Teen Idols

Originating in Nashville—a locale far more famous as rock & roll’s cradle—the Teen Idols, unrelated to the early-’80s Washington, D.C., hardcore outfit of the same name, channeled deep resentment toward country music. Irritated by their rural, “hee-haw” surroundings, vocalists Keith, guitarist Phillip, bassist Heather, and drummer Matt assembled around Ramones albums and leather jackets, deliberately forming the group as an affront to the Grand Ole Opera. Their fusion of ’50s rock & roll swagger with brash pop-punk soon drew interest from Honest Don’s Records, which issued the band’s debut album in 1997. After extensive touring earned them a 1998 nomination for Best Nashville Independent Artist, the sophomore release Pucker Up appeared in 1999; a split EP with Japan’s Spread came next, and Full Leather Jacket arrived the following year. By 2003 the Teen Idols had issued both the Dysfunctional Shadowman EP on Asian Man and the full-length Nothing to Prove on Fueled by Ramen.