WAVVES

Wavves released their self-titled debut album in 2008, subsequently drawing the attention of Pitchfork Media.[1][2] At the time, the band consisted of guitarist Nathan Williams and drummer Ryan Ulsh.

Their second full-length album, Wavvves, was released on February 3, 2009,[3]and was well-received by outlets such as Spin,[4] The Onion A.V. Club,[5] and Pitchfork.[6]

Singer Nathan Williams experienced a public breakdown as the band was unable to complete their set at the 2009 Barcelona Primavera Sound Festival.[7] Williams, who admitted he'd taken a cocktail of ecstasy and Valium, fought with drummer Ryan Ulsh and insulted the Spanish crowd, who then pelted him with bottles and a shoe. Apologizing for their performance, Williams admitted the next day that he was addicted to alcohol. As a result, the band canceled the remainder of their European tour.[8] Zach Hill, for the interim, from Hella replaced Ryan Ulsh as the drummer for Wavves when Ulsh quit the band. Two members formerly of the late Jay Reatard's band, drummer Billy Hayes and bassist Stephen Pope, joined Wavves in November 2009. [9] Williams also reported that an album featuring Zach Hill on drums is to be expected towards the end of 2010 along with a possible EP featuring Hayes and Pope. [10]

In fact, the third Wavves album, entitled King of the Beach, was released on August 3, 2010, by Fat Possum Records, and features the latest lineup of Nathan Williams, Billy Hayes, and Stephen Pope. The majority of the songs are written by Williams, with Pope contributing one song and Hayes contributing two. The album was again critically acclaimed, receiving positive reviews from the likes of Paste Magazine,[11] Dusted Magazine,[12] and The Onion's A.V. Club.[13] The album received an average of 74 out of 100 on Metacritic,[14] based on 26 critics reviews.

In support of King of the Beach, Wavves has scheduled tour dates throughout North America beginning on August 2, 2010, culminating in a handful of shows opening for Phoenix and playing Austin, Texas's Fun Fun Fun Fest.