Wheat was formed in 1996 in Taunton, Massachusetts, by vocalist and guitarist Scott Levesque, drummer Brendan Harney, guitarist Ricky Brennan Jr., and bassist Kenny Madaras. The group debuted with Medeiros (1997) on Sugar Free Records, showcasing the band’s alternative‑rock sensibilities and featuring production by Dave Auchenbach. In 1999, Hope and Adams followed, produced by Dave Fridmann, and the single "Don't I Hold You" reached number 50 on John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 Festive Fifty. After signing to Aware Records, Wheat issued Per Second, Per Second, Per Second… Every Second in 2003. The band toured with Liz Phair and Toad the Wet Sprocket and appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. In 2007, Scott Levesque and Ricky Brennan Jr. released Everyday I Said a Prayer for Kathy and Made a One Inch Square via Empyrean Records, followed by White Ink, Black Ink in 2009 under the Rebel Group. Subsequent releases included the EP Move = Move and the 2015 project Wishing Good Things for the World. Wheat’s activity waned after 2016, and drummer Brendan Harney passed away in February 2025.
