Set against the urban jungle of 1963 New York's gangland subculture, The Wanderers are a teenage gang who are growing up and coming to terms with life in the city and their rivals. With a classic 1950's rock 'n' roll soundtrack, including such hits as 'Walk Like a Man', 'Big Girls Don't Cry' by The Four Seasons and 'My Boyfriend's Back' by The Angels, the drama focuses around a football game where the different gangs play against each other for the honour of their home turf.