In a twist that feels straight out of a Hollywood script, two bands bearing the names of American Pie alumni have joined forces for an electrifying cover of one of the film’s iconic soundtrack staples. The Eugene Levy Band—a rising pop-punk outfit from Muscatine, Iowa, cheekily named after the film’s flustered patriarch—has just dropped a new recording of Sum 41’s “Fat Lip,” featuring vocals and contributions from the Thomas Nicholas Band, led by actor-turned-musician Thomas Ian Nicholas, who played Kevin Myers in the raunchy teen comedy.
Fat Lip
Listen to Fat Lip on Spotify. Song · Eugene Levy, Thomas Nicholas Band · 2025
Uploaded to YouTube just yesterday, the track clocks in as a high-energy homage to the early-2000s pop-punk era, blending the Eugene Levy Band’s raw, Midwest-infused sound with Nicholas’s signature emo-tinged flair. At the time of writing, the video has garnered a modest handful of views, but given the buzz around both acts, it’s poised to explode among fans nostalgic for pie-throwing antics and mosh-pit memories.
For the uninitiated, the Eugene Levy Band isn’t affiliated with the 78-year-old Canadian comedy legend—though the actor himself got a kick out of the coincidence during a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. There, Clarkson surprised Levy with custom band merch, leaving the Schitt’s Creek star beaming as he learned about his unwitting role as a punk rock muse. Formed in January 2019, the Iowa quartet draws inspiration from bands like Blink-182 and Green Day, channeling themes of small-town rebellion and heartfelt anthems into their discography. They’ve built a loyal following through relentless touring and releases like their 2023 EP Here’s to Someone, available on Spotify where they boast over 470 monthly listeners. Their Facebook page, with nearly 4,200 likes, is a hub for tour dates and Hamm’s-slamming shenanigans, underscoring their DIY ethos.
On the other side of the collaboration is the Thomas Nicholas Band, fronted by Nicholas, whose post-American Pie career has evolved from awkward high-schooler roles to frontman of a pop-punk/power-pop ensemble. Since forming in the mid-2000s, the band has released albums like Stifler’s Mom (a nod to the franchise’s most infamous character) and toured extensively, often sharing stages with acts like the Eugene Levy Band. Nicholas’s guitar work and earnest vocals have earned him a niche in the emo revival scene, with performances popping up at events like Emo Nights and festival lineups alongside punk revivalists.
The choice of “Fat Lip” isn’t coincidental. Sum 41’s breakout hit from 2001 blasted through the opening credits of American Pie 2, capturing the sequel’s chaotic summer vibe with lyrics about teenage angst and parental rebellion—ironic, given Eugene Levy’s on-screen role as the ultimate awkward dad figure. The song’s inclusion on the soundtrack helped propel it to No. 1 on the Modern Rock chart, cementing its status as a millennial touchstone.
By covering it, the Eugene Levy Band and Thomas Nicholas Band aren’t just paying tribute; they’re weaving a meta-narrative. Nicholas, who shared scenes with Levy in both American Pie films, brings an authentic layer of nostalgia, while the Iowa band’s name adds a layer of absurd humor that Levy himself might appreciate.
As the track gains traction, it serves as a reminder that punk’s spirit thrives in unexpected places: from Iowa basements to Hollywood soundstages. Whether you’re a die-hard Pie fan or just discovering the genre, this cover is a fat-lipped kiss to the past—rowdy, relatable, and ready to scream along.
