Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies are a band from Nashville, Tennessee which formed in the early 1990s. The band embraced a southern boogie style which led to comparisons with groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Collective Soul, and Cry of Love. The band played at a blues club near Vanderbilt University before being signed to Atlantic Records in 1993. The band drew its name from one of Gary Larson's comics The Far Side
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Members Mike Farris (vocals), Rick White (guitar), Bob Watkins (guitar), Steve Burgess (bass) and Terry Thomas (drums) released their self-titled debut album in 1994.[1] The album hit #40 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[2] The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and produced by Paul Ebersold.[3] "The Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies" was an album that "played like a gateway between guitar hero classic rock and hippie jam band grooves, often combining both within the confines of a single track."[4] And their single "Shakin' the Blues" made the album-rock Top Ten.[5]
1996 saw the release of "Magnolia", with varied musical styles ranging from the eponymous title track, a slow-burn build-up rock and roll epic, to "Gypsy Lullaby", a delicate ode featuring Farris' blistering vocals at their best. "Magnolia" was produced by Michael Barbiero and also featured a guest appearance by Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule.
"Big Wheel", released in 1998, contained "Standing In The Sun" and "Boogie King", a rollick as at home in the mosh pit as it is cruising the local drag. In addition, "Boogie King" was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Bride of Chucky. Also, "Right Place, Wrong Time" was featured on "The Malcom in the Middle" episode "Home Alone 4", as well as "Songs from Malcolm in the Middle", the soundtrack to the television series which was released on November 21, 2000.
Since the dissolution of the band, Mike Farris has released two solo albums: 2002's "Goodnight Sun", on Mean It! records, and 2007's "Salvation In Lights", on INO Records.[6] The remaining Wheelies continued performing in various combinations. In 2009, Thundershack studio’s Brodie Hutcheson brought on board vocalist Jarrod England.