Strawberry Girls

Strawberry Girls is an American instrumental trio formed in 2011 in Salinas, California. The band was founded by guitarist Zac Garren following his departure from the influential post-hardcore act Dance Gavin Dance, alongside drummer Ben Rosett and bassist Ian Jennings.

Their sound represents a pivotal bridge between the 'Swancore' post-hardcore scene and the modern math rock movement. Unlike many instrumental prog acts that prioritize atmosphere, Strawberry Girls focus on tight, syncopated grooves and melodic accessibility, often incorporating elements of funk and dance-rock into complex time signatures. The band is notable for their DIY ethos, with members handling their own recording and production at Rosett's 'Grime Lab' studio. Over a decade of activity, they have maintained a consistent presence in the experimental rock circuit, evolving from the raw energy of 'French Ghetto' to the more refined, production-heavy textures of 'Prussian Gloom' and 'CATFIGHT'. They are frequently cited alongside acts like CHON and Polyphia as leaders of the 2010s instrumental rock resurgence, though they retain a distinctively 'heavier' rhythmic edge inherited from their post-hardcore origins.