Wondermints

The Wondermints are a pop underground/power pop band from Los Angeles, California, United States. The main members are Darian Sahanaja (keyboards), Nick Walusko (or Nicky Wonder) (guitar) and Mike D'Amico (percussion). Other contributors have included Brian Kassan (bass) and Probyn Gregory (multiple instruments). The band's distinctive sound is a mixture of Elvis Costello-esque New Wave and '60's lounge music, with a lyrical predilection for scientific or science fiction topics (lyrics mentioning trilobites and DNA are not unusual). The group formed in 1992 and released a vinyl single, "Proto Pretty", which was later compiled on Rhino Records' "Poptopia" series of power-pop compilations. They followed this with the albums The Wondermints (1995), Wonderful World of the Wondermints (an album of cover songs from 1996), Bali (1998) and Mind If We Make Love to You (2002). Most of these albums were released in Japan prior to release in the States. In 1999, the group signed on to be part of Brian Wilson's touring band. Sahanaja, Walusko, and Gregory have played with him ever since, with D'Amico only having toured with Wilson in 1999, 2000, and 2002. Due to personal issues, he was replaced in 2001 and early 2002 by Andy Paley, and from 2004 by Nelson Bragg. Sahanaja also missed a few shows in 2003 and 2007, being replaced by Gary Griffin. All the Wondermints can be heard on Wilson's Live at the Roxy Theatre CD, and on the Brian Wilson on Tour, All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson and Pet Sounds Live DVDs, with Sahanaja, Walusko, and Gregory also appearing on the Pet Sounds Live in London album and the studio albums Gettin' in over My Head, Smile and What I Really Want For Christmas. The band are part of a power pop scene in Los Angeles, many of whose members play on each others' records. The Wondermints, especially Gregory, have made frequent guest appearances and have several side projects, including work with The Now People, Stew, The Negro Problem, Cosmo Topper, Candypants, The Mello Cads and others.