Getting Used to My New Surroundings; Defending Eddie Testa Band; Remembering Mark Volman and Rick Davies; Steve Cheek #1 SNS (SNS week of 9/7/2025)

 I'M BACK, and am now a resident of Conway, South Carolina.

There was a lot to pack, and definitely a lot to unpack, get new furniture, organize things and the like.  A few days ago, I got my desktop computer up and running, but there's still a lot to be done.

A lot of things to cover that have happened recently in the music world.     Last time out I talked about the New Jersey bands that I have followed; apparently one of them, based at the Jersey Shore, The Eddie Testa Band, was subject to some negative comments from their videos on social media during many of their Labor Day gigs.     We also lost key members of two significant bands:  Mark Volman from The Turtles, and Rick Davies from Supertramp.    And finally, the nominations for the 2025 Carolina Beach Music Awards were announced the other day.  

That is a lot to digest.

The Eddie Testa Band

Let's start first with the situation with Eddie Testa, whose band has been around over 40 years, based in the Jersey shore scene.   I had caught them several years ago at a gig at Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant, but they've played all the key clubs down the shore.  However, a recent video that they posted solicited negative comments, such as "they're too old", "too drunk", or that this band single-handedly "killed rock and roll".    Really?

Let's face, it, we're not getting any younger.   Somebody named Rich Gunz commented on one of their videos "I don't know what's more off key, the singing or the band".  And that's just the tip of the iceberg.   Arlene Sienkiewicz stated "This one needs help. I'm embarrassed from my home state".  Really, Arlene?  Maybe you should study music history in the Garden State going back 60 years, or maybe just let your hair down and have some fun, since this is a fun band.     The "new" generation of shore party-goers didn't grow up to this music, and was probably raised on lifeless pop and hip-hop music.    But we know better.   We grew up on this music, and the fact that many of us "boomers" still go out and see these shows is a testament to bands like this.   And it's these haters who are responsible for hate like this are also the stick-in-the-muds that killed rock as a current genre, not Eddie Testa or anyone else like it.   

My moving down to South Carolina, I will miss heading to the Shore, or other places in New Jersey to see perfect exponents of the "Jersey Sound".    While I have moved to a place that has a big music scene as well (as well as many people from up north moving down here, the Jersey Shore (as well as other music hotbeds like Hoboken, New Brunswick and other locations), has a rich culture of music (and it's not just Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi either).     

Even though I've moved, I will continue to support bands like The Eddie Testa Band.  In fact, Eddie charted on my SNS 100, peaking at #22 with "Livin' Lovin' Life" in 2022, and at #38 the following year with "Feel the Love".

This music will live on indefinitely.

REMEMBERING:   As has been the case lately, we lost two more members of well-known bands.  Mark Volman was a member of The Turtles in the 1960's, and was a founding member, along with Howard Kaylan, and had several hits, beginning with the Bob Dylan-penned "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965, and including the #1 "Happy Together" in 1967.   The band called it quits at the end of the decade, in which Kaylan and Volman formed the duo Flo and Eddie.   He also played with Frank Zappa's band The Mothers of Invention.     They performed over the years as both "Flo and Eddie", as well as "The Turtles...featuring Flo and Eddie" at many oldies shows.    In 2023, Volman was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.   He died on September 5, at the age of 78, from complications of a blood disease.

Supertramp was another successful band whos hits spanned the mid 1970's to the mid eighties.    While they are probably best known for 1979's Breakfast in America album and "The Logical Song" single, their other output also sold well.   While Roger Hodgson's voice is probably the most well-known,  Rick Davies also contributed vocals.  In fact, the band's first top 40 hit, 1975's "Bloody Well Right" features Davies on lead vocals.    "Goodbye Stranger", off of Breakfast in America, also featured him on lead.   The band's final top 40 hit, "Cannonball", also had him on vocals, after Hodgson's departure.   He also provided keyboards and harmonica to the band's songs.   He continued with Supertramp well into the 2010's, when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.  He passed away from the disease on September 6, at the age of 81.

NOW THAT I'M in South Carolina, which puts me squarely in Carolina beach music territory, a genre which I have been added to on my chart the last few years, it will enable me to closely report on the scene, and the performers who are playing the clubs in the area.   For me, though, it may take a while since we are still busy unpacking boxes, ordering (and assembling) articles of furniture, which so far has prevented me from checking any gigs.   But that of course will change.    But the move comes as a record ninth song from that genre hits number one, that being Steve Cheek's "Beach Walkin'", breaking the record of 8, set in 2023.

A couple of news items from that beach community; one is the nominations for the Carolina Beach Music "CAMMY" awards, and the other was the start of the "SOS (Sounds of the Strand) Fall Migration", taking place at several venues in the North Myrtle Beach area.     In the next few weeks, I will cover the nominations, but, in case you are following the beach acts that I've been featuring on my blog and charts, here is a list of who's playing where, mostly at Deckerz in North Myrtle.

Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay Small kicked things off this past Wednesday, September 10,  and on Friday, September 12, the Carolina Coast Band, featuring Rhonda McDaniel, played, both at Deckez, while that evening also featured Sylvia Johns Ritchie playing at Goodfellas, on 2nd avenue in NMB.

Still to come, all at Deckerz:

Carolina Coast Band with Rhonda McDaniel, September 13

The Pink Slips Band, September 14

The Mac Daddy's Band, September 20

Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, September 21

There, of course are other artists playing during the week, check the Deckerz Facebook page for more information.

HOT 100:  HUNTER/X's "Golden", #1 when we left off a few weeks ago, is still in that position, and "Ordinary" by Alex Warren is still #2.   A couple of Sabrina Carpenter tracks are #3 and #4, with "Tears" debuting in the former, and "Manchild" still up there in the latter position.    And yes, "Lose Control" is still in the top 10, now in week 107 on the charts.    It was down two positions from last week, so I am keeping a watchful eye if it falls out of the top ten---will  it finally move to "recurrent status"?

SNS 100:  Steve Cheek sets a record, as mentioned above, by hitting number one this week with "Beach Walkin".  That makes it the 9th beach music song to hit the top of SNS this year, breaking a record set two years ago, with 8.      "The Walk", by Mayer Hawthorne was the first beach song to hit the top, in 2011, but it wasn't until 2022, when "Take Me By the Hand" by The Six Piece Suits and Deb Browning, led off the first of seven beach songs that year, only to be eclipsed by the eight the following year.  Only three made it to the top last year,  in spite of the genre still dominating.    

"Beach Walkin'" replaces the two-week run of Rhonda McDaniel's "Sad Girl", as that song drops to #3.  "My Mama (She Was Right)" by The Jay Vons, leaps 7-2, threatening to become the act's second straight chart topper.   Thee Sacred Souls hold at #4, and Anna Lavigne inches up to #5.  Barry Walsh is the only new entry into the top 10 with "Suddenly June" (11-9). 

Three new entries into the top twenty, with New Jersey's Real Estate grabbing Impact honors with "Pink Sky" (22-18),  beach artist Nadia Shutkofski, with her second top 20, "Slow It Down" (24-19), and Bradley Denniston's "HER" (28-20).

MOVERS: There are co-Movers of the Week this time: Chappell Roan's "Subway" (54-35) and Ruth Morayniss' "All I Need" (81-63).

DEBUTS: I had gotten a notification of a new single by a beach music band called North Tower, "Pretty Lady".   Well, the first thing I thought of was the awesome single by the Canadian band Lighthouse from 1973 of that name.   While it only reached #62 on the Hot 100 that year, made top 20 for my year-end list.   I immediately thought that no way this could be the same song.

Well, guess what?  It is definitely a cover of that underrated gem, which for me is a pleasant surprise.   The song is true to the original; You can only tell from the vocals that it's a different song, and that's a compliment to this band.    This song brings back a lot of memories, so this should be a big hit on SNS.  It debuts at #52.

There are five other new entries this week.   Another beach music paring, this one combines Barry Duke with The Main Event Band's Sharon Woodruff for "Sometimes Love Is Not Enough".  Written by Charlie Sattenfield, this is a tender, slow-dance ballad that tugs the heart.   Sort of an "end-of-the-evening" last dance thing.    

Instrumental guitar virtuoso David F. Porfirio has been releasing a lot of music lately, I am picking "The Things I See".   Out of his "exotica" bag (at least this go round), this is a tuneful instrumental that is a worthy jam that doesn't let go.   At a perfect length for listening (3:41), this should score big here.

Moving to the Nashville scene, we have Margo Price's "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down".    Definitely in the country lane, Margo has a pleasant voice that reminds me of vintage artists like Lynn Anderson, but still sounds very today.

Turning to the alternative and Triple-A scenes, we have Yellowcard's "Better Days" near the top of the former chart, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones' "Sushi and Coca-Cola", near the top of the latter.  The Yellowcard is ripe for the alternative genre, it sort of reminds me of Øffguard's Matt Weiss, which is a good thing.  As for St. Paul, who has topped my chart twice, this one is a nice steady song.   I haven't added a song of theirs in a while, and listening to this, I forget how good they are.    A few horns puncture the good-time vibe.   This is one of the songs that can be a good background for an outdoor event.

FINALLY:  I am still in transition regarding our move as there's a lot to be done.  I am still hoping to keep the blog going, but there are boxes to unpack and furniture to put together, so music listening is minimal.   Once I'm established here, I will expand my exploration of new music.    As a result, I will delay my "Song of the Summer" final for a couple more weeks, to make up for the lost weeks  of this hiatus.    If you're wondering what Billboard's Song of the Summer was, it was indeed Alex Warren's "Ordinary".  

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

September 7, 2025

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: STEVE CHEEK "Beach Walkin'" (Single Release)	12
2	7	The Jay Vons - My Mama (She Was Right)	5
3	1	Rhonda McDaniel - Sad Girl	11
4	4	Thee Sacred Souls - We Don't Have To Be Alone	10
5	6	Anna Lavigne - Night Dreams	9
6	8	The Tams - My True Love	8
7	3	The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers●	11
8	9	Rivermist - Lady of the Island	11
9	11	Barry Walsh - Suddenly June	12
10	10	Jalen Ngonda - Just As Long As We're Together	9
11	5	Suki Waterhouse - Dream Woman	13
12	17	Arctic Monkeys - 505	5
13	12	Fitz and the Tantrums - Man on the Moon	12
14	14	Juliet Callahan - Running Lights	8
15	15	The Tonez and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Ladies Man	13
16	13	The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs - Long Haul	14
17	20	My Morning Jacket - Everyday Magic	9
18	22	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: REAL ESTATE "Pink Sky" Album: The Wee Small Hours: B-Sides and Other Detritus 2011-2025	6
19	24	Nadia Shutkofski - Slow It Down	10
20	28	Bradley Denniston - HER	4
21	16	Pepper Creek - Salty Southern Saturday Night	15
22	23	Alex Warren - Ordinary	16
23	26	Jerry Powell - Dance With Me●	17
24	18	Starbuck - Ocean Drive Nights	9
25	27	Too Much Sylvia - A Jukebox Playin' 45's	13
26	32	Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild	9
27	33	The Pozers - Ease Off My Heart	7
28	19	Jade Bird - Dreams	14
29	21	Orbis Max-  Nowhereland	9
30	44	Role Model - Sally When the Wine Runs Out	5
31	31	Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club	13
32	29	Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson - All Because Of You●	16
33	34	Lola Young - One Thing	8
34	50	Balu Brigada - What Do We Ever Really Know	4
35	54	CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK: CHAPPELL ROAN "The Subway" (Single Release)	3
36	25	Lainey Wilson - Somewhere Over Laredo	10
37	36	The Mac Daddy's Band - Seaside in the Sand●	19
38	45	Wednesday  - Elderberry Wine	8
39	42	The Tonez - This Love Is Real	7
40	46	SOMBR - Back to Friends	7
41	40	Ruth Morayniss - Easy Does It	8
42	48	Orbis Max and Tim Izzard - Further Down the Line	5
43	37	Morgan Wallen ft Tate McRae - What I Want	10
44	47	Royel Otis - Moody	12
45	30	Deb Browning - Does Your Baby Got Your Back●	17
46	38	The Jay Vons - Days Undone●	21
47	39	Michael Nau - No Quit▲	22
48	58	Turnstile - Never Enough	4
49	55	Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers - Truth Is	6
50	65	Angela Resignalo - Carolina Kiss	3
51	53	Tennis - At the Wedding	6
52	---	TOP DEBUT: NORTH TOWER   "Pretty Lady" (Single Release)	1
53	35	The Black Keys - Babygirl	11
54	69	Say She She - Under the Sun	3
55	41	KALEO -Bloodline	8
56	52	The Tonez - Flip Flops	21
57	71	Starbuck - Jim's Café	3
58	57	Lord Huron - Nothing I Need	10
59	60	Moon Soul - Call	5
60	63	Sonny Russell and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me	6
61	43	The Cure- A Fragile Thing●	27
62	62	Hannah Jadagu - My Love	6
63	81	CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK: RUTH MORAYNISS "All I Need" (Single Release)	2
64	73	Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Love At the End of the Line	4
65	49	Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark - Liberty●	22
66	66	Polyanna - Gravedigger	7
67	64	Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To	24
68	83	The Cynz -Can't Help Thinking About Me	2
69	80	Tame Impala - End of Summer	3
70	84	Los Staitjackets - Spinout	2
71	67	Kelly Clarkson - Where Have You Been	14
72	75	Djo - Basic Being Basic	5
73	78	Wayne Free - I Love Kissin' You	4
74	56	Moon Soul - Don't Change	14
75	51	Starbuck - Who's Gonna' Love You	16
76	87	HUNTER/X - Golden	2
77	86	Portugal. The Man and Lucius - Silver Spoons	3
78	59	Lana Del Rey - Bluebird	10
79	70	Claire Davis - Thrive	16
80	74	Psychic Air - Phase Disintegrate	8
81	89	Craig Woodlard - Pretty Women Everywhere	2
82	82	Northern Tracks - Moving Towards	5
83	88	pMad - Celestial	3
84		Barry Duke and Sharon Woodruff - Sometimes Love Is Not Enough	1
85	61	Almost Monday - Jupiter	13
86	72	Wet Leg - Catch These Fists	15
87	91	Wolf Alice - Bloom Baby Bloom	2
88		David F. Porfirio - The Things I See	1
89	68	MT Jones - Punching	8
90	77	Wilder Woods ft. Nick Waterhouse - Time On My Hands	18
91	95	Dropkick Murphys - Who'll Stand With Us	2
92		Margo Price - Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down	1
93	94	Ariel Pink - With You Every Night	2
94		St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Sushi and Coca-Cola	1
95	76	Say She She - Cut and Rewind	9
96		Yellowcard - Better Days	1
97	79	SadGirl - Santeria	10
98	85	Sports Team - Bang Bang Bang	14
99	99	Jackie Gore and Terri Gore - Unforgettable	17
100	96	The Kooks - Never Know	21

Murmurs:

 Orbis Max - Used To Be/If I Still Believe In Love At All

Carla Geneve - Better Believe It

Flock  of Dimes - Long After Midnight

Monica D. Murphy - Thank You

Neko Case - Winchester Mansion of Sound

Lissie - America

Rhonda McDaniel - I Can't Wait For the Weekend

Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week

 

●Songs garnering 25 plays on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024)  ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.

 

 

Songs on the SNS 100 are included on the following public Spotify playlists

 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves Top 40:  Contains songs in positions 1-40 on the SNS 100

Scenes Up and Coming:  Songs From 41-100 that are moving up the chart that have not reached the top 40

Scenes Down and Going:  Song formerly in the top 40 that are descending but still on the SNS 100.

Scenes Recurrents: Songs which had been in the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off the SNS 100.