"The Presidents Of The United States Of America" has been added to your list of bookmarked artists
The Presidents Of The United States Of America
Biography
The Presidents of the United States of America were one of the most unlikely success stories of the post-grunge alternative rock scene in Seattle. Where the rest of their Seattle brethren traded in heavy guitars and heavy angst, the Presidents rejected torment for humor, writing short, simple, and absurd punk songs that relied more on goofy attitude than sludgy riffs and tormented screams. It was a formula that worked, as the group's self-titled debut album became a double-platinum record much to the surprise of many critics, music industry insiders, and the band itself.
Childhood friends Chris Ballew (lead vocals, two-string basitar) and Dave Dederer (three-string guitbass, backing vocals) played in a number of groups and projects before forming the Presidents of the United States of America around 1990. The duo recorded a demo tape, which began circulating around the Seattle musical community and, in the process, earned them a cult following. Drummer Jason Finn, a member of Love Battery, saw the duo in 1991 and, after a few years of persuading, joined the band in 1993. Within a year after Finn joined, the Presidents became one of the most popular bands in Seattle. In the spring of 1994, they released their eponymous debut album on Pop Llama Records. The record became an independent hit and the band attracted the attention of major record labels; the group eventually signed with Columbia Records, who re-released the Presidents' debut in the spring of 1995. By this time, Finn had left Love Battery to become a full-time President.
The Presidents of the United States of America became a hit in the summer of 1995, when MTV and modern rock radio began airing "Lump" frequently. "Lump," followed by the radio hit "Kitty" in the fall and the radio/video hit "Peaches" in the spring of 1996, propelled the album to a surprise Top Ten, double-platinum status. The band quickly capitalized on their sudden success by releasing their second album, The Presidents of the United States of America: II, in November of 1996.
In December of 1997, the Presidents called it quits after Chris Ballew left the band to spend more time with his family. A farewell concert followed in February 1998 and a rarities album, Pure Frosting, was released in March. Rumors of a possible reunion and collaboration with fellow Seattle resident Sir Mix-a-Lot (under the collective name Subset) floated around in 1999, but the project never materialized. However, the band did reconvene in 2000 (without a rapper) under the officially shortened moniker the Presidents and released their third album, Freaked Out and Small. Another long hiatus preceded the release of Love Everybody in 2004. That same year the band reissued their debut album on their own label in "Super Bonus Thrillpack" edition featuring a DVD. Late in 2007 the Presidents announced a new album, These Are the Good Times People, would be delivered in the spring of 2008. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
haha! lump played on my nirvana station. the only other song i've heard by them is peaches (which freakin rocks) but the rest of that album is better.
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This was one of my first CD's and I wish I could still find my copy today. I guess I will be forced to download it again. Oh and Pandora thanks for playing The Presidents of the United States of America. It has been a very long time since I have heard them and it was great kickback to my childhood.
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my math teacher is obsessed with this band. I didn't even put this station on my account, he did. Luckily he and i have the same taste in music. I'm still going to kick his a** for messing with my account.
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Catchy song riffs and funny lyrics. They have a very good sound in live concert too. Great band, I grew up listening to them, still one of my favorite bands the songs never get old
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I had heard they wanted to originally be called the "Bill Clintons" but due to obvious legal restrictions they could not. Best live show you can see for $15 bucks -
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my music teacher is old friends with them...
they got their name because where they performed, they'd give the audience fake names for themselves. and one night they used president names... then it stuck- hence, The Presidents of the United States of America |
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I love the Presidents. Peaches and Lump, not so much, but I really really like about 90% of their material.
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Lyrics that come out of nowhere and blast you in the face. Definately a cool band,with cool instruments
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A note on the Biography of the band here: They did actually team up with Sir-Mixalot and his crew to form the group SubSet. I'm not sure if they ever released any albums, but they did play shows in Seattle for a while. Mike "Outtasite" Singleton was part of the SubSet Group (as well as performing on prior Sir-Mixalaot tracks) and teamed up with Chris Ballew from PUSA to form the band "The Feelings Hijackers."
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played pipeline in honolulu lastnight and made all 5 strings wail best concert of my life (and i work for live nation) !!!
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i just learned that these dudes played all these songs w/ 5 STRINGS!!!! how they do that?? im w/ i nasty
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these songs are so random...but thats more of my personality, so i like them =>
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Peaches come from a can they were put there by a man in a factory downtown.... . B a b y . . . .
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My first ever concert were these guys back in '96 and they did not disappoint! What a show! Just good fun music that makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face! Keep rockin out boys!
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how the hell did they pull it off with only 5 strings total? i would love to see them Live. big fan!
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A year ago I was introduced to the song Kitty and Feather pluck'n while my friend left me in her car while she took a midterm. I had missed the MTV releases because of my age bracket, but have listened to them ever sence then. I evern got my 16 year old cousin into them and would call each other and leave a message that simply went "little dune BUGGIE!"
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Unfortunatel y , this past spring, TPOTUSOA performed at a local FREE outdoor concert.
They were quite good. I don't know what they were paid for this event, but I'm sure the city doesn't pay top dollar to performers. But that being said, 'They Might Be Giants" performed at the same event the previous year. |
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Millions of Peaches, Peaches for you, Peaches for me,
Peaches are freedom, every bite you take gives you life. |
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