Wavves/Woods/Real Estate @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC 7/15/09
Ryan Muir
After the scene portrait painted by Woodsist and Captured Tracks on Independence weekend, a Bowery bill boasting Woods and Real Estate wouldn't register as a must-see despite those bands standing at the top of their class. But there was one Woodsister noticeably absent from that lineup, the same one who noticeably canceled a European tour and then broke a wrist. So even though the show wasn't a sellout (UPDATE: Sources say the show was deemed a "sell out" at some point before the show's end), there was a faint buzz in the room as the latest and maybe most efficient build 'em up/tear 'em down internet phenomenon played out its latest chapter: The comeback of Wavves. Yes, we've known him less than a year. Yes, this is all sort of ridiculous.
And yes, you're still reading.
There was no mention of the meltdown because let's not blow things out of proportion, shall we, but the specter of it hung over the night. Nathan was making his rounds before the show and on the Delancey St. sidewalk conspicuously sporting a bottled water (onstage, too), and for someone who has a reputation for being snotty and sauced onstage, his sobriety was striking. Unnerving, even. I've never seen him like that. But the set was as taut and clean as a lo-fi punk show could be: No goofs or gaffes, lots of thanks and appreciative banter, and a relatively crisp set of the songs that catapulted Nathan into bloglines in the first place -- "Beach Demon," "Sun Opens My Eyes," "So Bored," most if not all of the goth-titled tunes, etc. And a new one, too. I'd offer lyrics but reverbed vocals aren't good for noting lyrics.
The crowd that turned up was engaged, stage diving, rumbling the Bowery floorboards. They crowd surfed, hopped, hooted. As for the more recent piece of Wavves drama: a broken wrist could possibly derail other dudes, but when your guitar playing doesn't involve much beyond scratching out punk power chords to a somewhat steady pulse, a wrist cast isn't much of a factor.
Woods and Real Estate were phenomenal openers, lo-fi bands that aren't afraid to sculpt smart melodies or explore their chord progressions with noise and jams; our thoughts on them haven't changed since the July 4th fest. Both still excellent. (Worth noting, though: You can hear two new Woods songs -- "Get Back" and "Sunlit" -- at their MySpace.) The early opener was Popo, three Pakistani bros (literally) from Philly who have a 7" out on Mad Decent, a couple of MP3s on RCRD LBL, and a MySpace page that after a quick listen will bring to mind the Black Lips or the Germs or various other strains of garage punk stuff. Scott and I missed their set, but they'll be back. They trade in fuzz and reverb, after all.
Photographer Ryan Muir delivers this typically brilliant set of photographs. Please enjoy.
Posted at 12:23 PM by amrit in Concert, Photo
Tags: Popo | Real Estate | Wavves | Woods
I'm So Bored with this kid
Score = 5
Wanted another meltdown
Score = 0
oh ho ho ho at the last comment. i like this guy, i like both of his albums, most of the songs are catchy as fuck... but then again, they aren't even really that great. i just don't understand why i like wavves so much. why there is so much hype over him? i read about wavves everywhere. ahhhhh
Score = 3
you like him so much because all the hype told you to like him.
Score = 0
Wavves brings nothing constructive to music.
Score = 1
Popo dudes are Pakistani, just FYI.
Score = -1
fucck wavves
Score = 2
More photos of guys well into their 20s crowd-surfing/moshing please!
Score = 3
I also missed popo they went on mad early. The wavves show was good, i disagree about the "meltdown" looming over the show--no one gave a fuck, everyone had a good time. New songs had a serious Nirvana feel i could dig.
Score = 1
I'mmmmmm sooooooo-ber. (BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)
Score = 0
I was actually really impressed with the show last night. he never claimed to change music or culture for today and tomorrow, he's just having fun. it isn't supposed to be some epic intricate production of music, it's supposed to be fun and catchy dont-give-a-fuck 'diy bedroom' lo-fi jams... Great show, great response, sold out, played well, even despite a broken hand or whatever. now everyone get over it.
Score = 17
fun show!
Score = 2
If you were in a band that sounded like Wavves, wouldn't you be proud of yourself?
Personalities aside, what ever happened to applauding the attempt at creativity?
Score = -1
So basically, you are saying that you like every band/artist that you have ever heard/seen, since they are all making attempts at creativity? People are free to like or not like who they want. The problem with this kid is that his attempts at creativity are so half assed, yet applauded so greatly by say, Pitchfork, that other people with even greater amounts of creativity and talent are overlooked while his "meltdown" gets treated like some legendary debacle for the ages. Christ, it wasn't really even a meltdown. Trail of Dead had a bigger meltdown then this stoner slacker a few years back. Did you see them get treated like gods because of it?
Score = -3
Why does a kid making music and getting attention for it piss you off so much? As there is no defined scale to determine who deserves anything in life, it's usually a rule of thumb that complaining about other people's succeses marks you as a falsely entitled douche. Not liking Wavves is fine in my book, but to be honest if I was Nathan and read your post, I would laugh my ass off. You sound like the dean from School of Hard Knockers. Here's some advice: Grow a pair, realize sometimes people get lucky whether or not they deserve it, and don't listen to Wavves if you don't think they have adequate meltdowns.
Score = 8
Trust me, I know people get unfair advantages in life, good for him that he has had success, but let Pitchfork review his music fairly. Which if they like it, fine, but to call what happened the most "epic onstage meltdown" that was "nothing short of spectacular" is absolutely absurd. They have a huge amount of influence and could be doing a lot to further the careers of artists that are just as deserving, but instead use their influence to report something so insignificant like it is something so legendary, which makes no sense. Oh, and again, just because someone displays creativity doesn't mean you have to like it. That was my point in the first place. You probably only like Wavves because he is Pitchfork approved anyway.
Score = -5
the show "sold out" while Real Estate was playing. it was a capacity crowd
Score = 0
I heard him and Kickball Katy are going out.
Score = 0
mmmm... love that Kickball Katy!
Score = 2
It's actually pretty funny you said this because my friend and I are pretty sure we saw her in the balcony during Real Estate's set.
Score = 0
I actually neither like nor dislike Wavves as I haven't had a chance to really listen to them.
But dude, if someone getting over-hyped (which, in case you haven't noticed, happens ALL THE TIME) gets you so riled up, you should probably work on getting all that grainy sand out of your hooch.
Score = 0
Thank a lot, bitchfork, you've created a monster. Since the "meltdown" the guy has become 3x more popular. If you all hate him so much stop reading the posts that are clearly about him, and comment on artists you actually like. Maybe people will come to the site and find some worthwhile music in the "Popular" tabs.
Every single thing that says Wavves goes right into the Most Commented tab within hours, with every other comment about hatred and blah blah blah.
*grunts of disgust*
Score = -2
You are right, d33r. And DayTracing, the line about getting the "grainy sand out of your hooch" is perhaps one of the most epic comments I have ever read on Stereogum, and is nothing short of spectacular. You rock.
Score = -1
Hype or no hype, "No Hope Kids" is a gem.
Score = 7
live show is way better than the album, hope the next record is a little more 'fi' than the last -- but yes, super catchy -- good summer music
Score = 0
Man... just look at that little shit. he's got a rat tail and a cast on his arm just like the hyperactive kids from middle school. I bet he walks around with marker on his face too...
Score = 5
I love Wavves, and I think all the SD shit is cooool right now. All you haters are wasting your time. This stuff's for real. :oD
Score = 0
I feel so dumb leaving a comment earlier... and I can't even delete it...
and yeah, his music is a lot better live.
Score = 0
those pictures are beautiful. well done.
Score = 0
Wavves was pretty good, but Real Estate were REALLY fucking good. Looking forward to more from them.
Anyways as for Wavves, I was expecting him and the drummer to be tools the entire set, but Nathan at least seemed like a pretty gracious dude having a good time, which is saying something considering his wrist is friggin' broken.
Score = 0
cassie and katy were every wavves show i've been to. I think katy has a bf--meth addict lookin dude i saw her with when i met her @ captured tracks fest. anyway, she's super sexy.
on a side note if anyone gets tons of unwarranted gigs its real estate. i've seen them like 50 fuckin times (thru no fault of my own) and they've always been an excuse to go out and get some air.
Score = -2
Real Estate was the hightlight for sure. They are amazing, and I can't wait for them to drop a full LP. I was sorely disappointed in Woods, I loved their latest record, but it did not translate into the live show well at all.
Score = 0
I am so fuckin sick of wavves....so much hype and this little shit makes music like a retarded little 6 year old
Score = -4
can't tel; is this the same drummer from the meltdown show? or did he replace?
Score = 0
A complete audio recording of the Wavves set is now up here:
http://www.nyctaper.com/?p=1368
Score = 4
I love the anger that wavves causes people. It must kill people that a ton of fools enjoy his tunes and have fun at his shows. W/o doing a thing he's ruining your mood.
Score = 1
wavves sucked ass at pitchfork festival
Score = 0