The Modbeats celebrate the genius of Paul Weller and The Jam in their cathartic and defiantly hopeful new single and video The Setting Sons — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Arriving barely a week after the death of Jam drummer Rick Buckler — and sharing a title with his band’s landmark fourth album — The Setting Sons finds the American retro-rockers paying tribute to the U.K. icons with lyrics fashioned from the 1979 LP’s track titles, set against the backdrop of our increasingly oppressive dystopian present.
“The world has gone mad, but at least we can still get in the car, blast our favorite songs, and have our kicks for at least a little bit,” says Modbeats frontman Philip Dunn. “For me, that album is Setting Sons by The Jam. Long live Paul Weller! Long live The Jam!”
Musically, the track offers escape on another level, showcasing a unique blend of Eastern-inspired riffs and power-pop sensibilities, delivering a bold, dynamic sound that pays homage to classic rock while carving out a space in the current landscape. Surprisingly, the song’s opening riff is heavily reminiscent of Jeff Beck’s work on The Yardbirds’ Heart Full of Soul.
The track builds from this distinctive intro into a wiry rocker with hints of Weller, bolstered by achorus that’s as anthemic as it is memorable. The solo, performed on a Fender Stratocaster, complements the quasi-Eastern vibe while standing out with precision and restraint.
To achieve the song’s sound, The Modbeats utilized an array of iconic Rickenbacker guitars — the 330/6 for the opening riff and the 360/12-string for additional layers. “We wanted this to be a song that feels fresh but carries the timeless elements of classic rock. The solo needed to stand out without being overly busy, and the chorus ties it all together in a way we’re really proud of,” Dunn explains. Bryan Haring of The Gaslight Anthem contributes vocal harmonies on the chorus, further amplifying the song’s anthemic quality. Dunn composed and produced The Setting Sons, with engineering by Nick Semanchik at Lake House Studio in Asbury Park, N.J.
The Modbeats are a New Jersey four-piece band blending 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). Since forming in 2023, they have quickly garnered attention for their nuanced spin on revivalist rock, thanks to singles like Ballad Of A Starving Artist and Fairweather Friends.
Check out The Setting Sons above, hear more from The Modbeats below and find them on their website and Instagram.
