Wavves

Snarling and combustive, Wavves emerged in 2008 led by singer, producer, and livewire Nathan Williams, who crashed grunge distortion and infectious punk hooks into a couple of jagged self-titled albums released via cult labels. Hailing from San Diego, Wavves fast became favorites among a generation of scraggly kids enamored with Williams' volatile cocktail of gritty attitude and visceral songwriting. Following the band's pivot toward radio-friendly production, 2010's surfy epic, King of the Beach, arrived as a guitar-fueled monument to slacker pop, and the moodier, fuzzier Afraid of Heights (2013), their first major label release, received broad acclaim. Williams is known for his straightforward, no-frills delivery, though experimentation remains a hallmark of every new Wavves record. Their eclectic 2017 LP, You're Welcome, delved into sample-heavy compositions, while 2021's Dave Sitek–produced Hideaway aimed for post-pandemic catharsis with buzzing riffs and euphoric choruses heard on the likes of “Thru Hell” and “The Blame.” Despite Williams' mercurial nature, Wavves has remained a beloved pop-culture fixture with features on the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack, numerous late-night TV appearances, and even a charming guest spot on MTV animated series Good Vibes.