The Frogs are an alternative rock band founded in 1980, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by brothers Jimmy and Dennis Flemion.

The brothers mainly wrote and performed short, catchy pop songs, but they are also known for their improvised home recordings that are delivered in a comedic style, and often include controversial issues such as race, religion, and sexuality (notably homoeroticism).

A history of strife has hindered the band, although a devoted fan base that includes many well-known musicians has supported the group.

That same year, Jimmy began wearing what was to become his trademark stage gimmick, a pair of six-foot bat wings,[4] inspired by the band's set list, which at that time featured many glam rock songs about death and gloom.

[1] The album was received with mixed reactions; some listeners were ecstatic, while others, who either disliked the subject matter or misunderstood the concept, were not as enthusiastic.

"[7] It's Only Right and Natural was even denounced by Pat Robertson on The 700 Club and a number of conservative religious organizations as proof of Satan's control over the entertainment industry.

[8] In 1991, the Frogs produced a new album titled Racially Yours, which included songs sung from the point of view of both blacks and whites who find themselves in various race-related situations and predicaments.

Jay Tiller left the band in 1992, to be replaced by Damian Strigens, although there were several substitutes in the meantime, including such notables as Eddie Roeser from Urge Overkill and Kelley Deal from the Breeders.

In 1997, Starjob was finally released, by Scratchie Records, but the EP almost immediately went out of print when it failed to sell enough units to satisfy the label.

[citation needed] Starjob contains well-produced studio tracks, including "Lord Grunge" and one of the most well known Frogs songs, "I Only Play 4 Money."

After meeting Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain in 1993, the Frogs wrote two songs about him and also made him a videotape, Toy Porno.

The Frogs were soon opening for Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Urge Overkill, and other bands who were fans of the group, to mixed reaction.

During each night's encore, Jimmy Flemion performed "1979" (which was influenced by an unreleased Frogs song, "Pleasure") with the Smashing Pumpkins, as well as selecting audience members to dance on stage.

[10][11] In 1995, Beck used a sample of the Frogs' song "I Don't Care If U Disrespect Me (Just So You Love Me)" on his song "Where It's At", included on his 1996 release Odelay In 1995, Pearl Jam included the Frogs' cover of "Rearviewmirror" (credited to all members of Pearl Jam, but largely written by lead singer Eddie Vedder) as the b-side to their "Immortality" single.

"[12] Vedder told a similar story on Oct. 8, 2000, before performing "Smile" at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wis., although he didn't identify Dennis by name.

In 2004, R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, crowd-surfed at a Frogs concert at First Avenue, a popular nightclub in the Twin Cities, fulfilling a promise made earlier in the summer when the club temporarily closed due to financial difficulties.

One attendee noted, "[I]t was a successful fiasco once again...Jimmy is really cute when he wears the bear hat as part of his costume.

[19][20] In 2009, the Frogs were part of the lineup for UK 2009 Weekend Two, curated by The Breeders, of the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival.

The band was chosen by Animal Collective to perform the album It's Only Right & Natural in its entirety at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in May 2011.

[21] In December 2011, two new studio albums were announced via Jimmy's Twitter account, entitled Count Yer Blessingz and Squirrel Bunny Juniper Deluxe.

In the wake of Dennis Flemion's death, Eddie Vedder wrote "Future Days", which was released in 2013 on the Pearl Jam album, Lightning Bolt.

In November 2019, the Frogs announced a short tour consisting of Jimmy Flemion on guitar and Evan Dando (of the Lemonheads) on drums.

[citation needed] Recorded during January 1986, the album, also known as Pat's Session, was intended to be the initial release for the band prior to The Frogs 1988 self-titled debut.