Teenage Dirtbag Singer Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus

He graduated from Wilkes' University's basketball arch rival in 1995 with a degree in history.

But, we'll let this grad of 'Da U' slide. He spent more time in his dorm ordering take-in and playing his guitar than cheering against the Colonels. This Long Island native has toured with his brother Peter and sister Liz across America and Europe, after being signed to SONY/Columbia Records and being thrust into fame with "Teenage Dirtbag."

But that quick fame and corporate stuff wasn't the type of rock and roll experience Wheatus wanted. This group is back to recording its own stuff, in their own apartment on their own terms. And, they are coming 'home'  this Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m show at Café Metropolis.

The Beacon:What do you remember most about NEPA?
Brown: I have so many memories of there, I could go on and on. We went fly-fishing in Tobyhanna. But there is nothing better in the world, and no place better for disgusting drunk food than NEPA. There is nothing like nasty cheese fries when you are s-it-faced. That's one of my fondest memories- standing on the street corner after the bar closed with a handful of heart attack cheese fries. I am so looking forward to getting some cheese fries with white American cheese.

The Beacon: Tell me about your experience at University of Scranton.
Brown: I started out as pre-med, but I definitely did not want to become a doctor. Sometimes the reason you are there doing something is because it's what others want you to do. I didn't start off following my own advice. The U is a very isolated place, probably on purpose. And only four years could never expose you to the rich history of the area. Most people just know there are skunks and it is cold.

The Beacon: Did you work on campus, or remember hanging out anywhere in Scranton?
Brown: I wasn't very into the social scene. I did work as a delivery guys for Zorba's on Mulberry Street. Through that, I got to know a lot of people that have lived in Scranton their whole lives. I would always get the papers and hunt for guitars and amps, and hoped that some grandma would be selling a '57 Stratocaster, not knowing what it was.