Wavves

Formed in San Diego around songwriter Nathan Williams in 2008, Wavves began as a lo‑fi rock solo project quickly identified with a crossroads of indie rock, pop‑punk, surf rock, noise pop and garage rock. The early records, Wavves (2008) and Wavvves (2009), established a rough, melodic and heavily distorted sound driven by short, nervy songs often marked by a home‑recording aesthetic. After that initial phase, Wavves became a more stable band with the arrival of Stephen Pope and later Alex Gates, and moved toward a more direct and structured songwriting on King of the Beach (2010). The band's history also includes several drummer changes, including a brief stint by Zach Hill, and participation in American and European independent rock scenes where Wavves built its live reputation. They released the EP Life Sux (2011) and the albums Afraid of Heights (2013), V (2015), You’re Welcome (2017) and Hideaway (2021), broadening their palette toward power pop, melodic punk and cleaner alternative rock. In parallel, Wavves undertook notable collaborations, notably No Life for Me with Cloud Nothings (2015). Today Wavves comprises Nathan Williams, Stephen Pope, Alex Gates and Ross Traver.