Wheatus are set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album with a 2025 UK and Ireland tour. The New York rock band’s seminal 2000 LP featured the breakout hit Teenage Dirtbag, which reached Number Two in the UK Singles Chart and has since been certified quadruple platinum. To commemorate its anniversary, they’ll be playing it in full each night, as well as fan requests for favourites from their three-decade career. As we build in excitement as the dates draw closer, we caught up with frontman Brendan B. Brown to learn more.


Hi, how are you?

Doing well... Working intensely at rehearsals for the tour!

We are so excited Wheatus are back in the UK. What can we expect from the upcoming tour?

We have just under sixty tunes prepared... It's an all-request set. Each night will definitely include the entire first record as well as all B-sides from it, but it's going to happen as per request from the audience in real time, so never the same night to night. We'll also have Phil Jimenez from the original line-up on the last few shows, including Wembley.

You will be playing your debut album fully on the tour. Which songs are you excited to revisit?

Yes, as I said, but never in the same order... I'm loving the way Love Is A Mutt From Hell feels these days. It's really become my fave. Sunshine is feeling great too, and Hey Mr Brown has been coming across more aggressively than in the past.

You've come a very long way since your debut. Did you ever anticipate such long-term success?

Absolutely not. Teenage Dirtbag was not written as a single. I was sure it was too long for that in the beginning... But the way it's become this thing, in people's hearts and all that, no. I never even imagined it could do that.

And what is your key ambition these days...?

To play as many great shows as we can... Keep getting better at the craft, stay healthy on the road, and then next year make some new records!



We want to get to know a little more about your musical taste. Tell us a song (and a reason) that makes you:

Smile: Prince Raspberry Beret - So cinematic... How can you not see that narrative unfolding as the song evolves?

Cry: - AC/DC It's A Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock & Roll - Because that song tells no lies.

Laugh: Fishbone Lyin' Ass Bitch – Just the manic, frenetic, kinetic spasm of it all. So crazy.

Feel nostalgic: Rush Time Stand Still

Dance in the kitchen: Just about every song I like will make me do this. In fact, I don't need music to dance in the kitchen... But lately it's the Law & Order theme song. I do interpretive dances to it and have done since before it was a trend.

Sing in the shower: Ice Cube How To Survive In South Central. It's the perfect start to any day.

Message a friend immediately: Queen One Vision. When the guitar solo happens, I have to send it to my friend Eric.

What was the best gig you have ever been to?

AC/DC, Roseland Ballroom (2500 cap), New York City, in 2002

What is the best show you have ever done?

That's a tough one... There are two that really stand out: most recently at Ocean's Calling Fest and then also probably Glasgow Barrowlands in 2001.

What stage have you not performed on that you dream of?

As a New Yorker, you know it has to be Madison Square Garden.

Lastly, you can achieve one thing by the end of the year; what is it?

To make everyone who buys a ticket to see us EXCEPTIONALLY happy that they did.