The Wheatus ‘Dirtbags Across Australia’ Acoustic Tour next January and February is shaping up to be the most fun you can have indoors this summer. Featuring Wheatus frontman and incredibly nice guy, Brendan B. Brown along with his better half, fellow Wheatus member Gabrielle Sterbenz, the epic 14 date run also features founding member and former lead guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist of The Chats, Josh ‘Pricey’ Price.
Ahead of the tour Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips caught up with Brendan B. Brown over a zoom to chat about his career, gear and the upcoming tour.
After a whirlwind 2024 that saw Brendan down under twice, once in February for acoustic shows with Art from Everclear and again with Wheatus in April for the Pandemonium Festival, BBB has become a beloved fixture in the Aussie music scene. The Wheatus sets at Pandemonium were one of the standout moments of the day, finding that perfect balance between stoking the fires of nostalgia and putting on a killer rock ‘n’ roll show.
You definitely know THAT song, but for those needing a reminder about the enduring magic of “Teenage Dirtbag’, Wheatus’ iconic debut single, released back in 2000, remains a cultural touchstone nearly 25 years later. The viral “Teenage Dirtbag photos” trend on TikTok has attracted over a million participants, including celebs like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Mark Ruffalo, and the hashtag #teenagedirtbag has been viewed over 2 billion times!
The song’s timeless appeal has also been featured in Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” Disney’s “Cruel Summer,” and in 2023, it incredibly re-entered the UK Top 40 charts! The buzz culminated in a performance at Madison Square Garden for iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball, where Brendan sang alongside pop sensation Jax.
Wheatus recently re-released their debut album in an epic 20-song expanded edition, offering fans “lost” tracks from over the years.
Opening Acts for the Dirtbags Across Australia tour have now been secured and include:
Savanah Solomon for all WA shows
Salt & Steel for all East Coast shows
Tres Jolene for Coffs Harbour & Forster
Aimee Isobel for Melbourne
Winner of the 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year at the Western Australian Country Music Awards, Savanah Solomon brings stories of hope, heartbreak, and healing to life. Her warm sound and evocative lyrics create a world where country and rock meet, offering peace amid life’s storms.
savanahsolomon.com
Salt & Steel offer a raw, earthy rock experience, blending psychedelic elements with the grounded essence of rock roots and blues. The couple live full time in their van and have performed at festivals including Woodford Folk Festival, Party In the Paddock, Airlie Beach Festival of Music and Byron Bay Bluesfest.
saltandsteelmusic.com
Tres Jolene is a scaled down trio of mid North Coast alt-country punks, Then Jolene.
A manifestation of disparate styles, collated by fate, combining double bass, washboard, fiddle, guitar, banjo and 3 part harmonies.
www.facebook.com/thenjolene
Melbourne singer-songwriter Aimee Isobel has been lighting up stages for the past year, her mesmerizing voice and magnetic charm winning over crowds wherever she goes. Having just turned 18, Aimee pairs a maturity beyond her years with an undeniable spark.
linktr.ee/aimeeisobel
Brendan, Gabrielle and Pricey along with the incredible acts listed above will soon be hitting those long open Australian roads, dirt bagging it across the nation with sets that are perfect for these stripped-back, intimate shows across our great southern land.
TOUR DATES
Wed, Jan 15: The Gov, Adelaide
Fri, Jan 17: Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle
Sat, Jan 18: Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough
Sun, Jan 19: The River, Margaret River
Wed, Jan 22: Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Gold Coast
Thurs, Jan 23: The Back Room, Brisbane
Fri, Jan 24: Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
Sat, Jan 25: The Bellevue Hotel, Forster/Tuncurry
Sun, Jan 26: Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
Wed, Jan 29: Shark Bar, Manly
Thurs, Jan 30: Underground, Sydney
Fri, Jan 31: The Baso, Canberra
Sat, Feb 1: Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
Sun, Feb 2: Torquay Hotel, Torquay
Tickets available from
www.bigapachee.com.au/batours