Nathan Williams, the leader of Los Angeles surf-punk trio Wavves, has never strayed far from the Internet’s caustic gaze, though his powerfully punchy, melodic yet grungy surf rock is seldom the cause of controversy. “I’m a professional melter-downer,” he says, reached by phone from his L.A. home, where he’s cat-sitting for his girlfriend, Bethany Cosentino of the lo-fi pop outfit Best Coast. Said feline, an orange tabby, appears in cartoon likeness on the cover of Wavves’ upcoming LP, King of the Beach. Williams continues his thought: “I’m thankful that they mopped up all of my meltedness, and I was able to be put together into a good solid substance again.”