Teen Mortgage

Teen Mortgage is a visceral, high-energy garage-punk duo formed in Washington, D.C., in 2017, consisting of guitarist/vocalist James Guile (originally from Liverpool, UK) and hard-hitting drummer Edward Barakauskas. The band is celebrated for creating a massive sound despite their two-piece format, crossbreeding aggressive East Coast hardcore and punk with elements of garage rock and surf sleaze, all delivered with an underlying pop sensibility and a layer of sonic fuzz. Guile’s caustic riffs and sneering vocals pair with lyrics that rage against what he calls “the absurdity of living in the era of late stage capitalism and tech feudalism,” a sentiment perfectly captured by their name, which references “death pledge” (the Latin root of “mortgage”) and the financial plight of young adults. They have built a reputation for rowdy, intense live shows that leave “no room for apathy” and have led to support slots with acts like The Chats and Mike Krol.