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

6/20/07, 12:50 pm EST

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 (and RS fave) 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.

Watch It Check out this clip The Teeth in both their acoustic and electric guises, playing “It’s Not Funny” and “The Ball of the Dead Rat.”

>> Watch every episode of our weekly New Breaking Artist video podcast by subscribing via iTunes (when prompted, click “Launch application”). Every Wednesday, an exclusive video profile of an emerging artist will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don’t have iTunes, download it here.]


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Comments

bullcrap | 6/20/2007, 1:34 pm EST

there is a band called the teeth from minneapolis… and uhh… MUCH better

Bangers-N-Mash | 6/20/2007, 1:55 pm EST

Hmm… it is Kinks-ish, but I don’t know how mch I like them… give them some time I think

seth | 6/20/2007, 2:11 pm EST

they suck

and the guy claps like a retard

Lee Majors | 6/20/2007, 2:20 pm EST

I did a show with Heather Thomas. It was called “Fall Guy”, remember? I sang the theme song. It was better than this crap.

Lee Majors | 6/20/2007, 2:20 pm EST

I did a show with Heather Thomas. It was called “Fall Guy”, remember? I sang the theme song. It was better than this crap.

Lee Majors | 6/20/2007, 2:22 pm EST

I was also banging Farrah Fawcett while you kids were crapping in your Mamma’s diapers!

TEABAG | 6/20/2007, 2:59 pm EST

Minneapolis RULES!

Dave | 6/20/2007, 5:23 pm EST

This band rules! That band from Minneapolis sounds like some Warped Tour bullshit. I love Philadelphia’s the Teeth!

Mitch | 6/20/2007, 5:29 pm EST

The Teeth are great, and as far as I know, have nothing to do with Lee Majors

gig | 6/20/2007, 6:00 pm EST

I’ve seen the Teeth many times, and I have all their Cds- they’re a great band. The acoustic clip doesn’t do them justice. Buy the CDs and catch the energy of their live shows. Plus, they’re good guys.

Lee Majors | 6/20/2007, 8:47 pm EST

You can run but you can’t hide young “Mitch”. And what the hell is with you kids these days? Lorne Greene and I used to wipe our asses with kids like you and serve you up to the crew of Bonanza for Breakfast!!

Anonymous | 6/20/2007, 10:21 pm EST

While I love Dr. Dog as much as the next guy, a nod to the Spinto Band would be more appropriate given that the lead singer of the spinto band mixed the record and they’ve toured the US relentlessly together..

The Teeth (from Philly) rule! | 6/21/2007, 12:34 am EST

saw these guys at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa and they were wicked awesome.

Ray | 6/21/2007, 1:27 am EST

I am from Philly and I am a huge fan of this band. The first time I saw them live at Rex’s bar in West Chester I knew they had something special. I have all of there albums and they all kick ass!!! I was reading the comments above and the one that struck me was “they are nice guys”
They really are and they deserve all of the success that will be coming their way. I have seen many bands live and this band takes the cake. Their energy is contagious and their nod to rock and roll history as well as the future of rock and roll is aptly captured. Seriously if you love rock you must get to know the pride of Philly…the teeth!!!!!!!!

kristin | 6/21/2007, 10:18 am EST

go see them this saturday and buy their cd. they put on an awesome show.

krock | 6/21/2007, 10:22 am EST

Yes!!!!!!!

krock | 6/21/2007, 10:23 am EST

Yes!!!!!!! The Teeth are fucking awesome personified.

krock | 6/21/2007, 10:24 am EST

Anyone with anything negative to say go see them live and it’ll change your mind.

Will | 6/21/2007, 10:30 am EST

Being a sound guy in Philly I hear LOTS of bands. Many are great, many not so great. The Teeth, however, are one of those bands that at the end of the night you realize you have just witnessed a truly great band. These guys are honest and awesome, I love having the opportunity to hear them. You all have no I idea. Catch a show, they are well worth it.

The Tombo | 6/21/2007, 10:31 am EST

I spend most of my nights at as many shows from the Philaelphia area as possible. These guys easily rank up there with Dr. Dog, The Spinto Band, and Illinois. Philadelphia’s got some nice tunes coming out of it and The Teeth are royalty to it. They deserve all the success and praise they have earned through their talents.

Joe R. | 6/21/2007, 10:50 am EST

Half-way through, just at summer, and I am proudly calling this Album of the Year. It honestly does not get much better than this, folks.

Anonymous | 6/21/2007, 10:51 am EST

Never much of a fan of acoustic, but Aaron kills it here in the best possible way. Just breaks my heart, really. And Jonas may clap like a retard, which is required of him in such a setting, but he drums like I think Jesus Christ will…when he comes again to judge the living and the dead and tears it up in one glorious expression of love and fury. Buy all and listen at least twice before deciding.

woo | 6/21/2007, 11:18 am EST

This band is great, and they are great guys. They play a really good show and in general are just alot of fun.

makemedancesohard! | 6/21/2007, 12:18 pm EST

I LOVE THE TEETH!!!! PSYCHED they are coming to L.A!!!!

makemedancesohard! | 6/21/2007, 12:18 pm EST

I LOVE THE TEETH!!!! PSYCHED they are coming to L.A!!!!

makemedancesohard! | 6/21/2007, 12:18 pm EST

I LOVE THE TEETH!!!! PSYCHED they are coming to L.A!!!!

Kristin | 6/21/2007, 12:56 pm EST

The Teeth are a lot of fun, their shows are a lot of fun and it’s fun to drive to Carry the Wood when the devil’s beating his wife/when it’s raining and the sun is out. Plus they’ve got fanny packs and handlebar moustaches.

Anonymous | 6/21/2007, 1:31 pm EST

Remember when the cops came to that party? Who brought ‘em out, huh? That’s right, THE TEETH. And lemme tell ya, they left changed men-and women. I’ll be telling my kids shit like this. Rock n roll, man!

Lee Majors | 6/21/2007, 2:28 pm EST

Settle down makemedancesohard!!! Cool it. Nobody likes a spaz. I had to tell the same thing to Doug Barr when we were tag-teaming Heather Thomas on the Universal Backlot. Just calm yourself.

Lee Majors | 6/21/2007, 2:28 pm EST

Settle down makemedancesohard!!! Cool it. Nobody likes a spaz. I had to tell the same thing to Doug Barr when we were tag-teaming Heather Thomas on the Universal Backlot. Just calm yourself.

slyfox | 6/21/2007, 6:23 pm EST

yeah, the teeth are great musicians!! and like all great musicians, they are selfish pricks. all of you who keep saying they’re nice guys only think that cause you know them casually, and it’s their job to be nice to you!! would you buy their record if when you tried to talk to them at shows they just looked at you like you were insane and told you to leave them alone? i doubt it.
but they really are great to see live. especially when the “magic man” sings it’s a man’s man’s man’s world!!

minnieindie | 6/21/2007, 6:43 pm EST

i’ve worked with both the mpls teeth and the philly teeth. there are a lot worse bands out there than both of them.

jenny hobbs | 6/21/2007, 11:06 pm EST

thanks for having good taste, rolling stone. we are quite pleased to be home to the teeth here in philly.

Hugs not Drugs | 6/22/2007, 12:08 am EST

I think there are too many people involved in the acoustic bit, but the guy singing dominates anyway. The electric version is better; it sounds balanced and the music (like chords and stuff) is more interesting.

Anonymous | 6/22/2007, 1:54 am EST

beef with the teeth ain’t the point here. they could say alot worse to me than “leave me alone”, and i’d still buy their records. they’re an amazing, amazing band, ridiculous live, and in person they have always been warmer and more gracious than the countless others…lets hope they set an example and don’t go changing on us!

awesomerabbit | 6/22/2007, 2:57 pm EST

yes, let’s hope they set an example and don’t change.
but the point is that they have already changed a lot. i know they are all nice guys deep down, but something weird has been happening to them since people really like them now. old friends aren’t friends anymore. only the new “friends” matter and they seem just a little too cool for themselves all of a sudden.

but, you’re right. it should be about the music, right? and the music is swell!!

old friend | 6/22/2007, 4:20 pm EST

the teeth play music for the love of it- with real heart and soul. not for the “glory”. ya know, kinda like ROCKY!!
check ‘em out live, and you’ll see what i mean!!

trent | 10/2/2007, 10:09 am EST

i saw these guys at sxsw and they blew everything right out of the water. i checked out their calander and they’re playing the park the van cmj showcase at pianos on october 19th anyone that can should definately witness it.

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