The Story of 'Teenage Dirtbag' by Wheatus

For many, “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus captures the quintessential American high school experience. But for the song’s writer Brendan Brown, “Teenage Dirtbag” represents a fantasy adolesence that he was robbed of after a gruesome murder happened in his home town. And while “Teenage Dirtbag” was overlooked by American audiences at its time of release -- overseas it received a much more unexpected reception.
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[@VICE]

Check out the rest of *The Story Of* series here kzbin.info/aero/PLDbSvEZka6GH6jrqvMbW0AcQF6Dh8X1Ld

[@mariasocorrodevilla]

Hi! Is this posted on IG?

[@itsjen8384]

@

[@whiteapplemacbook]

I’m going back

[@bunnyy621]

@@mariasocorrodevilla fvv

[@bunnyy621]

@@itsjen8384 tv hb

[@brennanb01]

Saw Wheatus in a small club 30 mins outside of Pittsburgh. 10 people were there and instead of playing on stage they came down and asked us to form a circle around them. Was one of the most memorable shows I've been to. Thanks Wheatus!

[@sabrina.natalie]

Wow. That’s amazing. If you don’t mind sharing, what year was this when this happened? 💕

[@lizc6393]

I'm insanely jealous. Amazing.

[@quaalood]

What town was it in, I remember hearing about wheatus playing at bars in my hometown that’s 30 mins outside of Pittsburgh

[@jonathansanders9816]

Ten people...that sounds about right.

[@GiffordMusic]

I remember back in 2007/2008 they performed here in England and there had to be less than 30 people there and it was just Brendan on his own with his iconic guitar and he had us sitting on the stage

[@katwhy]

I'm from Australia.... I can't believe this song was never a 'hit' in the US!! I am shocked. This song is still played in pubs and events around Australia and has this ability to makes everyone stop what they're doing and sing along.

[@dumbasses_R_us]

Same. This song was so massive that it got a bit annoying back then, but I still crank it when it comes on the radio in my car to this day

[@FecalMatador]

I’m assuming there was a million other bands of that era with the same sound, so they probably just got lost in the shuffle

[@dissonantdreams]

Same in the UK. It was a massive hit over here.

[@Snowneutrino652]

I'm from the US, didn't have cable, barely listened to radio and didn't explore music much at 13 and I remember this song so it had to be big enough for me to remember

[@spoonysmalls]

@@dumbasses_R_us it was though?

[@nikinnorway]

This was huge in Canada when I was a kid. I remember our biggest school dirtbag (literally a guy they called "dirtbag dave") singing it down the halls. He was empowered. It was brilliant.

[@finnmcginn9931]

All my friends were former 80s teenage dirtbags in rural Ontario so we got a kick out out this song when it came out. Still play it around the fire at the cottage. Cheers

[@pierreluc5382]

it never made it's way to Quebec, not that I remember of. I think it would have been a hit

[@phasedigital6685]

I truly wonder what dirtbag Dave is doing right now.

[@Jmazz892]

so happy for young dirtbag dave.

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

Only reason I knew of it was because of teh movie Loser@@pierreluc5382

[@imagreatguy5770]

I love to see how supportive Peter’s mom was/is to him. To let your son and his band use your house as a studio is awesome

[@twinturbobmw535xi7]

Haha I know my mom would never let me do that. She wasn’t very supportive in anything i wanted to do.

[@dominicpascal5512]

THAT is so awesome, love it

[@abbyg3236]

@@twinturbobmw535xi7stop trauma dumping

[@karlmatthias2698]

At the end how she’s cheering him even now is just the best. Right on, mom!

[@georgestephenson3189]

So was his dad

[@SlooooowDown]

"The song has a happy ending because it's not something I've experienced myself." Wow, that one hit hard, yet it is still melancholically beautiful. He truly is a poet.

[@lalakuma9]

Just realized after he said that that the song is about people like me 🙃 Even though I grew up with the song

[@ted__ryan]

Unrequited love sucks

[@gregorymakap]

The same reason I always felt an affinity with this song and it makes sense that the man who wrote it went through the same experience I did going to an all boys catholic school 😅🥹❤ I loved the ending coz it's something I always wanted to happen to me that never did

[@liev_x]

This series has been so good. And damn, props to that guy for still being able to sing in that voice over 2 decades later.

[@blakefrazier3668]

Right?! Homie still sounds good too!

[@ProfessorHoffman]

And his homie keeping the original demos from 99

[@pablopower4023]

Not smoking or drinking excessively always helps.

[@unexpectedvixen5685]

I said the same! I was walking away from my phone and ran back to see if it was him live or not! Lol

[@jflo1532]

Right?!

[@canivan3470]

I'm from Uganda and as a kid, this song was everywhere, especially on TV. I distinctly remember it charting on the local and urban charts here. I'm still crazy about it to this day.

[@suezcontours6653]

All the way in Ghana. Yeah, we need better censorship in Africa

[@Apptester11]

@@suezcontours6653 do you know da way?

[@isaacaklasu4159]

@@suezcontours6653 It was in Ghana like crazy

[@twinturbobmw535xi7]

@@suezcontours6653why would you want more censorship ?

[@suezcontours6653]

@@twinturbobmw535xi7 To protect our African children. Media is propaganda and Western media is anti-black

[@oxfordsparky]

I saw Wheatus a few years ago when they played a small pub called Fat Lils in a town near me in the UK called Witney, around 100 people there and the band watched the support acts with us and spent a long time taking requests, people where googling old B sides to try and catch them out but they smashed every single song and it was a wonderful gig. Thank you Wheatus.

[@gsd8225]

Didn't happen, Ben.

[@oxfordsparky]

@@gsd8225 believe what you like pal.

[@oxfordsparky]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqHblKlpZbpsiMU

[@andyatch33]

Love that!

[@sharisehay3927]

​@@gsd8225yes, it did. Wheatus tend to play whatever requests people shout out at their shows.

[@katrabbit]

Let's all agree Mama Wheatus is the MVP. Without her dining room and chicken cutlets we may never have had Teenage Dirtbag. 🥰

[@samanthamuse9486]

She's so proud at the very end while listening to the song. After all these years, she still doesn't hate it. She's probably heard it more than just about anyone else

[@Brimfulofbeauty]

And her jazz hands are soooo cute!

[@ncg89]

And she’s in the living room singing with him like “You’re such a good singer!”

[@ncg89]

It’s funny because the song wouldn’t exist without her because she sent him to the all boys schools

[@Stonefoxxloxxz]

Hell yea chicken cutlets

[@melissasalmeron9193]

I love his mom. She's so supportive and proud of her son.

[@benbenassi2348]

i know right. She was like; Hercules, Hercules, Hercules! That boy good.

[@alexmac101]

3 hour round trip to a school with no girls and zero social life?? His mum fcked him over lol Edit: watched the whole thing now. Can confirm she’s pretty great haha

[@BloodyBamPot]

Me too, I was thinking my dad would hate having my friends over especially making noise .and He would of lost it when someone put tape on the wall . He would of also explained that the odds of this becoming a hit are basically zero and I’d better have a job soon or I’m out .

[@lookintothesky123]

@@BloodyBamPot If you wrote a song like Teenage Dirt Bag your dad would't hate you.

[@mikeawesome9212]

@@lookintothesky123 he would disown him.

[@crisscorreag]

That ending with his mom mouthing the lyrics and praising his voice at the end is so heartwarming

[@Kev2077]

“Its your song singing it in your bathroom mirror, whoever you are” hits deep. I feel like I can relate to every word of this song but in my own way. Reminds me of girls I used to be crazy about in school. All those feelings now just distant memories

[@darrenceejay9381]

This was brilliantly well made. Hats off to Vice for giving us the story we didn't know we deserved!!

[@rsplatpc]

PROPS to whoever captured the audio, sooooo well done

[@DeepThinkingGPU]

screw VICE.

[@tkss6654]

100%!!

[@nunyabizness9216]

Great story about a great song. I've loved this song for years. BTW, I'm in my 50s.

[@rodeoclowngreg]

I agree, a surprisingly enjoyable watch

[@DavidDiMuzio]

One of my favorite songs ever. I feel 15 every time I hear it.

[@allex_]

oh my, i hope it’s one of your favorites strictly for nostalgic reasons - which is absolutely fine btw - but in any other context this song is objectively awful.

[@robertbrandt4711]

Same bro..

[@robertkirchner7981]

You say that like it's a good thing.

[@colebruno47]

@@allex_ shut up

[@allex_]

@@colebruno47 no u

[@KayleeGarten]

What an awesome mom. That’s the kind of love and support kids need when chasing their dreams. Respect

[@JenniferBrigitteOpticalVortex]

She's such a perfect mother.

[@anchorpoint3631]

And not all mom's are like that

[@societycrumbles]

I just love his singing voice, it's so unique and strangely sweet.

[@haze_520]

His mom singing the chorus with him is the most wholesome thing I've seen all week.

[@Zenki8118]

I wish all moms are this supportive to their kids.

[@davide.b8027]

Wouldn't being a star overseas and not being a star at home be like living in a dream world? No Paparazzi or people taking pictures. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

[@oxfordsparky]

It does sound like perfection but I can understand any resentment it could cause.

[@onemillionpercent]

frfr

[@957kakashi]

You would think, but the issue is it’s costly to go perform over there even if you’re popular but that’s the only place you can make any money probably if all your following / more devoted following is there. But then since you can’t do that or do it much, you’re at home and no one wants to pay to see you. So even if you’re talented or loved elsewhere, you can’t really have your chosen career support you because you’d have to be rich enough to always play overseas or move their to do it full time. People don’t realize how costly it is just to do music as a career in your own home state/ country and like play in several states or etc. so much more to do financially and the traveling etc logistics if overseas.

[@Jencediggity]

These “story of” videos are absolute homeruns. And this song was and still is such a BANGER. True artist. And I love it even more now knowing what went into it; what he’s signing about.

[@rsplatpc]

the song transcends age / it's timeless / kids will always feel like this

[@freetheplay3448]

Love that the series is still going. Only thing is it takes months for a new one to drop lol

[@steveseverson1692]

“It’s your song, it belongs to you”. That’s a TRUE artist speaking! Great segment, I’m without words. Well told 10/10

[@1013Mrjake]

I lost my mom when she was just 59. Mama wheatus reminds me of her so much. Loved her son no matter what. Wants to gush about him to everyone. Everyone needs that in their life. Hard to lose. Amazing to remember. I love this ending!

[@BMarie774]

May your mama be resting in peace. Not sure what your beliefs are, but wherever she is, I’m sure she’s proud of you.

[@kubrix1222]

Brendan wrote an incredible song. This was the song of my childhood and is incredibly important to me. I hope hes proud and feels he gets the credit he deserves for delivering such a masterpiece. Thank you Brendan my youth would not be the same without this.

[@TalkSickMass]

Brendan Brown is an underrated musician and has a killer vocal range.

[@jeil5676]

Who's that?

[@_gorezone_]

@@jeil5676 the... singer of the band. The guy in the video lol

[@1gamz]

A little respect is my 2nd fav of wheatus. And he sang it so well

[@veryinterestingyes]

Vice fucking smashing it out of the park with this sort of content. Got me hooked after the thousand miles episode. The stuff you never knew about a tune that you related to throughout your adolescence but it still resonates now. What a classic made better now I know it’s story. Love it

[@jesterr7133]

I'm from the US, and that song was the story of my childhood. I totally understood where he was coming from. I was the nerd that dated the prom queen. That is a song I will never get tired of. It's really a song about accomplishing something you thought was impossible, and having your dreams come true.

[@maynarddrivesfast804]

Are you me? After my freshman year of HS I ended up moving a state away into my dad's new place, which meant starting a new high school. Now I went from a freshman class of over 200 kids to my new school where my graduating class was literally 22 kids. Needless to say, I was a TRUE outsider among all these kids who grew up together. I was a weird skater kid who played guitar in a school where the most important and popular kids were athletes and 4H members. Funnily enough, after my younger brother moved in (he was an accomplished bass player), and I had semi taught my friend how to play drums (I had a kit since I started as a drummer), we started a band that kinda took off on the local circuit. I ended up being the weirdo who dated the prom queen and played shows and parties on the weekends. Was I a big fish in a small pond? Absolutely, but that crappy band made in that tiny school started a trajectory that took me to MANY more gigging bands in REAL cities, where I enjoyed some real success. It's been such a strange trip, now that I think about it.

[@XBullitt16X]

It really encapuslates the 90s-2000s era, something I relate to heavily as a 90s kid myself.

[@MQB-dz8wr]

I grew up in Scotland and this song was absolutely everywhere when I was a teenager. It was always playing on MTV! I’m shocked the US didn’t get on board

[@paulsmith4126]

I, also a Scot, am likewise shocked. An era defining song.

[@ligmaballs2022]

Just putting out my opinion: The music press in the UK tend to be more hyped, compared to the US critics being more reserved (prob something to so with imperialism), i've seen this pattern many times: Radiohead's The Bends, the grunge scene become popular with the UK before the US ate it up, and when the Arctic Monkeys put out their debut Whatever People Say I Am.... Basically, the UK has low standards lol. The US also has higher requirements for record certifications eg. 1 million sales for US platinum, 300,000 sales for UK platinum. When Bush, who were from London, became big in 1994, they were bigger in the US because they were hard rock/grunge-esque and that sound was popular because of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam etc. Compared to their home country of UK, they were not that popular, probably because of the Britpop groups e,g, Oasis, Blur, Suede etc. You become popular in countries whose fans can resonate with them. In the US from 1999 onwards, what was popular at that time was nu-metal e.g. Korn, Incubus, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, and pop artists like Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears etc. And also Eminem. You could say Wheatus were the odd ones out. You can counter this and continue with the "I thought they were popular on MTV" argument. But Wheatus were on a major label Sony, and major labels usually pay to have the song played on radio for newer artists, so the song was probably everywhere because it was being paid to be played. And for MTV, like i said, what was popular in 1999 was Korn, Limp Bizkit, Britney, Backstreet Boys, and they were the most played on MTV. So much that Korn had to be retired from the 'Total Request Live' list, unlike Britney or Backstreet Boys (probably because its pop music, its commercial). So you can say Wheatus was always playing on MTV, but not to the extent of the aforementioned artists that some of them had to be retired. Wheatus had pop songs with dark lyrics, but in 1999, it was either dark music with dark lyrics, or pop music with poppy/happy/danceable lyrics. You dont see a lot of pop music with dark lyrics during this time.

[@291studios]

​@@ligmaballs2022 The US doesn't really have "higher" requirements for record certifications. 1 million is obviously a higher number than 300,000 but the US population is 332 million and the UK population is 66 million. The US platinum certification would have to be around 1.5 million to be the same population-to-sales ratio as the UK.

[@vicrules6666]

Huh? This song was on the radio all the time in the US. And the video was always on mtv.

[@BMarie774]

Funny, I’ve seen you say this from Scotland, someone from Africa, and someone from Germany saying this song was massive. This song truly was MASSIVE.

[@tompackman]

Not once did he ever rely on anyone else - he wanted a studio feel so he built a studio in his family home. What an incredibly motivated, underrated musician.

[@shedshow1439]

him playing while his mom genuinely enjoys it made me cry. what a good mom

[@galedribble9535]

Yeah that was nice. Then he was all embarrassed when she complimented his voice

[@Mk4Turbonium]

My wife and I had our first dance at our wedding to this song. If that’s not dirtbag enough I don’t what is. We love this song and love this story. Thank you Wheatus!

[@KeirBo]

I was in the a pub in London on the weekend and Teenage Dirtbag came on and we all still pretty much knew the words. It was huge over here.

[@TrungCyf]

Ok

[@JamesG12]

I still listen to this song regularly. Miss 90s and early 00s music.

[@micknayles7161]

Same here my man .

[@HiroProtaganist]

@@micknayles7161 The next song on the playlist is Green Day - Basket Case

[@micknayles7161]

@@HiroProtaganist tremendous sir

[@micknayles7161]

The songs of the first american pie are dynamite also.

[@Digitalhunny]

Me too! I raised 2 wonderful kiddos listening to that music each & _every_ morning!

[@hollyhollance7014]

This song defined my childhood. Every Aussie sleepover, BBQ, hang out would feature a song along. It still gets radio play and deservedly so. It just hits.

[@louiealouie]

Whats an Aussie sleepover? A sleepover in Australia?

[@sinnombre5466]

@@louiealouie it’s like a regular sleepover but with a rugby team. Best of all, they all wore roo mask while playing an 11 v 1 on your mum… and yes, it was in Australia

[@edshellard]

Same!

[@adambooth600]

Sleep over with bongs and booze

[@adambooth600]

Ozzy

[@thehooverfamily9589]

Teenage Dirtbag was and still is an absolute banger! Rocking out here in December 2022! Merry Christmas everyone!🎉

[@versaida]

December 2023 here 🎄 Merry Christmas!!

[@sylvieb3]

I felt like my youth came full circle when I finally heard this song live at a festival in 2019, I'm from South Africa and this song was integral to my teens. We dont often get to see our musical icons in a live capacity here in Africa so what a pleasant surprise to finally be able to experience this 19yrs after first hearing it :)

[@zeikerd]

now that's awesome

[@josiahhartwick5995]

Was in a Filipino kareoke bar in Hong Kong last week, Teenage Dirtbag came on and everyone sang in unison, my wife from a small town India grew up listening to it. Shocking to know it didnt do well in the US because I just thought it was just one of those songs everyone knows

[@InannaWarfare]

I live in the US and am surprised that it apparently didn't do well here. I've heard it a million times over the years.

[@abbyxoxo48]

I think it’s like Colt .45. Everyone knows it but it never had radio time

[@jamesblue5906]

Filipino KTV in Hong Kong with a Indian wife, what a mashup

[@malakisfl9288]

When he said EVERYONE he ain't exaggerating either

[@briansosick2014]

Crazy grew up my teen days was 2010s and Im from Nairobi Kenya and played this so much.

[@job7973]

This song is a classic, and them guys deserve so much more. I'm 40 years old now, but every time I hear this tune it reminds me of teenage years and what I felt like to be young and free, awesome.

[@fbaallied]

You must of miss a few math classes.😳

[@brohymn2620]

@@fbaallied not his teenage years. I think he means the song has a 'tennage years' vibe

[@ScorpionXXXVII]

Such an epic song. I remember walking around the mall, on our way to play Marvel Vs Capcom 2 all day,and hearing it play over and over. We thought it was corny, but at the same time it was so catchy and a dope song to sing along too. We all loved it, but at the same time were fine realizing how pop and corny it was. Good times, one song I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard it. Really brings back the whole high-school feels

[@fbaallied]

@@brohymn2620 I stand corrected

[@Digitalhunny]

Me too! I was a secret "mental head" all throughout jr & high school. I'm what you might call, out of the closet, now days though.😂😂😂 This song makes it to EVERY playlist... as it should.

[@jacobhill4776]

I saw Wheatus live at conservatory in 2007 I believe. There may have been 40 people tops and it became a request a song show. I loved it and wish more people were there.

[@jacobhill4776]

In Okc

[@Silkentwilight]

So beautiful to see him with his mother playing the song after all those years. Thank you for this.

[@NoWorldOrd3r]

I refuse to believe it wasn’t a hit in the US. I had it playing on loop when I was like 12 and for me to have discovered it makes me think it reached the right people here. I walked into my childrens hallway and heard it playing in my 14 yr old daughter’s room. It made me hella nostalgic and proud of her music taste lol

[@ryanduray1]

I'm 40 and didn't hear this song until last week. I thought it was a new song 🤷‍♂️

[@RustyPetterson]

According to Wikipedia this song only got to number 124 in the US charts. Which is totally unbelievable, considering how ubiquitous it was here in the UK. I just assumed it was a huge hit world-wide.

[@jenne_afiya]

AGREED!!!

[@bogi18]

I'm from Hungary and I totally knew this song, heard it all the time, saw the music video many times.

[@thomasminarchickjr.7355]

It wasn’t even a blip on the map here

[@hourglassindustries1647]

"It's your song, singing in your bathroom mirror, whoever you are. It belongs to you. And your history, and your place in time is more important in the reflection of the song and the way that you see yourself in it than my thing, which is weird, but cool 😎 "

[@Isaharif]

Yea, I guess he knows it has a nostalgic effect for a certain type of longing adolescence develop.

[@melissamullenax2158]

I have a whole new level of respect for this dude because of what he says here. ❤️

[@o0FranklySpeaking0o]

RESPECT

[@AgentMorgan2010]

Yeah. For a guy who never actually went to a co-ed, public school himself, he nailed it. Young loserdom and adolescent longing, yes.

[@AWOL1969]

@@melissamullenax2158 This!

[@funishfunish]

How was the placement in the classic teen film 'Loser' not mentioned? I feel like the tune had a moment in the US from that despite what this says!

[@canivan3470]

I agree. I've attached the song to the movie Loser since the very first time I saw the video a decade ago.

[@hempmaiden]

The fact that this song now has the medieval bard version being used in the Sainsbury’s 2022 Christmas advert is so crazy. The feeling of triumph translates so well into that style it’s quite magical, it has that timeless quality. In the advert the boy reinvents the Christmas pudding to this rock anthem, and in my opinion it lives again

[@ealing456]

Sainsbury's won the British Christmas advert competition of the year with the song alone really. The bardcore songs are always a lot of fun

[@eatingualive]

Sydney, Australia, year 2000 and i'm 4/5 years old. I sneaked downstairs for the morning cartoons and I have to wait for rage, the music video show, to finish. I hear Teenage Dirtbag - the cool guitars, awesome lyrics, the bucket hat and sunnies, the shade of the singer's shirt and Noelle looking angelic. My little mind is blown. It's like rock and alternative music unlocked and I cast aside nursery rhymes. I don't remember much from my childhood but Teenage Dirtbag is one of my core memories. Later, I explore music and singing, learn a few instruments and ended up in a few rock/punk bands. It really was a catalyst in my life. To learn the backstory and how important it's success was from Australia is just so cool.

[@SpaceRanger187]

As an American im glad y'all saved them

[@calvin-]

That's awesome to hear. I had no idea that song was big elsewhere. I remember people at the time (in the US), would just laugh at the song.

[@obiwanudonnome814]

The end with mom in the floral pink living room on Anywhere St in Everytown USA is just incredible. It's so real it's almost surreal, like something Tarantino would come up with if he had to stay g rated. I can almost hear his mom in the next room, "are you boys hungry?".

[@gnosjo]

Right?! It’s just beautiful and made me laugh and cry at the same time.

[@johnstewart9]

I'd watch that movie

[@olir6910]

Feel absolutely the same. Made me feel at home 🏡

[@crnkmnky]

"Gotta make some more chicken cutlets for my hungry recording boys!"

[@josaxtvc]

I remember when this came out in the US. It was all over the radio. Not sure how it wasn't more popular. I freakin' loved it. Still do.

[@SamuelSaveli]

So wholesome, especially the end where he is still shy in front of his mother when performing :D relatable

[@Carlito_Sway]

These guys caught lightning in a bottle with this tune- it's a total earworm, one of the last great radio rock anthems, and the production is stellar (the electric guitar tones are so, so good). To know the whole story behind this makes it all that much more satisfying. For what it's worth, in the Fall of 2000 at my suburban Midwestern high school, this song was definitely a hit- if it wasn't charting well, no one told us!

[@F0bius]

I love these stories that let us look behind the curtain and see how much work and experiences flow into a couple of minutes worth of music that stay with us forever.

[@DokkaChapman]

They really humanise what is seen as mostly meme-like songs and give them the light they deserve.

[@LebanonStorm]

His mom being as supportive as she was with the band taking up space the way they did and all that is the epitome of amazing for a parent. That’s some major love right there.

[@jospower1]

One of the best shows I’ve ever been to in Cork, Ireland. They came down & jammed in the crowd- amazing energy! Met them at back door afterwards & they were lovely. Ran into a few of them again then later at the chipper- there was a busker on the street & we made up a song on the spot & started singing. It was before the days of video phones but great to have such memories. Haven’t thought about that night in years!

[@davinphelps1863]

This is what good music does, it connects with a feeling you can't express yourself as an inarticulate, pissed off teenager. This was my anthem when I was 15, my buddy would drive me to school and I'd blast it every single day. I found it by mistake searching for something else on napster or limewire and no one else I knew had heard it yet, so I felt like I had this secret gem. My girlfriends middle name was Noelle so I learned how to play the song and tried to convince her I wrote it for her but the song eventually got popular at my school and she figured it out. haha man I haven't thought about that in like 20 years. Still Love This Song! Mom's right about his voice, it's like our generations Geddy Lee and it's what makes the song so catchy! Thanks for the flashback Vice and thanks for the song Wheatus

[@bonitadiablo]

Your mom is so right! Never thought of that!

[@allyson--]

That's so cute

[@steveseverson1692]

Awesome share 👌🏼👌🏼

[@retrodemos9062]

You got me at napster

[@Jreb1865]

Don’t know what Napster was? It was a bastion and symbol of freedoms lost...

[@elchapeau]

"rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in" - good for you dude

[@TheAkdzyn]

Best ending to a vice video ever. I loved the way his mum is such a big part of the process and she's just there listening and enjoying it as lovingly as ever.

[@mctapoutos7426]

As European born in 83 and growing up in 90s as a teen a can tell you Europe saved so many bands and made so many bands huge.

[@PrinXessDime]

Wheatus and Teenage Dirtbag literally shaped my entire musical life. From what I listened to growing up to the IDGAF attitude I put into the music I make myself, be is a rap song or a punk rock track. This is a group that I have always wanted to meet, just to thank them in person for the impact they had on my life.

[@mul555]

Gotta love how his mum must have heard it a million times and is still genuinely blown away with it. Can't help but agree with her, he did good and his voice was good, and that's sat in his mum's living room not live on stage. Think I missed out not seeing them back in the day.

[@JJ-ze6vb]

Seeing him singing in his mom’s living room, she cheering him on… beautiful

[@MamaMeganAmelia]

Props to Brendan's mom for supporting him & his creativity throughout his whole life. Supportive moms = the best.

[@TheLeah2344]

I like how when he sings he sounds like the studio version.

[@rezlogan4787]

I love how self aware he was about sounding like a girl on recording and just not giving a f$&@. In retrospect, this song I hated encapsulated my whole musical journey as a middle/high schooler. I love this song now, unironically, since it seems to mock all the right people while being designed to subconsciously appeal directly to them. Contempt for one’s audience is a powerfully underappreciated 90’s trope that deserves to make a comeback, since so many people suck today.

[@BootsORiley]

“...since it seems to mock all the right people” Everything you said from that sentence onwards was 🎯

[@Robersora]

I hope you can find peace someday ♥

[@pR0ManiacS]

Artists do it for the act not for themselves.

[@tempestuousseaurchin]

I always thought the lyrics seemed really sincere- its an anthem for those who wouldn't generally warrant an anthem, giving power to the "dirtbag" by reclaiming the word. Do you think he's mocking the teenage dirtbag, or are you referring to the general "jocks" who the song directly antagonizes?

[@rezlogan4787]

@@tempestuousseaurchin A little of both. The song has a mocking cadence and seems to self deprecate while also throwing out general disdain for pop culture.

[@Pops5033]

2023 i'm 62 years old and it's still one of my favorite songs. dirtbags forever.

[@tomolver9821]

That final scene with his mum... a truly superb documentary.

[@blastofo]

His voice sounds exactly like it does on the album. Hasn't changed a bit!

[@joecook1298]

Its truly amazing, these artists that have no idea how much of an impact their song will make on millions of people. Awesome.

[@ChavonJWright]

LOL if you'd told me the inspiration was satanic panic I wouldn't believe it...

[@deadskulls]

That movie called “Loser” was the one who got me into this song. I was so young & in first grade 😭

[@jerrybiv1441]

That ending with him playing a bit in front of his mother is PRICELESS!

[@heraclitus9152]

Love all the 30 year old teenage dirtbags in the comments, there are dozens of us! I'm from England and that Wheatus album was one of the first I purchased, listened to it front to back religiously and knew every word. Chokes me up listening to some of those songs now - especially Teenage Dirtbag - a lot of nostalgia! Brendan seems like an honest person and his Mum is wonderful for supporting him.

[@c3eb4]

you werent a teenager lol

[@RockFeed]

One of my favorite songs ever and the singer is a very charismatic person. Great video!

[@florgonzalez1211]

U find that charismatic ?

[@davidk7439]

@@florgonzalez1211 Someone who's rather honest, and pretty humble about their success? Someone who's got enough humility to be able to both laugh at, acknowledge and appreciate their past? And also someone who can tell a story pretty well? Yeah, I'd consider that charismatic.

[@RSgaming1337]

@@florgonzalez1211 Not that you would know anything about charisma

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Generic rock. Cool favourite

[@Andruwjonesrichar]

Ever...

[@tomking7080]

This song was huge. I was living in Los Angeles when this dropped in 2000. I know that LA radio stations were playing it but I’m not sure if it was right when it came out or it took a little bit like they said here. I honestly thought that there was a chick in the band singing also. I really liked this song,still due. I listen to everything from hip hop to metal to classic rock to alternative to grunge to reggae to EDM. Everything besides country,even though I like a few old country songs. This song was just different and super catchy.

[@liisa8949]

The soundtrack to my teenage years - growing up in Germany this song was EVERYWHERE and yo this day I love shouting along to it ❤️ it's sad yo hear it didn't get as much attention in the US. But rest assured the rest of the world will remember😁

[@FrolleinMiez]

Fellow German here. It really was everywhere and still is around a lot. Everyone knows this song.

[@malakisfl9288]

Imagine being his mum when he was a literal teenage dirtbag in his teenage years. And yet she still allowed him to take over her house and cooked them all chicken tenders for three weeks. I think you dropped this Queen 👉 👑

[@pinkestpeaches6302]

I loved teenage dirtbag as a teenager because it was the high school experience I was missing out on, I used to travel and hour and a half by train to an all girls school. Never realised the song came from the same lonely place I was stuck in at the time.

[@christsatanatl]

The enthusiasm for music is probably my favorite thing on earth

[@kareemlawson878]

One of my all time favourite songs loool. Reminds me of films and everyday life during those days

[@TrungCyf]

Ok

[@ndururu05]

It rocked in Africa, I remember hearing it and it was awesome in Kenya

[@Spectrvm____]

I hope this series never ends. They always choose the best songs that make you feel nostalgic for the days when life was a little simpler✨🙌

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

They chose my suggestion to do the song Who Let The Dogs Out.

[@mrscott41]

I love his willing to poke fun and embrace his high pitched singing voice. I love this song!!

[@oscarreyes998]

As an Aussie. This song has SO many memories attached to it. Forever a classic of my Youth.

[@DokkaChapman]

Two points: 1 - I can't believe the whole album was recorded in his mum's house, that's so rock n' roll, and 2 - Nice to see a fellow Soul Coughing fan. :)

[@The_Obvious_Solution]

Move aside, And let the man go through. Let the man go through. Also Check out Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic....good album

[@MindofMatter]

Totally agree! I was thinking "how could the label not get them studio time?" but I love that it was in his dining room.

[@rhyselliottsuperhys9696]

Recording an album in your mum's house is not rock and roll lmao. It's heartwarming though

[@StonedSpagooter]

A one hit wonder that can define a generational sound

[@freshmike1952]

His mom singing along is the sweetest thing I've seen in a while.

[@xmilo3537]

I live in Mexico and my dad played this song when I was a kid and that was the reason I wanted to play guitar and he teached me the chords and it was the first song I learned to play on guitar. Amazing song.

[@OhanaFilms]

I’m amazed they recorded this in his mom’s house! The production on Dirtbag sounds incredible. This is a great series. More please, Vice.

[@cr0426]

I remember the term “dirt” (abridged from dirtbag) being used for long haired, poor, and/or metal heads in the 80s in my hometown. I think back on it now that I’m in my 40s on how incredibly discriminatory and horrible the term was for kids who didn’t have a lot of control over their lives at that time in their lives.

[@Aaron8ishop]

His mum at the end is so wholesome. Bless

[@loumoon3901]

“The song is 100% fantasy because it has a happy ending” is such a heavy thing to hear

[@af-ni6ej]

this whole '' the story of'' series is the GOAT. Vice...bloody good job!

[@jonathanrogers9165]

Guessin your English??

[@djnakag]

Man, these are SO good. This one was powerful!

[@DropNinety]

This is the most dramatic and elaborate doc on a one-hit-wonder Ive ever seen. Love to see more.

[@mantistoboggan6053]

The one on Shaggy’s, “It Wasn’t Me,” is just as good.

[@mc94100]

Seeing Teenage Dirtbag performed live is the best experience at a concert I’ve ever had. I saw Wheatus supporting another band in 2017 and the audience participation for Dirtbag is incredible. A great song loved by millions.

[@blue-calla]

I truly enjoyed learning the history of this song, songwriter, and band! I’d 💗 to see VICE do more of these types of videos.

[@AlexanderKrivacsSchrder]

It honestly shocks me that this song was a flop in the US. It was so huge in Europe. I absolutely loved the song the moment I heard it and it still has a special place in my heart as one of *the* songs of my teenage years. And looking at how it performed in places like the UK and Australia, I clearly wasn't alone in feeling like this.

[@RamBo-we9ii]

The movie Loser gave this song life in the US. Jason Biggs was an a-lister in 2000 and featured in the music video. That put them on. It's hard to believe that wasn't at least mentioned.

[@ThomasCassonActor]

I thought that! Why no mention of the video. And how the song was picked for the film.

[@fingolfin9086]

Also didn’t mention it getting sung in Generation Kill, actually what made me do back and listen to it and fall in love with both that series and the song.

[@r0conscious]

I was waiting for that too 😶

[@seanmolter2168]

Jason Biggs had nothing to do with this song, the movie loser may have gave it its platform, but the fact that you are giving credit to an actor for being in a music video which during the 90s the music videos were all related to movies that they were in is ridiculous. Jason Biggs has never been an A-list actor

[@XBullitt16X]

Right ? That music video is iconic in of itself

[@iyaakasha9029]

This story is so dope. The real, existential story of a timeless kinda song, its creator, and why people love it.

[@chekkygurl182]

Wow. Huge props to his mum. Such a cool mother to allow all that noise and support her son 💙

[@willemvdk4886]

I was a teenager, coming adult, when this was a huge hit here in Europe. This is just one of a handful of songs that I have very vivid memories of. Whenever I hear this song I get huge nostalgic feelings of that part of my life (being 17/18 yo). Love it.

[@007kitkit8]

This song transcended all boundaries in London. From mandem to rude gals and blonde good girls, we all jammed to this song in our adolescence. I think the link to American Pie helped solidify the song for us Brits as it fit so well with the film.

[@olund_]

The film it had ties to was Loser, Jason Biggs plays the lead in both.

[@markprice2225]

Man said mandem. Got him with the Loser movie song too. This song epitomizes the year 2000 perfectly

[@SolarmaneTheProducer]

Loser*

[@benkorman]

What I don't understand about this is that I remember this song being played ALL THE TIME on the radio and MTV when it came out. I grew up in the US. Was it really not a huge hit here? It felt like everyone was listening to it at the time.

[@robertbauer3676]

Everyone was. What becomes a hit on the radio in the US has nothing to do with what people like and everything to do with what they are fed.

[@luiscruz7343]

I work in the industry. Basically what a label does with newer artists is pay radio and other outlets to play a song as much as possible. Do you remember baby by Justin bieber? He had little to no fans. But the song was everywhere not because it was being requested but it was being paid for. It's up to the listeners to buy (pun intended) into the song. So yeah you could've heard this song all of the time because it was being paid to play on radio but the audience just wasn't into it that much

[@ligmaballs2022]

doesn't necessarily mean it will sell well. remember this is a major label we're talking about. when you have money thrown into the equation, most of decisions made by major labels will be based on money. when's the last time there was a new and popular rock band on a major label? its all generic pop/k-pop and hip hop nowadays