The Echo & Echoplex (Venue Partner)
Echo - 1822 Sunset Blvd
Echoplex - Enter at 1154 Glendale Blvd
213.413.8200
This event has passed.
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Wavves
- When
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Saturday Oct 17, 2009 (8:30pm)
- Where
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- Price
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$12
- Links
“In line with fuzz-punkers like No Age and Times New Viking, Wavves mastermind Nathan Williams is as inspired by the Beach Boys as he is by Metal Machine Music. Awash in over-saturated skronk, the Pitchfork-adored surfer dude is distinguished by his simultaneous embrace of no-fi noise and traditional melody. Bedecked in hiss and static, normally sunshine-laden "ohhhs" and "ahhhs" adopt a menacing tone, as the San Diegan's carefully contorted feedback rides a rogue wave all its own.”
Andrew Phillips, Flavorpill
Wavves || Listen || Watch
Wavves, né Nathan Williams of San Diego, is primed for this environment. He’s young, only 22. His musicianship isn’t stellar (probably due to his age), but it’s crafty. This self-titled debut for Woodsist is littered with addictive riffs, and each soaked in enough distortion and amplifier crust to mask any technical deficiencies. Each backbeat is propulsive, a keen lock onto garage’s incessant energy but with enough of a post-punk edge to keep the turned-up cuffs away. And most important to the kids today, Williams knows how to harmonize, and he is a whiz with the multi-track. With such enhanced vocal melodies and a balls-out style of playing, Wavves is most like a rudimentary West Coast version of Blank Dogs. Or perhaps a Times New Viking with a better post-production mix. Williams may be entering a crowded stable with this musical approach, but the sunnier Southern California temperament of his sound (however distorted) adds a surprisingly welcomed twist to the niche. Though a solid and promising outing, Wavves isn’t a revelatory record. It fits nicely into the "scene," however vague that semblance is these days. In a musical community where the one-man frantic punk show of Jay Reatard garnishes high critical praise and manic collector urgency whenever another 7" drops, Williams is bound to shine. And his somewhat wholesome personality (in comparison, at least) paired with a keener pop sensibility will only further his attraction; think an aesthetic not terribly far from early Beck experiments minus the obsession with rap beats (see "Loser Year", "Here’s to the Sun"). The world is currently too depressing to just sit back and reflect, we would much rather bang our heads and blindly sing along gleefully. Wavves makes for a perfect outlet. - Dusted Reviews
With:
The Soft Pack
Ganglians
@ Echoplex
enter at
1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
18+
