Wheatus

Wheatus
Origin	Northport, New York, United States
Genres	Alternative rock Pop rock Power pop
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Sony BMG Music Entertainment Montauk Mantis
Members	Brendan B. Brown Matthew Milligan Karlie Bruce Gabrielle Aimée Sterbenz Mark Palmer Leo Freire
Past members	Former members

Wheatus is an American rock group from Northport, New York, formed in 1995. They are best known for their 2000 single "Teenage Dirtbag" which was featured in the movie Loser, the HBO miniseries Generation Kill and most recently as an acoustic opening for the anti Bully film Bully.

History

1995–2002: Formation and Wheatus

Wheatus was formed by Brendan B. Brown in 1995, on the lower east side of New York City. Brown began by writing a few songs, and subsequently enlisted the help of his brother Peter Brown on drums, Rich Liegey on bass and backing vocals and Philip A. Jimenez on various percussion instruments, keyboards, harmonica and providing samples and special effects. The band derives its name from the nickname "wedus" given to the Brown brothers by their father when they were children.^[1] They made regular appearances at a local venue called the Luna Lounge until 1999 when they hired New York attorney Ray Maiello. He helped the group and shopped their self-produced debut album to major record companies and they soon signed a record deal with Kevin Patrick at Columbia Records. Maiello was subsequently hired as the band's manager. Their self-titled debut album was released on August 15, 2000 and spawned the band's first and largest hit, "Teenage Dirtbag", a song which charted at No. 2 in the United Kingdom. Their second single, a cover of one of Erasure's signature songs – "A Little Respect", also reached very high chart positions, peaking at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart.^[2] The third single from the album, a double A-side of "Leroy" and "Wannabe Gangstar", didn't perform as well as expected, only reaching No. 23 in the UK Singles Chart. Another song from the album, "Punk Ass Bitch", was bought by the creators of Jackie Chan Adventures and reworked as "Chan's the Man", the end credits theme for the program's first season.

2002–2005: Hand Over Your Loved Ones and Suck Fony

The band began work on their second album in the summer of 2002, with Brendan enlisting the help of his sister, Liz Brown, and the band's merchandiser, Kathryn Froggatt, as backing vocalists. Shannon Harris of Relish, a band who had previously supported Wheatus on their earlier tours, was also added to the band as keyboardist. The album's first single, "American in Amsterdam", was heavily underpromoted after the band had a dispute with their record label over their request to lip sync on Top of the Pops. When their second studio album, Hand Over Your Loved Ones, was released in Autumn 2003, it received little or no promotion in the United Kingdom, and was never released in the United States due to the ongoing dispute. In October 2004, the band made the decision to part with their record label, and as such, formed their own record label, Montauk Mantis. During this time, they also enlisted Michael Bellar as a replacement for Shannon Harris, who had decided to leave the band over the dispute. In February 2005, the band re-released Hand Over Your Loved Ones under the new title Suck Fony. For the re-release, the album included new songs, including the new track "William McGovern", and a cover of the Pat Benatar classic "Hit Me with Your Best Shot". The album was originally only made available via the band's website, until 2007, when it was added to iTunes and Amazon MP3 after the band signed a distribution contract.

2005–2007: Line-Up Changes and TooSoonMonsoon

Bassist Mike McCabe left the band in March 2005, shortly after the release of Suck Fony. He was subsequently replaced by Nicolas diPierro. The band subsequently began recording a new album in April 2005, and just three months later, the album's first single, BMX Bandits, was released as a limited edition 7" single. In October 2005, the band's third studio album, Too Soon Monsoon, was released via their official website. Since early 2010, TooSoonMonsoon has been made available via a "pay what you want" donation scheme via the band's official website.^[3] Days after the release, Michael Bellar decided to leave the band, and was replaced by Gerard Hoffmann. A second single from the album, The London Sun, was released in February 2006, however, the release marked the departure of Nicolas diPierro, who was subsequently replaced by 19-year-old rookie bassist Matt Milligan. A further line-up changed occurred in May 2006 when drummer Pete Brown decided to give up being a musician to get married.^[4] He was subsequently replaced by Kevin Garcia, leaving Brendan Brown as the only remaining member from the original line-up. The next line-up change occurred only five days later, when Kathryn Froggatt left the band due to pregnancy. She later turned her hand to a new band project, entitled Amberlove. Kathryn was replaced by Connie Renda, however, she subsequently changed her mind, and was subsequently replaced by Missy Heselton. In February 2007, Wheatus joined the UK leg of the Get Happy Tour, along with founders Bowling for Soup and Army of Freshmen and British pop-punk outfit Son of Dork, for a sold out 13 show tour. The tour sparked the departure of Liz Brown, who decided to return to her original line of work in New York. Missy Heselton also took a back step from vocal duties to concentrate on studying.

2008–2012: Pop, Songs & Death

The band began recording new material in October 2007. The material's release was carried over until February 2008, when a video for the song "Real Girl" was released to YouTube. The video was written, directed and filmed by Brendan, with assistance from Heselton and Milligan. On February 3, the band made an announcement claiming that the material they had been recording would be available to purchase in the fourth quarter of 2008.^[5] In March 2008, the band performed several tour dates in the United States, and also announced dates for an acoustic performance in the United Kingdom. In October 2008, the band completed a successful tour of the UK, during which some of the new material was showcased in an acoustic form. In November 2008, the band returned to the recording studio to perfect their new material, and thus, set a release date for a six-track EP, entitled Pop, Songs & Death, Vol 1: The Lightning EP. In early 2009, Brendan composed music for motion picture April Showers, a film which deals directly with the Columbine Massacre. On June 1, 2009, The Lightning EP was expected for release, however, was not available until June 2 due to a series of technical difficulties, including a server crash on their website. In January 2010, Wheatus began a worldwide theatre tour, with dates spanning the United States, United Kingdom and Austria. They were supported by nerdcore rapper MC Frontalot. In April 2010, Brendan announced via his official Twitter page that Pop, Songs & Death, Vol. 2: The Jupiter EP was scheduled for release in May 2010.^[6] However, the release was subsequently postponed after ex-band member Phil Jimenez' sister was killed in a car accident, and several of the tour personnel decided to leave. The EP was subsequently released on December 23. In the summer of 2011, Wheatus embarked on a tour of the UK, following a successful headlining performance at the SZIN Festival in Hungary. They were supported on tour by MC Frontalot, Math the Band and City Stereo. The tour included thirty-two dates. The band announced plans to combine the two EPs and release them as a full studio album in October 2011. The release of the album is expected late 2012 or early 2013. In 2012 they embarked on another successful tour of the UK (with Math the Band, MC Lars and Corn Mo) including headlining in June at the LeeStock Music Festival in Sudbury, Suffolk this time they returned to Australia for the first time in 10 years for a small tour shortly after.

2013: The Valentine LP

The band began recording their new album late 2012 for a summer 2013 release. The material will be followed by a UK tour in late 2013. Brendan B. Brown has stated over Twitter that their new material is a lot closer to their first 2 albums in style and that the new album will revolve around LGBT issues in public schools and sexuality equality. The record, entitled The Valentine LP was released on August 2, 2013.

Shortly after the release of the album, drummer Kevin Garcia, who played with the band since 2006, decided to leave Wheatus. He was subsequently replaced by William "Will" Tully, whom Brendan found through his friends in a band called Late Cambrian.

During 2013, the English-Irish boyband One Direction started to perform Teenage Dirtbag on their world tour, creating a new lifeline and influx of new generation fans for Wheatus, who have since made the promise of making all of their 2013 UK tour dates accessible for all ages.^[7]

"The Valentine LP" was made available for free download for a limited time of 24 hours on February the 14th, 2014.

2014: Only You, European tour

On the 6th of June the band released their latest single "Only You", written and recorded with Josh Devine and Sandy Beales from One Direction's band. The song was then released in the UK on the 6th July to coincide with the bands appearance at Hyde Park at the British Summer Time Festival in front of an estimated audience of 3000 resulting in over crowding the spectator area. The band were joined on stage by MC Lars who provided a one minute rap during Teenage Dirtbag, and members of Hollywood Ending and The Three Dudes.

The band have also announced a 42 date tour of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Holland, Denmark and Germany for Autumn 2014, touring with Nerdcore Rapper MC Frontalot, Gabrielle Sterbenz and Brooklyn Indie Guitar band Late Cambrian.

Brown, Devine and Beales have also announced further collaboration songs to follow up to 'Only You'.

2015-Present: 15th Anniversary Tour and 7th studio album

Wheatus have said that they are making steady progress on their seventh studio album. It will take a more "80s metal direction" following the influences Brown had as a teenager. According to Brown “Album seven is almost ready to be recorded and we’ll be working on that over the winter and hope to have that done by 2016.”

On 15th of April 2015 Wheatus announced their 15th Anniversary EU tour consisting of 20 UK dates, plus dates in Ireland and other parts of the EU. A new drummer was also announced for the tour, Brazilian born Leo Freire who will replace previous drummer William "Will" Tully, who left due to other full time music commitments, to become the bands 4th drummer.

Members

Current members

• Brendan B. Brown – lead vocals, guitars (1995–present)
• Matthew Milligan – bass, electric upright bass (2006–present)
• Karlie Bruce – backing vocals (2008–2011, 2011–present)
• Gabrielle Aimée Sterbenz – backing vocals (2011–present)
• Mark Palmer – keyboards (2011–present)
• Leo Freire – drums (2015–present)

Former members

• Peter McCarrick Brown – drums, backing vocals, turntables, samples (1995–2006)
• Philip A. Jimenez – percussion, samples, turntables, special effects, keyboards, harmonica, banjo, and multiple other instruments (1995–2003)
• Rich Liegey – bass, backing vocals (1995–2000)
• Mike Joseph McCabe – bass, backing vocals (2000–2005)
• Elizabeth Grace Brown – backing vocals (2002–2007, 2014)
• Kathryn Elizabeth Froggatt – backing vocals (2002–2006)
• Shannon Patrick Harris – keyboards (2002–2004)
• Vanessa Jimenez – backing vocals (2003)
• Michael Bellar – keyboards (2004–2005)
• Nicolas DiPierro – bass (2005–2006)
• Gerard Charles Hoffmann – keyboards (2005–2011)
• Kevin Joaquin Garcia – drums (2006–2013)
• William Tully - Drums (2013-2015)
• Constance Renda – backing vocals (2006)
• Melissa "Missy" Heselton – backing vocals (2006–2007)
• Johanna Cranitch – backing vocals (2007–2011)
• Georgia Haege – backing vocals (2007–2008)
• Ken Flagg – keyboards (2011)
• Delaney Gibson – backing vocals (2011)
• Dani Elliott – backing vocals (2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions								Certifications (sales threshold)
		UK [8]	AUS [9]	AUT [10]	NL [11]	NZ [12]	SWE [13]	SWI [14]	US [15]
2000	Wheatus Release date: August 15, 2000 Label: Columbia Records	7	55	7	96	48	44	22	76	UK: platinum[16]
2003	Hand Over Your Loved Ones Release date: September 8, 2003 Label: Columbia Records	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005	Suck Fony (The re-release of the Hand Over Your Loved Ones album issued after Wheatus left Columbia Records) Release date: February 14, 2005 Label: Montauk Mantis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	TooSoonMonsoon Release date: October 18, 2005 Label: Montauk Mantis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	Pop, Songs & Death Release date: June 2, 2009 (The Lightning EP) / December 23, 2010 (The Jupiter EP) Label: Montauk Mantis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013	The Valentine LP Release date: August 2, 2013 Label: Montauk Mantis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

Year	Album details
2004	Lemonade Release date: June 28, 2004 Label: Montauk Mantis
	Live at XM Release date: December 14, 2004 Label: Montauk Mantis

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions									Certifications (sales threshold)	Album
		UK [8]	AUS [17]	AUT [18]	NL [19]	NZ [20]	FIN [21]	SWE [22]	SWI	US Mod [23]
2000	"Teenage Dirtbag"	2	1	1	14	27	9	2	3	7	UK: Platinum[16] AUS: 3× Platinum[24]	Wheatus
2001	"A Little Respect"	3	—	19	—	41	—	—	84	—	* UK: silver[16]
2002	"Wannabe Gangstar" / "Leroy"	22	47	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	"American in Amsterdam"	59	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Hand Over Your Loved Ones
2005	"BMX Bandits"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		TooSoonMonsoon
2006	"The London Sun"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012	"Lemonade"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014	"Only You" feat Josh Devine and Sandy Beales	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year	Video	Director
2000	"Teenage Dirtbag"	Jeff Gordon
2001	"A Little Respect"	The Malloys
2002	"Wannabe Gangster"	Jeff Gordon
	"Leroy"	Mark Hartley
2003	"American in Amsterdam"	Mat Kirkby
2005	"BMX Bandits"	Stuart MacKay-Smith
2006	"The London Sun"	Brendan B. Brown
	"Something Good"	Brendan B. Brown
2008	"Change The World (Black Precedent)"	Matthew Milligan
	"Real Girl"	Brendan B. Brown
2011	"The Story Of The Eggs"	Antony Lane
2011	"Invasion Of The Not Quite Dead"	Antony Lane
2013	"Lemonade"	Oliver Broadbent
2014	"Only You"	Oliver Broadbent
2014	"Holiday"	Oliver Broadbent

References

External links

• Official Wheatus website

Wheatus Brendan B. Brown Matthew Milligan Karlie Bruce Gabrielle Aimée Sterbenz Mark Palmer William "Will" Tully Peter McCarrick Brown Philip A. Jimenez Rich Liegey Mike Joseph McCabe Elizabeth Grace Brown Kathryn Elizabeth Froggatt Shannon Patrick Harris Vanessa Jimenez Michael Bellar Nicolas diPierro Gerard Charles Hoffmann Kevin Joaquin Garcia Constance Renda Melissa "Missy" Heselton Johanna Cranitch Georgia Haege Ken Flagg Delaney Gibson Dani Elliott Albums Wheatus Hand Over Your Loved Ones Suck Fony TooSoonMonsoon Pop, Songs & Death The Valentine LP Extended Plays Lemonade Live at XM Singles "Teenage Dirtbag" "A Little Respect" "Wannabe Gangster / Leroy" "American In Amsterdam" "BMX Bandits" "The London Sun" "Lemonade"