The antidote to grunge was a band with a 'weird' name
In short: While 1990s Seattle was defined by heavy angst and self-absorption, one three-piece group offered a different path. They traded distortion for straightforward pop pleasure, using custom two and three-stringed instruments to create a sound that felt like an intentional rebellion against the era's prevailing gloom.
Formed in 1993 by school friends Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer, the Presidents of the United States of America (PUSA) began as a drummerless duo performing under various aliases like 'the Lo-Fis' and 'Pure Frosting.' They eventually added drummer Jason Finn to become a trio. Their musical identity was rooted in simplicity; they utilized unique instruments like Ballew’s two-stringed 'basitar' and Dederer’s three-stringed 'guitbass,' both tuned to an open C5 chord. This setup allowed them to play the same patterns simultaneously, creating a satisfyingly straightforward sound.
The band achieved massive commercial success in the mid-1990s with hits like "Lump" and "Peaches." While the media often grouped them with the grunge movement due to their Seattle roots, critics noted a distinct contrast. The New York Times described them as an 'antidote' to the misery of grunge, while The Washington Post praised their ability to revive the pleasures of pure pop without any hint of angst.
The group’s history is marked by multiple breakups and reunions. They first disbanded in 1997 for Ballew's solo interests before reuniting in 2002. After a period of private dissolution, they officially announced their final breakup in 2016, with Ballew noting the members were simply 'old people now.' Despite these shifts, their legacy persists through various side projects—including Ballew’s work as children's artist Caspar Babypants—and high-profile collaborations like their brief rock-hip-hop project Subset with Sir Mix-a-Lot.
Their cultural footprint extends beyond the charts. They provided theme music for 'The Drew Carey Show' and the film 'My Date with the President's Daughter,' and even appeared in a live concert at Mount Rushmore for Presidents Day in 1996.
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