By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — A battle of the bands is breaking out at the Massachusetts Statehouse pitting rock megastars Aerosmith against underground legends The Modern Lovers for the title of official rock song of the commonwealth.

The battle began after fans of the Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner,” an iconic 1970s ode to the joys of driving along Route 128 when it’s late at night, launched a social media campaign.

Fans point to the song’s many references to the Bay State including cruising along the Massachusetts Turnpike, driving by the Stop & Shop and listening to “the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts.”

The group was led by Massachusetts native Jonathan Richman.

The bill has prompted a backlash from fans of Aerosmith, who want the group’s early hit “Dream On” named the official rock song instead.

Aerosmith got their start in Boston.