Wheatus
- Joe Wilson
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
Wheatus, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Gabrielle Sterbenz live at Freo.Social, Fremantle | 24 February 2026
Stifflers’ Mom had certainly got it goin’ on at Freo Social who were lucky enough to host Wheatus as a part of their 25th Anniversary Tour across Australia. Being one of three shows in WA (the others being in Fremantle, and Joondalup). It was clear the band was keen to get their 90’s infused rock anthems out to the Perth masses.
The first support act of the night featured two of the backing singers for Wheatus Gabrielle Sterbenz and Karlie Bruce. There was a lot of chatter coming from the punters as Sterbenz played, which made it difficult to hear what she was saying between songs.
It has to be said this was incredibly disrespectful for the musicians who were playing. As it is a matter of courtesy with shows around the world to provide space for whoever is on stage to perform. Particularly support acts who are putting in the hard yards to warm up the crowd early on.
The equivalent can be said to ordering food at a restaurant, and tipping your food (that you paid for) like a toddler onto a mess on the floor. It makes a mess for not only for wait staff, but also disrespects the food the Chef prepared. As well ruining the experience for other concert-goers too.
The chatter did, thankfully, calm down and the music could be heard. Sterbenz vocals were warm and inviting. With a tinge of broodiness mixed in. Delving into and playing a variety of different songs, from a sea shanty sung in the French language to a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Sterbenz emulated the songs angst very well with her own take. Armed with only a guitar and fellow backing singer Bruce. Their sound harmonized and carried impressively across the room.
The second support was Thomas Ian Nicholas an actor who played the character of Kevin
Myers in American Pie. His set featured numerous references to the American Pie film series. Launching into Stiffler’s Mom, and saying the actress who played the character (Jennifer Coolidge, for initiated) being still the OG MILF (and the cheering in agreeance).
Nicholas played like one of those chill college roommates who would busk their guitar regularly on campus. He played a plethora of covers like Sum 41, Blink 182 and Bowling for Soup. This set was definitely for the BDO (Big Day Out) crowd who were living vicariously for the superior summer music festivals now long gone. Lost to the annals of history, like ancient Egypt.
There were some battery issues early into his set. With Nicholas calling out to the stage support ‘Horse’ to hit him up with some batteries. Which involved a lot of fiddling around and trying to get his guitar reconnected and set up. Despite these technical set backs Nicholas used this as an opportunity to launch into some humorous quips and references to his acting career between songs.
Which felt like a refreshing take on actors-turned-musicians. Who will often separate themselves from the movies they are attached to. Nocholas took full ownership of it, with reverence and love for the work that he was known for.
Making his set all that much sweeter, and an added layer of authenticity behind his performance. There was a tender moment when Nicholas announced a close friend had beaten cancer. To which the crowd flipped the bird in unison and chanting loudly ‘FUCK CANCER’ in defiant, jubilant, triumph.
The main impressive thing about Wheatus was the absolute stratospheric high notes hit by Brendan B. Brown vocals. If he went any higher, it is quite possible those tones could probably only be heard by Fremantle’s resident dog population.
There was an obnoxious punter screaming to play teenage dirtbag and wonder-wall over and over again. Only to be met with a response from Brown who began to list a bunch of Australian bands he considered better than Oasis. Putting the punter in their place.
It made way for a fun, and pretty loose set. With Brown taking requests from crowd members and then running it by his bandmates. There was love and sincerity in a manner in the way they performed. With many of the requests being a mixture of their first album and a few covers.
Brown made sure no track was missed. Covers were loosely stitched in, with there being a rendition of Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’ and ACDC’s ‘Rock N’ Roll Damnation’, which Brown’s high vocal range perfectly matched Bon Scott’s vocals. He captured the tenacity of the track perfectly.
When the time rolled around to play ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, you could tell the band were savouring the moment. Teasing the crowd in an almost self-referential way, they launched into the hit they were most well known for. With the crowd singing out the iconic chorus almost reflexively. There is an adage of being a one-hit-wonder band.
But Wheatus have successfully shaken off the ‘One Hit’, and left only wonder. Simply leaning into the hit track they made, by playing it with so much p
assion live. And crediting Australia for the track’s success. Giving the punters what they wanted, to sing an iconic chorus of a song they wanted to see live, for so long. In reverent wonder.
Review by Joe Wilson
Photography by Chris Symes
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