No. 70: Wavves

Wavves is another noise rock band that, at first listen, reminded me a lot of the last band I previewed -- HEALTH. It's a one man project, fronted by Nathan Williams, out of San Diego. The group reminds me of No Age and Deerhunter -- some punk rock with lots of weird noises goin on. Wavves released a self-titled album in 2009, and it's pretty good. Give it a try if you like the type of music.

The band has some pretty interesting history when it comes to playing festivals. At last year's Barcelona Primavera Sound Festival, Williams and then-drummer Ryan Ulsh underwent a meltdown of epic proportions. Williams took the stage in an obviously unstable state of mind and eventually started taunting the crowd after the festival-goers started getting impatient. Ulsh ended up running out from behind the drums and poured a beer on Williams' head. After dodging bottles flung from the crowd, Ulsh dashed off the stage, throwing his drumsticks at Williams.

Wavves ended up canceling their European tour, and Williams issued an online apology, where he admitted mixing ecstasy, Valium, and Xanax before taking the stage that night.

I'd like to check this group out at Lollapalooza if they have a good time slot. Who knows what will happen when Wavves takes the stage?

Wavves on MySpace

Here's a clip from the festival show, before the meltdown. Definitely awkward.