A Dirty Dozen with JOHN FINSETH from THE TEARAWAYS – November 2026

According to a recent press release: “British Invasion hooks meet California harmonies on The Tearaways’ newly remastered And For Our Next Trick, available digitally in the United States now through DC-Jam Records (Virgin/Universal). Released domestically on October 1, 2026, the album was produced by Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, The Smithereens) and marks the band’s final album with the late Clem Burke, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer whose unmistakable playing helped define Blondie. Originally released in Great Britain through Dirty Water Records, And For Our Next Trick pairs The Tearaways’ harmony-driven songwriting with Burke’s propulsive drumming and Stasium’s ear for guitars, hooks and live-band energy. Today, The Tearaways’ lineup features John Finseth, Greg Brallier, Jeff Vaughan, Marc Membreno and Willie Aron. With And For Our Next Trick newly available through DC-Jam, the band is already looking ahead: its next album, Middle-Aged Riott, is scheduled for March 2027 on the label.” We get John to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We all felt that the record really didn’t get much special push here in America. I think as you listen to the album and give it a few spins, it really does grow on you. One song particularly that’s under the radar is “Let Me Be the Last.” With that classic Clem Burke Drumming. It was Clem’s favorite song on the record. There is so much manipulation in most modern music, we hope with this record everyone can hear a REAL band playing at the same time.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

As a kid 12 to 13 years old, I used to go to a swap meet in Santa Barbara. It was basically a bunch of garage sales. I would buy old 50’s and 60’s records and listen to them. Eventually, I met a few people there that loved the same music I did. At some point I got a record called “Learn How to play Guitar with The Ventures,” which had all the guitar parts and drumming and bass parts for these classic surf songs. So, my friends and I learned how to play “Wipe Out,” “Tequila,” “Walk Don’t Run” with the instruction of this early 60’s album. From that point we were off and running.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

My earliest memory was getting a 45 to take my parents brought home. The record was “What’s New Pussycat” by Tom Jones. I later picked up the Beatles LP 1962-1966 and after listening to that I was hooked.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I could collaborate with anyone I would say, John Lennon, John Sebastian, John Ferriter. It would be so amazing to collaborate with the first two legends on this list as I admire their songwriting and it would be so interesting to hear what I could have done with them. Our late manager and bass player John Ferriter was someone I collaborated with for several years with and always had a great time with him. He is dearly missed. On another note, I absolutely love collaborating with all the guys in the band, including our former manager and current radio promoter Marc Platt.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

When we’re not creating music or playing live. I love working on my old 60s cars. I have a couple mid-60s Corvettes that are such a blast to work on and to drive. It really is a great escape for me.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say trying to compare or describe what we are would be part of these elements, late 60’s Bee Gees, Byrds, Who, The Clash, mid 80’s Replacements, and of course, the Beatles. I believe one review about one of our old records compared us to Foreigner??

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m not sure if any of us are great cooks, but we all do like to barbecue. I would have to say I probably instigate the sing-alongs.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

OK probably have to say two times in my life. I was starstruck. One was when we were at Denny’s after a gig in LA and Chuck Berry was sitting in a booth all by himself. The second time was seeing Paul McCartney at the Staples Center, standing there in the second row, just in awe of what that man is about.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think one of the best parts of being a musician is a creative element. Being able to create music and art that people can relate to is just amazing. But of course, playing the music live and sharing it with people is so cool as well. If I was not a musician, I would think maybe being some sort of designer.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

One question would be, what is the feeling you have after creating and recording a song. I answer an amazing release of energy and love. One question that we get sometimes is what keeps you going. My answer to that is tomorrow and what comes from tomorrow a new song or whatever. The potential of tomorrow.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I believe second-guessing decisions in life is not a good idea. Of course there were things in retrospect. I could’ve done that would’ve had different results. That being said I wouldn’t be where I’m at now, which I am so happy about. Mainly with the band is together still, and you’re making I believe great art, and music.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would probably love to go back to 1966 during the recording of The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds and being present while that record was architected.

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Category: Interviews