{{short description|American rock band}} {{Distinguish|The Bodines}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = BoDeans | image = Bodeans Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.JPG | caption = BoDeans in 2014 | origin = Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * Roots rock * heartland rock * alternative rock }} | years_active = 1983–present | label = {{flatlist| * F&A Slash * 429 * Zoë * He & He * Megaforce/MRI }} | website = {{URL|bodeans.com}} | current_members = * Kurt Neumann * Stefano Intelisano * James Hertless * Brian Ferguson * Kenny Aronoff * Glenn Fukunaga * Bukka Allen | past_members = See Member Section for former members. }}
'''BoDeans''' is an American rock band formed in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The band's sound encompasses multiple rock genres, including roots rock,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/he-cant-stop-bodeans-frontman-talks-about-the-bands-30-year-history/Content?oid=4389005 |title=He Can't Stop: Bodeans' Frontman Talks About the Band's 30-Year History |first=Matt |last=Wardlaw|website=Cleveland Scene |date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> heartland rock,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/06/06/the-bodeans-heartland-rock/f663e03b-1619-4b3a-93fd-6cccb47486d0/ |title=The BoDeans' Heartland Rock|date=June 6, 1986|website=Washingtonpost.com}}</ref> and alternative rock.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pennlive.com/go/2012/09/roots_and_alternative_rock_gro.html|title=Roots and alternative rock group BoDeans to perform at Whitaker Center |first=Sean |last=Adams |date=September 26, 2012|website=pennlive.com}}</ref> The band's biggest hit is "Closer to Free" (1993), which was used as the theme song to ''Party of Five''. The band has been described as "one of the most successful, and best known, bands to come out of the Milwaukee area".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/07/05/former-bodeans-member-sam-llanas-has-paperfest-show-canceled/760500002/ |title=Former BoDeans member Sam Llanas pulled from Paperfest, Waterfest schedules |publisher=Postcrescent.com |date=2018-07-05 |access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref> BoDeans is included in a permanent installation on artists from the Midwest at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Hennepin-Theatre-Trust-to-Welcome-Wisconsin-Based-Rock-Band-BODEANS-20161116 |title=Hennepin Theatre Trust to Welcome Wisconsin-Based Rock Band BODEANS |website=Broadwayworld.com|access-date=2017-09-19|language=en}}</ref>
==History== ===1980s=== thumb|250px|right|BoDeans in 1986 (left to right: Bob Griffin, Guy Hoffman, Sam Llanas, Kurt Neumann) Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas met at Waukesha South High School in 1977. After discovering that they had similar music interests, they began writing songs together. Llanas entered college, but eventually left after Neumann convinced him to pursue a music career together.<ref name="Gannett20080804">{{cite news|url=http://www.armytimes.com/entertainment/music/music_bodeans_073108/|title=And the BoDeans played on ... and on|last=Smith|first=J. Sharpe|date=2008-08-04|work=The Post Crescent|publisher=Gannett News Service|pages=D-6|access-date=2008-08-05}}</ref> At this time Neumann did not sing much, and considered himself to be primarily a drummer, while Llanas had little experience as a guitar player. However, the two decided to get serious about music and both began to sing and play guitar under the name Da BoDeans in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29335784.html |title=BoDeans search for a way back to the top|last=Rohde|first=Marie |date=2007-10-28|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2009-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpLOt_zgens |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/IpLOt_zgens| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Sound Pass with BoDeans |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2011-10-18}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In April 1983, the BoDeans began playing around Milwaukee's East Side music scene, with a hired drummer and bass player. The band practiced in the garage of Mark McCraw, a mutual friend who soon became their manager and provided financial support during their early years. The band lost its rhythm section later that year, but continued to perform live as a duo and used the recording studio at McCraw's university to record demos on which Llanas and Neumann played all the instruments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19850830&id=YYhQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5929,8873117|title=The Milwaukee Sentinel – Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}}</ref> In 1984, drummer Guy Hoffman joined the band. The trio's first recorded song, "Sally", appeared on the first volume of the Milwaukee Sampler compilation released by Breezeway Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicstack.com/item/105197935|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313223307/http://www.musicstack.com/item/105197935|url-status=dead|title=Various Artists - Milwaukee Sampler Vol. 1 - State of the Art |date=1984 |archive-date=March 13, 2014|website=MusicStack}}</ref> To compensate for the lack of a bass player, Neumann modified his Fender Esquire with two additional pickups intended to capture solid low-end frequencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=77559|title=BoDeans' Kurt Neumann Builds "Bastard" Guitars & Amp|website=Top40-Charts.com}}</ref> After the trio became popular around Milwaukee, they added bassist Bob Griffin in 1985.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
Later in 1985, the quartet received interest from multiple major labels and chose to sign a contract with Slash/Warner Records. After signing, the label suggested that they shorten their name to simply BoDeans. Under the guidance of producer T Bone Burnett, they entered Hollywood's Sunset Sound Factory in October to record their first album. Burnett focused on capturing the band's natural sound without many additional overdubs. The band later expressed their regret of not being able to spend more time on the production, but high studio costs kept the sessions concise. ''Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams'', the band's critically acclaimed debut album, was released in 1986.<ref name="Gannett20080804" />
In January 1987, a ''Rolling Stone'' reader poll voted BoDeans the Best New American Band.<ref name="jsonline.com"/> Early that year, they traveled to Los Angeles to work with producer Mike Campbell, but the sessions were shelved after disagreement arose over the album's sound. Campbell wished for the album to resemble Tom Petty's brand of 1960's rock. The band, however, felt that this style did not fit their music and instead wanted a state-of-the-art production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19871030&id=GGcaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5369,6732204|title=The Milwaukee Journal – Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}} {{dead link|date=October 2020}}</ref>
Instead, they got Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison to produce their second album.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://time.com/archive/6710537/music-an-autumn-harvest/ | title=Music: An Autumn Harvest | work=Time | date=October 12, 1987}}</ref> ''Outside Looking In'' was released in October 1987 and featured a more modern 80's-rock sound than its roots-influenced predecessor. At the time, the band wished to break past the "roots" label with a state-of-the-art production, but in retrospect, they felt that the album was not able to capture the true essence of the band.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U2YaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4699,3370402&dq=bodeans+neumann&hl=en|title=The Milwaukee Journal – Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}} {{dead link|date=October 2020}}</ref> The album's lead single, "Only Love", peaked at number 16 on the US Mainstream Rock charts.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/bodeans|title=BoDeans Only Love Chart History |magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 1, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529235711/https://www.billboard.com/music/bodeans|url-status=dead}}</ref> In support of the album, the band toured extensively with U2 on The Joshua Tree Tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fox59.com/2019/06/13/carrie-underwood-young-the-giant-josh-groban-to-play-indianapolis-this-week/ |title=Carrie Underwood, Young The Giant, Josh Groban to play Indianapolis this week|date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> That year, the band also contributed to Robbie Robertson's debut solo album alongside U2 and Peter Gabriel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/robbie-robertson-debut-album/|title=How Robbie Robertson Finally Stepped Out as a Solo Artist|first=Nick|last=DeRiso|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>
In 1989, the band's third album, titled ''Home'', was released. It was more reminiscent of their rootsy debut, but showed a diverse range of influences including Motown, U2-inspired arena rock, and heartland rock.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The songs “You Don’t Get Much” and “Red River” were used in the movie ''The Wizard'' that same year.
===1990s=== In 1991, in search of a different take on their music, the band began recording with David Z (producer and sideman of Prince) at Paisley Park Studios. The band released its fourth studio album, ''Black and White'', that year. The album's electronic-influenced sound was a sharp departure from most of their previous efforts, with more emphasis on synthesizers, drum machines, and processed guitar tones. The album also explored darker and grander lyrical themes. Although not a single, the album's first track, "Good Things," achieved some success and became one of the band's best-known songs. The rebellious and political "Black, White, and Blood Red" was the only single released from the album; it did not perform well in comparison to the band's previous songs that made the charts.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
After ''Black & White'', the band decided to shift their focus to making the album that pleased them instead of searching for a hit. For their 1993 album ''Go Slow Down'', the band reunited with T-Bone Burnett and took a more homemade approach, with Neumann playing many of the instruments himself. Unlike their previous album, ''Go Slow Down'' was more acoustic and marked their transition into '90s alternative rock.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
The first song from the album, "Closer to Free," brought Bodeans to a much larger audience after it was selected as the theme song to the television series ''Party of Five'' in 1994.<ref name="Gannett20080804" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/article/1996/05/10/bodeans-provide-theme-song-party-five/|title=BoDeans provide the theme song for ''Party of Five''|website=EW.com|date=May 10, 1996}}</ref> (In 1999, the band would perform a cover of The Beatles' "I've Just Seen a Face" as the theme song for the show's short-lived spinoff, ''Time of Your Life''.) Due to the newfound exposure, "Closer to Free" became the group's biggest pop hit,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/entertainment/article/Concert-Connection-BoDeans-coming-to-Infinity-13239897.php |title=Concert Connection: BoDeans coming to Infinity Hall Hartford |first=John |last=Atashian |date=September 19, 2018|website=The Middletown Press}}</ref> peaking at number 16 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6715284/50-tv-theme-songs-on-billboard-charts-hannah-montana-friends-cheers-the-x-files|title=50 TV Theme Songs That Made the Billboard Charts: Listen|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
In 1995, ''Joe Dirt Car'', a two-CD live set, was released. The album included live tracks recorded between 1989 and 1995, some of which were acoustic. In 1996, the band released ''Blend'', produced by Greg Goldman. The single "Hurt By Love" achieved minor chart success, while the song "Hey Pretty Girl" was used in an episode of ''Dawson's Creek''.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
Around this time, the band became entangled in legal battles with longtime manager Mark McCraw, who had gone on strike stating that he was entitled to partial copyright ownership of the band's first two albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/bodeanssuit.html|title=BoDeans battling former manager McCraw in court|date=29 September 2004|publisher=OnMilwaukee.com}}</ref>
===2000s=== In 2001, the 17-song compilation ''The Best Of BoDeans—Slash and Burn'' was released on London/Slash/Rhino.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
In 2003, the band terminated their former management contract and signed with Rounder Records.<ref name="Gannett20080804" /> The following year, the band released their seventh album, ''Resolution'', on Rounder/Zoe.<ref name="Gannett20080804" /> BoDeans released an album entitled ''Still'' in March 2008.<ref name="Gannett20080804" />
===2010s=== The band's ninth studio album, ''Mr. Sad Clown'', was released on April 6, 2010. Similar to their 1993 release, Neumann produced and played most of the instruments on the album in his home studio. Though critics lauded the album for its homemade approach, reviews were mixed due to the overall melancholy theme.<ref>{{cite web |last=Muckian |first=Michael |url=http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-11011-for-the-bodeans-a-melancholy-album-and-an-uncertain-future.html |title=For the BoDeans, a Melancholy Album and an Uncertain Future |publisher=Expressmilwaukee.com |date=2010-05-24 |access-date=2011-10-18}}</ref> The album features some of Neumann's most personal songwriting.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emtriple-threat-fridayem_b_772398 | title=Triple Threat Friday: Conversations with BoDeans, Bleu and The Chapin Sisters | first=Mike | last=Ragogna | work=HuffPost | date=October 22, 2010}}</ref>
The band released its tenth studio album, titled ''Indigo Dreams'', on July 26, 2011.<ref>{{AllMusic |id=indigo-dreams-mw0002139014 |title=''Indigo Dreams'' |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref>
In August 2011, Llanas failed to arrive in Colorado for BoDeans performances in Denver, Boulder, and Winter Park, CO and instead sent a text message to several band and crew members notifying them of his departure from the band. The band stated that it would continue without Llanas, with the band's guitar technician Jake Owen filling in.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|author=Jackie Loohauis-Bennett |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/128009658.html |title=Sam Llanas leaves the BoDeans |publisher=JSOnline |date=2011-08-18 |access-date=2011-10-18}}</ref> In June 2018, Kurt Neumann's stepdaughter, Tessa Neumann, accused Llanas of sexually abusing her from 2001 though 2007 while she was a minor.<ref name="jsonline.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2018/06/11/bodeans-kurt-neumann-stepdaughter-accuse-former-band-member-sam-llanas-molestation/362436002/|title=BoDeans' Kurt Neumann, stepdaughter accuse former band member Sam Llanas of molestation | newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|last=Levy |first=Piet |date=June 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fox6now.com/2018/06/11/stepdaughter-of-bodeans-band-member-accuses-singer-guitarist-sam-llanas-of-molesting-her/|title=Summerfest officials: Sam Llanas won't perform amid molestation allegations|date=11 June 2018|publisher=Fox 6 Milwaukee}}</ref> Llanas denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wisn.com/article/bodeans-co-founder-pulled-from-summerfest-lineup-after-sexual-assault-allegations/21347082|title=BoDeans co-founder pulled from Summerfest lineup after sexual assault allegations|date=14 June 2018|website=Wisn.com}}</ref><ref name="jsonline.com1">{{cite news|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/06/21/videos-sources-undercut-molestation-denials-former-bodeans-singer-sam-llanas/710167002/|title=Videos and sources undercut molestation denials by former BoDeans singer Sam Llanas|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|last=Levy|first=Piet|date=June 21, 2018}}</ref>
The band's eleventh studio album, entitled ''American Made'', was released in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wxrt.radio.com/2012/02/21/bodeans-perform-live-from-studio-x-listen/ |title=BoDeans Perform Live From Studio X [Listen] « WXRT |publisher=Wxrt.radio.com |date=2012-02-21 |access-date=2014-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627191806/http://wxrt.radio.com/2012/02/21/bodeans-perform-live-from-studio-x-listen/ |archive-date=2012-06-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 26, the album's first single, "All The World", was released.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.relix.com/news/2012/03/26/the-bodeans-announce-new-album-and-tour-debut-single-on-relix-com |title=The BoDeans Announce New Album and Tour, Debut Single on Relix.com |work=Relix.com | date=2012-03-26 |access-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329033113/http://www.relix.com/news/2012/03/26/the-bodeans-announce-new-album-and-tour-debut-single-on-relix-com |archive-date=2012-03-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2020}}
In November 2012, the band announced the upcoming release of ''Amped Across America'', a double live album recorded at several venues from the ''American Made'' tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bodeans.storenvy.com/products/768759-preorder-bodeans-amped-across-america-preorder |title=BoDeans | BoDeans Amped Across America | Online Store Powered by Storenvy |publisher=Bodeans.storenvy.com |access-date=2014-03-07}}</ref>
In October 2014, Neumann announced the release of the band's 12th studio album, entitled ''I Cant Stop''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/he-cant-stop-bodeans-frontman-talks-about-the-bands-30-year-history-4389005/ | title=He Can’t Stop: Bodeans’ Frontman Talks About the Band’s 30-Year History | first=Matt | last=Wardlaw | work=Cleveland Scene | date=October 1, 2014}}</ref>
In June 2016, the band released the single "My Hometown" from their upcoming 13th studio album, ''Thirteen''. The song was one of several songs by the BoDeans to be used in the sitcom ''The Ranch'', produced by Netflix.
The Milwaukee County Historical Society opened a BoDeans exhibit to celebrate the release of the album.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/bodeans-day-in-milwaukee | title=Beyond the Gates | work=CBS 58 | date=June 16, 2016}}</ref>
The band also released BoDeans Original Ginger Brew, a beer made by Sprecher Brewery in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their debut album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/bodeans-look-back-at-30-years-with-museum-exhibit-summerfest-show-b99749881z1-385048401.html|title=BoDeans look back at 30 years with museum exhibit, Summerfest show|website=Jsonline.com}}</ref>
In November 2016, the band released a Christmas record, “The Night Divine”.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themusic.today/release/bodeans-the-night-divine/8292019|title=TheMusic.Today – Music album The Night Divine by BoDeans|website=themusic.today}}</ref>
In April 2017, the band released ''Thirteen''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://glidemagazine.com/183487/bodeans-succeed-terms-thirteen-album-review/ |title=BoDeans Succeed On Own Terms With 'Thirteen' |publisher=glidemagazine.com |date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=2019-08-24}}</ref>
== Discography == {{main article|BoDeans discography}} *''Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams'' (1986) *''Outside Looking In'' (1987) *''Home'' (1989) *''Black and White'' (1991) *''Go Slow Down'' (1993) *''Joe Dirt Car'' (1995) *''Blend'' (1996) *''The Leftovers'' (2003) *''Resolution'' (2004) *''Homebrewed - Live from the Pabst'' (2005) *''Still'' (2008) *''Mr. Sad Clown'' (2010) *''Indigo Dreams'' (2011) *''American Made'' (2012) *''Amped Across America'' (2013) *''I Cant Stop'' (2015)<!-- Note: This is not a typo --> *''Thirteen'' (2017) *''2020 Vision'' (2020) *''4 the Last Time'' (2022)
==Tours== * American Made (2012)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://relix.com/news/detail/the-bodeans-announce-new-album-and-tour-debut-single-on-relix-com/ | title=The BoDeans Announce New Album and Tour, Debut Single on Relix.com | work=Relix | date=March 26, 2012}}</ref> * 40th anniversary tour (2026)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bodeans-40th-anniversary-tour-2026/ | title=BoDeans Announce 40th Anniversary Tour Dates for 2026 | first=Matt | last=Wardlaw | work=Ultimate Classic Rock | date=November 16, 2025}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website}} *[https://www.timmcmahan.com/bodeans.htm Lazy-i Interview: September 2004]
{{BoDeans}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bodeans}} Category:Musical groups established in 1983 Category:Musical groups from Wisconsin Category:Musicians from Milwaukee Category:Rock music groups from Wisconsin Category:Slash Records artists Category:Zoë Records artists