Artists & Bands

Wheatus | Tunes + Guitar Lessons

With one unforgettable anthem, Wheatus captured the voice of a generation of outsiders. It may be their only hit—but what a hit it was!

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From Teenage Dirtbag to McBusted: Wheatus’ Journey Through One-Hit Wonderdom

Wheatus hit it big with Teenage Dirtbag in 2000/2001, a song that catapulted them from obscurity to global recognition. The track, an anthem for awkward teenage boys, resonated with fans worldwide, thanks to its catchy hooks and relatable lyrics. The mastermind behind the hit was Brendan B. Brown, the band’s singer and guitarist, who brought an unexpected rawness to the production by recording the song in the basement of his mother’s house using just an acoustic guitar and a few amps.

The success of Teenage Dirtbag was unparalleled for Wheatus, marking their only significant chart hit. While they continued to release albums, none of their subsequent singles matched the worldwide success of their debut. Despite this, the band remained active and even went on to have an interesting chapter in their story: Brendan Brown worked with McBusted, the supergroup formed from the U.K. bands McFly and Busted.

As with many bands that experience the rush of a breakout hit, Wheatus’ journey wasn’t without its challenges. In 2004, I met the band on their tour, where they were still playing Teenage Dirtbag at every show. Their key piece of advice to anyone they met? Never sign a major record deal. It was clear that the pressure to follow up on their massive hit had taken its toll.

In an amusing video clip, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness asks, “How do you follow up Teenage Dirtbag, the perfect song?” While he might have been poking fun at his own band’s one-hit-wonder status, there’s truth in his question. After all, a huge hit is a blessing—but it can also be a curse when the follow-up seems impossible to deliver.

But whether or not Wheatus was able to match the success of their first song, Teenage Dirtbag remains a lasting legacy—a song that defined an era, and one that continues to live on through covers, playlists, and nostalgic sing-alongs across the globe.