Dewey Finn is a down-on-his-luck, energetic, 30-year-old wannabe rock superstar who is kicked out of his own band 'No Vacancy' due to his antics such as constant 20-minute solos and stage diving. Afterward, he poses as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates. As he gets his privileged charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.