Letters to Cleo
Encyclopedia
Letters to Cleo was an alternative rock
band from Boston, Massachusetts perhaps best known for the 1993 single "Here & Now" from their full-length debut album Aurora Gory Alice
. The band was made up of members Michael Eisenstein, Kay Hanley
, Stacy Jones, Greg McKenna, Scott Riebling, and later, Tom Polce.
The band arose from Boston on the popularity of their 1993 album Aurora Gory Alice, which featured the single "Here & Now". The group disbanded in 2000, with Hanley moving onto a solo career and such projects as the Disney Channel's My Friends Tigger and Pooh and voicing Josie in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats
. Following their disbandment in 2000, they reunited for a small tour in 2008.
named Cleo when she was younger, although the letters she wrote would often be returned. Hanley kept them in a box under her bed marked "Letters to Cleo", and came across the box as the band was attempting to think of a name for itself.
After years on the Boston club circuit, including T.T. The Bear's Place and The Rathskellar, LtC released their first full length record, Aurora Gory Alice
on CherryDisc Records
in 1993. The album received extensive airplay around the New England region and after a much hyped show at South by Southwest
in Austin, Letters to Cleo signed a major label record deal with Giant Records, a Warner Brothers subsidiary, and Aurora Gory Alice was re-released worldwide.
The band had their first big hit single with "Here & Now," which received wide exposure from its appearance on the Melrose Place soundtrack. The song reached #10 on the Billboard
Modern Rock Singles chart. Appearances on Conan O'Brien
and Jon Stewart
followed.
In 1995, Letters to Cleo released a followup album, Wholesale Meats and Fish. Its release was followed by extensive tours with Our Lady Peace
, Sponge
, Ned's Atomic Dustbin
and others. The single "Awake" achieved moderate rotation on alternative radio. The band also recorded a cover of The Cars
song "Dangerous Type" for the major motion picture The Craft
.
In 1997, Stacy Jones left the band to join Veruca Salt
and was replaced by Tom Polce. That same year, LTC's third album "Go" was released. After a short tour, Polce left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Sutter
. In late 1997, Letters to Cleo parted ways with their record label Giant/Revolution.
1998 saw the release of some early demos and B-sides in the form of the "Sister" EP on Wicked Disc.
Letters to Cleo appeared in the 1999
film 10 Things I Hate about You
as a favorite band of the character portrayed by Julia Stiles
. They contributed four songs to the soundtrack for the film, which included a Cheap Trick
cover ("I Want You to Want Me
"), and a Nick Lowe
& Ian Gomm
cover ("Cruel to Be Kind
"). Also included were two original tracks, "Come On", and the beginning of "Co-Pilot" (which can be heard at the end of the scene of their performance at a local club). Whereas the covers appeared on the film's soundtrack, "Come On" did not but was released as an MP3 download on the Band's website. "Co-Pilot" was also not on the film's soundtrack, but it does appear on Letters To Cleo's album Go.
During that same year, LTC opened for Cheap Trick
at The Paradise club in Boston. The band then recorded 13 new original songs for the Kids' WB
cartoon, Generation O!
, which aired from 2000 to 2001.
The band played its last show on May 4, 2000, a benefit for their friend and longtime local supporter, Mikey D. They announced their disbandment in the Boston Globe the following month.
As of July 2009, the band members have returned to their own projects. Possible future LTC reunion shows have been hinted at but nothing is planned for the foreseeable future.
in 2002, The Babydoll EP in 2004, and Weaponize in 2008. In 2010, she formed the band Palmdale (http://wearepalmdale.com) with producer Linus of Hollywood
(Kevin Dotson). Kay has also been involved with Disney on several children's projects including the new Strawberry Shortcake.
"USA" Michael Eisenstein has been performing session and touring work for many artists including Our Lady Peace
and Lisa Loeb
. He is currently producing and engineering.
Kay and Michael married in the late '90s and have 2 children. They reside in Los Angeles, CA.
Drummer Stacy Jones
went on to form American Hi-Fi
with fellow Boston musicians Drew Parsons, Jamie Arentzen and Brian Nolan. Stacy has also been producing work for up and coming artists including Plain White Ts and The Modern Society. He is currently the music director for the Miley Cyrus
touring band. Stacy also resides in Los Angeles.
Scott Riebling went into the production side of music and is now a well regarded producer and engineer and has produced work for The Von Bondies
, Cobra Starship
and Fall Out Boy
. Scott resides in Massachusetts
Co-founding member Greg McKenna is currently playing live with his solo project, Murder Capitol of the World. The debut album, "Saint Judes Revenge" was released in the summer of 2007. Greg resides in Dorchester, MA.
Tom Polce played with several prominent Boston based bands and is now a producer and engineer. He lives in California.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Boston, Massachusetts perhaps best known for the 1993 single "Here & Now" from their full-length debut album Aurora Gory Alice
Aurora Gory Alice
Aurora Gory Alice is the first album by Letters to Cleo, released in 1993 on the record label CherryDisc Records and re-released in 1994 on Giant Records. The first single from the album was "I See", which got little exposure. However, the second single, "Here & Now", received a lot of exposure...
. The band was made up of members Michael Eisenstein, Kay Hanley
Kay Hanley
Kathleen Marie Hanley is an American alternative rock musician. She is best known as the vocalist for the band Letters to Cleo.-Life and career:...
, Stacy Jones, Greg McKenna, Scott Riebling, and later, Tom Polce.
The band arose from Boston on the popularity of their 1993 album Aurora Gory Alice, which featured the single "Here & Now". The group disbanded in 2000, with Hanley moving onto a solo career and such projects as the Disney Channel's My Friends Tigger and Pooh and voicing Josie in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats are a fictional rock band created by Dan DeCarlo.They have been featured in a number of different media since the 1960s:...
. Following their disbandment in 2000, they reunited for a small tour in 2008.
Band history
Letters to Cleo was formed in 1990 by Dorchester, Massachuetts natives guitarist Greg McKenna and singer Kay Hanley, when they changed from their former band name, Rebbecca Lula. The band had a rotating list of guest players filling various positions including Abe Laboriel, Jr. who did a short stint on the drums in 1993. Its definitive lineup of Hanley, McKenna, "USA" Mike Eisenstein on guitar, Stacy Jones on drums and Scott Riebling on bass, was established in 1994. Their name came from the fact that Hanley had a pen palPen pal
Pen pals are people who regularly write to each other, particularly via postal mail.-Purposes:A penpal relationship is often used to practice reading and writing in a foreign language, to improve literacy, to learn more about other countries and life-styles, and to make friendships...
named Cleo when she was younger, although the letters she wrote would often be returned. Hanley kept them in a box under her bed marked "Letters to Cleo", and came across the box as the band was attempting to think of a name for itself.
After years on the Boston club circuit, including T.T. The Bear's Place and The Rathskellar, LtC released their first full length record, Aurora Gory Alice
Aurora Gory Alice
Aurora Gory Alice is the first album by Letters to Cleo, released in 1993 on the record label CherryDisc Records and re-released in 1994 on Giant Records. The first single from the album was "I See", which got little exposure. However, the second single, "Here & Now", received a lot of exposure...
on CherryDisc Records
CherryDisc Records
CherryDisc Records was a Boston-based independent record label in the mid- to late-1990s. It gained notoriety by moving acts such as Letters to Cleo, Big Catholic Guilt, Smackmelon, Tracy Bonham, The Sheila Divine, Quintaine Americana, and Semisonic on to major labels.Cherrydisc was founded in 1991...
in 1993. The album received extensive airplay around the New England region and after a much hyped show at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
in Austin, Letters to Cleo signed a major label record deal with Giant Records, a Warner Brothers subsidiary, and Aurora Gory Alice was re-released worldwide.
The band had their first big hit single with "Here & Now," which received wide exposure from its appearance on the Melrose Place soundtrack. The song reached #10 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Modern Rock Singles chart. Appearances on Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien
Conan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
and Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
followed.
In 1995, Letters to Cleo released a followup album, Wholesale Meats and Fish. Its release was followed by extensive tours with Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
, Sponge
Sponge (band)
Sponge is a post-grunge band from Detroit, Michigan formed in 1991 by Vinnie Dombroski, Mike Cross, Tim Cross and Joey Mazzola. Sponge was signed to Sony Records in 1994 but have since switched to other labels....
, Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Ned's Atomic Dustbin are an English rock band formed in Stourbridge in West Midlands in November 1987. The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show. The band were unusual for using two bass players in their lineup: Alex Griffin played melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat Cheslin...
and others. The single "Awake" achieved moderate rotation on alternative radio. The band also recorded a cover of The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
song "Dangerous Type" for the major motion picture The Craft
The Craft (film)
The Craft is a 1996 American supernatural teen horror film directed by Andrew Fleming and starring Robin Tunney, Rachel True, Fairuza Balk and Neve Campbell. The film's plot centers on a group of four teenage girls who pursue witchcraft and use it for their own gain...
.
In 1997, Stacy Jones left the band to join Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
and was replaced by Tom Polce. That same year, LTC's third album "Go" was released. After a short tour, Polce left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Sutter
Jason Sutter
Born in Potsdam, New York, Jason Sutter began playing drums at the age of nine and played his first professional gig at the age of ten with his band Paragon! Playing his first "bar gig" at thirteen, Jason continued to play clubs two to three times a week throughout his high school years...
. In late 1997, Letters to Cleo parted ways with their record label Giant/Revolution.
1998 saw the release of some early demos and B-sides in the form of the "Sister" EP on Wicked Disc.
Letters to Cleo appeared in the 1999
1999 in film
The year 1999 in film involved several noteworthy events and has been called "The Year That Changed Movies". Several significant feature films, including Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut, Pedro Almodóvar's first Oscar-winning film All About My Mother, science fiction The Matrix, Deep...
film 10 Things I Hate about You
10 Things I Hate about You
10 Things I Hate About You is a 1999 American teen romantic comedy film. It is directed by Gil Junger and stars Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholtz, and Larry Miller...
as a favorite band of the character portrayed by Julia Stiles
Julia Stiles
Julia O'Hara Stiles is an American actress.After beginning her career in small parts in a New York City theatre troupe, she has moved on to leading roles in plays by writers as diverse as William Shakespeare and David Mamet...
. They contributed four songs to the soundtrack for the film, which included a Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
cover ("I Want You to Want Me
I Want You to Want Me
"I Want You to Want Me" is a song by Cheap Trick which first appeared on their second album In Color in 1977. It was the first single released from that album but it didn't chart in the US. However, it was a #1 single in Japan...
"), and a Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
& Ian Gomm
Ian Gomm
Ian Robert Gomm is a British singer-songwriter, who was the rhythm guitarist for Brinsley Schwarz from 1970 to 1974. He was named "Best Rhythm Guitarist" by NME in 1971.[]...
cover ("Cruel to Be Kind
Cruel to Be Kind
"Cruel to Be Kind" is a 1979 single by Nick Lowe, co-written by Lowe and his former Brinsley Schwarz band-mate Ian Gomm, that peaked at #12 in both the British and US charts that summer...
"). Also included were two original tracks, "Come On", and the beginning of "Co-Pilot" (which can be heard at the end of the scene of their performance at a local club). Whereas the covers appeared on the film's soundtrack, "Come On" did not but was released as an MP3 download on the Band's website. "Co-Pilot" was also not on the film's soundtrack, but it does appear on Letters To Cleo's album Go.
During that same year, LTC opened for Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
at The Paradise club in Boston. The band then recorded 13 new original songs for the Kids' WB
Kids' WB
Kids' WB! was Warner Bros. American childrens programing division brand for The WB Television Network. In September 2006, the block moved to The CW Television Network. The CW is the result of The WB's merger with UPN in 2006...
cartoon, Generation O!
Generation O!
Generation O! was an animated children's television series made by the now defunct Sunbow Entertainment, a division of Sony Wonder, with co-production provided by Wang Films in Taiwan and Ravensberger in Germany. There are also international versions of the series called "Molly O!"...
, which aired from 2000 to 2001.
The band played its last show on May 4, 2000, a benefit for their friend and longtime local supporter, Mikey D. They announced their disbandment in the Boston Globe the following month.
Reunion
In December 2007, an impromptu reunion occurred when 4 of the original band members got on stage at a benefit for longtime supporter, Jeanne Connolly at TT the Bears Place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The event spurred the members to re-unite officially for a series of shows a year later in Los Angeles, Boston and NYC. More dates followed in 2009 with shows in New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Bassist Scott Reibling did not participate in these shows but gave his blessing. Longtime band friend, Joe Klompus replaced Reibling.As of July 2009, the band members have returned to their own projects. Possible future LTC reunion shows have been hinted at but nothing is planned for the foreseeable future.
Solo careers etc
Most of the band members are now involved in solo careers. Most notable is Kay Hanley's career, which produced the albums Cherry MarmaladeCherry Marmalade
Cherry Marmalade is the first album by Kay Hanley, released in 2002 .-Track listing:#"Fall" – 4:57#"This Dreadful Life" – 4:32#"Satellite" – 4:19...
in 2002, The Babydoll EP in 2004, and Weaponize in 2008. In 2010, she formed the band Palmdale (http://wearepalmdale.com) with producer Linus of Hollywood
Linus Of Hollywood
Kevin Dotson , better known by his stage name Linus of Hollywood, is an American rock and pop singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer...
(Kevin Dotson). Kay has also been involved with Disney on several children's projects including the new Strawberry Shortcake.
"USA" Michael Eisenstein has been performing session and touring work for many artists including Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
and Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb
Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
. He is currently producing and engineering.
Kay and Michael married in the late '90s and have 2 children. They reside in Los Angeles, CA.
Drummer Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is currently the singer, songwriter, and guitarist for American Hi-Fi.-Life and career:...
went on to form American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi is an American pop punk band from Los Angeles, California, which originally hailed from Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of vocalist Stacy Jones, guitarist Jamie Arentzen, bassist Drew Parsons, and drummer Brian Nolan...
with fellow Boston musicians Drew Parsons, Jamie Arentzen and Brian Nolan. Stacy has also been producing work for up and coming artists including Plain White Ts and The Modern Society. He is currently the music director for the Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
touring band. Stacy also resides in Los Angeles.
Scott Riebling went into the production side of music and is now a well regarded producer and engineer and has produced work for The Von Bondies
The Von Bondies
The Von Bondies were an American alternative rock band. The group disbanded in July 2011. Its most recent members were Jason Stollsteimer on vocals and lead guitar, Christy Hunt on rhythm guitar and Leann Banks on bass guitar...
, Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship is an American synthpop band created by former Midtown bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta in 2003 in New York City, New York...
and Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
. Scott resides in Massachusetts
Co-founding member Greg McKenna is currently playing live with his solo project, Murder Capitol of the World. The debut album, "Saint Judes Revenge" was released in the summer of 2007. Greg resides in Dorchester, MA.
Tom Polce played with several prominent Boston based bands and is now a producer and engineer. He lives in California.
Members
- Kay HanleyKay HanleyKathleen Marie Hanley is an American alternative rock musician. She is best known as the vocalist for the band Letters to Cleo.-Life and career:...
- lead vocals, guitar - Greg McKenna - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - Michael Eisenstein - guitar, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals - Scott Riebling - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Stacy Jones - drumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s - Tom Polce - drumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s
Albums
| Year | Title | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... | Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Sister E.P.1 | - | - |
| 1993 | Aurora Gory Alice Aurora Gory Alice Aurora Gory Alice is the first album by Letters to Cleo, released in 1993 on the record label CherryDisc Records and re-released in 1994 on Giant Records. The first single from the album was "I See", which got little exposure. However, the second single, "Here & Now", received a lot of exposure... |
123 | 3 |
| 1995 | Wholesale Meats and Fish Wholesale Meats and Fish Wholesale Meats and Fish is the second album by the alternative rock band Letters to Cleo. It was released on August 1, 1995.-Track listing:all songs by Kay Hanley and Letters to Cleo#"Demon Rock" – 3:24#"Fast Way" – 3:59#"Jennifer" – 5:10... |
188 | 11 |
| 1997 | Go! | - | 45 |
| 1998 | Sister1 | - | - |
| 2008 | When Did We Do That?1 | - | - |
- Sister was originally an independently released, seven-song cassette-only E.P. released in 1991, before the band signed to a record label. After they were dropped by WarnerWarner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
in 1997, Sister was rereleased with four bonus tracks and marketed as a brand new album. When Did We Do That? is also an independent collection of b-sides and rarities.
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
Hot 100 | Hot 100 Airplay Hot 100 Airplay The Hot 100 Airplay chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures radio airplay, and is one of the three component charts, along with the Hot Singles Sales and the Hot Digital Songs charts, that determine the chart positions of singles on the Billboard... |
Hot 100 Singles Sales Hot 100 Singles Sales The Hot Singles Sales chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures sales of commercial singles and is one of three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Airplay and the Hot Digital Songs, that determine the chart positions of singles on the... |
Top 40 Mainstream | |||
| 1992 | Here & Now/Rim Shack | - | - | - | - | - | Aurora Gory Alice |
| 1995 | Here & Now/Big Star | 10 | 56 | 72 | 69 | 40 | |
| Awake/Acid Jed | 17 | 88 | - | - | - | Wholesale Meats and Fish | |
| 1996 | Dangerous Type | - | - | - | - | - | The Craft OST |
| 1997 | Anchor/Never Tell | - | - | - | - | - | Go! |
| 1999 | I Want You To Want Me/Cruel To Be Kind | - | - | - | - | - | 10 Things I Hate About You OST |