Wheatus biography channel

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And if that wasn’t enough, in 2023, it surprised everyone again by re-entering the UK Top 40 charts.

Against all odds, this fresh frenzy around the 25-year-old anthem has led the band to recently perform on some of the most prestigious stages of their career: Wheatus have recently shared club, arena & festival line-ups across the world with the likes of Alice Cooper, Blondie, Busted, Everclear, Hoobastank, Living Colour, Phantom Planet, The Wallflowers, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, The 1975, Muse, Jack White, Blink-182, Paramore, Coheed & Cambria, and so many more.

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Taking the unprecedented decision of forming a band in New York City at the age of 22, Brendan took his father’s nickname of “wedus” and his mother’s penchant for rare fabrics and formed Wheatus. Brendan wrote a few songs, enlisted the help of his brother, Pete, on drums and Rich Leigey on bass (he was replaced by Mike McCabe after the release of their self-titled debut Wheatus).

Wheatus' first and largest hit was the single 'Teenage Dirtbag' (from the soundtrack of the movie Loser), their second single 'A Little Respect' (an Erasure cover) also reached the higher regions of the charts.

They performed at Download Festival 2024 to an audience of over 20,000. Since then, Wheatus, still led by Brown, has enjoyed a renewed interest with their songs covered by the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Sza, Jax, Ruston Kelly and touring with such acts as Dashboard Confessional, Living Colour, Everclear, and many more.

He has not yet been replaced.

Personnel

  • Brendan B. Brown – Vocals/ Guitar
  • Pete Brown – Drums
  • Liz Brown – Backing Vocals
  • Kathryn Froggatt– Backing Vocals
  • Shannon Harris – Keyboards

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • Teenage Dirtbag (2001)
  • A Little Respect (2001)
  • Wannabe Gangstar/Leroy (2002)
  • American In Amsterdam (2003)

iTunes exclusives

External link

Brendan B Brown / Guitar & Vocal.
Matthew Milligan / Bass.
Brandon Ticer / Keyboards.
Dustyn Murphy / Drums.
Joey Slater / Backing Vocal.
Gabrielle Sterbenz / Backing Vocal.

It’s been 25 years since the release of “Teenage Dirtbag”, and somehow Wheatus’ now iconic debut single is arguably the biggest it’s ever been.And to celebrate this milestone, the band are returning to the UK and Ireland in November / December 2025 - playing their debut album in its entirety each night.

The last few years have been a true whirlwind for the band.In 2022, Teenage Dirtbag became the cornerstone of a huge TikTok movement.

Get in. Brendan B Brown has taken the success in stride and wants you to join the ride. Shannon Harris, of Relish (who had supported Wheatus on their earlier tours), signed on as keyboardist, at the request of Brendan.

Due to disagreements with their record label, primarily caused by Brendan Brown's insistence on self-producing the album (as he had done with their debut), Wheatus' second album, Hand Over Your Loved Ones, received little or no promotion and did not sell well, with the single 'American In Amsterdam' failing to significantly impact the music charts.

The album is only available from the band's website, except in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, where a higher proliferation of record stores are independently owned, and the band were able to get a distribution contract despite the relative obscurity of their record lable.

Mike McCabe (bass) left the band in early 2005.

wheatus biography channel

Wheatus

Born and bred on an island as densely populated as Montreal just without any of the culture, Brendan B Brown did what Andrew Carnegie did, he beat the odds. In 2005, the album was re-released under the title Suck Fony on the band's own label Montauk Mantis with two new songs, 'William McGovern' and the Joan Jett cover 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'.

Their third single, a double A-side of 'Leroy' and 'Wannabe Gangstar' (the single-version of the latter featuring Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden) performed less well.

When the band began work on their second album, Liz Brown and Kathryn Froggat, the former the sister of the brothers Brown, the latter the band's merchandiser, teamed up for backing vocals.

Wheatus became known in some circles as the greatest band to play the Mercury Lounge and eventually signed to Columbia Records who released the first two Wheatus records, kinda. Brendan B Brown also squeezed in a “Dirtbags Across America” tour, where he played intimate acoustic shows in 49 of the 50 states (Alaska - sorry, working on it).

The “Teenage Dirtbag photos” trend has now been embraced by nearly a million people, including celebrities such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Mark Ruffalo, Lil Nas X, Jon Bon Jovi, Chevy Chase, and countless others, resulting in the hashtag #teenagedirtbag being viewed over 2 BILLION times worldwide.

Join the Dirtbag

wheatus Biography - A Very Quick Guide

Wheatus are a rock band formed by Brendan B. Brown in 1998. Most recently, Wheatus did massive tours of both the USA and UK with their old friends Bowling For Soup, to some of the largest sold out crowds both bands have seen in their entire careers.The final night of their upcoming tour will be a truly special gig with Bowling For Soup and Punk Rock Factory at the one and only OVO Wembley Arena in London - an absolutely perfect way to end this incredible year.

After their 2020 plans were foiled by you-know-what, Wheatus are committing every waking moment of 2025 to traveling the world to celebrate the anniversary of their debut album that still means so much to so many.In addition to playing their full debut album each night they’ll also be taking fan requests for any other favorites from their three decade career - a ritual they’ve upheld at headline shows for almost 20 years now.It’s a joy to behold.See for yourself.

In 2023, Wheatus embarked on what might have been an unprecedented 47 date tour of the UK and Ireland that was only a few tickets shy of completely sold out. After the major label life and the success of Wheatus’s debut single “Teenage Dirtbag,” Brown continued Wheatus and released five more records before the band’s renaissance would take place after “Teenage Dirtbag” was covered by One Direction.