From the confines of their studio bunker in Lebanon, Ohio, The Whathaveya are poised to rocket to the top of the indie-pop scene in 2008 with their debut album, Explodes! Beginning in late-2005, ex-Orgygonerumble band mates Brian Hoops (vox, guitar) and Mike Belodayton (guitar, vox) joined forces with enigmatic drummer W.M. Muthert (ex-Muzzies) for series of lo-fi recording sessions. In an attempt to create an album that they wanted to listen to, the trio threw conventional recording techniques out the window and embarked on a musical journey to reconstruct the rock-n-roll landscape; anything capable of making a sound may have been used somewhere within these recordings. After a flurry of disappearances that had resulted in months of inactivity, Muthert one day exploded into a pile of feathers after a practice. Hoops and Belodayton forged ahead and completed the studio project in early-2008. The end result being a no-compromise record harking back to the DIY days of honest rock-n-roll… Relying on the quirky combination of Hoops' easily “digested like a razorblade” lyrical hooks, Belodayton’s off-kilter guitar, and Muthert's Bonham-like beats, The Whathaveya Explodes! offers up a diverse collection of ultra-catchy indie-rock gems.
The Whathaveya recruited the services of bassist Brandon Jent (ex-Muzzies) and drummer Paul Kennedy (formerly of The Villains and The Electric Dots) to solidify the group. The revamped lineup officially debuted The Whathaveya Explodes! on the 4th of July 2008 in Dayton, Ohio. With standout tracks like Black Kitty, and Bright Lights, Fresh Eyes, the first record quickly sold out its first pressing. The band is currently huddled in the Consumer Value Deluxe studio bunker recording new material with original drummer William Muthert who has been re-animated after the "feather incident". The future looks bright, look for The Whathaveya to be a major factor on the indie-rock landscape for years to come.
Here’s what some others have had to say…
“Quirky tunes that are like a mish-mash of all sorts into one quirky rock n’ roller coaster ride. If you love Swedish band The Hives then Ohio quartet The Whathaveya might just be for you. Listening to tracks from the band’s debut Explodes! turns out to be quite an experience; it is both very trippy and very raucous. Piecing together lyrics in a weird and wonderful way…”
- The LPM Voice: Issue 15
“Churning up out of the primordial ooze in the outpost of Lebanon, new outfit The Whathaveya dish out some raw, but melodic, garage/punk recalling Mudhoney, early GBV, and any other trashy, lo-fi band you wanna mention from that era....”
- Kyle Melton / The Buddha Den
"Ladies and gentlemen, for fucks sake, BE CAREFUL with this one! Rip rock raunch thrown dirt in the eyes garage rock and roll with moments of pure genius. Imagine JETHRO TULL if they drank LSD laced whiskey as opposed to wine... And had subtle keyboards instead of Flutes. Imagine a true midwest grit reeking-original version of THE KNOCKOUT PILLS (Deadbeat Records GO AWAY!) I can even hear some subtle BRAINIAC in there... This CD’s one of those that don't come along to often... Explodes! is the sort of CD that makes you wish you could kick yourself in the balls. Dig new classics. The Whathaveya is the kinda shit I use to hear in Kent Ohio’s Mantis Gallery time and time again from band after band that did some amazing shit, but would just fade away without any CD to remember them by (i.e. Teen Anxious). I don't understand why this band isn't the talk of the town. Anytown USA, watch out..."
- Shawn Abnoxious / Neus Subjex 08/11/2008
