Wheatus singer and guitar player Brendan Brown described a rocky past with old record label Sony, a journey that started back in the late ’90s, and what he has learned since the hit “Teenage Dirtbag.” Brown is not merely the only original member in the band, he is also the primary songwriter, producer and engineer. The rest of the band includes Gerard Hoffmann, keyboardist; Matt Milligan, stand-up bass; Kevin Garcia, drums and percussion; Connie Renda, backing vocalist; and Liz Brown, Brendan’s sister and backing vocalist.

Brown said that he formed the band in 1997 and then signed a contract with Sony two years later.

“(Sony) didn’t really give us a chance,” said Brown.

He explained how Sony tried to follow the “Destiny’s Child formula,” but Wheatus didn’t fit the mold of other music at the time. After a lot of hassle and paperwork, Wheatus managed to get out their Sony contract and later released an album titled “Suck Fony” in 2005 on their own label.

Brown said that although he does most of the songwriting, “anybody [in the band] is allowed to write a song,” but there is one stipulation: “You have to also produce … You have to be the musical director.”

He goes on to say that if the bass player, Matt Milligan, wrote a song, and he asked Brown to play the kazoo while standing on his head in his underwear he would have to honor Milligan’s wishes.

Wheatus’ latest album, “Too Soon Monsoon,” came out in October of 2005. Brown describes the new album’s sound as dark. “I wanted to do something deeper and darker,” says Brown. He said he wanted to be more realistic and everything being played around that time was really bright. Brown says he has learned a lot since “Teenage Dirtbag” and, “when I wrote that song I was really green.”

Wheatus has found tons of popularity across the pond, and Brown said, “The kids in England are dedicated … they make us things.”

Brown said he once received a hat with his name embroidered on it. The weirdest thing he has ever received is an eight-by-eight chocolate rendering of his face, from an Italian girl who was about 16.

For the Sept. 30 Fall Pop Fest 2006 at the Soapbox here in Wilmington, eight other bands will be joining Wheatus on stage, including Crash Romeo, Across Five Aprils, Alesana, the Finalist, Brandtson, Melee, Fall of Transition and Mayday Parade. Not all of the bands are as pop-oriented as Wheatus, however, with many of the bands having a rock feel to them. Raleigh, N.C. band Alesana describes its sound as “Sweetcore” or a combination of rock, screaming, melodic lyrics and “a dollop of metal.”

The Fall Pop Fest begins at 4 p.m., and admission is $12.