THE HALF-CUBES are back, and they're once again doubling down! The band that's literally half of Power Pop Hall Of Famers THE FLASHCUBES continue their series of tribute cover singles honoring the legends of the pop rock form, and fans will be delighted to know that an album collecting them is indeed in the works. For the first pairing of 2024, they've tackled “The Girl” by THE RUBINOOS (with the band's JON RUBIN and TOMMY DUNBAR guesting on the new version) and “Heaven's Falling”, originally by CHEAP TRICK.

THE HALF-CUBES's drummer-producer TOMMY ALLEN points out the connection between the two pop rock classics covered on the new single. “While it wasn't intentional to choose songs originally produced by Todd Rundgren, it's no surprise that his work would end up on our list of covers. We'd already done 'She's So Young', the original of which he produced for The Pursuit Of Happiness! On this single we have two killer tracks helmed by the wizard, both from 1983: our version of THE RUBINOOS' classic 'The Girl', featuring Jon Rubin and the song's author Tommy Dunbar. And the flip side is a Todd composition by way of Cheap Trick, 'Heaven's Falling'. Both of these tunes have been on heavy rotation for us for decades, and we are thrilled to have Jon and Tommy on board for 'The Girl'... Robin Zander didn't return our calls!”

Bassist GARY FRENAY adds: “The two bands we cover on this new single represent the two extremes of power pop: The Rubinoos are the ultimate pure pop band, and Cheap Trick is the epitome of a powerful rock group. As the singer on both songs, it was a real challenge for me to try to do justice to both ends of that musical spectrum, but it was a good challenge, and one I was happy to do! I think it’s so cool that we chose these two songs and that both were produced by one of our all-time music heroes, Todd Rundgren. He's made so many great records in his career, for himself AND for others, and it was a real thrill to put our own spin on two of his lesser-known classics.”

Tommy Dunbar (who adds guitar and vocals to the A-side) and Jon Rubin (who contributes vocals) are both more than pleased with the new version of “The Girl” to which they contributed. “What a nice surprise to find out THE HALF-CUBES were resurrecting our song. Even better surprise to hear what a great version they did!” says Dunbar. Rubin goes even farther: "Third time is the charm. We recorded this song twice but I think this version really nailed it." Rounding out the personnel on both of these gems are guitarists RANDY KLAWON and FERNANDO PERDOMO, as has become happily customary for the band.

There are more double-sided covers to come from THE HALF-CUBES and their friends, and it all leads up to a full-length album this fall: a sequel of sorts to THE FLASHCUBES' acclaimed POP MASTERS album that found a place on so many Best Albums Of 2023 lists. There's little question that the spin-off band is poised to follow in those power pop footsteps. Stay tuned for more news from BIG STIR RECORDS.