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Purchase our debut EP, Former Trans Future Volume 1, from CD Baby today!
Purchase our debut EP, Former Trans Future Volume 1, from iTunes!
Bio:
"Dumb rock for smart people, that's usually descriptive enough." Hesitant to be pegged into some generic category or sub-genre specification, The Wannabe Hasbeens developed their own lingo to wrap words around the music they create. Their self-penned description usually evokes a response with listeners unfamiliar with their material. "It instantly separates those who 'get-it' and those who won't," quips frontman Chris Heille, "people usually laugh or get that mystified look in their faces, we know right away what we're dealing with."
Former Trans Future Volume 1, their debut EP released in March of '07, was completed after nearly 18 months of live shows in and around their hometown of Minneapolis. "We do nearly everything backwards from general practice" admits bass player Derek Ritchison, "we played this stuff live for what felt like forever before we seriously recorded it." The seemingly backwards nature of the process is evident in the fact that The Wannabe Hasbeens were featured at some of the Twin Cities' biggest live music events before their CD was even tracked. They've done Clear Channel's Cities 97 Basilica Block Party (opening for Mike Doughty, The Fray, and Guster), and opened for Ike Reilly, Flickerstick, and others in their brief history.
The dues-paying time racked up on stages trimmed the fat from anything that didn't contribute to the songs. Layers of straight forward rock riffs, pop sensibilities, and honest to experience lyrics make Former Trans Future Volume 1 a no-nonsense listen. The EP charted at 30 CMJ reporting stations the summer following its' release, and was picking up spins all over North America. They've also collected positive reviews in print and online in their hometown.
Frontman/guitarist Chris Heille and drummer Gary Spencer started The Wannabe Hasbeens to escape the shadows of being musical bridesmaids - "sidemen." Their former efforts helped to create a string of "private successes" for others, but no lasting interests for themselves. Derek Ritchison, on bass, confesses to responding to an online classified post for a spot in the band roster. The most recent addition to the band is guitarist/one-man-three-ring-circus, Mo. (No last name necessary, just "Mo" will do.) Together the four crank out a high volume, high energy dose of dumb ambition.
Booking:
We'd love to crash your party, or spoil your otherwise-perfect evening. After all, we've got nothing better to do! You can contact us at booking@wannabehasbeens.com, or just drop us a message here.
Noteables:
Cities 97/Basilica Block Party, July 2008
1st Place: Cities 97/Basilica Block Party Minnesota Band Competition, June 2008
South By Southwest / Red Gorilla music festivals: March, 2008
Former-Trans-Future, Vol. I charted on over 30 CMJ stations nationwide: Summer, 2007
1st Place: Pillar To Post Battle Of The Bands, October 2006
1st Place: Drive 105 Battle Of The Bands, September 2006
Cities 97/Basilica Block Party, July 2006
2nd Place: Cities 97/Basilica Block Party Minnesota Band Competition, June 2006
1st Place, Rock Category: Club 3 Degrees Music Tournament, May 2006
3rd Place, Best Band Name: CityPages "Best Of 2006" Issue, April 2006
Tied for 1st Place: Minnesota State University, Mankato - Battle Of The Bands, February 2006
Quotables:
"Their new record, Former Trans Future, Vol. I, is glossy and bombastic - rich with distortion, double-tracked vocals, and angst-rock lyrical pathos." -CityPages
"...the tracks stretch from syrupy power ballads to heavy rock anthems that beg to be cranked up and enjoyed with a PBR and a fist pumping in the air." - The Pulse Of The Twin Cities
"The group's new album, Former Trans Future, Vol. I, is a pop production masterpiece..." -Perfect Porridge
"The Minneapolis quartet's debut effort sounds fresher than a punk pop band made of fifteen year old hipsters. What is particularly refreshing is that it nimbly avoids all the potholes the style invariably throws in its way. The Wannabe Hasbeens are mature without being tired or world weary, and fresh without sounding like another Blink-182 clone." Broken Dial, IndiePulse.com
"They shouldbe way more famous. Throughly addicting powerpop with hard rock edges and melody to spare." ADDReviews.com
"Check it out. Do I ever steer you wrong on music? Click through on their Flash player to the song Hey, George Bailey and just try to convince that that it’s not better than 98% of the crap on the radio." Music Find Of The Week, O'DonnellWeb.com
"A real blast of fresh air and a very interesting first release. Although other influences bubble to the surface, this is a band that still manages to have it's own identity and one that is going to be very interesting with new releases to come." IndieLaunchpad.com
"Of anything on FORMER TRANS FUTURE VOL. 1 it is probably the most likely to be on your local FMer, sounding better than 90 percent of what they’re playing. FORMER TRANS FUTURE VOL. 1 is an impressive debut, with six tracks that demonstrate a talent that seems like it runs long and deep. Right now I’d say that anything these gents release would be worth a listen, and more. Recommended." Music-Reviewer.com
"The Wannabe Hasbeens worked the intersection of Fountains of Wayne and Jimmy Eat World with both directions sporting green lights, producing some entertaining collisions of style and volume. With a pair of talented guitarists and an animated bass player who was the polar opposite of the stoic, stand-and-pluck four stringer, the Wannabe Hasbeens churned out a set that was engaging musically and visually." Cincinnati's CityBeat.com - Spill It! Blog
"Whispers of a hit lurk in here, and I'd have no fear of putting these guys as the soundtrack to an angst-ridden love story or coming-of-age film. These guys are solid, reliable, and not so weird that you have to take arty drugs to appreciate them. Maybe they'll make it big some day, and regret their name." Ink19.com
“Hey, George Bailey is a damn cool rock song. The song has a fantastic guitar riff, great melodic resolution, and will continue to loop in your head for weeks." RevoltMedia.com
"And the music, the music is lovingly pounding, waking me up, making me listen." EarTaste.BlogSpot.com
"Hey, George Bailey is one of those tracks that meets the requirement of a perfect pop tune; plenty of hooks, like making love to a large woman, too much wonderfulness to digest in one sitting, not to mention a short-but-sweet solo and a Jimmy Stewart reference." Broken Dial, IndiePulse.com
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