About Wheatus
Wheatus is an American rock band from Northport, New York, formed in 1995. Their 2000 single, "Teenage Dirtbag" and 2001 cover version of Erasure's "A Little Respect" charted worldwide. Their self-titled album was certified platinum in the United Kingdom. == History == === 1995–2002: Formation and Wheatus === Wheatus was formed by Brendan Bernard Brown in 1995, who plays guitar and sings, on the Lower East Side of New York City. Brown began by writing a few songs and subsequently enlisted his brother Peter on drums, Rich Liegey on bass and backing vocals, and Philip A. Jimenez on various percussion instruments, keyboards, harmonica, 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. In 1999, they hired New York producer Ray Maiello, who booked them at New York's Luna Lounge for regular appearances. Maiello distributed the group's self-produced debut album, including to major record labels and to A&R executive Kevin Patrick from Columbia Records. Maiello then arranged for Patrick to see the band play at the Mercury Lounge, and Patrick subsequently signed Wheatus to a multi-album deal, with Maiello as the band's manager. Their self-titled debut album was released on August 15, 2000, and spawned their first and most successful hit, "Teenage Dirtbag", which charted at No.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.