"Flat Tire" by Athenaeum

The North Carolina band Athenaeum arrived on the alternative rock scene in the late 90s with their indie release known as the "Green Album". After selling 10,000 copies or so, the band got signed to a major label and released "Radiance", which spawned the hit "What I Didn't Know". "What I Didn't Know" made it to #58 on the Billboard chart, but subsequent singles from this outstanding record failed to chart. 

"Flat Tire" was released as a follow-up and, in a perfect world, would have catapulted the band to the heights of counterparts like Gin Blossoms or Better Than Ezra. "Flat Tire" is a wonderful song, building to a soaring chorus with superb harmonies. 

Athenaeum released a couple more records but further success eluded the band. Lead singer and songwriter Mark Kano has released some excellent solo work; co-founder Nic Brown became a writer and English professor at Clemson University. 

Released in 1998, Athenaeum's major label debut boasts several should have been hits, including "Flat Tire", "On My Mind", "No One", and "Unnoticed"