The Wee-Beasties

Founded in Denton, Texas, in 2000, symphonic punk collective The Wee-Beasties has established that it is here for a good time and for a long time.

Fronted by the larger-than-life, beer-guzzling, mostly-naked Richard Haskins, the 10-piece band began making some serious noise in 2021 after years flying just under the radar. The band’s return to regularly scheduled shows garnered the attention of local publications Central Track and the Dallas Observer, the latter of which profiled the band’s wild car wash fundraiser that funded the production of the band’s latest three-and-a-half-song EP The Whole 7 Inches.

Between the hard-driving track “Peter Swellers” and the crazed ballad “Sheeza Reeza,Why?,” The Wee-Beasties surprised fans by showing its softer side with the release of the humorous and heartfelt single “I Wish My Mom Would Smoke Pot with Me.” With its singalong chorus and hazy vision of family harmony, it became North Texas’ most unexpected summer song.

For all of its hard work over the last year, the Dallas Observer recognized the band as one of North Texas’ 10 Best Live Acts in 2021, and is looking to show the whole country why on its upcoming spring tour.

The Wee-Beasties are a spectacle. Known for its onstage antics, the band’s shows have included BDSM demonstrations, Chippendales costumes, the punk rock burlesque of singer Stephanie Holloway and the heroic consumption of countless cans of Lone Star beer (or whatever is cheapest).

However, for all The Wee-Beasties’ wild theatrics, the band is surprisingly well-organized and diverse, consisting of drums, two guitars, a bass and a colorful cast of horn players. The band could easily be a cacophonous mess without the help of the best and brightest musicians from Denton’s highly praised music scene.

For the cult following the band has built for over two decades, there is no greater show on earth. The Wee-Beasties are a band that absolutely must be seen to be believed.