two decades later in Stan Brakhage and Jonas Mekas’ experimental films, paving the way towards alternative approaches to filmmaking, thought, poetry, and art.“

Exploding Flowers – Life On A Timeline

“Simply put, we’re all going to die. Whether you have billions or just a dime, whether one believes they have something over another, power structures, the haves and the have nots, success or failure, the great equalizer is this life is on a timeline for everyone. With that, I choose to live this life as present as possible. Maybe if I’m lucky, leave some art behind that moves people.“

His Mixtape:

Felt – Silver Plane (from Poem Of The River)

My favorite Felt song off my favorite Felt record. This song is pure elegance. Lawrence is brilliant, but often times overlooked in the Felt history, are the band members during this period. Incredible playing. A huge influence in approaching songs with perfectly placed guitar lines, organ and piano inflections, and steady rhythms. 

Senseless Things – Too Much Kissing (from Postcard C.V.)

I adore this song. It’s like Generation X crossed with the Replacements. Everything perfect in underground rock during the 1980s. I love late-80’s UK “indie.” It’s not fully “punk,” not attached to hardcore at all, but too early for the “Brit-pop” and “Shoegaze” explosions, and too English for pop-punk as people have now come to know it. Bands like Mega City Four, early Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Drive, and Swervedriver come to mind. This is like the UK’s version of the Replacements, Husker Du, early Soul Asylum, Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr, Das Damen, etc. Genius song. In fact, had you placed this in the years of the Libertines and all of their clones, this song would have exploded.

Teenage Fanclub – The Cabbage (from Thirteen)

When I was in my teens, I saw Teenage Fanclub at the Jabberjaw, a tiny venue/coffee house in Los Angeles during the 1990’s. It was during the Fanny’s Bandwagonesque tour, and Permanent Green Light (featuring Michael Quercio of The Three O’Clock) supported. That show changed my life. I became a permanent member of the Teenage Fanclub. This song was on their following album, Thirteen, but it is the soundtrack to my teens. It’s the sound of coming of age, falling in love, going to shows, playing records with friends, making mixtapes on crushes, and all the things that make life absolutely perfect!

The Joyce McKinney Experience – Mint (from Cuddle This)

If Lush were an Anarcho punk band they would have been The Joyce McKinney Experience. I love the UK Anarcho and Peace Punk bands from the 1980s. So many of the bands from that movement were unique, melodic, and totally original. The Joyce McKinney Experience, Dan, Sofa Head, Lost Cherrees, Rubella Ballet, Hagar The Womb, etc. sound nothing like each other but share the same love for distortion, speed, and melody. This is.an incredible pop band underneath all of the hardcore punk, rich with vocal harmonies. This song is a gem!

The Only Ones – Flaming Torch (from Even Serpents Shine)

Possibly the most underrated rock band of all time. They are criminally overlooked in history or only regarded for their one song, Another Girl, Another Planet, when they have several dozen that are equally as brilliant. More proof that a music industry was more interested in mediocrity rising to the top than anything unique, striking, beautiful, and bold. Thank you to the Only Ones. More creative roadmaps for the next waves to springboard from. We owe a huge debt to them from here to eternity.

Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians – If You Were A Priest (from Element Of Light)

A pop institution. A boundless troubadour of exploration both as a lyricist and songsmith. He’s like if Adidas created a pair of hip and comfortable wooden shoes. A bridge to the past and present with an eye towards the future. Wizard of melody and off-kilter hooks. A discography that rivals the Fall and/or Robert Pollard, and a complete inspiration in our music.

Prix – Love You All Day Long (from Historix)

A fantastic lost 1970’s power pop song with harmonies, swooning melodies, hot shot playing, and rockin’ melancholy featuring main man Tommy Hoehn along with Big Star’s Alex Chilton and Chris Bell playing guitar, piano, and backing vocals all over the recordings, including this one. Only two singles released during the 1970’s, including one on the legendary Ork Records. This song comes from a collection released 26 years after its initial recording. Highly recommended for fans of the Raspberries, Big Star, the Scruffs, the Nerves, and the like.

Matthew Sweet – Dead Smile (from Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu)

This song really puts “power” in the term power pop, which is often times thrown at bands that have absolutely no power in their pop. Matthew Sweet is a pop national treasure. From Oh OK (with Michael Stipe’s sister) to his early group The Buzz Of Delight (contemporaries with early dB’s and Let’s Active), almost 30 years in to this album, and he still knocks it out of the park. I mean the man got members of the Voidoids and Television together to play all over some of his best records, and longtime drummer Ric Menk (Reverbs, Springfields, Velvet Crust, etc.) alone is his own underground pop institution. This song and album are right up there with his classics like Girlfriend and 100% Fun. I’m hoping he is having a speedy recovery from his recent stroke. His music is important to a lot of people. Myself included.

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – If Fingers Were Xylophones (from Moon Beats Yellow/If Fingers Were Xylopones 7”)

This song captures a similar spirit of Stereolab’s French Yé–yé and lounge obsessions, the psych pop mastery of the 1960’s Nirvana or Os Mutantes, the playful and skillful beauty of Soft Machine’s Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt, and Daevid Allen both together and solo, with the forward stylistic movement that sounded modern, fresh, and unique at that time. Only Gorky’s! Especially that early adventurous period that still makes me believe that there is forever endless possibility in “pop” music.

Outrageous Cherry – Georgie Don’t You Know (from Out There In The Dark)

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. Every song is a little masterpiece. It finally gets a proper vinyl release in 2024 (25 years after its initial CD release). This song is one of the best opening tracks on a rock record. Detroit underground legends of masterclass pop music. I mean, if Detroit legend and elder statesman Alice Cooper is even covering one of your songs (Our Love Will Change The World) on his 2021 album, you know you’re doing something pretty special.

Watermelon/Peacock is out now on Meritorio Records. Look HERE for more information on Exploding Flowers.