The BoDeans are a rock n' roll band, originally forming in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1983. The original members were Sam Llanas (vocals & guitar), Kurt Neumann (vocals & guitar) and Bob Griffin (bass). In 1985 they signed a contract with Reprise Records and went on to release their first album, the critically acclaimed Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams in 1986.

In 1987, a Rolling Stone Magazine reader poll voted them Best New American Band. They have rotated through various musicians, including keyboardists Michael Ramos and Susan Julian , and drummers Guy Hoffman, Kenny Aronoff , Rafael Gayol , Nick Kitsos , and most recently Kevin Leahy .

The band took a brief break in the late 1990s so Sam and Kurt could each release solo albums. Sam created Absinthe with the help of Milwaukee musicians Jim Eannelli (formerly of Sugarfoot ) and Guy Hoffman (formerly of the Violent Femmes).

They finally returned in 2004 with Resolution.