Presidents of the United States of America (file)
Photo: Karen Moscowitz

When you head to the polls on Tuesday (November 2), remember that only one group has vowed to put the "party" back into the two-party system: the Presidents of the United States of America.

The Seattle jokesters behind such mid-'90s rock-radio staples as "Lump," "Peaches" and "Kitty" (and their accompanying videos featuring dune buggies, exploding fruit and the gratuitous use of ninjas) are back with a new album and a renewed sense of purpose: to kick out the jams.

"Our thing is that we're a party band. Every gig we play is like a party in your basement. We don't have to be serious," said the Presidents' commander in chief, Chris Ballew. "We'll play wherever anybody will have us. We've played everything from fraternity parties to NASCAR events to community celebrations with corn on the cob and elephant ears. It's been real fun."

You'd think that with a name that rings with extra resonance during this election year, the Presidents would take the opportunity to get on the soapbox and speak their minds. And while they did play a John Kerry fund-raiser in Seattle a few months back, it's clear by the good-time rock and roll sentiments on their new album, Love Everybody, that they won't be quitting their day jobs to become political pundits anytime soon.

"Here's the deal: Our name is funny because we don't do political songs. We don't do anything to acknowledge the name. We try to keep the joke in check," Ballew said. "We called our new record Love Everybody because it's a little political without being overtly political. It's not like I'm dissing Green Day or Sum 41, but everybody feels like they have to make this overt statement, like American Idiot or Sum 41's record [Chuck]."

"I don't think that sh-- belongs in rock and roll at all. Rock and roll is a party," he continued. "That's just rock. They dropped the 'and roll.' The 'and roll' part is the fun part. We're political by being pure joy distilled. It's good to shut up and dance sometimes."

The Presidents' dance party continued unabated throughout much of the mid-'90s (though their second album, the appropriately titled II, failed to equal the sales of their self-titled debut), but they never really got the respect they deserved. Goofy humor was not welcome amidst the doom and gloom of the grunge era. Discouraged, the Presidents vacated rock's Oval Office in 1998, after Ballew decided he didn't want to become just another pop-culture footnote (see "Presidents Of The U.S.A. End Their Term"). That feeling didn't last long, though, because he got inspiration to continue the Presidents from possibly the biggest footnote of the past 30 years: the Fonz.

"We were on a TV show with Henry Winkler in Paris, and we were hanging out backstage, talking about stereotypes and fame," Ballew said. "And he said, 'You know, I will always be the Fonz. I got over it years ago. I'm going do other things and be in real plays, and no one will ever know me as anything other than the Fonz. And I have to be OK with that because that's just the way it is.' "

Inspired by those wise words, Ballew and the Presidents reconvened and got to work on making Love Everybody. They have also finally fulfilled their plan to re-release their debut album (see "Presidents Back In Office; First Executive Order Is Reissue Of Debut"); it comes out, fittingly, on Election Day. And if their new album fails to light the charts on fire, Ballew will be OK. He knows that with a band called the Presidents of the United States of America, he's got a steady gig lined up every four years at least.

"Well, I'd like to think there's going to be another record before 2008, but we're probably going to need a break after making this one," he said. "It takes a while for us to do a record. So it could be four more years. I like that idea. We'll do four-year terms."

• Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America's Chris Ballew
Photo: MTV

The Presidents of the United States of America have re-elected themselves for another term — the goofy post-grunge Seattle trio known for such hits as "Lump" and "Peaches" are reuniting.

The band now owns possession of the master recordings and the publishing rights for their self-titled debut, according to the Presidents' manager, and they're considering re-releasing it with new material. The disc originally came out on Pop Llama and then was reissued on Columbia seven years ago.

How they'll re-release it — via a record label deal or the Internet — is still being discussed, as is the possibility of releasing a companion DVD with footage of their last few shows, especially their farewell performance in Seattle in 1998 (see "Presidents Of The United States Of America Rock Farewell Address").

The Presidents — guitarist/bassists Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer and drummer Jason Finn — are also discussing touring or playing special events to support the re-release, something they've turned down for years despite numerous requests.

"This is still in the early stages," manager Staci Slater said. "They didn't want to play in the past because it was work. Now that they've had the time to go off and explore other projects, this is fun again, as opposed to a total job. Both Dave and Chris are really so excited about doing this again."

PUSA called it quits in late 1997 after Ballew, who had recently become a father, announced he was leaving to spend more time with his family and pursue other musical interests (see "Presidents' Frontman Becomes A Father" and "Presidents Of The U.S.A. End Their Term").

The band's members each explored separate projects with other musicians from such groups as Guns N' Roses, Fastbacks, the Posies and the Young Fresh Fellows. Collectively, PUSA's members also hooked up with Seattle rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot for a collaboration called Subset in 1999, which marked the last time they performed together. Ballew also found a new career in scoring and writing music for film, television and commercials, including "Scooby-Doo" and the upcoming "George of the Jungle II."

• Presidents of the United States of America

Just in time for Election Day, The Presidents Of The United States Of America are resurfacing.

The "Lump"-lovin' group, which will send its album "Freaked Out And Small" to stores in September, still remains a side project for its three members: guitarists-bassists Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer and drummer Jason Finn.

The off-hours nature of the band will be readily apparent at the North By Northwest music convention in Portland, Ore. The September 21 event, sponsored by Orange Recordings, will include a showcase performance by The Gentlemen, a duo featuring Dederer and former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan, who also appears on a track on the new PUSA CD. Also appearing that night is Ballew with his current project, The Giraffes, which an Orange rep said should be the musician's main focus in the foreseeable future. Rounding out the bill is Ballew-produced man-about-Seattle Jason Trachtenburg and his Trachtenburg Family Slide Show Players.

The Presidents Of The United States Of America announced their plans to disband in late 1997 (see "Presidents Of The U.S.A. End Their Term") after selling 4 million albums with their self-titled major label debut in 1995, a late 1996 follow-up, "II," and a postmortem compilation in 1998.

At the time, Ballew cited his need for family time and his interest in other musical ventures. Soon after, he released a solo album under the name The Giraffes, while Dederer formed The Uptights, among other bands. Ballew also hooked up with Tad Hutchinson of Young Fresh Fellows for a project called The Chris And Tad Show, which is releasing a record for the San Diego-based Orange label this fall. Drummer Finn, formerly of Love Battery, went on to play with The Nevada Bachelors, The Pin-Ups, The Congratulators, and more.

In 1999, the three PUSA members hooked up with Seattle rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot for a collaboration called SUbSET. PUSA then surprised fans by getting back together earlier this year to release a Net-only single, "Jupiter," under the alias The Quitters, which later became The Presidents. The band only recently won back the right to use the full PUSA moniker from its former label.

In late April, the band started recording a full-length album, which became "Freaked Out And Small." A special "fan edition" of the LP was shipped in July to those who pre-ordered it through indie label MusicBlitz, and the disc is now slated for wide release on September 12.

The album, which uses more straightforward instrumentation in place of previous PUSA trademarks such as "basitar" and "guitbass," includes a dozen songs, half from Dederer and half from Ballew. A video for the song "Tiny Explosions" has already been shot in Seattle. The band is not expected to tour, especially in light of the July 31 birth of Ballew's second child.

The Giraffes, meanwhile, have become a full-time band with Ballew, drummer Mike Musburger (Fastbacks, Posies, Uptights), and multi-instrumentalist Jason Staczek. A third Giraffes album should be out in late October on Orange, and the band is already well into recording a fourth, which should be out early next year and might just entice the home-loving Ballew to go out on the road, albeit briefly.

As for The Gentlemen, the pair will be getting their collective feet wet at the Orange showcase, the duo's first "official" performance. A CD release is expected in the future, although the sessions have yet to be recorded.

Meanwhile, the track list for The Presidents Of The United States Of America's "Freaked Out And Small" is as follows:

• "Tiny Explosions"
• "Nuthin' But Love"
• "Tiger Bomb"
• "Last Girl On Earth"
• "Jazz Guy"
• "Jupiter"
• "Superstar"
• "Death Star"
• "Blank Baby"
• "Meanwhile Back In The City"
• "I'm Mad"
• "Headin' Out"

• Presidents of the United States of America

Almost three years after breaking ground with a concert featuring The Kingsmen, Mudhoney, and The Presidents Of The United States Of America, Seattle's Experience Music Project has lined up its grand opening.

• Mudhoney
• Presidents of the United States of America

It had to happen. With the White House continuing to fight off a variety of sex scandal allegations, someone at BMG records got the bright idea to release a suitably-themed compilation entitled "The President's Greatest Hits."

"Hits" includes such suggestive tracks as KC & the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight," Tommy James and the Shondell's "I Think We're Alone Now," the Pointer Sisters' "Slow Hand" and Harry Nilsson's "Makin' Whoopee." The White House had no comment regarding the "Hits" album.

A happier collection of statesmen may be the Presidents of the United States of America, who are riding a wave of popularity on their way out of office.

The group's cover of the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" has helped vault the soundtrack for the new Adam Sandler movie, "The Wedding Singer," into the Top 10, and the band's last album, "Pure Frosting," which features a collection of rarities, B-sides and live tracks, arrived in stores last Tuesday.

• Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America gave a frenzied farewell performance this Saturday night in their hometown of Seattle.

The two-hour show featured the band's bigger hits, "Lump," "Peaches," "Kitty," "Volcano," and "Mach 5," which got the sold-out crowd up out of their chairs -- some kids even took to the aisles during "Peaches," causing a bit of chaos among the ushers. Lesser known album cuts, such as "Dune Buggy," "Boll Weevil", and "Naked and Famous," also managed to get the audience to sing along at considerable volume. Even their anthem to the Seattle Supersonics was a big hit with the hometown fans at the Paramount Theater.

One song, "Mobile Home," was unfamiliar to the audience. The track will be on the Presidents' upcoming album of B-sides and other unreleased material titled "Pure Frosting" which will be released on March 10.

The Presidents also offered plenty of what front man Chris Ballew jokingly called "obligatory" cover tunes, opening the show with their rendition of MC5's "Kick Out the Jams." Other covers chosen for the farewell spotlight: "Let's Lynch the Landlord" by the Dead Kennedys, the Beatles "Baby You're a Rich Man," and, of course, "Video Killed the Radio Star," by the Buggles, which appears on the soundtrack for "the Wedding Singer." The last cover of the night came during their encore: "This song is dedicated to that other band whose Chris quit," Ballew said as the band launched into Soundgarden's "Spoon Man."

The Presidents ended their final show with "We're Not Going to Make It," as an enormous American flag descended on the stage and Ballew smashed up his guitar in the time-honored tradition of rock legends.

The show benefited Seattle's Chicken Soup Brigade, an organization that helps people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Presidents of the United States of America, who sold over four million albums since their debut in 1995, called it quits after Ballew announced he was leaving the band to pursue other musical endeavors and spend more time with his family. He will be releasing an album with the band the Giraffes later this month.

Ballew and bassist Dave Dederer have been playing together since 1985, while drummer Jason Finn joined the band in 1993. Of the band's distinguished monicker, Ballew told MTV News in 1996, "We were desperate for a name, so between songs I just yelled out different names trying to get something to go, like The Electric Pancakes or The Flying Dustbunnies or whatever I could come up with and that was one of 'em" [290k Audio File].

Fellow Seattle-ites the Young Fresh Fellows opened the show, and Dederer joined them on stage for a tune. Guitarist Kurt Bloch, of both the Young Fresh Fellows and the Fastbacks, returned the favor, appearing onstage for one song during the Presidents' set.

• Presidents of the United States of America

January 9 [7:55 EDT] -- The Presidents of the United States of America may be calling it quits, but not before one last flurry of activity.

Columbia Records has announced that the band will play a farewell gig at the Paramount Theatre in the Presidents' hometown of Seattle on January 31 to benefit a local HIV/AIDS support group called the Chicken Soup Brigade.

While the show will be the band's swan song, PUSA will live on in a number of projects that will arrive in stores this year.

First, the band's take on the Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" will turn up on the soundtrack to the upcoming Adam Sandler movie, "The Wedding Singer." The Presidents will appear in the video for the track, which will hit record stores early this year.

Then, the band will release their last effort for Columbia, a collection of b-sides, covers, live songs, and other rarities. The label also promises that the release will boast at least a few unreleased new songs as well.

• Presidents of the United States of America

December 17 [16:00 EDT] -- The Presidents of the United States of America have decided to call it quits after frontman Chris Bellew quit the band to devote more time to his family and his own musical interests.

The Seattle band's career, which spawned hits like "Lump," "Peaches," and "Kitty," was drawn to a close with a statement from Columbia Records that explained that Bellew wants, "to spend more time being a father and husband and to pursue other musical interests."

In the statement, drummer Jason Finn explains that Bellew's departure signaled the end of the group, noting, "We broke up for the same reason Soundgarden did... Chris left the band."

The band won't be riding off into the sunset without a proper farewell. The Presidents plan to play one last concert in their hometown of Seattle in February of next year. Meanwhile, Columbia will squeeze one more album out of the band as the label plans to release a collection of rarities and previously unreleased material next year.

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June 25 [10:00 EDT] -- George Clinton, The Pharcyde, Redd Kross, Warren G, and the Presidents of the U.S.A. will all turn up on the soundtrack to the upcoming Nickelodeon flick "Good Burger" which arrives in stores next month.

Spearhead, Mint Condition, Less Than Jake, De La Soul, and Digital Underground also lend a hand to the eclectic album, which will be released on July 15.

Some of the artists featured on the soundtrack run over some familiar ground as Spearhead covers the Police nugget "Roxanne," Trulio Disgracias (with the help of De La) takes on George Clinton's funk gem "Do Fries Go With That Shake?," and Clinton himself revisits his 1979 classic "Knee Deep."

The album arrives 10 days before the film, which features Nickelodeon staples Keenan and Kel in their big screen debut. The two reprise their small screen roles as Ed and Dexter, two fast food workers who help their fledgling Good Burger franchise battle its chief competitor, Mondo Burger.

Here's how the full track listing of the "Good Burger" soundtrack looks:

• 702, "All I Want"
• Mint Condition, "(That's the Way) It's Goin' Down"
• Tracie Spencer, "I'll Be There For You"
• The Pharcyde, "Keep On"
• Warren G., "Friends"
• Less Than Jake featuring Kel Mitchell, "We're All Dudes"
• Presidents Of The United States Of America, "Man"
• Redd Kross, "So Cal V-8"
• Trulio Disgracias featuring De La Soul, "Do Fries Go With That Shake"
• 1,000 Clowns, "(Not The) Greatest Rapper"
• Spearhead, "Roxanne"
• George Clinton featuring Digital Underground, "Knee Deep"

• The Pharcyde
• Presidents of the United States of America
• Warren G

June 13 [10:00 EDT] -- The groundbreaking ceremony for the 130,000 square foot Experience Music Project gets underway in Seattle today with surprise performances from Pacific Northwest legends the original Kingsmen, MudHoney and the soon to be legendary (well, maybe) Presidents of the United States of America.

The massive music museum is the brainchild of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, a self-professed Jimi Hendrix fanatic and the owner of much Hendrix memorabilia. It was originally planned as a the Jimi Hendrix Museum, a shrine to the late guitarist in conjunction with the Hendrix family, but the two factions had a parting of the ways and Allen has proceeded with the non-profit project as a general tribute to the music of the Pacific Northwest.

Artists hailing from the area include Hendrix, Nirvana, Ray Charles, Heart, The Ventures, The Kingsmen, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Queensryche, Bing Crosby, Kenny G., Robert Cray and many more.

The venue will lie at the northern base of Seattle's Space Needle. The design has been in progress since 1992, the final version is being unveiled today. The building is expected to be completed in 1999.

Curator Peter Blecha says the facility will be shying away somewhat from the usual memorabilia fare of costumed mannequins in rockstar clothing and will center more on interactive multimedia history and education. Blecha says the museum has already acquired such things as the mixing board Nirvana used to record its first album, and the Fender Stratocaster guitar Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock in addition to films, posters, instruments, magazines and recordings.

The Experience Music Project works in tandem with the Experience Music Project Foundation, which supports regional nonprofit arts, music and educational organizations.

The Hendrix family, meanwhile, who sought the rights to the Hendrix legacy in court (after losing them shortly after Jimi Hendrix's death) and won, oddly enough with the help of the now-estranged Paul Allen, intends to present its own projects. Hendrix's sister, Janie Hendrix-Wright, who says the parting of the ways was a business decision and the two factions remain amicable, says one such family endeavor is a tribute concert tentatively scheduled in New York for later this summer.

• The Kingsmen
• Mudhoney
• Presidents of the United States of America