Born in Brisbane, based in LA, WAAX is where Aussie grit meets American swagger, all of it wired to post-punk and alternative rock energy. Frontwoman Marie "Maz" DeVita brings her Angel's Mess tour and a powerhouse band to Avalon Beach RSL Club on Friday 2 October 2026. Chuck on your chunkiest rubber-soled boots. This dancefloor is going to be electric.

Three albums deep, one ocean crossed and a brand new band behind her, Marie "Maz" DeVita is bringing WAAX home. Angel's Mess is her loosest, funniest record yet, named after a plate of breakfast in a Los Angeles diner and stacked with songs about rat exes, best mates and small towns you have to leave. On Friday 2 October, all of it lands at Avalon Beach RSL Club.

WAAX has been a Brisbane name since 2012. A Triple J Unearthed win at BIGSOUND. 'Labrador' storming into the Hottest 100. A live reputation built one sweaty room at a time, up and down the east coast.

These days Maz calls Los Angeles home, but the band she is bringing to Avalon is pure Australian voltage. And Avalon RSL, all close quarters and low ceilings, is exactly the kind of room WAAX was made for.

We caught her between flights.

Start With The Name

Every band name has a story. What's yours, and where did that second 'A' come from?

"I wish I had a more interesting story to share; but years ago when I started the project I was really into one-word band names. I liked the way the word 'wax' looked, but the second 'A' didn't come along until my uncle said it might help with googleability. And thus; history was made."

An uncle, a search engine and a bit of Queensland practicality. You could not script it better.

Three Records In

Album three. What has the studio taught you that you didn't know starting out?

"I think the biggest takeaway is confidence in myself and my instincts. As each record rolls by, I become more in tune with what I do best."

So what's the flavour of Angel's Mess next to everything that came before it?

"I'd say it's my funnest or silliest record! I've come to a point in my career where I'm not afraid to keep it light. There's always going to be a deep, emotional element to it no matter what, though."

And that title. Where did it find you?

"The writing of this record was a total collage of songs with so many different collaborators it just felt kind of messy (not in a bad way). The name came to my attention when I was eating breakfast one day at a diner in LA called Millie's. The name of the dish I was eating was 'Angel's Mess' which is basically a bunch of different culinary elements thrown together but somehow they all complement each other… so it kind of felt like a metaphor."

Give us one lyric from the record you're proud of.

"I know everything you like: PS2 and Title Fight / Can I be your girl tonight? / Bullet for your Valentine? from the song 'Love You To Death'."

The Album, Track By Track

Eleven songs, one sentence each. Off you go.

'HANDS' – "Basically about being sick of everything and throwing hands about it."

'Ur A Rat' – "Ratty exes that you hate and need to be loved by."

'Love You To Death' – "Being desperately in love."

'Miss Pissfit' – "If alcohol could talk."

'Bestie Song' – "Don't talk shit about my best mate."

'UH OH' (bardcore girls) – "Girl gang mosh song."

'Interlude' – "I don't know, we just cooked up a little palette cleanser here."

'Don't Cry Too Long' – "Trying not to let yourself get too lost in the weeds with your trauma."

'Yuck' – "About boring people who have nothing better to do than start drama."

'The Sad' – "The sadness you feel after anger."

'Don't Wanna Die In The Suburbs' – "Wanting to leave your small town to do bigger things."

Meet The Angels

Introduce us to the band you're bringing to Avalon. If each of them were a mythical creature, who would they be, and who is the angel?

"My band are all angels!! Izzy: Fairy, Jono: Centaur, Kaz: Unicorn, Rangi: Pegasus."

Who's It For?

For anyone walking in cold on 2 October, who is a WAAX show actually for?

"I think all people who are going through a rough time will find my music cathartic. Or if you just wanna rock out!"

Give us four artists who'd sit right next to WAAX.

"Mannequin Pussy, Ecca Vandal, Turnstile and Hole."

What Comes Next

Is the tour the whole picture, or is there more brewing?

"I've already started writing again! But I seem to be on the road a lot these days. After this Avalon show, I'm headed back to America for my third US run this year! Keeping insanely busy."

Three US runs, an Australian tour and a fourth album already taking shape. The mess, as it turns out, is beautifully organised. Get in early, get down the front, and let Avalon Beach RSL do what it does best. •