Live Review: Wavves - Oxford Art Factory

Although the line between hype and real talent is often obscured, there is undeniably a difference between the two concepts. Likewise, hype cannot compensate for lack of talent, nor can it solidify your reputation as a musician. Although San Diego quartet Wavves are the ultimate new-wave-fad-hipster-dude band, their inability to tune a guitar does not grant them the title of 'Inventors of modern lo-fi', but rather makes them a bunch of lazy, forgettable artists.

Introducing Wavves to the stage was Sydney four-piece Sures who brought their summer-infused sugary indie to the stage, layering their tracks with melodic pop vocals and shimmery guitar work. Although young and obviously somewhat amateur, Sures showed a sense of impenetrable enthusiasm and inspired the crowd to follow suit.

As Wavves hit the stage, decked out in “totally rad” street-wear, snapbacks, tattoos, long hair and generally nonchalant expressions, they began with the cringeworthy distortions of King Of The Beach, where frontman Nathan Williams' indistinguishable vocals were only worsened by an overwhelmingly dense wall of sound, comprised predominantly of fuzz. With the crowd stimulated by Wavves' disposition, dozens of fun-seekers crowd-surfed excitedly to the sub-par pop/punk tunes, like a modern Green Day re-imagination show. With a repetitive rendition of I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl, it is evident that the Wavves hopscotch stylistically, channelling a weird fusion of pop/punk, surf punk and attempted lo-fi. The incessant 'Oohs' in Take On The World reaffirm Wavves' nature as a “pop” group however, as an evolution from the unique noise-rock that was prominently featured in their self-titled album back in 2008. The frustratingly childish, mediocre lyricism shines through in their performance of two-and-a-half minute scuzzy jam Super Soaker, which features recurrent yells of the words “Bill Clinton” and “Stupid” against noisy instrumentalism.

Wavves' lack of consistency and timing is offensive to the 'lo-fi' genre they continuously claim. Nevertheless it's official – supposedly smoking lots of bongs, having a fringe and incorporating jaded pop/punk lyricism into your poor quality music makes you “cool” and “alternative”.