Wavves
Sep 26, 2011
San Diego rock natives, Wavves, started in 2008 as the recording project of Nathan Williams. Wavves released several 7"s as well as a cassette leading up to the first two releases 'Wavves' (Woodsist) and 'Wavvves' (Fat Possum/Bella Union). After gaining recognition Ryan Ulsh was enlisted as a touring drummer and Wavves did their first US and European tours. Wavves released their self-titled debut album in 2008, subsequently drawing the attention of Pitchfork Media. Their second full-length album, Wavvves, was released on February 3, 2009, and was well-received by outlets such as Spin, The Onion A.V. Club, and Pitchfork.
The third Wavves album, entitled King Of The Beach, was released on August 3, 2010, by Fat Possum Records, and features the latest lineup of Nathan Williams, Billy Hayes, and Stephen Pope. The album received generally positive reviews from the likes of Paste Magazine, Dusted Magazine, and The Onion's A.V. Club. The album was named the 24th-best album of the year by Spin, and the 50th best album of the year by Pitchfork. In support of King of the Beach, Wavves scheduled tour dates throughout North America beginning on August 2, 2010, culminating in a handful of shows opening for the band Phoenix and playing Austin, Texas's "Fun Fun Fun Fest."
The band follow up their 2010 skuzz-pop masterstroke King of the Beach with Life Sux, the debut release from singer Nathan Williams' Ghost Ramp label. If the band's previous records were all about one man's self-loathing, this six-song EP, released on September 20th, takes that sentiment and generously expands it outward, telling the tale of two loathsome characters locked down in Bummertown. What follows is a downward spiral of wrecked cars, impossible dreams and fading faith set to pop-damaged punk and squalling grunge.
Produced by the band and recorded at Infrasonic Sound in nearby Alhambra, Life Sux picks up where the last album left off: at that rare intersection where form meets friction. Their latest single, the blisteringly bright "I Wanna Be Dave Grohl" offers an arena-sized appeal to everyman excellence. The song premiered on August 28th on MTV's new scripted series "I Just Want My Pants Back" where the band is serving as "guest composer" for the first season of the series. Wavves is also on tour this fall with Fucked Up and on the Weezer cruise this January.
Wavves Tour Dates:
- 09/26 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre
- 09/27 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
- 09/28 Columbus, OH - Outland Live
- 09/29 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
- 09/30 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
- 10/02 Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
- 10/15 Mexico City, Mexico - Corona Capital Festival
- 01/19-23 Miami, FL - Weezer Cruise
