Board the ‘Midnight Train’ of The Modbeats

The Modbeats

When we last visited The Modbeats in August, they had put out “Frankie,” a song actually better than anything its subject (Frankie Avalon) ever did. Now the band from Cherry Hill in Camden County that blends a 1960s British Invasion feel with surf-rock and power-pop has come up with another winner:  “Midnight Train” (listen below). It’s been a fan favorite at gigs. 

Combining retro swagger and modern grit, this “…Train,” written by vocalist Philip Dunn, is the first release since their Ballad of a Starving Artist full-length debut. Guitarist Joe Mandia, bassist Scott Matison and drummer Fizz recorded it live in the studio in one take.

Dunn says, “when we launched last year, we envisioned this project as likely one album. However, the support and encouragement we’ve received from fans, press, gigging and radio has been tremendous and spurred us on. I prefer to let others interpret what influences they hear in the new song, as I typically like to just let the music speak for itself.”

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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