Wonderdrug live at Phoenix Hill Tavern, Louisville, KY Saturday October 22, 2005                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
























Wonderdrug returns to The Patio!

Wednesday 3.9.05 Indianapolis, IN Melody Inn.  Many of you saw us open for him a few years ago on his "Salesmen and Racists" tour.  He is touring to support his new release: The Ike Reilly Assassination - Sparkle In The Finish.  We don't know if we are going on before or after Ike so please come out early!  This is going to be our first show in 2005 and might be our only local show for a few more months until we finish our new album, we hope to see you there!

Recording Update
December 1, 2004 Wonderdrug are still hacking away at material for their new album.  More songs have been written and arranged for consideration.  Drum legend Kenny Aronoff has been back to the Pop Machine to cut several more drum tracks.  Additionally, Wonderdrug have brought Indianapolis area drum legends Kirk Frederickson (formerly of Transmatic and currently Wonderdrug's live touring drummer) and Dane Clark (of the John Mellencamp band) to play on the new Wonderdrug cuts.

Wonderdrug on Fox 59 and playing benefit concert
May 25, 2004 - Wonderdrug will be playing live on Friday May 28, 2004 on Fox 59's Morning Show.  The appearance will promote our opening slot Friday night for the Gin Blossoms at Indianapolis's Military Park.  The show is billed as the Spine Aid Music Fest, a fund raiser for the Emily Hunt Foundation/Spinal Cord Injury Research.  We do not know the exact order of bands but the show starts at 6pm and several bands will be on the bill, including our friends Dystalis.  Watch for a feature article about the show in Friday's Indianapolis Star.

Wonderdrug Records with Kenny Aronoff
May 25, 2004 - In other Wonderdrug news the band will be recording with world famous drummer Kenny Aronoff in the coming days.  Kenny has played on hundreds of hit records over the years and thousands of concerts, most famously with John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Etheridge, Bob Seger, Avril Lavigne and Michelle Branch.  Kenny will be at Wonderdrug's recoding studio, The Pop Machine, for a three day session recording drums on a number of Wonderdrug songs, as well as songs written by Wonderdrug members Marc and Eric Johnson for/with Tiffany and John Waite


John Waite
November 1, 2003 Eric and Marc have been producing and writing songs with John Waite for his upcoming solo record. Writing with the Waite and the Johnson Brothers are John Frank and Joey Fingers.  John Waite came to fame in the 70's as the lead singer of the The Baby's whose hits "Isn't It Time", "Every time I Think Of You", "Head First", and "Back On My Feet Again" were constantly on the radio then in the 80's John went solo scoring the MTV hit "Change" on John's second record, No Brakes, John had the biggest hit of his career with the song "Missing You" which went to number one on Billboard's Hot 100, "Missing You" also was the most played track of 1983. John later went on to score more hits as a solo artist and as a member of Bad English who had the top ten single
"When I See You Smile". Currently the guys are working on John's brand new single "Universal Solider", John claims he is more excited about "Universal Solider" than any song he has done in 15 years, here is wishing John the best of luck on making it a hit.


The Fuglees "Indiana" and Niswander "Adventure's in Wanderland"
December 1, 2003 - Two records of note coming out the month are The Fuglees with their second record "Indiana" Wonderdrug's own Marc Johnson produced the album while brother Eric Klee Johnson handled the mixing duties.
already is getting spin's on the Bob and Tom Show and X103's Big Dumb Show.
Rocktronica wizard Niswander released his follow up record to 1999's Revolution of the Heart the new record tited
"Adventure's in Wanderland" features Eric Klee Johnson as the producer and Marc making guest appearances playing guitar.

   

Wonderdrug's Marc Johnson joins Supergroup Three Chord Orchestra at X103's XFEST 2K3
October 1, 2003
I am shown here playing with Three Chord Orchestra at X103's XFEST2K3. Three Chord Orchestra is a
Not-So-All-Star-Supergroup featuring Don Stuck and Gonzo Greg from 103's Big Dumb Show, Track Dude Michael Young, Me, Mitch Allen from SR-71, Splurge, various members of Stuck in the Night, some strippers, 3 killer clowns and any drunk willing to show tits or man-tits (like the gentlemen in the front row) is welcome to become a member of Three Chord Orchestra. TCO performed such rawk classics as Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap-AC/DC, Surrender-Cheap Trick, and Welcome to the Jungle-Guns and Roses. In the end, everybody got really wasted, pissed themselves and still managed to kick Godsmack square in the dick. Thank you Don Stuck.

Julien Center Benefit Concert:
July 21, 2003 - On Saturday July 26, 2003 Wonderdrug will be playing with Gin Blossoms and Bonafide at the Julien Center Benefit Concert.  The concert will be at World Marti Gras in downtown Indianapolis.  Tickets are $20 through Ticketmaster.  Wonderdrug will be performing on the FOX 59 morning show Tuesday morning 7/22 to promote the concert.  We will be performing Hangtime, Get Natural, and Salvation.  For more information visit the TOUR page.

Wonderdrug Live at Lollapalooza E-ALBUM:
Exclusive Download
Click on the icon to download Wonderdrug's explosive performance at Lollapalooza 2003.


Lollapalooza 2003:
July 5, 2003 - Verizon Wireless Music Center. The first Lollapalooza in 6 years kicked off in Noblesville, Indiana with a high energy set from Wonderdrug.
Click here for photos

Wonderdrug To Rock Lollapalooza:
July 1, 2003:  Wonderdrug has been added to the bill for the opening show (Saturday July 5, 2003) of the Lollapalooza 2003 at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville IN on the outskirts of Indianapolis, IN.  Gates open at 12pm and Wonderdrug will play from 1:15-1:45pm.  Wonderdrug is sharing the bill with: Janes Addiction, Audioslave, Incubus, Queens of the Stone Age, Jurassic 5, The Donnas, Rooney and MORE!  Visit the TOUR page for the complete show listing and ticket information.

We are very excited to see our buddies in Jurassic 5 who recorded at our Pop Machine studios a few weeks ago. They cut a cool song that is being used for Nike commercial as well as a Japanese single. We had a blast working with them.

Wonderdrug Plays International Pop Overthrow:
May 1, 2003:  Wonderdrug will be playing the world famous International Pop Overthrow in Chicago IL this weekend.  We hope to see many familiar faces at the show!  See the TOUR page for all of the show details and visit IPO's website for a full listing of bands playing.

Wonderdrug Plays Indy Public School (IPS) Benefit:
March 15, 2003: Wonderdrug is playing an awesome benefit this week.  We play at 8pm on Thursday, March 20. More info is on the TOUR page.  Below is what you need to know about the benefit, the show is being heavily promoted by 92.3 WTTS and is billed as "The Best Rock Groups in Indy."  Admission is FREE w/ an instrument Donation or cash donation. Have friends that can't afford to get into most shows? Bring 'em out and have them pay what they can.  100% of door goes to help IPS kids. Tell your friends.

http://www.indianapolismusic.net/pics3/boa.php
Band Together for IPS Kids
Article by Kristen Leep
March is “Music in Our Schools Month”. Sadly, many school music programs, including IPS, are suffering from major cutbacks as educators struggle to work with smaller budgets. The problem stems from most educators seeing music as an extra-curricular activity rather than integrated into the school curriculum. Study after study finds evidence that students who participate in music are rewarded with better reading, language, and math skills. There is also evidence that music students perform better academically, have higher self-esteem, and are less likely to drop out of school. So, with so much evidence that school music programs encourage success, what can we do to help?
Well, you can actually do something you do already and go to a show. Bands of America is an organization that co-ordinates several music events including the National Concert Band and Percussion Festival (here in Indianapolis March 20-22) and the National Marching Band Championships. They have teamed up with WTTS 92.3, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolismusic.net, and Guitar Center to support music education in Central Indiana through the “Band Together” campaign. A gently used instrument or a cash donation will get you into a show and the proceeds will be distributed among local school music programs. The instruments will be reconditioned and donated to local band rooms and the cash will be used to create an IPS scholarship for urban Indianapolis students to participate in Bands of America’s Summer Band Symposium.
No matter what kind of music you like, there is bound to be a show where you can show your support, starting at Birdy’s on March 7 and a Private Concert with The Clarks. The doors open at 6 PM and as with all of the Band Together events, if you bring an instrument or money to donate you can enjoy the show for free. Local Indianapolis bands will be contributing to the effort as well, in two shows later in the month. The first is a showcase sponsored by IndianapolisMusic.net featuring The Common, Wonderdrug, America Owns the Moon and Loretta on Thursday, March 20th at Birdy’s. Capping off the month will be the all-ages Big Brass Blowout Bash at the Rathskeller on Sunday, March 30 at 6 PM. Blue Moon Revue and 7 Pleasures will take the stage as well as the double-whammy of The Malcontents and Johnny Socko.
In addition to the concerts planned for the month of March, WTTS and Band Together will take to Monument Circle on Wednesdays in March between 11 AM and 1 PM to collect instruments and donations. If you donate there, you can receive concert tickets, CDs, and more.

For more information or to make a donation online, visit http://www.bands.org

Band Together Event Schedule
Friday March 14th – Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Classical Series Concert, featuring works by Prokofiev, Mendelssohn and Kernis at the Hilbert Circle Theater. Performance begins at 8:00 PM
Thursday March 20th – IndianapolisMusic.net Band Together Showcase. Birdy’s. Featuring The Common, Wonderdrug, America Owns the Moon, & Loretta. Showtime around 8:00pm.
Thursday, March 20th-Saturday March 22nd – Bands of America National Concert Band Festival. Clowes Hall, Butler University. Bring an instrument or cash donation for free admittance to that block of concerts. (Does not include the Honor Band of America Concert or Friday night Nexus concert.) For Concert Times and information go to www.bands.org
Friday, March 21st – Bands of America National Percussion Festival. Indiana Historical Society. All Day Concerts 8:30am-6:00pm.
Sunday March 30th – ALL AGES! The Band Together Big Brass Blowout Bash. The Rathskellar – THE HOTTEST HORN BANDS EVER, featuring the Malcontents, 7 Pleasures, Blue Moon Revue, and Johnny Socko! Show starts at 6:00pm.
Links
Band Together | Bands of America | WTTS

Wonderdrug Show Report:
February 23, 2003: Here is the report from our show on Friday, February 21, 2003 Joe's 2, Indianapolis.

The show went well with no pepper spray or pyrotechnics and all emergency exits were open and unobstructed. Unreel opened and the show was very crowded. Brad Cates, formerly of The World and Jif and the Choosy Mothers came up on stage and did three 80s cover songs and a 70s classic including I Will Follow and Desire by U2, The One I Love by REM and The Ocean by Led Zeppelin.

Setlist:
SET 1
faker
hangtime
one for you
salvation
rolling away
what is life (George Harrison)
liquid
drag
be aware
middle of nowhere
field trip
get natural
hi
stupid
whole lotta love (Led Zeppelin)
supersonic daydream
automatic

SET 2
star trip
middle of nowhere
taste
downtime
stupid
white rabbit (Jefferson Airplane)
the one I love (REM)
I will follow (U2)
desire (U2)
purple is the color
piranhas
goodbye
the ocean (Led Zeppelin)

Wonderdrug Benefit Shows:
February 5, 2003:

The Patio show was explosive! There was a dangerous energy in the room. Always great to hear people singing your songs back to you. The show was a huge success with hundreds in attendance. Kris Luckett from Indie 500 Records band Diamonds & Rust to sing a few songs.
Also, great sets by Extra Blue Kind, Throttle (featuring Kirk Fredrickson formerly of Transmatic), and Slow Mary. Thanks to all the old and new friends who came out to support Wonderdrug.

SET LIST (from the show):
FAKER
HANGTIME
ONE FOR YOU
SALVATION
ROLLIN AWAY
WHAT IS LIFE? (George Harrison song with Kris Luckett from Diamonds & Rust)
HI
LIQUID
BE AWARE
FADE IN/FADE OUT (new song might also be called Middle of Nowhere)
GET NATURAL
WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (Led Zep song with Kris Luckett from Diamonds & Rust)
HIGHWAY TO HELL (AC/DC song with Kris Luckett from Diamonds & Rust)
SUPERSONIC DAYDREAM (with Kris Luckett from Diamonds & Rust)
AUTOMATIC

Wonderdrug Benefit Shows:
December 5, 2002:

Wonderdrug plays tomorrow Friday December 6 at World Mardi Gras downtown Indianapolis at World Mardi Gras located on the fourth floor of Circle Centre Mall to benefit Habitat for Humanity. This is an early show with doors opening at 8:00 PM, Wonderdrug goes on stage at 8:30 PM, so get there very early. Also on the bill is our friends Transmatic and Mudkids. This is an important show for us and we could really use all of your support. Spread the word and bring your friends along, it will be a great show. For more details read the press release below.

SALLIE MAE and KARMA RECORDS PRESENTS
TRANSMATIC  WONDERDRUG  MUDKIDS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BENEFIT   
W O R L D  M A R D I  G R A S
4TH FLOOR CIRCLE CENTRE MALL
FRIDAY DECEMBER  6  2002 9PM
$10 Tickets at WMG Box Office 8PM Doors

PRESS RELEASE
Sallie Mae, Radio Now 93.1, and Karma Music present a night of great music for a great cause. Immortal/Virgin Recording Artist Transmatic will play a homecoming show with Wonderdrug and Mudkids to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Friday, December 6 at World Mardi Gras on the fourth floor of Circle Centre Mall.
This will be Transmatic, Wonderdrug and Mudkids' first combined Indianapolis appearance since Clear Channel's Summer Stages in August. Doors open at 8 p.m. with music starting with Wonderdrug then Transmatic. Mudkids will be the last group on the bill performing to the wee hours of the morning.
Conceptually, this event is like another Sallie Mae event that takes place annually in Las Vegas at the House of Blues that raises money for a local Las Vegas women's shelter called The Shade Tree. This year's event at the House of Blues features John Waite, Gin Blossoms, and Lisa Loeb.
Friday's event at World Mardi Gras in Indianapolis will be the first in what is hoped to be an annual event that benefits a local Indianapolis charity in the city where Sallie Mae operates and employees roughly 2,500 people. Net proceeds earned from the event will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. It is noteworthy that Sallie Mae employees help build a "Habitat" home in 2002 called "The House That Sallie Built."
Transmatic will perform songs from its debut Immortal/Virgin album while Wonderdrug will play songs from a forthcoming release and Mudkids play in support of their CD "Higher." Transmatic's Joey Fingers and Eric Klee Johnson and Marc Johnson from Wonderdrug have been busy collaborating on several projects including Fingers' forthcoming solo release as well as a new record for 80's pop icon Tiffany.

Adopt-a-Minefield Benefit - Birdy's 2171 E. 71st Street
Wonderdrug also plays tonight, December 5, at Birdy's Bar Grill  for "A Night of Thousand Dinners" to benefit Paul McCartney's "Adopt a Minefield" charity.  Wonderdrug will be performing a short set tonight featuring the song "What is Life" from George Harrison's' All Things Must Pass record as well as a brand new Wonderdrug song called "One for You".

7 p.m. Food will be served suggested $5 a plate donation The cover charge is only $5 to see Wonderdrug, the Niswander Band, Rocksoup (featuring Cathy Morris), The Common, Living Proof, Greg Ziesemer, Roger Baker, Bryan Bishop, and more performing original music and music of the Beatles! The evening will close with some cool spontaneous performances by local musicians. There will also be video featuring George Harrison and John Lennon, plus a special video presentation featuring Heather and Paul McCartney. We have many cool raffled items and a silent auction including Beatles memorabilia, also! www.birdyslive.com www.landmines.org

Powerface Production Calls...
December 1, 2002 Eric and Marc have been enlisted to produce a number of projects that they could not pass up,
while still trying to finish the new Wonderdrug record.  First, Powerface, a group from East Lansing, Michigan who recorded a demo with Eric and Marc a few months ago secured a record deal with the Lupus Thunder of the Bloodhound Gang's Four Seven Media Group www.foursevenmedia.com.  Lupus was so impressed with the twins production skills he insisted they produce the record at The Pop Machine in Indianapolis, IN with Thunder overseeing the project from L.A. where he is putting the finishing touches on the new Bloodhound Gang record.  Marc and Eric are also finishing up producing the new Tiffany singles with Joey Fingers and I must say the material I have heard is "On"!

Update on Jammin' With Tiffany
October 31, 2002: When Tiffany was out in September we (Eric and Marc Johnson and Joey Fingers) wrote several songs with Tiffany and completed two. We recorded the main parts of those two at that time and they hopefully will be included on Tiffany's next album.

Jammin' With Tiffany
September 13, 2002: Wonderdrug songwriters Marc and Eric Johnson will be teaming up with Transmatic's Joey Fingers to work with pop sensation Tiffany, yes she of teen pop fame. Tiffany became aware of the great songwriters in Indy's Modern Pop Rock scene. She wanted to come to Indy to write and demo some songs for her next release. We will let you know how it goes! http://www.tiffanymusic.com/

September 2, 2002: Just Announced!
Wonderdrug will be performing at the House of Blues Las Vegas September 18, 2002!

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW A SUCCESS!
August 4, 2002 >>> Club Tempest >>> West Hollywood, CA
Wonderdrug played to a capacity crowd at Club Tempest in West Hollywood, CA as part two of the International Pop Overthrow (the band also played the Chicago installment of the IPO this past April) Wonderdrug played one of the best shows of their career earning an encore from the no-so-easy to please Hollywood pop crowd.
The station manager from KCSU in San Francisco proclaimed The Drug as the best band on the bill and promised to add the unreleased "Hangtime in the Halflife" into rotation the following week, guess what...He really did.

"We are honored to have our song "Salvation" on the International Pop Overthrow Vol 5 CD,  past version's have turned into modern day pop classic's.  We want to give a very special thanks to David Bash, Founder of International Pop Overthorw for all the kindness in the past year and congratulations on another successful CD.
Marc Johnson - Wonderdrug



International Pop Overthrow Vol. 5 CD
(Not Lame Records) includes:
Wonderdrug "Salvation"
Jellyfish "All I Want is Everything"
Kevin Tihista's Red Terror "You Don't Have To Be Sorry"
Sparkle*Jets UK "Good Morning World"
AM Radio "You Saved Me Last Night"
3rd Degree "Gone"
The Shazam "New Thing"
Starbelly "Baby's Eyes"
Cherry Blossom Clinic "Something New"
The Now People "Town Without Pity"



 

Indy Summer Stages
Wonderdrug, Superdrag, Better that Ezra, Sugar Ray and Live.
Wonderdrug cranked out an electrifying 45 minute set on the IUPUI stage Sunday as part of Clear Channel's
Indy Summer Stages. The set included blistering versions of "Faker", "Hangtime in the Halflife" and "Hi".  The crowd came to their feet when the band launched into radio favorite "Automatic." Currently, Wonderdrug is busy in their studio recording tracks for the new records and preparing for the International Pop Overthrow show in Los Angeles.   

Rockin' in the Sun
July 2, 2002: We hope all of you can check us out this weekend when we perform at Indianapolis's Indy Summer Stages. For more info and how to get tickets check out www.indysummerstages.com. Also check out the TOUR page for updates about our performance at the International Pop Overthrow in Los Angeles in August! Work continues on our next record. We have 7 songs finished now and plan on recording and finishing at least another 7 to consider for the record. We have also been tremendously busy working in our studio, The Pop Machine (www.thepopmachine.com), with some of the best artists in the Midwest on their projects.

Summer Tour Dates Announced
May 2, 2002: We have put up some of our upcoming summer tour dates on the TOUR page. We hope to see you out at our shows this summer. This won't be our only dates but are a start. The Indy Summer Stages show should be a great one with us sharing the bill with our friends Superdrag as well as Lifehouse, Sugar Ray and two more major acts yet to be announced! We will continue to spend a lot of time working on our second album. No time table yet on when it will be finished but we are going to take the time it needs to be a great album.

While vacationing on Miami Beach Marc had the pleasure of visiting South Beach Studio's, this world class recording studio is home to legendary mix engineer Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Live, Mick Jagger,etc...)  Special thanks to Scott at the studio for the hospitality. 
  

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW
Just announced, Wonderdrug will be performing as part of the legendary International Pop Overthrow in Chicago. IL April 1 at Nevlin's Live and in Los Angeles in August/September. "Automatic" has been selected to be on the 2002 International Pop Overthrow CD. This is an honor for us, since past IPO's CD's  have gone on to become power pop classics. We look forward to seeing all of our Chicago friends at the show!


Wonderdrug at House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV.  Feb 22
Tickets on sale through ticketmaster.


Spinner.com/AOL Music
January 15, 2002
"Salvation" the new single by Wonderdrug's forthcoming record is currently in rotation on spinner.com and AOL Music.  Spinner.com/AOL Music Music Director said "Salvation currently has a higher rating than current singles by Lenny Kravitz, The Cure and Built to Spill, not bad company to keep."  Spinner.com's listening audience is more than all of New York City.  Needless to say we are very excited
So tune in:  spinner.com 
Wonderdrug is featured on the following channels:
Best of Alt 01,
Top Alternative,
Alternative Mix,
All Rock . 



Indianapolis Music.net CD Release Party
January 5 at Birdy's Wonderdrug performed along with  DJ Papabear, Tripulay, Deanna Morae, Citizens Band, Extra Blue Kind, The Common, Paradox 44, Man-E-Toboada and Sidereal for the Indianapolis Music.net CD release party.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
December 20, 2001:  We here at Wonderdrug and Wonderdrug.net want to wish you and yours a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful holiday season and new year. We thank you for your support of Wonderdrug in the past and in the future! 2002 looks like it should be a great year for Wonderdrug and their fans as Wonderdrug's second album should be out hopefully in the first half of the year!

We are sorry that it has been so long since our last update. Wonderdrug has been laying low over the past few months working on material for their next album. There are several new Wonderdrug tour dates posted that we wanted to let you know about! The most immediate one is a date at The Patio tomorrow (Friday) night. Also coming up is the release party for the very cool Indianapolis Music Net/City of Music MP3 CD which features tons of music (120 songs!) from local bands on one CD in MP3 format. Visit http://indianapolismusic.net/ for more info!

Check out Transmatic's New CD
December 20, 2001:  Wonderdrug's longtime friends (and Indy's own) Transmatic have released their self-titled debut full length album on Virgin/Immortal records. As many of you know Transmatic shared quite a few shows with Wonderdrug in the past two years. Additionally Transmatic recorded many of their original demos with Marc and Eric Johnson at The Pop Machine Studio in Broad Ripple. If you do pick up the album make sure to check out the song "Face To Face" which was co-written by Transmatic with Marc and Eric Johnson! For more info on Transmatic please visit www.transmatic1.com

Salvation Video
September 13, 2001:  Wonderdrug's first video for their new single "Salvation" is available for viewing online.

The video was filmed in and around Bloomington IN by video director Nate Weaver. It will be released in late September to all of the major video networks.

Click on images for larger pictures from the "Salvation" video.

View the Salvation video:
Quicktime Format - High Quality | Low Quality
Real Video Format - High Quality | Low Quality

The Microphone Interview
September 13, 2001:  Music scene website http://www.themicrophone.org has a featured interview with Wonderdrug's Eric Klee Johnson. Topics covered in the interview are Wonderdrug, Indie 500 Records and The Pop Machine Studios.  The direct link to the interview is http://www.themicrophone.org/popInterview/popmachinterview.htm

Music Video Wire
September 13, 2001:  Music Video Wire did a story about Wonderdrug's "Salvation" video shoot with the director Nate Weaver. It gives an interesting perspective on making videos. They also have several pictures from the making of the video. http://musicvideowire.com/features/wdsalv1.htm

Indianapolis Star Article
August 10, 2001:  David Lindquist wrote the following article about Wonderdrug:

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/mms10.html

Wonderdrug gets a break through happenstance

Indianapolis group finally getting national attention, air time.

Indianapolis Star
August 10, 2001

When Wonderdrug issued its debut album in May 1999, the Indianapolis rock band did what it could to attract attention from radio station WRZX-FM (103.3). The group hired an independent song promoter and even tried to woo staff members with complimentary breakfasts delivered to the station.
"Everybody at X103 had a copy of Hi!," says Wonderdrug bass player Eric Johnson.
But significant airplay didn't come -- the typical story for independent musicians trying to break through to major exposure.
So Wonderdrug carried on, playing nightclub shows and working on a follow-up album. When drummer Thom Braun moved away from Indiana at the end of 2000, the second album was scrapped.
Still, Johnson, his twin brother Marc Johnson (vocals, guitar) and Kelley Milligan (synthesizer, vocals) pressed ahead. Braun was replaced by Tony Medeiros, who played on subsequent recording sessions.
The band caught a break soon after, when Marc Johnson ran into WRZX program director Scott Jameson at Rehearsal Studio Productions. A performance by Australian rock band Killing Heidi was the attraction, and Tom Schleuning -- who was president of Killing Heidi's recording label 3:33 Music -- was on hand as well.
Industry friends Jameson and Schleuning listened to Wonderdrug's new material and told each other they liked what they heard. WRZX booked the band to play this year's May Day concert at Verizon Wireless Music Center, and unreleased track Automatic received the most local airplay on X103 since the Why Store's heyday.
"We tried like hell to get this done with Hi!, and this happened completely by mistake," Marc Johnson says.
This weekend, Wonderdrug should be one of the hottest unsigned properties at the Midwest Music Summit -- a new industry convention featuring artist showcases, panel discussions, VIP parties and a trade show.
The band will play a late-night set Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe (47 S. Meridian St.), sandwiched between Whirlybird (a band based in Nashville, Tenn.) and Dust For Life (a Wind-Up Records act from Memphis, Tenn.).
Marc Johnson says Wonderdrug was in contract talks with Schleuning before he left 3:33.
The good news is that interest from one label causes a ripple effect. For the first time in Wonderdrug's career, companies are calling the band.
"When you get airplay, it's not just your friends hearing Automatic," Marc Johnson says. "If (the airplay is) reported to an industry trade magazine, your phone will be ringing off the hook."
Label representatives from both coasts are expected to be scouting talent at the MMS. If they've done their homework, says WRZX's Jameson, they're already aware of Wonderdrug's Automatic success.
"When an A&R executive is going through station play lists across the country and they see a band name they're not familiar with getting airplay on a station in a large market, they should investigate it," he says. "They typically call the program director, the band itself and find their site online. 'Why is this band that's not signed getting airplay alongside all these other bands?' "
Scrambling to capitalize on its opportunity, Wonderdrug will issue a four-song EP later this summer that includes Automatic.
Marc and Eric Johnson -- through years in Wonderdrug and previous band 15 Minutes -- have played most of the notable industry conventions. The list includes CMJ Music Marathon in New York and South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. Last weekend, they played the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta, Ga.
"The best thing about conferences is that you get in touch with a lot of people that you might not reach with a million phone calls, letters and e-mails," Eric Johnson says. "The artist always has the upper hand when (the industry) comes to you."

Wonderdrug To Play Music Conferences
July 26, 2001:  Wonderdrug will be playing two high profile music conferences that should bring the band much exposure in the next few weeks. Check out the TOUR page for more info.

Wonderdrug To Play Several Shows This Week
July 17, 2001:  Wonderdrug will be playing three shows this week. Be sure to visit our TOUR page for more info.

Wonderdrug To Play For Indiana Fever
July 11, 2001:  Wonderdrug has been asked to play before Sunday's Indiana Firebirds Arena League Football  game at Conseco Fieldhouse. We will be playing outside on the WFBQ Q95 stage in the parking lot and the show will be free.

Wonderdrug To Open for Stabbing Westward on July 4th
July 4, 2001:  Wonderdrug was the special guest on WRZX X103's Stabbing Westward concert. It was hella hot in The Vogue that night and so was the band check the picture from the show!

Street Team
June 7, 2001:  We are looking for people who want to join our Street Team. Basically you would help keep track of what stores have Wonderdrug CD's, help spread the word of our shows and music, request our music, help us at shows by working our mailinglist and merchandise and things like that. In return you will get free stuff, meet the band and learn about the music biz. If this sounds like something you would like to try head over to www.indie500records.com and click on the link on our main page for Street Team to sign up.

Fuglees Benefit Show
June 7, 2001: The Fuglees recently had their gear stolen at their rehearsal space so we are throwing a party to raise money for the replacement of their gear. Check out the TOUR page for updates.

MayDay 2001 Report
May 31, 2001: We have added a new photo gallery from May Day 2001.  These photos were all taken by Lorri Markum. 

Check out the MayDay 2001 Photo Gallery by Lorri Markum and watch for more photos to come!

MayDay 2001 Report 
May 27, 2001:  Our show as WRZX X103's MayDay concert on Saturday at Verizon Wireless Music Center was KILLER. We had a tremendous crowd and the weather cleared up just in time for our performance. Our 50 minute set was very well received by a crowd of up to 3000 people. The show was highlighted by lots of new material from our forthcoming album, "The Space Between People." The crowd most reacted to our new single Automatic and our rocking jam Supersonic Daydream. Lead singer/guitarist Marc Johnson came away bleeding from that song when after breaking a string on his primary Gibson Les Paul he switched to his Strat to finish the song. When at the closing of that song the Strat blew a string Marc decided to blow his fuse too, smashing the guitar to bits to the roar of an approving crowd. After the show the band sold out of all  merchandise and CD's it had signing hundreds of autographs. The band wants to thank all of their fans who turned out for the show and made it one of the most special of their careers. The band appeared on X103 a few times during the day for interviews with The Big Dumb Morning Show and also Adam Ritz and Nikki.

Check out the MayDay 2001 Photo Gallery and watch for more photos to come!

Wonderdrug on X103
May 25, 2001:  Wonderdrug was on X103 on Friday at 5:30 to talk about their appearance at MayDay and play their new single Automatic. They follow Modern Rock Lounge singer Richard Cheese and helped him do a cover of Nirvana's Rape Me. Cheese also did a short version of Automatic with Marc and Eric. DJ Adam Ritz did a long interview with the Johnson's and spun Automatic. 

Check out the MayDay Pre Interview Photo Gallery

Wonderdrug on TV
May 27, 2001:  Wonderdrug taped a brief interview with FOX 59's Joni Michaels after their performance at MayDay that should air sometime this week.

Wonderdrug opens for The Cult
May 21, 2001:  Wonderdrug opened for The Cult tonight at Indianapolis' Murat Egyptian Room. We did a 45 minute set to a crowd of about 1000 people. It honestly was one of 2 or 3 best shows of our careers. The Cult is one of Wonderdrug's favorite bands and has had a huge impact on us musically so it was a dream come true to open for them. Lots of fans came up after the show and bought discs and gave us raves on our performance.

Photos of us live on the right at The Cult by Lorri Markum!

Wonderdrug on TV
May 16, 2001:  THIS Friday (May 18, 2001) Wonderdrug will be on the FOX 59 Morning Show with Joni Michaels and x103's Adam Ritz.  The segment was taped was taped today at our Indy studio, The Pop Machine.  It will feature an interview and possibly a performance.  We hope you can check it out and also let your friends know about it.

Call to Request "Automatic"
May 16, 2001:  Our new single, Automatic, continues to get spins on Indy's premier Modern Rock station WRZX x103.  We hope that all of you can continue to call in your requests for Wonderdrug's music.  To request our music call x103 at 317-239-x103.

Wonderdrug Added To WRZX X103's MayDay Concert
April 25, 2001: Wonderdrug has been added to Indianapolis Modern Rock station WRZX X103's MayDay concert on Memorial Day (and Indy 500) weekend. Wonderdrug will be the first band of the day at the Verizon Wireless Music Center (just outside of Indy in Noblesville IN and formerly known as Deer Creek) and will be followed by Nonpoint, Nickelback, Oleander and Staind. Tickets for the all day festival are only $20 and are available from Ticketmaster. Visit the MayDay page for more info http://www.wrzx.com/MayDay/index.html 

Download Wonderdrug's New Single!!!
April 25, 2001:  Wonderdrug's new single Automatic now appears on our MEDIA page to download in MP3 format. If you like the song please tell your friends about it and point them here to download it!

Wonderdrug's New Single is "Automatic"
April 20, 2001: Wonderdrug has released their new radio single and the first track from their forthcoming album "The Space Between People." The new single is an uptempo rocker called Automatic. Indianapolis IN Modern Rock station WRZX X103 has added the song to their rotation. Give them a call ( 317-239-X103 ) to request the song if you haven't heard it

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