A Soulful Take on “Teenage Dirtbag”: Scary Pockets and Victoria Canal Breathe New Life into a Classic

The soft light in the room, a hush in the crowd, and the gentle strum of a guitar set the stage. This isn’t the rowdy, electrified version of “Teenage Dirtbag” people first heard on the radio. Here, in this stripped-down acoustic performance, every word, every note, and every pause feel magnified. The team from Scary Pockets has joined with singer-songwriter Victoria Canal to reimagine Wheatus’s iconic anthem through a delicate and emotive lens.

Imagine a group of friends gathered in someone’s living room, instruments in hand, ready to share a story with music. That’s how this acoustic cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” feels, close and honest. The original, with its youthful rebellion, takes on a softer soul here.

At the front and center sits Victoria Canal, commanding the space with her piano and voice. There’s something remarkable about how she sings: her tone carries every ounce of hope and heartbreak. As her fingers dance quietly on the keys, each lyric lands with new weight.

Supporting Victoria’s heartfelt vocals is Sophie Marks and Gerald Wicks, their harmonies threading gently through the verses, lifting the melody without ever overpowering it. The two guitarists, Ryan Lerman and Joshua Ray Gooch, weave subtle textures, while Ro Rowan’s cello adds a warmth beneath it all. These artists, familiar faces to fans of Scary Pockets, blend their talents as if they’ve been playing together for years.

This session unfolded live at the creative hub of Scary Pockets HQ in Highland Park, CA. There’s a sense of home in the way this group fills out the song, trading lead and support in seamless harmony. It’s both a tribute to the original and a fresh take that stands on its own.

What makes “Teenage Dirtbag” so enduring? Even when stripped of its loud guitars, the song still cuts right to the emotional core of growing up. Through both words and music, it tells a story that feels all too real for many.

The key threads running through the lyrics:

• Noel, the girl on a pedestal, becomes a dream the narrator carries through the day
• The awkward thrill of her passing by, the reminder of gym class, the anticipation for something more
• The sting of being unnoticed, unimportant, “she doesn’t know who I am, she doesn’t care”
• The boyfriend, painted as a brash outsider, a threat who doesn’t see the narrator as a rival but as an afterthought
• Teenage fear and yearning swirl together: “I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby”

This version pulls every feeling closer to the surface. There’s no hiding behind distortion or bravado. Victoria Canal’s voice cracks in all the right places; you can feel the nerves, the hope, and the shy smile behind every word. When she admits “she doesn’t know who I am,” the pain feels as present as the melody.

Soon, longing turns to hope as the narrator imagines a world where they’re bold enough to reach out, offering “two tickets” as an excuse to bridge their divide. It’s a line loaded with both desperation and hope, threaded with the message that maybe, just maybe, connection is possible.

“I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don’t say maybe
I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you”

The song becomes more than a lament; it’s a small victory in daydream form, a glimmer that someone’s story might turn around. By the end, when Victoria repeats “oh, she doesn’t know what she’s missing,” the words hang in the air, a wish, a challenge, and a gentle celebration of self-worth.

Playing “Teenage Dirtbag” in an acoustic setting exposes the nerves of the song. Without a wall of sound, every word gets its moment. There are pauses that let you soak in the sadness, flourishes that make hope feel near.

Stripped down, the song no longer feels like a private teenage diary shouted into the dark. Instead, it’s intimate and vulnerable, like handing over a crumpled love letter for the world to read. The harmonies, cello, and soft strum only add to that feeling of closeness, as if anyone listening is being let in on a secret.

The band’s chemistry is clear. Every musician pays close attention to the mood: guitar notes ring out soft and true, the cello swells at just the right moment, backing vocals slip in and out like a memory. No one tries to steal the spotlight.

There’s a reason fans keep coming back to the Stories channel, and it’s not just to hear covers of big hits. What’s special about Stories is how it brings listeners closer to the musicians they already love. With new acoustic covers rolling out every weekday, the regular rhythm of releases means there’s always something fresh, but still familiar, to return to.

Key details about the Stories acoustic channel:

• Covers are performed by regular Scary Pockets collaborators, giving a sense of continuity for fans
• The setting makes each song feel personal and focused on emotion over spectacle
• Songs are recorded live, often in a single take, heightening the sense of vulnerability and authenticity

The community built around Stories feels tight-knit. Fans can watch, comment, and follow along as their favorite songs are rebuilt and rediscovered week by week. On social media, the channel stays connected with listeners, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses and updates. The goal is always the same: make great music feel up close, starting conversations, and inspiring new favorites.

To explore more, find them on YouTube at the Stories acoustic channel, or catch updates on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Stream their sessions on Spotify or iTunes, supporting the artists and the project with every play.

Pull back the curtain, and it’s clear that this session is the product of many hands and hearts working together. Everyone in the room brings something unique, but all share the same mission of serving the song.

The main contributors to this performance include:

• Victoria Canal: Vocals & Piano. She carries the melody and emotion from start to finish
• Sophie Marks & Gerald Wicks: Background Vocals. Their voices support and add dimension without pulling focus
• Ryan Lerman & Joshua Ray Gooch: Guitars. Each brings their own style, tastefully blending in support of the song’s mood
• Ro Rowan: Cello. Warm, steady, and measured, adding depth
• Seth Kaplan: Executive Producer, keeping the session on track
• Justin Glasco: Recording Engineer and Mixing/Mastering, making sure each sound shines
• Dijon Herron: Director of Photography, setting the tone visually
• Athena Wheaton: Editing, shaping the final cut for viewers

The process of building a cover that speaks so clearly doesn’t come by accident. It’s the result of trust, a willingness to listen, and a shared understanding of the story at hand. This session stands as a testament to what’s possible when musicians put vulnerability and honesty first.

Watching this performance is only the beginning. The Stories channel releases acoustic covers every weekday, giving each song a new hue and every fan more music to fall in love with. Subscribing on YouTube means never missing a beat.

For those who connect with the small moments, the nervous smiles between musicians, the slight crack in a voice, or the satisfaction of a song well played, these sessions are a gift. Following Stories on Instagram or Facebook lets listeners peek behind the scenes, building a bridge between artist and fan.

If this version of “Teenage Dirtbag” moved you, share it with someone who loves the original or anyone who appreciates seeing a familiar story told in a new way. Maybe it’ll inspire someone else to dust off their guitar and share a song of their own. Great music lives longest when it’s shared.

There’s always something special about hearing a great song reimagined. With this acoustic cover, Victoria Canal and the Stories channel invite listeners to remember what it felt like to be young, unsure, and hopeful all at once.

Under soft lights and with quiet confidence, the group delivers more than nostalgia, they invite listeners to feel everything anew. The little details, from a trembling voice to the hush after a phrase, point to the raw beauty of what music can do.

If this session left you wanting more heartfelt performances or powerful cover stories, dive further into their world through their YouTube channel or social feeds. And for more stories that celebrate musicians finding creative connection and brave new takes on beloved tracks, keep an eye out for updates from The Music Pulse.

Music thrives when it’s shared. So press play, listen close, and let this version of “Teenage Dirtbag” remind you of all the feelings music can hold.