Breaking Artist: The Teeth Fight Their Way to Indie-Rock Success

Who Philadelphia quartet whose new album, You're My Lover Now, seems to channel the Kinks, the Who, and some burnout folkie we've never heard of -- all Brit-poppy harmonies, scrappy energy and weirdly endearing touches. The Teeth are fronted by twin brothers Peter and Aaron MoDavis, who formed The Teeth with two buddies after moving to Philly in 2001. "We were called the Pants," Aaron says. "We just wanted a name that didn't try to sound deep." The Teeth have persevered through shitty shows and some not-so-great jobs, including a pizza and cheesesteak joint where three members still work. Nowadays, though, things are looking up for The Teeth: Lover has gotten strong reviews, and The Teeth recently toured with their buddies Dr. Dog. "It's going well," Aaron says. "People are coming to shows all over the country, and we're makin' cash -- a little at least."

Brotherly Love As Lover shows, The Teeth are meticulous about crafting harmonies, melodies, chord changes and such. But sometimes their attention to detail leads to intra-band scrapes -- both onstage and off. "I gave Aaron shit about this one chord change," Peter Modavis says. "He flipped over a couch and I attacked him. We have a video where you can see his black eye."

Hear It Now Bite down hard on "The Ball of the Dead Rat," a hot track from You're My Lover Now.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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