Wheatus
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A Pop - Rock band famously known for their hit single Teenage Dirtbag, used on the hit comedy movie Loser. Brendan Brown, the vocalist of the group gave his wit and enthusiasm in making songs, with a big support from his brother Peter Brown the drummer of the group, together with other two members Rich Leigey on bass and Philip Jimenez on keyboard.
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[edit] About
Hailing from Long Island, New York a band was formed in 1998 to give a new enticing and extra-ordinary music of today, the group is known as Wheatus. The band was the idea of singer/songwriter/guitarist Brendan Brown, together with his brother Pete Brown on drums and Rich Leigey on bass (later on replaced by Mike McCabe after releasing their debut album) signed under Colombia Records with their manager Ray Maiello.
Though the band is only starting, they received fanbase for their performance and songs like Teenage Dirtbag that soon followed another tracks like A Little Respect (An Erasure Cover). They were considered as one of the hottest music in UK. However, the singles that followed did just fair.
And just like what they say strike while the iron is hot the band just made an unthinkable decision without proper study to release a second album, eventhough they encountered lots of dilemma upon the release of it. Their sophomore effort Hand Over Your Loved Ones, gets little attention from the media the single off the album American in Amsterdam, was hardly ever heard. On 2004 a new member came with the presence of Michael Bellar as their keyboardist, replacing Shannon Harris when he left the band earlier that year.
Another album was produced under their own label, Montauk Mantis, but was never released out in the marker. An underground style album Suck Fony where the sales are only through their website. With the constant changes in the band, Wheatus is starting to fall apart. In 2005 their bassist Mike McCabe left the band and was replaced by Nicolas diPierro. A few months later Michael Bellar also left the band and was replaced by Gerard Hoffman. A couple of months later, their new bassist, Nicolas diPierro left the band and was replaced by Matt Milligan a young rookie bassist. After the on May 2, 2006, they announce their new line-up but the changes didn't stop there. Another band member left on that same year Pete Brown (drummer) and was replaced by Kevin Garcia. Days later, backup vocalist Kathryn Froggart left due to pregnancy then focused on her own solo career. She was replaced by Connie Renda. The only original band member left is the vocalist and the creator of Wheatus, Brendan Brown.
Despite the never-ending changes of lineups, the band never gave up. The instrumental version of their song Punk Ass Bitch was used as the theme for the cartoon TV series Jackie Chan Adventures, but later on the song was used as the ending credits of the show. Warner Brothers also used it for their commercial background. The band is still active up to now, and they are also looking forward to have another hit that will give a mark to music listeners, they will be touring different places in 2007.
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | UK | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Teenage Dirtbag | 2 | Wheatus |
| 2001 | A Little Respect | 3 | Wheatus |
| 2002 | Wannabe Gangstar/Leroy | 22 | Wheatus |
| 2003 | American In Amsterdam | 59 | Wheatus |
[edit] Tours & Concerts
02.06.07 Bristol (Carling Academy - Bristol)
02.07.07 Southampton (Southampton Guildhall)
02.08.07 Cambridge (Cambridge Corn Exchange)
02.09.07 Cardiff (Cardiff University - Student Union)
02.10.07 Manchester (Manchester Academy)
02.12.07 Glasgow (Q.M.U. / QMU)
02.13.07 Nottingham (Rock City)
02.14.07 Leeds (Metropolitan University)
02.15.07 Norwich (University of East Anglia - Waterfront - UEA)
02.17.07 Birmingham (Carling Academy - Birmingham)
02.18.07 London (Hammersmith Palais).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 August 15, 2000 Sony |
 2003 Sony/Columbia |
 October 18, 2005 Montauk Montis |
 February 14, 2005 Montauk Montis |
[edit] Singles
| Date | Title | Label | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Teenage Dirtbag | Sony | Wheatus |
| 2001 | Leroy | Sony | Wheatus |
| 2002 | Wannabe Gangster | Sony | Wheatus |
| 2003 | American In Amsterdam | Montauk Mantis | Suck Fony |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Trivia
- The track Punk Ass Bitch, which is the theme from the animated series Jackie Chan Adventures was one of the best downloaded songs on iTunes according to the company iTunes. This song was written by their former bassist Rich Leigey.
- The album Suck Fony is a spoonerism of the phrase "Fuck Sony"
