The Silverteens light it up with ‘TV On Fire’

The Silverteens, a Minneapolis-based garage/powerpop band, will release a four-song EP, “TV on Fire,” on July 10. With their first release since November 2023, the Silverteens firmly establish their own unique sound — still rooted in garage and power pop — but reflecting a modern aesthetic, emphasizing strong harmonies that remain grounded by crunching/searing guitars and a hard-driving rhythm section. 

Long known for their eclectic mix of cover songs — ranging from obscure ’60s garage rock to late ’70s punk and power pop — the Silverteens began focusing on original material in 2022. They released their self-titled LP in November 2023. 

Band members have been mainstays since the origins of the Minneapolis alternative music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Guitarist Terry Isachsen also performs with the Flamin’ Oh’s, Lolo’s Ghost, and many others. Isachsen’s band Nip and Tuck gigged regularly in the 1970s at Minneapolis’ legendary Punk/New Wave nightclub, Jay’s Longhorn. Bassist and backing vocalist Steve Olson was a member of 1980s Laughing Stock, a post-punk band that often played at Minneapolis’ 7th St. Entry and First Avenue. Olson also is a member of the Minneapolis band Hot Pastrami! Drummer and backing vocalist Jerry Johnson played bass and drums in several Minneapolis bands in the 1980s through the 2000s, including Mezzo Fist, No Apparent Reason, Pushpause, Splat, Helen Killer, and Evaporated Family. Vocalist Mark Engebretson performed at Jay’s Longhorn in the late 1970s with the MORs and at the 7th St. Entry/First Avenue with The Whole Lotta Loves in the 1980s. Engebretson was the director of the 2019 documentary film, “Jay’s Longhorn.”

Olson has emerged as the primary songwriter and his three songs anchor the EP. “Don’t Burn Your Bridges” is about offering a friend or loved one words of wisdom — “even though it can be hard not to do, depending on the situation,” Olson says. “Brought You Down” is a story about a bad relationship. Says Olson: “Change the antagonist from she to he if you like. Whatever works for you.” The title track, “TV On Fire,” opines on our busy, high-tech modern world. “Sometimes you need to disconnect from high tech and go low tech,” Olson says. “Get outdoors, fire can be your TV.”

The one cover is “Cupidation,” an obscure garage rock classic originally performed by Italian garage rockers, The Bumpers, for a 1966 Stewart Granger movie. Backing vocals by Olson and Johnson reminds one of a Gregorian Chant, an ironic twist since the Bumpers were excommunicated from the Catholic Church after performing a popular but controversial rock “beat” mass at the Borromini Chapel in Rome in 1966.

“TV On Fire” was recorded at Mere Kat Manor in fall 2025 and spring 2026 and produced by the Silverteens and Paul McFarland. 

Local and National Street Date: July 10, 2026.

Release show: Friday, July 10, 7 p.m., at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis.

Featuring: d’Lakes, Faith Boblett, and the Silverteens.

Tickets: $25 in advance.