The Modbeats are keeping rock ’n’ roll wild and alive with their new single “Frankie,” out now on all major streaming platforms. The fast-driving, sun-soaked anthem fuses retro surf rock, garage grit, and classic pop nostalgia into a cinematic escape from city life — a celebration of freedom, youth, and the open road.
The track arrives as the final release ahead of their debut LP, due September 5 via Mayleen Records. Written during the tail end of the pandemic, “Frankie” channels the hunger for joy and connection that comes after isolation. “We suspect that those who reside on the coasts will dig the vibe verbatim — hopping in the convertible with your best friends, getting the hell out of the city, and heading to the shore blasting rock ’n’ roll en route to one hell of a party,” the band shares. “Perhaps at said party you meet someone who will change your life? Perhaps you don’t. It doesn’t matter… You take your chances. You plead your case.”
Recorded in Asbury Park, NJ, “Frankie” was written and composed by frontman Philip Dunn, who brought his Fender Stratocaster to the forefront of the mix. The result: a Chuck Berry-meets-Eddie Van Halen-meets-Beach Boys guitar solo that captures the song’s infectious energy. “It’s a fun song,” Dunn says. “A summer song for blasting in the car, hopefully en route to a party with some rockabilly music!”
Lyrically, “Frankie” feels straight out of a drive-in movie: “There’s a rockabilly party on a Saturday night / Driving up from Philly beneath the pale moonlight / ’57 Chevy rolling on to the shore / Nights like this are getting rare anymore.” By the time the Jim Morrison-inspired declaration hits — “We’re gonna have our kicks before the whole sh*thouse goes up in flames” — the spirit of rebellion is undeniable.
The Modbeats — Philip Dunn (vocals, guitar), Scott Matison (bass), Fizz (drums), and Joe Mandia (guitar) — have been shaking up the modern rock landscape since forming in 2023. Their explosive live energy and fearless blend of surf, rockabilly, and jangle-pop have earned them praise from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Rock at Night, Grimy Goods, and Powerpopaholic, as well as a spot on WXPN’s Power Pop Extravaganza and Music Connection’s Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists and Bands of 2024.
“Frankie” isn’t just a single — it’s a reminder that rock music still belongs behind the wheel, windows down, engine roaring, and heart wide open.