CONCERT REVIEW: Wavves
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009El Mocambo - Toronto, ON
Not even the inhumanly high temperature inside El Mocambo could spoil the Tuesday triple-header that began with decent local group The Bitters (opening for Wavves as they did last March at Sneaky Dee's) and psychedelically sublime Cali-rock show-stealers Ganglians. These lively openers were followed by the bratty noise-pop headliner, who made it semi-big this year with two impressively minimalist LPs and lotsa, lotsa touring. When Wavves first visited Toronto in March, the gig was nearly sold out and expectations were exceeded. Six months, one public meltdown and a drummer later, Nathan Williams has re-emerged with a broken wrist, an even more stupidly ironic haircut and a decidedly heavier sound.
Owing to new drummer Zach Hill, Wavves 2.0 is less stoner-skater and more drunken-thrash. While Hill’s manic stick-smashing was undeniably impressive, it also obscured Williams’ clever-catchy vocals and sludgy guitar riffs, which were far more intelligible at March's show. A little too much jelly for my peanut butter, both rockers were equally engaging but somewhat imbalanced, making for a jarring racket that didn’t quite resemble the outfit’s initial mellow-punk appeal. Still, it’s pretty remarkable how much this small-scale attraction has evolved in only six months.
The short setlist included a range of new and old. Feisty hits like “So Bored” and “No Hope Kids” were louder and livelier than ever, while some of the new material bordered on black metal. As usual, Williams made excuses for being unable to hit high notes -- he's sick and/or tired and/or whatever -- though these excuses weren't really necessary. One disappointment: he didn’t get around to that "Weed Demon" falsetto.
For those who are morbidly curious, it should be noted that Wavves came and went sans tantrum. He was nearly pelted with a couple of beers from rowdy concertgoers, but dude tactfully continued the set uninterrupted. -- Neil Karassik
