Post by tackhead311 on Aug 24, 2009 15:15:33 GMT -5
The Long Island-based singer/songwriter Brendan B. Brown formed Wheatus as a vehicle for his witty, energetic rock songs. The quartet began taking shape in 1995, when Brown enlisted the help of his brother, drummer Peter Brown, as well as multi-instrumentalist Phil A. Jimenez and bassist Rich Leigey (replaced in July 2000 by Mike McCabe). The musicians recorded their self-titled debut album in the Brown home, helming the production themselves, before signing a contract with Columbia Records and releasing the album in August 2000. "Teenage Dirtbag" became the band's first hit, climbing to number seven on the American rock charts while peaking at number two in the U.K. "A Little Respect" also fared well with British audiences, but Brown jeopardized such newfound U.K. success by refusing to lip-sync for a performance on Top of the Pops. In response, the band's label refused to release Wheatus' next record, Hand Over Your Loved Ones, in America. Although a U.K. release did appear in 2003, the label promoted it poorly, and no strong singles appeared. Two years later, the bandmates left the Columbia roster and created their own label to re-release Hand Over Your Loved Ones under a new title: Suck Fony. That same year also saw the release of Wheatus' third album, Too Soon Monsoon. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
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i got to chat with fellow Long Islander Brenden and what a super cool down to eath dude ![/glow]
1 Wheatus how did that name come about?
wheatus is what my father used to call us when we were kids....I'm pretty sure that it's a devolution of the word little...as in...little little....leettle leetle....wheatle...wheatul....wheatus
2 What is you view on the state of music today?
It's a very exciting time for creative, independent artists who don't want to be rich, famous, derivative or on a major label....for big, cookie cutter pop stars it's a bad time and it's gonna get worse.
3 Why is it you think record labels especially the big ones never seem to get it?
There is only one reason: they are run by old people.
4 That is awesome you chose not to lip sync on Top of the Pops, why do you think they asked to that?
Because it is cheaper and the label crotch crickets can cut your song down to less than 3 minutes.
5 You are getting a rather large and impressive collection of records (not Cd's my readers vinyl) what are some of your favorites?
Yes...Fugazi (entire catalog) .....Beatles (MOFI MFSL Masters) .....Beck (Sea Change).....The Indigo Girls (all)....Magnetic Fields (Distortion and, when it finally comes out, 69 Love Songs)....Rush (all).....AC/CD (all)...Iron Maiden (all)....Van Halen (all)...Tom Petty (all)....The Who (all) Leonard Cohen (all) Joy Division (all)....Public Enemy (all)...... NWA (all).....Paul Simon (Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints, Still Crazy) Ani Difranco (any and all) and lots of Motown, the Band, Blind Faith....I could go on.
6 Brendan what are some of your influences?
Ages 9-14 (AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Dire Staites, Prince, Huey Lewis and the News, The Last Dragon)
Ages 14-21 (Rush, Yes, Primus, Julianna Hatfield 3, Dinosaur Jr., Fugazi, The Pixies, Walt Mink, Ani DiFranco, Quicksand, Fishbone, Sugar, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, The Smiths...too many more to name)
21- present....The Frames, The Frames, The Frames....Beatles, The Who, Motown, The Secret Machines, The Meters.....again, too many to name....I also think My Chemical Romance and Dashboard Confessional are awesome.
7 Duet-ting with Bruce Dickerson how was that?
Surreal and awesome.... that Wannabe Gangstar version was recorded at Abbey Road, in studio two and being able to produce a record in George Martins room, with one of my Metal Heroes....well...do I need to explain why that's sick?
8 Your favorite bagel joint on the Island and can you send me a dozen? I moved to Cali From Deer Park and I'm jonesing for bagels and pizza.
Nina's Pizza is the best food on Long Island to be had hands down....if you are on the go, then hit the Colonial Deli in Northport. Bagels...Country Hot Bagels....also in Northport...Send address and I'll overnight some. (SERIOUS)
9 What are some of the Long Islands bands you enjoy? We have such great music scene if people could ever get pass Blue Oyster Cult and Billy Joel
Yes...I obsess about Blue Oyster Cult....Billy Joel has been an ever present influence since birth and he's still amazing.....Brand New is a great band. Twisted Sister....But that's a trick question 'cause, isn't everyone from Long Island except Morrisey?
10 Favorite venue to play ? Worst one ?
Favorite Venue = Scotland, anywhere in Scotland....in the States, there is a place called Swayze's in Georgia....awesome...they have a nice Treephort there too.
....Worst venue? Um...one where the opening band (a bunch of rich kids on a major label who sound like Hall and Oats only bad) steals your pay while you are on stage playing your set and then leaves their bass behind for the 10th time on that tour, and expects you to return it after falsely accusing you of stealing it through their pussy asshole manager)...That venue is somewhere in Houston Texas I think...but seriously, playing live is so much fun, I can't really complain...except about a venue where the opening band (a bunch of rich kids on a major label who sound like Hall and Oats only bad) steals your pay while you are on stage playing your set and then leaves their bass behind for the 10th time on that tour, and expects you to return it after falsely accusing you of stealing it through their pussy asshole manager)...That venue is somewhere in Houston Texas, I think...but playing live is so fun tho...I can't really complain...except...
11 I love your cover of Erasure , how did you guys decide to do that?
Thanks!
There was a radio station on Long Island, back when radio stations actually played music, called 92.7 WDRE....that song and a lot of other great Brit Pop was on all the time....it's just an age bracket thing...a tune I loved since High School.
12 I love the way you are getting your music out there now, can you tell me readers about it?
Well, the new wheatus record is called Pop, Songs and Death Vol. 1: The Lightning EP and if you go to wheatus.com you can use our new donation download system to download it, pick your price, pick your format....you can download The Lightning EP for free or you can donate to the cause and there are extras....formats include: MP3, WMA, Apple Lossless, FLAC and the amazing, stupidly hi res, DSD_DISC for Playstation3....I am very excited about DSD for PS3 because it's for supernerds and it's better than vinyl and it plays back on your Playstation3, of course....highest sound quality available today....check it our at wheatus.com...all sorts of instructions there.
13 Favorite band to go on tour with?
To date it has to be Army Of Freshmen.....some of the best friends ever....love them. MC Lars is a dear friend, Eve 6 were great guys and Mayday Parade were some of the hardest working people I have ever known on the road....so awesome. You wind up developing relationships with people if they are true and it's always a strong bond....
14 What goes into your song writing process?
Mass quantities of depression, anxiety, self loathing, and a serious lack of viable alternatives.
15 Wheatuspalooza who would be on that bill?
The Frames, Dashboard Confessional, Walt Mink, Fishbone, Army Of Freshmen, MC Lars, MC Frontalot, Cake, The Frames...Too many bands
16 What are the must dos if some was visiting Long Island?
Eat at Nina's Pizza and The Colonial Deli.....visit Walt Whitman's house.....Ride your BMX Bike in the woods...go fishing....Leave.
17 Have you partied at the Boardy Barn?
What the hell is the Boardy Barn?
[glow=red,2,300]the boardy is literally a tent in the hamptons where you go bring beer and then buy it back and get a dwi on the way home it also legandary how many marriages have happened and probally divorces lol and it happens olny on sundays google [/glow]
18 What are you enjoying musically today?
AC/DC Powerage and Radiohead, The Bends
19 Favorite food on the road?
Waffle House
20 Have you ever played guitar hero or Rockband? What is your take on the music games? Would you like your music to be on them?
The funny thing about music games is that you are pretty much guaranteed not to learn how to play guitar from them....drums and vocals on the other hand...they can be useful for learning how to drum and sing...but guitar in guitar games is so far from the real thing it's almost certain not to help you learn. I must say...I never play them....but they look fun. I would love to have our music in all of those games.
21 What is on the horizon for Brendan and Wheatus? [/color]
Pop, Songs and Death Vol. 2: The Jupiter EP (obviously the follow up to The Lightning EP) will be up on wheatus.com for donation download sometime early next year...we'll be working on that until December....then a US tour in May 2010 to celebrate our 10th anniversary and then into the UK in the Fall for more of the same.
man thank you for your time. by no means am i a journalist lol just doing for my love of music. peace ron
No, no, no Ron, thank you! by no means am i a musician HA!....just doing it for my love of those who have a love of music....
Much love and peace as well,
brendan b brown
wheatus.com