20 Questions: Wavves
Nathan Williams is Wavves. Nathan Williams is king of the beach.
The kid’s got more slacker points than a surfboard shaped bong. Like, this is the dude that once went skateboarding with an alien on acid while singing about skateboarding with an alien on acid. Ok so maybe that was a music video, maybe not, but in the words of Lisa Simpson, “Like, y’know whatever”. Dude, if you don’t dig Nathan Williams you’re basically denying our right to coexist with the ocean.
When we called Nathan at 11am he’d just woken up. He was at home in LA, probably surrounded by a thick cloud of smoke and putting the finishing touches to Wavves’ upcoming fifth album V. As he stirred from his late morning slumber we found out about his hatred of Subway, his love of Spurs and the time he got addicted to shoplifting.
What was your favourite cartoon when you were a kid?
Probably Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I like Michelangelo.
What’s your signature recipe?
Cereal. Cinammon Toast Crunch.
What’s the worst hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
It was on a Wavves tour last time we were in Europe. I think somebody had died in it recently. It was bad.
Who do you prefer: Gary Oldman or Gary Numan?
I’m a Numan guy.
Have you ever been arrested?
Yes. For possession. I was in Germany on tour. German jail is not tight.
If you could pick a surrogate grandparent, who would it be?
Liam Neeson.
Favourite board game?
On the tour van, we used to gamble playing Monopoly.
Is there a piece of advice you wish you’d give to yourself ten years ago?
Be more patient. Everybody could exercise a little more.
When is the last time you sprinted as fast as you can?
I just played an Adidas celebrity soccer thing, I’ve played soccer my whole life. My team mate, who is my PR in America, was terrible so I was running the whole time.
So do you support a team?
I like Tottenham.
Have you ever taken acid?
There’s a really bad interview you can watch if you search “Wavves worst interview ever?” That’s me on acid.
What’s your worst habit?
Burping.
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Seth Rogen. He was really cool. He’s famous as fuck and, yeah, he is funny in real life.
Would you go for a beer with Kanye West?
Yeah, of course.
Out of all the songs that you’ve recorded, which is your least favourite?
I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl just for the question. Every interview I do it’s always “Have you met Dave Grohl?” I did not anticipate that.
What’s your favourite drunken snack?
Is pizza a snack? That’s a full meal huh?
You could just have a slice…
Ok then yeah. That’s my favourite snack.
Have you ever shoplifted?
Oh yeah, I used to shoplift a lot. There was a mall near my house that had all these expensive jeans that were like $150 each. I’d go in there with some baggy pants on and put three pairs on in the dressing room. I literally used to pay my rent with that.
Ever get caught?
I’d moved back in with my parents – I was a teenager at the time – and my mom found some of the tags from the jeans I’d stolen. She took me to the department store and said they could arrest me if they wanted to. They said no.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I worked in a Subway when I was sixteen. That was really bad. I was joking with a friend that if I made enough money, I’d buy that Subway and burn it down.
What would you want written on your tombstone?
What’s the last thing I’d say in the world? Maybe “Boo-ya”?
Who’s your favourite person to follow on Instagram?
This rapper Plies is probably my favourite. He does a thing called “Sweet Pwussy Saturday”. You gotta look it up.
V is released 2 October via Warner Bros. Records
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