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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Fighting in Philly" by Tom Costello and the Turnaround

By Bob Makin

originally published: 07/28/2023

Tom Costello and the Turnaround have re-recorded his solo track, "Fighting in Philly," their new single version of which is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY SHAUN TURNER

A few years back, Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Tom Costello released a very impressive song on a solo EP.

Now “Fighting in Philly” has been re-recorded for his relatively new band, Tom Costello and the Turnaround, as a single that is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Fighting in Philly” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 28 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“I wrote this one a few years back and released it as part of a solo EP in early 2020,” Tom said. “It's loosely based on a short story of the same name from a book called ‘Rope Burns’ by FX Toole. Since The Turnaround had formed, it came up as an idea to include it in a setlist for a show, and from there, we breathed new life into it. It's now become a regular in our setlist, and we wanted to capture that live energy on record. We recorded this back in January at Retromedia Sound Studio in Red Bank with Adam Vaccarelli.”




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TC and the Turnaround are due back in the studio at the end of August to work on a new single for a fall release. Then they will follow up their 2022 LP, "Willow,” with an EP.

“Writing is all done for the new EP, and we will likely start the early production stages this fall, which I am really looking forward to,” Tom said.

Upcoming shows include a solo set by Tom July 28 at The Asbury hotel and a band gig Aug. 5 at The Chubby Pickle in Highlands with Hershey and the Wolf. 

For more, click https://linktr.ee/tcturnaround.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected]. 




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About the author:

New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.


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(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.
 

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