The Modbeats play it cool with their Fairweather Friends on their British Invasion-inspired new single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The up-and-coming New Jersey pop-rock quartet’s latest release delivers a vintage sound reminiscent of The Beatles’ Revolver era, complete with chiming guitars, keyboards and lush harmonies. Frontman Philip Dunn says the song was inspired by a beautiful spring day in 2004, while he was living on the beach block in Long Branch, during his junior year of college. “It was a perfect day, and I wanted the song to capture that Beatles ’66 sound, full of energy and color. The key changes from intro and chorus to verse felt like the right way to bring that era’s vibe to life.”
Dunn composed and produced Fairweather Friends with engineering by Nick Semanchik at Lake House Studio in Asbury Park. He was joined by The Gaslight Anthem’s Bryan Haring, whose harmonizing and keyboard skills add extra layers of soul and power-pop to the track. Fairweather Friends also takes inspiration from the visual aesthetics of the 1960s. “I always picture mid-century modern colors and designs when I hear the song,” Dunn explains. “It’s like a Slim Aarons photograph — vibrant, sunny, full of life, and pop art style. The second verse references David Hockney, and it just brings me back to that iconic Poolside Gossip image from Palm Springs, with the colors and simplicity of the era.”
The track’s outro solo channels Jeff Beck’s work with The Yardbirds, giving a nod to the same era Dunn reveres. While the lyrics of Fairweather Friends reflect the superficial friendships of young adulthood, Dunn believes that the song’s meaning is open to each listener’s interpretation. “Songs mean different things to different people. Once they’re out there, they take on a life of their own,” he says.
The Modbeats blend early rock ’n’ roll foundations with mod stylings and musical elements of surf, jangle-pop, power-pop, rockabilly, folk, psychedelic, blues, alt-country and soul. Alongside Dunn (vocals, guitar), the lineup includes Joe Mandia (guitar), Scott Matison (bass), and Fizz (drums), who came together in 2023. They release their debut single Ballad Of A Starving Artist in June, and have quickly garnered attention for their nuanced spin on revival rock.
Watch the video for Fairweather Friends above, check out more from The Modbeats below, and buddy up to them on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
