The Presidents of the United States of America (album)
Encyclopedia
Critical reception to The Presidents of the United States of America was mainly positive. The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars and stated: "It's novelty punk. Granted, that approach can occasionally produce a couple of naggingly catchy songs — particularly their breakthrough hit, 'Lump' — but it basically results in a series of smug, self-satisfied songs that are neither funny nor catchy."
unless otherwise noted.
on December 1, 1996. It was also released as a single in France.
Additional musicians
Legacy and influence
- "Boll Weevil" was featured in the 1995 film Ace Ventura: When Nature CallsAce Ventura: When Nature CallsAce Ventura: When Nature Calls is the sequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective . Jim Carrey reprises his role as the title character Ace Ventura, a detective who specializes in retrieval of tame or captive animals. This is the only sequel to a film starring Carrey in which Carrey reprised his role...
. - "Lump" was featured in the 2009 film Fanboys.
- "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
released a parody version of "Lump" known as "GumpGump (song)"Gump" is a song by American musical parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "Lump" by The Presidents of the United States of America and also parodies the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. It is one of several Yankovic songs describing the events of a movie....
", a joking tribute to Forrest GumpForrest GumpForrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
. - ApologetiXApologetiXApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. The band is currently composed of J...
also recorded a parody of "Lump" entitled "PlumpTickedTicked is the third album released by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was also their first album to be released on CD. Later, two songs from the album would be released on the band's greatest hits album.-History:...
". - Canadian ska punk band The JohnstonesThe JohnstonesThe Johnstones are a ska punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada formed in 2002 and signed to the Union Label Group. In 2006, they signed to Stomp Records of Montreal, released the full length album Word is Bond and began touring Canada and the U.S. Their video 'Gone for a Long Time' received...
covered "Lump" on their 2008 EP SEX. - Accordionist Duckmandu (Jason Seeman) covered "Lump" on his compilation album Quack Rock: Five Duckades of Accordion Mega-Hits.
- "Peaches" was parodied in the TV series Bill Nye the Science GuyBill Nye the Science GuyBill Nye the Science Guy is an educational television program that originally aired from September 10, 1993 to June 20, 1998, hosted by Bill Nye and produced by Buena Vista Television. The show aired on PBS Kids and was also syndicated to local stations, making it the second first-run television...
as "Farm Foods", with lead singer Chris BallewChris BallewChristopher "Chris" Ballew is a member of the alternative rock group The Presidents of the United States of America and performs as a children's artist under the pseudonym Caspar Babypants....
playing basitar in the parody. - In the King of the HillKing of the HillKing of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
episode "Next of Shin", somebody asks Hank HillHank HillHenry Rutherford "Hank" Hill Age 50 animated series King of the Hill. Hank lives in Arlen, Texas and works at the fictional Strickland Propane selling propane and propane accessories. Hank's voice is provided by series creator Mike Judge. The Economist named Hank Hill as one of the wisest people...
about peaches. Thinking he is referring to the song, Hank takes out his guitar and sings the song's chorus. - British electronicaElectronicaElectronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
duo Lemon JellyLemon JellyLemon Jelly is a British electronic music duo from London, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen. Lemon Jelly has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and BRIT Awards....
heavily sampled the opening riffs of "Peaches" played in reverse as well as the lines "Yeah, yeah" and "Millions of peaches/Peaches for me/Millions of peaches/Peaches for free" in their song "The Fruity Track".
Track listing
All songs by Chris BallewChris Ballew
Christopher "Chris" Ballew is a member of the alternative rock group The Presidents of the United States of America and performs as a children's artist under the pseudonym Caspar Babypants....
unless otherwise noted.
- "KittyKitty (song)"Kitty" is the name of the third single by the post-grunge/alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. The song, along with "Lump", and "Peaches" helped propel Presidents of the United States of America to a platinum level....
" – 3:23 - "Feather Pluckn" – 2:57
- "LumpLump (song)"Lump" is a song by alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. It was released in 1995 and featured on their self-titled debut album. The song reached #1 on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1995. Later in the same year, it debuted on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and...
" – 2:14 - "Stranger" – 3:04
- "Boll Weevil" – 3:16
- "Peaches" – 2:51
- "Dune BuggyDune Buggy (song)"Dune Buggy" is the name of the seventh single by the post-grunge band The Presidents of the United States of America. "Dune Buggy" was the last single released from their highly successful debut album....
" – 2:44 - "We Are Not Going to Make It" (Ben Reiser) – 1:52
- "Kick Out the Jams" (Michael DavisMichael Davis (bassist)Michael Davis is a bass guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer.- MC5 :He replaced original MC5 bassist Pat Burrows when singer Rob Tyner and guitarist Wayne Kramer decided that they liked Davis' style and wanted him in the band.MC5 comprises:*Michael Davis, bass,*Wayne Kramer,...
, Wayne KramerWayne Kramer (guitarist)Wayne Kramer is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and film and television scorer....
, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Dennis ThompsonDennis Thompson (drummer)Dennis Thompson is the drummer with the 1960s/1970s Detroit proto-punk/hard rock group MC5, which had a #82 US single with "Kick Out The Jams" and a #30 US album with the same name....
, Robin TynerRobin TynerRob Tyner remains best known as lead singer for the American proto-punk rock band MC5. Born Robert Derminer, his adopted surname was in tribute to the jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. It was Tyner who issued the infamous rallying cry of "kick out the jams, motherfuckers" at the MC5's live concerts...
) – 1:25 - "Body" – 4:11
- "Back Porch" – 2:59
- "Candy" – 3:16
- "Naked and FamousNaked and Famous"Naked and Famous" is the name of the second single by the post-grunge band The Presidents of the United States of America. This single was the follow-up to their debut recording, "Fuck California". "Naked and Famous" was later released on the President's debut album which features Soundgarden's...
" – 3:42
Ten Year Super Bonus Special Anniversary Edition bonus tracks
Tracks 14–19 are from their various singles from the time the album was originally in release. Tracks 20–26 are demos recorded in the cities and years noted; Chris Ballew is the only performer on tracks 20–24.- "Confusion" – 2:44
- "Candy Cigarette" – 2:02
- "Wake Up" – 2:41
- "Carolyn's Booty" – 2:17
- "Fuck California" – 3:05
- "Puffy Little Shoes" – 3:35
- "Kitty (Demo)" (Boston, 1992) – 1:26
- "Lump (Demo)" (Ballard, WA, 1994) – 2:39
- "Stranger (Demo)" (Seattle, 1992) – 2:50
- "Boll Weevil (Demo)" (Boston, 1991) – 2:07
- "Candy (Demo)" (Boston, 1989) – 3:51
- "Naked and Famous (Boston Demo)" (Boston, 1989, by the band Egg) – 2:37
- "Naked and Famous (New York Demo)" (New York, 1987) – 2:08
Super Bonus Thrillpack DVD
The DVD features some of their music videos, three live performances, and video commentary by the group.- "Lump"
- "Lump" Version 2
- "Peaches"
- "Mach 5"
- "Jupiter" (live)
- With Duff McKaganDuff McKaganMichael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician and writer. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bassist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
on bass; performed live at Jupiter Studios, Seattle WA, winter 2000.
- With Duff McKagan
- "Volcano" (Live)
- Performed live for the Seattle WA late-night TV show Almost Live, 1997. With then-Washington State Governor Gary Locke on backing vocals
- "Lunatic To Love" (Live)
- Performed live at La Luna, Portland, OR, April 1997
- "Tiny Explosions"
French Edition bonus disc
This CD was bundled with the original French edition. The live songs were recorded for the French radio show Inrockuptible on France InterFrance Inter
France Inter is a major French public radio channel and part of Radio France. It is a "generalist" station, aiming to provide a wide national audience with a full service of news and intelligent spoken-word programming, both serious and entertaining, liberally punctuated with an eclectic mix of...
on December 1, 1996. It was also released as a single in France.
- "Ça Plane Pour Moi" – 1:53
- "Feather Pluckin (Live)" – 3:20
- "Boll Weevil (Live)" – 3:16
- "Dune Buggy (Live)" – 2:44
Personnel
The Presidents of the United States of America- Chris BallewChris BallewChristopher "Chris" Ballew is a member of the alternative rock group The Presidents of the United States of America and performs as a children's artist under the pseudonym Caspar Babypants....
– lead vocals, basitar - Dave DedererDave DedererDave Dederer, best known as guitarist and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America, was born on October 5, 1964. An alumnus of Seattle, Washington's The Bush School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, he founded The Presidents with fellow Bush School alumnus...
– guitbass, backing vocals - Jason FinnJason Finn (musician)Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America...
– drumsDrum 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 ....
Additional musicians
- Kim ThayilKim ThayilKim Thayil is an American guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the Seattle-based grunge band Soundgarden, which he cofounded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984...
– 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...
on "Naked and Famous"
Chart positions
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US 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... |
6 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 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... |
3 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000+ |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Air |
US Mod. Rock |
US Main. Rock |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
CAN RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
CAN Alt RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
SWE Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
NLD Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
NZL New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
AUS Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
||
| 1995 | "Kitty Kitty (song) "Kitty" is the name of the third single by the post-grunge/alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. The song, along with "Lump", and "Peaches" helped propel Presidents of the United States of America to a platinum level.... " |
— | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 19 |
| "Lump Lump (song) "Lump" is a song by alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. It was released in 1995 and featured on their self-titled debut album. The song reached #1 on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1995. Later in the same year, it debuted on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and... " |
— | 21 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 21 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 8 | 11 | |
| 1996 | "Peaches" | 29 | 37 | 8 | 24 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 34 | 28 | 29 | 9 | 13 |
| "Dune Buggy Dune Buggy (song) "Dune Buggy" is the name of the seventh single by the post-grunge band The Presidents of the United States of America. "Dune Buggy" was the last single released from their highly successful debut album.... " |
— | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World | July 25, 1995 | Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
- |
| United States | CD | CK67291 | ||
| March 1995 | PopLlama Records | LP LP record The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry... , CD |
- | |
| 2004 | PUSA Inc. | CD | - | |
| 2008 | Fugitive Records | CD | - | |
| United Kingdom | July 25, 1995 | Columbia Records | CD | COL 481039 2 |