The Groggers was an American Jewish pop punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 2010 by lead singer L.E. Doug Staiman, they were known for their satirical, often controversial songs dealing with a variety of Jewish issues. Initially gaining fame with their single and music video "Get", the band released their debut album, There's No 'I' in Cherem, on August 29, 2011. They received national attention, as well as controversy, with their 2012 video for "Jewcan Sam", produced with plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer.
The Groggers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Queens, New York, US |
| Genres | Jewish rock, alternative rock, pop punk, comedy rock |
| Years active | 2010–2012(hiatus) 2012–2015 (inactive) |
| Past members | L.E. Doug Staiman Ari Friedman Taylor Carroll Addison Scott Drew Salzman C.J. Glass Yisroel Reches Josh Koperwas Chemy Soibelman |
| Website | thegroggers.wix.com |
Lead singer L.E. Doug Staiman and guitarist Ari Friedman attended Yeshiva University and Queens College together and bonded over their shared music tastes. They were briefly in a classic rock cover band called Steel Eagle.[1] When Staiman moved back to New York City in 2008 after studying in yeshiva in Israel, he was introduced to the local Jewish music scene through a friend. This inspired him to write and record several satirical Jewish punk songs. When he was told the songs were too niche to be successful, Staiman, as a joke, made a low-budget music video for one of the songs, "Get", hiring a pickup band to play and film school student Farrell Goldsmith to direct. The band was named The Groggers, after the traditional Jewish noisemaker. Released in early 2010, the video became a surprise viral hit and became popular among agunah activists, convincing Staiman to make "The Groggers" an official band shortly afterward.[2][3]
Later in 2010, a second video, "Eishes Chayil", was released, featuring a cameo from Orthodox musician Rav Shmuel.[3] This was followed by two more videos, "The Shidduch Hits the Fan" and "Upper West Side Story", both satirizing the Jewish dating scene. The band released its debut album, There's No "I" in Cherem, on August 29, 2011.[4]
In December 2011, the band released the songs "Anonymous Girl" (referencing an article written by an anonymous girl from Stern College) and "View From the Sink", which responded to Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu shaving his beard from the perspective of the shorn hair.
In February 2012, the band released a new single, "Jewcan Sam", subtitled "A Nose Job Love Story". The video, commissioned by plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer, became the subject of widespread controversy and criticism due to its portrayal of rhinoplasty and accusations of playing into antisemitic tropes. The following month, the band performed at the Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan.[3] They also told The Commentator that "Jewcan Sam" was meant to be the lead single for an upcoming second album, with Staiman saying it would be "a more mature album for us with a bit more of a universal appeal....Our goal is to maintain our identity as a band but begin to cater to a larger audience in the process.”[1]
Staiman announced in May that the band would be going on hiatus, and that he would be moving to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. The following summer, however, the band released new material with "Mindy", a satirical love song directed at then-New York State Senate candidate Mindy Meyer.[5][6]
In late 2014 and early 2015, the band released a lyric video for a new single called "Kicked Outta Yeshiva", as well as music videos for "Not Going to Shacharis" and "JAP". "Not Going to Shacharis", co-written with Aryeh Kunstler, was given a video featuring cameos from Kosha Dillz, Mendy Pellin, and Etan G of Shlock Rock.[7] The "JAP" video, another collaboration with Salzhauer, was originally released on May 6, 2015,[8] only to be removed due to "numerous legal complications", according to the band.[9] The video was re-uploaded a month later.
The band has been inactive since 2015, with Staiman and the other members pursuing various other projects.
In an article for Heeb magazine, blogger Heshy Fried praised The Groggers as "possibly the first Orthodox Jewish band that doesn't sound Jewish," comparing their sound to that of MxPx and New Found Glory.[10] Influences cited by the band included Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Nirvana, Sum 41, All Time Low, Motion City Soundtrack, and The Ramones, with Staiman saying of the latter band, "I'd be out of a job without them."[1][11][3]
| Released | Song | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2010 | "Get" | Farrell Goldsmith | There's No 'I' in Cherem |
| October 28, 2010 | "Eishes Chayil" | Farrell Goldsmith, L.E. Doug Staiman | |
| September 6, 2011 | "Upper West Side Story" | Farrell Goldsmith, Chaim Berkowitz | |
| October 23, 2011 | "The Shidduch Hits the Fan" | ||
| February 13, 2012 | "Jewcan Sam" | Farrell Goldsmith | Unreleased second album |
| November 17, 2014 | "Not Going to Shacharis" | L.E. Doug Staiman, Mike Schultz | |
| December 22, 2014 | "Kicked Outta Yeshiva" | Lyric video | |
| May 10, 2015 | "JAP" | Jordan Stauber |