Wax formed in Los Angeles in 1991, blending punk rock, pop melodies, and surf rock influences. The lineup consisted of Joe Sib (vocals), Tom “Soda” Gardocki (guitar), Dave Georgeff (bass), and Loomis Fall (drums).
In 1992, the band released its debut album, What Else Can We Do?, on Caroline Records. Three years later, 13 Unlucky Numbers, their second album and debut on Interscope Records. The album featured “California,” the track that brought Wax their biggest breakthrough.
Directed by Spike Jonze, the music video for “California” shows, in slow motion, a man on fire running down a street to catch a bus. The scene caught MTV’s attention, but the video was removed from the network’s daytime lineup. The group broke up in 1995.
In 2009, the original members reunited and released Hangin’ On, a four-song EP recorded for 13 Unlucky Numbers that had been left off the album. That year, Wax also resumed touring and opened a show for Weezer at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
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