Long Island’s Wheatus debuts new single, ‘Tipsy’
Wheatus is on its first American tour in more than a decade. Credit: Melissa Trender
It’s one of those weird music industry disparities that Northport’s Wheatus can headline arenas in the United Kingdom, where they have had two Top 3 singles, and are still trying to establish themselves in America.
But that could change. The band, led by Brendan B. Brown, is in the middle of its first American tour in 11 years, opening for Mike Doughty. And its new single “Tipsy” (Montauk Mantis) shows the same kind of clever charm that made “Teenage Dirtbag” a British hit so big that the One Direction guys decided to cover it.
“Tipsy” is an anthem for those who aspire to shake things up. “You think that you may do something that is risky and profound,” Brown sings over a rising tide of guitars. “Well, then maybe you and me should sit and have another round, ’cause man you may be tipsy . . . but you’re sound!”
Following its American tour, Wheatus will return to the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe for a string of dates in May and June, before returning to Northport to work on more new music.
Wheatus opens for Mike Doughty at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on March 3 and Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan on March 4. Tickets are $25 through axs.com for March 3 and ticketfly.com for March 4.
