Letters To Cleo

Letters to Cleo, an American alternative rock band, was formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1990 by guitarist Greg McKenna and singer Kay Hanley. Initially known as Rebecca Lulu, the band solidified its definitive lineup in 1994 with Hanley, McKenna, Michael Eisenstein on guitar, Stacy Jones on drums, and Scott Riebling on bass. The band gained recognition for their hit 1994 single “Here & Now” from their debut full-length album, “Aurora Gory Alice.” This track topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their song “Here & Now” was featured on the soundtrack for “Melrose Place,” leading to increased exposure and commercial success.

Following the success of “Aurora Gory Alice,” Letters to Cleo released their second album, “Wholesale Meats and Fish,” in 1995. The band supported this release with extensive tours alongside artists such as Our Lady Peace and Sponge. They contributed a cover of The Cars’ “Dangerous Type” to “The Craft” film soundtrack and later appeared in the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You,” contributing four songs to its soundtrack, including covers of “I Want You to Want Me” and “Cruel to Be Kind.” The band also recorded 15 original songs for the Kids’ WB cartoon “Generation O!” which aired from 2000 to 2001. After disbanding in 2000, Letters to Cleo reunited for tours in 2008-2009 and again in 2016, releasing an EP titled “Back to Nebraska.” Their music was also featured in “Parks and Recreation,” leading to increased public interest and a performance on the show’s sixth-season finale.

In 2019, the band released the holiday EP “Ok Christmas.” As of 2022, Letters to Cleo continues to play reunion shows periodically in the Northeast and California, with a lineup that includes Hanley, Eisenstein, McKenna, Joe Klompus, and alternating drummers Stacy Jones and Tom Polce. In 2023, band members Kay Hanley and Tom Polce co-wrote ten original songs for “Subspace Rhapsody,” a musical-themed episode of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” showcasing their continued involvement in musical creation beyond the band.