Live// Wavves - Relentless Garage, London. 10/11/10

Wavves.

Relentless Garage, London.

Wednesday 10^th November 2010

Plus support: Fixers & Sexbeet.

“The guitar needs to be louder. Turn it right up. It’s the best part!” Calls Luke Lust, front man of tonight’s second support band Sexbeet. As arrogant as this may have come across, at least it slightly drained out the wailing of his, unnecessarily high-pitched voice. That of which could only be compared to Altered Images’ Claire Grogan on helium. However, vocals aside they were actually quite good, with a raw power, alike that of a traditional British punk band. Creating a great buzzing atmosphere, warming the crowd up for the band that we were all waiting for: Wavves.

The opening band of the night; Fixers also played to a satisfactory standard, nevertheless they definitely weren’t a good choice of bands to be on this bill. As ten ‘o’ clock came around. Wavves, the Californian noise pop trio, confidently strutted onto the stage, only having time for a short 45 minute set tonight. Opening with ‘Friends Were Gone’, then straight into their latest album’s title track; ‘King of the Beach’, Sending the crowd into a wild frenzy. However, unfortunately, this was one of the very few high points of their set. This is actually a great shame, having seen Wavves before, when they put on a much better show. The problem tonight was that the sound was absolutely dreadful. Yet although the atmosphere was absolutely electric, as are Wavves on record. When playing live, the sound is the cornerstone of the performance. Therefore when a band can’t cut it live at every show. We have a serious problem.

Recently, their sound has been summed up as; “A collision of brute distortion with summery pop hooks.” However tonight was dominated by distortion. Fuzzing out virtually every word that emerged from lead singer; Nathan Williams’ mouth. Even the banter throughout the band, between songs was inaudible due to an unnecessary measure of background fuzz accompanied by Stephen Pope’s pick slides along his bass guitar. Then again, although Wavves’ performance wasn’t wonderful, I would still genuinely urge anybody to head out and buy their latest album, even if only for the nostalgia of their array of youth anthems.
Jonathan Hatchman.

http://counteract-magazine.com/wavves-the-garage-london-101110/