Alt-popsters the Caulfields (John Faye on vocals/guitar, Mike Simpson on guitar, Sam Musumeci on bass, and Ritchie Rubini on drums) originally formed in 1992 in their hometown of Vermont as their sound drew heavily from such late-'70s new wave/punk-pop hitmakers as Cheap Trick, the Jam, Elvis Costello, and Squeeze, among others. The quartet inked a deal with A&M shortly thereafter, issuing their debut album, Whirligig, in 1995, following it up two years later with their sophomore effort L. Despite critical acclaim, commercial success eluded the group, leading to the Caulfields' split by the end of 1997. Faye re-appeared in 1999 with a new band, the John Faye Power Trip, and a self-titled album. ~ Greg Prato