The Garden (band)

2011–2013: Formation, debut album and EPs

Twin brothers, Wyatt Shears and Fletcher Shears formed the Garden in 2011, when they were seventeen years old. The group's name is meant to be a metaphor for their music "growing" and evolving.^[2] Originally, the brothers intended for the Garden to be a side project of their three-piece band M.H.V (Ms. Hannah's Victims), which they later abandoned to pursue the Garden full-time. Shortly after the duo started performing as the Garden, in May 2012 they released their self-titled debut EP on cassette while still signed to their previous band's label, Burger Records.^[3][4] followed by Everything Is Perfect (another EP) that December.^[5] The song "I'm a Woman" was released alongside a music video in late 2012.^{[6][dead link]} Their debut album, The Life and Times of a Paperclip, came out in July 2013.^[7][8] A month later, they put out the Rules EP, featuring "Spirit Chant" (previously on Everything Is Perfect) and "Get Me My Blade", which had been released alongside a music video earlier that year.^[9][10]

2014–2015: The Vadaverse Platforms and haha

The twins went on to release several more singles in 2013 and 2014,^[11] as well as two songs titled "Crystal Clear"^{[12][13][14][15]} (released both in January, with B-side "Slice Em", and April 2014) that would eventually appear on their then-upcoming second album. These two tracks would later be put on their three triple-single compilation - The Vadaverse Platforms; collectively released same-day in June 2014, separately physical on three separate labels, shortly following a video for a track that appears on all three; "Crystal Clear". In December 2014, the Garden released a 7" titled "Surprise!", featuring the B-side "This Could Build Us a Home";^[16] a future cut off of what was next for the Garden.

In 2015, they signed to Epitaph Records and premiered the track "I Want That Nose I Saw On TV", with media coverage describing the band as maintaining a “punk spirit” in their music and visual aesthetic.^[17][18][19] Later in August 2015, they announced their second studio album haha, simultaneously with the release of the lead single "All Smiles Over Here :)".^[20][21] The band released several additional singles and accompanying music videos throughout 2015 in the lead-up to haha, which was released on October 9, 2015.^[22][23]

2016–2017: U Want The Scoop?

In 2016, they released a string of singles, including "Play Your Cards Right" (featuring Crazy 8). This was the first music video appearance of the band to be seen wearing jester face paint.^[24] The Garden initially wore jester face paint on stage prior to the video release for the first time at SXSW 2016 in Austin, Texas at Hotel Vegas.^[25] "Call This # Now"^[26] and "California Here We Go" were released during this period as well, coinciding with a full North America tour, a later "BIG$HOT JACKPOT TOUR",^[27] and Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival appearances, before releasing the U Want the Scoop? EP in March 2017; following the first single and music video for the EP, All Access^[28] and later releasing "Clay" with a music video.^[29] During September 2017, the Garden supported Mac Demarco on a full-scale US tour. Their set was reviewed as "wild and infectious enthusiasm", playing high-energy garage/punk material each night.^[30]

2018: Mirror Might Steal Your Charm

On January 24, 2018, the Garden released the single "No Destination" on Epitaph Records with an accompanying music video.^[31] On February 27, they released a new music video for the single "Stallion", and announced their new album, Mirror Might Steal Your Charm, was set to release on March 30.^[32][33] A third single, "Call the Dogs Out", came out three days before the album's release on March 27.^[34] They also played songs from the album at the ARTE concert in 2018.^[35]

2020: Kiss My Super Bowl Ring

The band announced the release date of their fourth studio album, Kiss My Super Bowl Ring, on January 16, 2020. The announcement was supported by the album's first single, "Clench to Stay Awake".^[36] The album was released on March 13, 2020, and features production from 100 gecs member Dylan Brady and Carrot Top.^[37] Pitchfork described the album as "proudly defiant", noting its unconventional structure, and described it as fusing "'80s-inspired hardcore with playful electronics", with the Shears brothers' bass-and-drums duo.^[38] NME described the album as having a "restless brand of creativity" and a "collage of scattered, urgent art-rock", highlighting its experimental production and its role in pushing the band's increasingly chaotic, assemblage-based style forward.^[39]

2022–2023: Horseshit on Route 66 and One Strange Night in Orange County

The singles "Freight Yard", "Orange County Punk Rock Legend", and "Chainsaw the Door" were released ahead of their fifth studio album, Horseshit on Route 66, which was released on September 8, 2022.^[40] During their touring season following the release of the album, the Garden performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.^[41]

On July 22, 2023, the band curated its first boutique music festival, One Strange Night in Orange County, at the Observatory OC Festival Grounds in Santa Ana, California. The Garden headlined the event, which also featured a supporting line-up including JPEGMAFIA, the Adicts, Alice Glass, and 45 Grave.^[42]

2024: Six Desperate Ballads

In June 2024, the Garden announced the release of their first single of the year titled "Filthy Rabbit Hole"^[43] described as a West Coast lo-fi hardcore punk track from the 1980s.^[44] In September, another single along with a music video was announced for the track "Ballet" with a confirmation for an upcoming extended play.^[45] The music video for "Ballet" guest starred Dinah Cancer the lead vocalist from the 1980s Los Angeles horror punk band 45 Grave. These singles were released ahead of their fifth extended play Six Desperate Ballads, which released on October 30, 2024.^[46]

2025-present: "Ugly", One Strange Night in Orange County II, and Bootleg

The Garden released the single “Ugly”, described as a melodic punk track, on November 6, 2025, accompanied by a music video.^[47][48] The music video for "Ugly" was filmed in Tonopah, Nevada. Filming locations included one of Nevada’s most well-known reportedly haunted hotels, the Mizpah Hotel^[49] and the historic Tonopah cemetery adjacent to the Clown Motel. "Ugly" was released on 7" white vinyl for their first single pressing to date.

The band curated their second annual boutique music festival in Orange County at the Observatory OC Festival Grounds on July 19, 2025. The Garden headlined with a supporting line-up consisting of Snow Strippers, Ceremony, L7, Fear, and Hong Kong Fuck You!.^[50]

On May 14, 2026, the Garden announced their sixth studio album titled Bootleg along with a single, "5 Mile Ponytail". The album was released on July 10, 2026.^[51] The Garden announced they will be supporting the Strokes that August at a series of stadium shows.