Former members of Jay Reatard’s touring band have joined up with Wavves singer Nathan Williams.
The world of indie rock is a close knit, some would say deeply incest ridden, place. Bands can swap labels at the drop of a hat, switching styles in the space of a download. Now exiles from the world of Jay Reatard have done the logical thing and hooked up with another volatile frontman.
Jay Reatard was abandoned on an American tour earlier this year when several members of his backing band walked out. Bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Billy Hayes upped and quit, leaving Reatard to post some spectacular Twitter messages.
“Band quit ! Fuck them !” the singer screeched. “They are boring rich kids who can’t play for shit anyways .. Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes”.
However soon after Jay Reatard calmed down and mellowed to the idea of gaining new band members. It seems that Pope and Hayes have lost no time in hooking up on a new project, teaming up with Wavves singer Nathan Williams for a recent show.
Wavves played a show in Mexico recently, with Pitchfork reporting that Stephen Pope and Billy Hayes were among the line up. A spokesperson for Wavves revealed that the pair are now full time members of the band.
Nathan Williams of course has a long standing grudge with Black Lips singer Gerard Swilley. The pair exchanged punches in a Brooklyn bar recently, resulting in a fairly unique triangle of hatred emerging in American indie rock.
Wavves are set to return to the UK soon to complete an upcoming tour. Opening on November 17th the tour takes the band across the nation, playing shows in Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle, London and more.
