It almost feels wrong calling Wheatus a one hit wonder. I mean, ‘Truffles’ was alright too… but just say Wheatus and everyone will know who you’re talking about as if they’ve got five greatest hit albums. That’s how engrained into culture that ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ is. A pop rock behemoth that’s been a banger for twenty three years. I’m convinced kids today are born knowing the lyrics of it.
With only lead singer, Brendan B. Brown, surviving the sands of time… we’re at St Luke’s to see if the show is more than just one hit.
Above everything else it’s the size of this tour that’s impressive. This sell-out show is one night of the best part of three months the band are in the UK. Not a nook nor cranny has been forgotten by Wheatus… even playing the rock utopia of Tarbet. If I was touring, I’d want this booking agent. The enthusiasm of the crowd isn’t under any doubt either, as the venue rapidly fills before the support even thinks of taking to the stage.
Speaking of supports… tonight it’s MC Frontalot. He comes on the stage like a chemistry teacher announcing he’s a nerdcore rapper like he’s trying to be down with the kids. Thing is… he’s actually good. It’s a little cutesy in places but the guy can rap. It’s complicated, has flow, and good rhythm… even if he is rapping about data encryption and Dungeons and Dragons. He’s even got a few people singing along with the occasional hook and the whole room playing along with the audience participation bits – aided by the flat screen TV showing videos with subtitles. This is what Mark Grist could have been if he stuck with rapping.
Wheatus walk onto the stage and our frontman walks across the front rows taking suggestions for the first song before the lights come up. He then explains that they don’t have a set list and any band who puts on a show with a set list is actually putting on a display of megalomania. An interesting take, but I don’t totally disagree.
They oblige the front rows and continue taking requests for each song. There’s little stories with each hit about where they came from and they’re played with as much energy as they were decades ago.
Because the crowd are dictating the running order of things, every song is a hit. The slot they’re filling is two hours long… you wouldn’t find the young whippersnappers doing that. The obvious high point is the crowd singalong for the female part of ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ but we all saw that coming.
Overall this was a great wee nostalgic night with a band who really cared about being close to their fans. You can’t deny the hard work they’ve put into this tour and it’s definitely earned them another visit when they come back.
Photos by Catching Light Photography