The Wondermints are an American rock band from

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

that released four studio albums between 1995 and 2002. The main line-up consisted of

Darian Sahanaja Darian Sahanaja (born May 20, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and arranger who is best known for co-founding Wondermints in 1992 and playing with Brian Wilson's supporting band since 1999. He has also performed alongside ...

(keyboards); Nick Walusko (also known as Nicky Wonder; guitar), and Mike D'Amico (percussion). The band members are also known for serving as part of the backing band for

Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and m ...

since 1999. Other contributors to the Wondermints have included Brian Kassan (bass), David Nolte (bass) and Probyn Gregory (various).

History

The group formed in 1992, and released a vinyl single, "Proto Pretty", which was later compiled on

Rhino Records A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species o ...

' "Poptopia" series of

power pop Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and ch ...

compilations. They followed this with the albums ''Wondermints'' (1995), ''Wonderful World of the Wondermints'' (an album of

cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...

s from 1996), ''Bali'' (1998) and '' Mind If We Make Love to You'' (2002). Most of these albums were released in

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

prior to release in the United States. The group also contributed to the soundtrack of the first Austin Powers movie at the request of

Mike Myers Michael John Myers OC (born May 25, 1963) is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. His accolades include seven MTV Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2002, he was awarded a star on the Hollyw ...

. In 1999, the group signed on to be part of

's touring band. Walusko and Gregory have played with him continuously ever since, with D'Amico only having toured with Wilson in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003. When D'Amico left to spend time with his family, he was replaced in 2001 and early 2002 by

Andy Paley Andrew Douglas Paley (born November 2, 1952) is an American songwriter, record producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who formed the Paley Brothers, a 1970s power pop duo, with his brother Jonathan Paley. Following their disbandment, And ...

, and in 2004 by

Nelson Bragg Nelson Bragg (born August 14, 1961) is an American percussionist, vocalist and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Biography Nelson Bragg was born in Dover, New Hampshire on August 14, 1961. He played in several bands from 1979 to 19 ...

. D'Amico rejoined Wilson's band in the summer of 2008, replacing Jim Hines on drums after relieving fellow multi-instrumentalist Scott Bennett of his temporary drumming duties. Sahanaja also missed a few shows in 2003 and 2008, being replaced by Gary Griffin, and in 2016, when Billy Hinsche took his place. All Wondermints can be heard on Wilson's CDs and DVDs '' Live at the Roxy Theatre'', ''Brian Wilson on Tour'', '' Pet Sounds Live'', and ''

Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin ''Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin'' is the eighth studio album by Brian Wilson, released on August 17, 2010 by Walt Disney Records as part of the Disney Pearl Series. The album consists of covers of ten George and Ira Gershwin songs, bookended ...

'', with Sahanaja, Walusko, and Gregory also appearing on the ''Pet Sounds Live in London'' album and the studio albums '' Gettin' in Over My Head'', ''

Brian Wilson Presents Smile ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' (also referred to as ''Smile'' or the abbreviation ''BWPS'') is the fifth studio album by American musician Brian Wilson, released on September 28, 2004 on Nonesuch. It features all-new recordings of music that ...

'', '' That Lucky Old Sun (album)'' and ''

No Pier Pressure ''No Pier Pressure'' is the tenth studio album by American musician Brian Wilson, released April 7, 2015 on Capitol Records. Originally planned as a follow-up to the Beach Boys' 2012 reunion album '' That's Why God Made the Radio'', ''No Pier ...

''. The band is part of a power pop scene in Los Angeles, many of whose members play on each other's records. All of the members of Wondermints, especially Gregory, have made frequent guest appearances and have several

side project In popular music, a side project is a project undertaken by one or more people already known for their involvement in another band. It can also be an artist or a band temporarily switching to a different style. Usually these projects emphasize ...

s, some of the more notable of which are

Love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...

The Eels Eels (often typeset as eels or EELS) is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991 by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, known by the stage name E. Band members have changed over the years, b ...

, Baby Lemonade, The Negro Problem,

Stew A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. A stew needs to have raw ingredients added to the gravy. Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables and ...

and Kim Fox. On August 7, 2019, Walusko died at the age of 59.

Albums

* ''Wondermints'' (1995) * ''Wonderful World of the Wondermints'' (1996) * ''Bali'' (1998) * '' Mind If We Make Love to You'' (2002)Glauber, Gary (22 August 2002)
Wondermints: Mind If We Make Love to You (Review)
''

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...

'' * ''Kaleidoscopin': Exploring Prisms of the Past'' (2009)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wondermints American power pop groups Progressive pop groups Musical groups from Los Angeles Musical groups established in 1992 American musical trios 1992 establishments in California