Jump to content

Letters to Cleo

From Alfawiki
Letters to Cleo
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1990
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs

Letters to Cleo is a Boston-based American alternative rock group, recognized primarily for their 1994 hit single "Here & Now" from their first album, Aurora Gory Alice. This track reached the top position on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and climbed to number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. The ensemble's members have included Kay Hanley, Greg McKenna, Michael Eisenstein, Stacy Jones, Scott Riebling, with later additions Tom Polce and Joe Klompus.

Although the band disbanded in 2000, they reunited briefly for a tour in 2008. They came together once more in 2016, releasing the EP Back to Nebraska on October 14 of that year.

Band history

Formed in 1990 by guitarist Greg McKenna and vocalist Kay Hanley under the original name Rebecca Lulu,[1][2] the group initially featured Tad Bouve on guitar and Ted Garland on drums. Drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr. was part of early lineups in 1993. Their debut single "Here & Now" included Abe Laboriel on drums and Brian Karp handling bass duties. By 1994, the established lineup consisted of Hanley, McKenna, Michael Eisenstein (guitar), Stacy Jones (drums), and Scott Riebling (bass). The band’s name derives from Hanley’s childhood pen pal named Cleo, symbolizing communication and connection.

Letters to Cleo cultivated a local fan base through performances at Boston venues such as T.T. the Bear's Place[2] and The Rathskellar. On the verge of disbanding, they recorded their debut album Aurora Gory Alice in 1993 with Boston indie label CherryDisc Records.[3] The album received regional airplay throughout New England. Following favorable reviews from Billboard and a notable appearance at SXSW in 1994, major labels took notice.[4] Consequently, they signed with Giant Records (a Warner Bros. subsidiary) in 1994, which reissued Aurora Gory Alice globally in 1995.[4]

The track "Here & Now" gained additional exposure by featuring on the soundtrack of the TV series Melrose Place, propelling it to number 10 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart.[5]

On August 1, 1995, Letters to Cleo launched their sophomore album, Wholesale Meats and Fish, followed by extensive touring alongside bands such as Our Lady Peace and Sponge. Their single "Awake" achieved moderate airplay on alternative radio stations. Additionally, they recorded a cover of The Cars’ "Dangerous Type" for the movie The Craft.

Drummer Stacy Jones departed in 1997 to join Veruca Salt, with Tom Polce stepping in as his replacement. That same year saw the release of their third album, Go!. After a brief tour, Polce left and Jason Sutter took over drumming duties. By late 1997, Letters to Cleo ended their contract with Giant/Revolution Records.

In 1998, Wicked Disc issued Sister, a collection of early demos and B-sides.

The band appeared in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You, contributing four songs—including covers of Cheap Trick’s "I Want You to Want Me" and Nick Lowe & Ian Gomm’s "Cruel to Be Kind"—to its soundtrack. Original compositions "Come On" and "Co-Pilot" were also featured in the film but omitted from the official soundtrack release. That year, they supported Cheap Trick at Boston’s Paradise Club and recorded fifteen tracks for the Kids' WB animated series Generation O!, which aired from 2000 to 2001.[6]

Their final performance before disbanding occurred during a benefit concert on May 4, 2000.[7] The band publicly announced their breakup shortly thereafter.[7] Subsequent reunion tours took place in both 2008 and beginning again in 2016.

Kay Hanley lent her voice as the singing talent for Rachael Leigh Cook’s character in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats.[8] Additionally, Letters to Cleo’s rendition of "I Want You to Want Me" was included in that movie but excluded from its official soundtrack release.

Reunion

In December 2007, four founding members of the band came together once more for a charity event at TT the Bear's Place located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their official reunion took place a year later, featuring performances in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City. This was followed by a 2009 tour that included stops in New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Although bassist Scott Reibling chose not to participate, he gave his consent; his role was filled by longtime associate Joe Klompus.

By mid-2009, the group members had resumed focusing on their separate endeavors.

During Season 4 of Parks and Recreation, in the episode titled "The Comeback Kid," the character Ben Wyatt is seen wearing a Letters to Cleo shirt, which generated notable attention on social media platforms. The band also made an appearance performing a fictional concert in the finale of the show's sixth season.

Letters to Cleo returned to recording new material in February 2016, regularly sharing updates and media content with fans through Facebook and Twitter.

They appeared as featured musical guests at Geek Bowl XII in Boston on February 17, 2018.

In November 2019, the group released a holiday-themed EP entitled Ok Christmas.

As of 2022, Letters to Cleo continues to perform occasional reunion concerts primarily across the Northeast and California. The lineup includes Stacy Jones and Tom Polce alternating on drums alongside Kay Hanley, Michael Eisenstein, Greg McKenna, and Joe Klompus.

In 2023, Kay Hanley and Tom Polce composed ten original tracks for "Subspace Rhapsody," an episode centered around music from Season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Solo careers

Several members embarked on individual music paths, with Kay Hanley standing out for releasing albums such as Cherry Marmalade (2002), The Babydoll EP (2004), and Weaponize (2008). She lent her voice to Rachael Leigh Cook's character in the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats and collaborated with Jun Senoue on "Follow Me" for the video game Sonic Heroes. Hanley has also contributed to Disney projects including Disney Channel's My Friends Tigger & Pooh and was responsible for writing all original songs for Disney Junior's show Doc McStuffins.

Michael Eisenstein has built a career as both a session musician and touring artist with bands like Our Lady Peace and singer Lisa Loeb, while also working behind the scenes as a producer and engineer. He married Hanley in the late 1990s; they had two children before separating in 2010.

Drummer Stacy Jones went on to form American Hi-Fi alongside Boston musicians Drew Parsons, Jamie Arentzen, and Brian Nolan. He currently holds roles as musical director and drummer for Miley Cyrus and Life of Dillon. His extensive touring résumé includes performances with Matchbox Twenty, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Ariana Grande, Joan Jett, The Jonas Brothers, Sheryl Crow, among others.

Scott Riebling shifted his focus toward music production, collaborating with artists such as The Von Bondies, Cobra Starship, and Fall Out Boy. Residing in Massachusetts, he is co-owner of Stoked Pizza, a regional chain based in Boston. His brother Eric performs as bassist for Pittsburgh’s band The Affordable Floors.

Co-founder Greg McKenna remains active performing live with his band City Rivals in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Tom Polce plays with various Boston-area groups and operates as a producer and engineer from California.

Band members

Current lineup
  • Kay Hanley – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1990–2000, 2008–2009, 2014, 2016–present)
  • Greg McKenna – lead guitar, backing vocals (1990–2000, 2008–2009, 2014, 2016–present)
  • Michael Eisenstein – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1992–2000, 2008–2009, 2014, 2016–present)
  • Stacy Jones – drums, percussion (1993–1997, 2008–2009, 2014, 2016–present)
  • Joe Klompus – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–2009, 2014, 2016–present)
Past members
  • Tad Bouve – rhythm guitar (1990)
  • Jon Olson – bass guitar (1990)
  • Ted Garland – drums (1990)
  • Rick Griffen – bass guitar (1990–1991)
  • Peter Whitehead – drums (1990–1992)
  • Brian Karp – bass guitar (1991–1993)
  • Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums (1992–1993)
  • Scott Riebling – bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–2000)
  • Tom Polce – drums (1997)
  • Jason Sutter – drums (1997–2000)

Studio albums

Year Title Billboard 200 Heatseekers
1993 Aurora Gory Alice 123 3
1995 Wholesale Meats and Fish 188 11
1997 Go! - 45
2016 Back to Nebraska (EP) - 22
2019 OK Christmas (EP) - -
2023 Bad Man (EP) - -

Other albums

Year Title Billboard 200 Heatseekers
1998 Sister - -
2008 When Did We Do That? - -
2009 From Boston Massachusetts - -

Cassettes

Year Title
1990 Letters to Cleo

Singles

Year Song Chart positions Album
US Alt Billboard Hot 100 Hot 100 Airplay Hot 100 Singles Sales Top 40 Mainstream
1994 "Here & Now" 10 56 72 69 40 Aurora Gory Alice
1995 "Awake" 17 88 - - - Wholesale Meats and Fish
1996 "Dangerous Type" - - - - - The Craft OST
1997 "Anchor" - - - - - Go!
1999 "I Want You to Want Me"/"Cruel to Be Kind" - - - - - 10 Things I Hate About You OST


In popular culture

In the television series Parks and Recreation, the character Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) is often seen wearing a Letters to Cleo shirt during periods when he is unemployed. Additionally, Letters to Cleo performs at the Pawnee/Eagleton Unity Concert featured in the final episode of Season 6. The band's presence and the shirt were included as a playful homage to Boston, suggested by the show's lead writer, Mike Schur, who hails from the city.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named holahan
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named reed
  3. ↑ Robicheau, Paul (October 28, 1993). "Local Pressings". The Boston Globe. p. 10 Calendar.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named johnson
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named welch
  6. ↑ McShane, Larry (December 28, 2000). "Molly O rocks on the Kids' WB". Lansing State Journal. p. 5D.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Milano
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Letters_to_Cleo&oldid=83122"