We probably like rock music more than you do. But you're still cool…kinda.

I don’t know how many of you know the indie-rock band Wavves but here’s a lesson to learn from the San Diego trash-pop band. Never ever piss off an international audience. We’ll find out about it here in no time.


On May 28th at the Primavera Festival, Wavves was supposed to take the stage at 2:20 am. According to a report from Pitchfork, the duo did not look like they wanted to play the show. Their soundcheck was filled with mistakes, bickering between Nathan, the lead singer, and Ryan, the drummer and complaints to the sound guy all while the audience grew increasingly impatient.

Finally, when they did start, Nathan seemed to just strum random chords on his guitar while Ryan tried to keep time with him. The crowd voiced their disapproval by throwing bottles at the stage (one person threw a shoe…there’s always one). Now while nothing thrown hit the band, Nathan voiced his opinion by delivering lines on how California was better than Spain and sarcastically saying that the festival was the best one he’d ever been a part of. At one point Ryan came out from behind the drum kit and poured his beer over Nathan’s head to the loudest approval they had all night from the crowd.

Finally at 3:00 am Ryan had enough. He threw his drumsticks at Nathan and walked off the stage. Nathan screamed “come back here, motherfucker! We’re not done yet!” Oh but they were quite done. Nathan’s mic had been cut and the crew came onstage to remove their equipment as Nathan tried to continue playing to a crowd that had already left disappointed.

Here’s an opinion of mine. If you’re an indie band that’s trying their best to gain notoriety and build a bigger fanbase worldwide so you can achieve fame and fortune, never upset the fans. Ever. You’re not big enough nor popular enough to fuck up a show because you’re pissed about something. Man up, play the show and get upset on the bus or the van. Don’t bring your grief to people who paid to see you. They came for music, not your tantrum.

Wavves still have quite a few European shows on their current tour before coming home to play New York City and the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago in July. I’m keeping an eye out for these guys to see if they kill each other before coming stateside.