The Presidents of the United States of America (band)

The Presidents of the United States of America are a Seattle alternative rock band best known for their quirky, nonsensical songs that defied the typical sound of most bands from the Pacific Northwest. They were one of the biggest groups to come from Seattle following the decline of grunge in the mid-1990s.

Biography

Early years and rise to fame (1992-1998)

The band was formed in 1992 by Chris Ballew (basitar), Dave Dederer (guitbass), and Dave Thiele (drums). Jason Finn replaced Thiele the following year. The band made up names for themselves at each show, eventually settling on "The Presidents of the United States of America," since it was the longest name they thought of. Their first album, Froggystyle, was recorded in 1993 and sold at many of their early shows.

Related Topics:
1992 - Chris Ballew - Dave Dederer - Jason Finn - Froggystyle - 1993

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In 1994, the Presidents were signed to Pop Llama Records, and released their self-titled debut in the following year. Columbia Records signed the band shortly thereafter, and re-released the album. Driven by singles for "Lump," "Peaches," and "Kitty," their debut album proved to be a smash. Critics praised the Presidents' catchy, humorour, and even self-depreciating songs, which were a major departure from the grunge post-grunge sound. The album received a 1996 Grammy nomination for "Best Alternative Music Performance."

Related Topics:
1994 - Pop Llama Records - Following year - Columbia Records - 1996 - Grammy

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A follow-up album, II, received similar praise, but did not meet the explosive commercial success of the Presidents' debut. A worldwide tour to support the album followed, and the Presidents played venues in Europe, Australia, and Japan. Their popularity in Japan was so huge, that Sony Records released a Japan-only compilation of B-sides and demos called Rarities (album).

Related Topics:
II - Europe - Australia - Japan - Sony Records - Rarities (album)

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The Presidents broke up in 1997 after Ballew said he wanted to spend more time with his family. Pure Frosting, a final album of new songs, covers, and demos, was released in 1998. The CD also contained videos for "Lump," "Peaches," "Mach 5," and "Dune Buggy."

Related Topics:
1997 - Pure Frosting

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Two songs from Pure Frosting were later used on a movie and television show. "Video Killed the Radio Star" was included on the soundtrack for The Wedding Singer, while "Cleveland Rocks" was chosen as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show.

Related Topics:
Video Killed the Radio Star - The Wedding Singer - Cleveland Rocks - The Drew Carey Show

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Indefinite break (1998-2000)

Following the breakup, each band member devoted time to their own solo projects. Ballew was the most-prolific of the three, releasing albums with The Giraffes (band) and The Tycoons, two of his side projects. Dederer collaborated with former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan as The Gentlemen, and Finn played drums for several bands, including Love Battery, his original band.

Related Topics:
The Giraffes (band) - Guns N' Roses - Duff McKagan - Love Battery

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The Presidents also collaborated with Sir Mix-A-Lot as Subset, a short-lived rock and hip-hop band. They had a brief tour, and recorded several songs, but never completed the album.

Related Topics:
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Subset - Hip-hop

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In 2000, Columbia Records released Lump, a greatest hits compilation.

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Aftermath (2000-present)

The Presidents reunited in 2000 to release a new single, "Jupiter," on Musicblitz Records. Because of the single's popularity, the label convinced the band to release a new album. Freaked Out & Small was released that year to critical praise, but it sold fewer than 25,000 copies. Dederer blamed Musicblitz, which later went bankrupt, for being unable to handle the demand for the album.

Related Topics:
2000 - Musicblitz Records

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For the next four years, the band members worked on their own solo projects. Ballew continued to produce and record his own work, and collaborated with Tad Hutchinson of Fresh Young Fellows as The Chris and Tad Show. Dederer auditioned to replace Mikey Welsh in Weezer, but was not selected.

Related Topics:
Tad Hutchinson - Fresh Young Fellows - The Chris and Tad Show - Mikey Welsh - Weezer

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The Presidents formed their own record label, PUSA Inc., in 2004, and released their latest album, Love Everybody. As with their previous albums, it received praise from many critics, and the band is currently on tour supporting the album. Two singles from the album have been released through the Apple iTunes store.

Related Topics:
PUSA Inc. - 2004 - Love Everybody - Apple - ITunes

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The band also supported John Kerry in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Prior to this, the Presidents did not publicly support any political candidate, though they did perform for President Bill Clinton at a 1994 Democratic Party fundraiser in Seattle.

Related Topics:
John Kerry - 2004 U.S. presidential election - President - Bill Clinton - Democratic Party

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