🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck, Ep. 96: Fake Bands, Real Feathers, and Songs With Soul

What’s up, friends? Mark Bradbourne here with another episode of Songs That Don’t Suck, where I listen to the flood of new music each week—so you don’t have to—and pull out the few tracks that are truly worth your time. This week’s episode balances nostalgia, live music magic, and deeply emotional songwriting.

🎬 Fake Bands That Outperformed Real Ones

You know the week’s been rough musically when Mark starts diving into the discography of fictional bands—and finding better songs than most of the week’s releases. Triggered by news of the upcoming Spinal Tap sequel and a surprise Daisy Jones and The Six moment on shuffle, Mark looks back at:

🧨 Chart-topping Fake Bands:

• Alvin and the Chipmunks – “Witch Doctor,” “The Chipmunk Song”
• The Archies – “Sugar Sugar” (Billboard #1!)
• The Partridge Family – “I Think I Love You”
• Blues Brothers – “Soul Man” (#14 in 1979)
• Kermit the Frog – “Rainbow Connection”
• The Heights – “How Do You Talk to an Angel?” (Actual #1)
• The Wonders – “That Thing You Do” (charted multiple times)
• Soggy Bottom Boys – “Man of Constant Sorrow”
• Stillwater – Almost Famous vinyl release (Record Store Day magic)

🥁 Fan-Favorite Fictional Bands (That Should’ve Charted):

• Steel Dragon (Rockstar)
• Citizen Dick (Singles)
• The Commitments
• Sex Bob-Omb (Scott Pilgrim)

Mark’s even started a playlist of fake bands, which—no joke—slaps.

🎶 Live Show Recap: Wild Feathers & Nathan Graham @ The Basement (Columbus, OH)

Back to reality—but in the best way possible. Mark saw The Wild Feathers in an ultra-intimate 200-person venue. And while the crowd was small, the sound was massive.

Opening Act: Nathan Graham

• Chicago-based blues/soul artist
• Towering presence (literally—dude’s ~6’8″)
• Highlight: cover of “Ohio” by CSNY that crushed in the heart of Ohio

“His cover might be one of the best versions of that song I’ve ever heard.”

Headliner: The Wild Feathers

• Opened with “Sanctuary” from their album Sirens
• Seamless lead vocal swaps:
  • 🎙 Ricky Young – smooth country
  • 🎙 Joel King – gritty rock rasp
  • 🎙 Taylor Burns – gravelly blues magic
• Setlist spanned their entire catalog
• Bonus: Nathan Graham returned for a 🔥 cover of the Allman Brothers’ One Way Out
• Merch prices were shockingly reasonable—$25 for vinyl, $35 shirts

“They’re one of the great bands out there working today. Period.”

🎧 This Week’s 3 Songs That Don’t Suck

Another thin crop overall, but these three tracks absolutely punched through the noise.

1. Kid Kapichi – “The Sun Never Sets on Planet Cool”

🌍 Post-Punk | Indie Swagger | Arctic Monkeys Energy
The latest album There Goes the Neighborhood is a genre-hopping gem. This track leans into stripped-down bass/drum grooves and vocal charisma, with subtle nods to AM-era Arctic Monkeys.

🎧 Mark says: “It’s got hip-hop, punk, even some industrial… but it plays like a pop record.”

2. Jack Kays – “Sleep When I’m Dead”

🖤 Folk-Punk Evolves | Raw Lyrical Catharsis
Following up “No Children” from Ep. 93, Jack Kays drops another track that blends punk, folk, and brutal emotional honesty. The lyrics cut deep, the performance hits harder, and the drums drive it home.

🎧 Warning: You’ll want to crank this—and maybe check in on Jack, emotionally.

3. Nathan Graham – “Somebody Else”

🎸 Soul-Blues | Smooth Vocals | Guitar-Driven Emotion
A 2023 release that Mark couldn’t leave out. Think Ray LaMontagne meets Nathaniel Rateliff. Backing vocals, buttery guitar lines, and that voice… This one’s destined for repeat plays.

🎧 Mood: Put this on a rainy Sunday with a bourbon in hand.

📸 …and I quote…

❝ There’s a playlist of fake bands—and it’s kind of hot. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne, Songs That Don’t Suck 🎬🎶