Cherry Hill, NJ – Up-and-coming rock quartet The Modbeats have just unveiled their new single, “Fairweather Friends.” The track delivers a 1960s rock n’ roll-inspired sound reminiscent of The Beatles’ Revolver era, complete with guitars, keyboards, and lush harmonies. “Fairweather Friends” is now available for streaming and download on all major platforms via Mayleen Records.
Lead singer and songwriter Philip Dunn shares that the song was inspired by a beautiful spring day in 2004, while he was living on the beach block in Long Branch, NJ, 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, NJ. He was joined by The Gaslight Anthem’s Bryan Haring on the Fender Rhodes, whose harmonizing and keyboard skills add an extra layer of soul, and power-pop influence, 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 the influence of Jeff Beck’s work with The Yardbirds, giving a nod to the same era Dunn reveres. While the lyrics of “Fairweather Friends” nod to those not quite deep friendships, much present in 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 are a New Jersey-based four-piece band blending early rock and roll foundations with mod stylings and musical elements of surf, jangle-pop, power-pop, rockabilly, folk, psychedelic, blues, alt-country, and soul. Alongside Philip Dunn (vocals, guitar), the lineup includes Joe Mandia (guitar), Scott Matison (bass), and Fizz (drums), who came together in 2023 to begin playing out and recording original music, written by Dunn himself. With their June 2024 debut single, “Ballad of a Starving Artist,” featured on legendary Philadelphia radio station WXPN during their annual Power Pop Extravaganza, The Modbeats have quickly garnered attention for their nuanced spin on revival rock.
With “Fairweather Friends,” The Modbeats further establish themselves as torchbearers of the modern lively rock n’ roll sound of the 1950s through now. The single is now available on all streaming platforms, and fans can follow the band’s journey on Instagram @TheModbeats and via their website TheModbeats.com.
