At the Drunken Unicorn: Wowser Bowser

By Denton WilliamsThe name “Wowser Bowser” was born from college summer days of “soda pop and Totino’s® pizza,” but the increasingly-popular Atlanta band saw its beginnings much earlier. George Pettis, Jake Thomson, Joe Crabb, and Ryan James all began playing piano and various other instruments as early as elementary school.Today, after surviving experiences of playing with only one hand on the piano, practicing under the watchful eye of an egg timer, and learning the saxophone as a prerequisite to trumpet, the members of Wowser Bowser have united to create their unique electronic identity. Pettis is featured as the band’s lead singer and can also play guitar and bass. Thomson rocks out on the drums after his experience in his high school marching band, and Crabb adds a trademark trumpet flare. James, currently attending Guilford College, is the band’s bass player, and honorary member Sam Fisher attends Oberlin and helps write and program.Wowser Bowser officially formed after this core group developed from multiple previous bands and early disputes. Their first gig at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. kicked off their rusty past and snowballed into the momentum that is currently creating their sophomore album.During the show, students filled the living room venue of a themed house called the Pines, and as Pettis recalls, “It was one of the most fun shows we’ve ever played. We almost broke the floor.”Greensboro started Wowser Bowser’s tour of maturation. The band has acquired some essential hints towards growing into successful artists, the first being to always “go over-the-top with performances.”If you attend one of Wowser Bowser’s concerts, Pettis might pop up dancing next to you in the crowd, singing in an explosion of balloons. The band admits that their tracks are largely electronic, but that absolutely does not stop them from jamming out wholeheartedly and infecting the audience with energy.The next point of growth Wowser Bowser has noted is their highly improved songwriting. While their first album, Wowser Bowser, comprises of songs primarily written by Pettis, the next album is said to provide an equal conglomeration of creative input from all members. Thomson enjoys competitively pushing his friends with his writing ingenuity, causing the band to quickly develop their musical craft. His favorite song from the first album is “E Dialeda Ho,” featuring Madeline Adams of Atlanta. Meanwhile, Pettis and Crabb agree that “The Garden,” the oldest song on the album, is the most enjoyable, ironically as it is what they call “an accidental success in 7/8 time.”The band continues to grow together, especially with James’s upcoming graduation and the subsequent long hours of composing and having fun. Eventually, Wowser Bowser intends to go on tour, and they are extremely thankful to be coming into their own during the recent musical boom of local bands in Atlanta.Aside from performing as musicians, the members of Wowser Bowser often listen to music and support friends’ shows when they have free time. Pettis notes that there is a plethora of unbelievable music already created, so recently he is catching up on the historical masterpieces unknown to him and the others.In addition to music, the band loves cinema and stand-up comedy. Sometimes, they attest, music is so surrounding that stand-up comedy provides a refreshing alternative. After watching comedians or other bands, Wowser Bowser might be found at Victory Sandwich Bar, the Porter, or Savage Pizza in Atlanta, grabbing a bite to eat.Finally, when requested for advice to give to aspiring musicians at Emory, Wowser Bowser equipped us with a few thoughtful and encouraging remarks. Crabb immediately stated, “Don’t give up, and don’t stop.” Thomson stressed abandoning fear and suggested connecting with people outside of one’s comfort zone in the music scene. Pettis added that it is crucial to “Surround yourself with people who you think are more talented than you; people who inspire you to make music.”All members were in accord that aspiring musicians must also play the music that makes them happy and work with the people they love. Ultimately, though, the up-and-coming Atlanta band recommended going alone to shows that seem interesting and meeting the bands.“If you like the shows, talk to the musicians afterwards. I promise that 99 percent of them are the most approachable people ever. I’ve had almost zero negative experiences,” Pettis reassures. As the reporter for this interview, I can verify with conviction that Wowser Bowser is one of these said approachable groups, and they are visibly determined to hone their electronic passion and tour on the road to greater success someday soon.