In-depth So You Think You Know… Nathan Williams

Back in 2008, Nathan William’s blend of surf-rock and raw overdrive was like marmite. Err – not like a black sludgy pot of yeast extract – but instead in terms of it either being loved or hated. Critically, the first two records that Wavves – the spellcheck-vexing moniker that Williams and collaborator Alex Gates took – made were predominantly well-received. But for some, the no-fi tsunami that sloshed behind chilled-out hooks was too much; Q Magazine notably gave it a two out of ten, quipping that Williams was seemingly trying to pass off a ‘lack of ability as some sort of artistic statement’. To see Wavves’ early material in this kind of light – as if it was pretentiously and purposefully simple – is to see it wrongly. The whole point was that it was so laid-back it was basically vertical, beaming out a don’t-give-a-fuck atmosphere that was as infectious as it was rewarding.

Much like how it was received with polarising love and hate, the song’s subject revolve around simple dislikes and likes. Weed (‘Weed Demon’), the sun (‘Here’s to the Sun’) and skateboarding get a big goofy thumbs up, while goths (‘Surf Goth’, ‘Goth Girls’, ‘Summer Goth’ e.t.c.) and boredom are not looked upon so fondly. This, mixed with simple melodies and tongue-in-cheek repetitive lyrics forged something pretty exciting, with Wavves’ sound developing since then through being beefed-up by major-label investment and maturing song-writing. Upcoming album ‘Flamezesz’ – based on the fact that the lead singles are as fun and spiralling as a slinky - looks to be the best yet (even if its spelling would confuse even the super-geeks on Child Genius).

Nonetheless, to see Williams and Wavves as one and the same is to make a big fat mistake. Like a quality takeaway, the main course of sludgy guitars and distortion is perfectly complemented with a ton of side dishes that the Californian slacker has served-up. From Spirit Club to Sweet Valley, he’s involved in a handful cracking projects that are worth bending your hungry ears around. Let’s take a peek (and a listen).