The Swaggering Growlers have become a Boston institution after six years of tireless performance. Originally from Dover, New Hampshire, the Growlers’ unique blend of styles combined with their raucous energy on stage have found them fans all across the country. Nominated by WFNX/The Phoenix for “Best Boston Punk Band” many times over, the Growlers have been heard everywhere from the 2010 Cuervo Games tour to the entrance theme for WWE wrestler Fit Finlay. I sat down with them at the release party for their new record, Outlaw Waltz, to ask them some questions about their distinctive sound and work ethic. So this is your third album...

The most striking thing about the Occupy Boston protest was the lack of tension. Usually protests of any kind have a certain voltage in the air, the sense that there is some sort of invisible battle being fought behind the picket signs and nervous police. None of this seemed present at Dewey Square Park as I first walked up to the rows of tents. The sky was gray, the ground was damp, and the occupants moved sluggishly about the park. The police presence was minimal, limited to a handful of officers drifting about aimlessly on the sidewalk. It suddenly was hard to imagine that anything was at stake. The layout of the park was surprisingly...