Gene Pompilio discusses his “Cheesy 60 Second Song” series – New Jersey Stage
In 2003, a captivating CD from a New Jersey band named Stereosoul found its way into my mailbox. From the first song, I was hooked. They were a power-pop rock group with irresistibly catchy lyrics, reminiscent of a mix between Fountains of Wayne and The Beach Boys. This album marked the culmination of a previous band called Cosmic Avenger, albeit being their sole record.
During the time of the album’s release, I had the pleasure to interview Gene Pompilio, the band’s drummer and lead singer, for a feature in Upstage Magazine. Our friendship endured long after the band’s dissolution. In fact, Gene contributed an original song and cartoon in the nascent days of New Jersey Stage as a digital monthly magazine.
Gene has embarked on a new project titled the “Cheesy 60 Second Song” series, which has been attracting a dedicated following on his TikTok page, showcasing him playing drums and belting out the song of the day. In a world dominated by brief videos and social media reels, he has carved out a niche for himself that resonates with many. I reached out to him to delve deeper into this venture.
Cheesy 60 Second Songs officially began on 11/28/25, with its roots tracing back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gene had recently embraced sobriety and was going through a divorce, which led him to relocate to a standard midlife crisis-esque apartment, adopt some furry companions, and swear off binge-watching his beloved show, “The Walking Dead.” With the world grinding to a halt due to the pandemic, he found himself playing and singing solo, an experience he grew to relish. This newfound freedom pushed him to commit to play a set of his original songs daily, a habit he maintained even after life resumed some semblance of normalcy. The idea of uploading one song per day on TikTok was born out of a desire to gauge people’s interest in watching him vociferously sing quirky a cappella verses over electronic drums.
The majority of the initial songs on Gene’s TikTok account were gems from the past, featuring Cosmic Avenger and Stereosoul classics, among other assorted tracks. However, once this well ran dry, he challenged himself to create new content every night by cherry-picking cliched titles throughout the week, crafting melodies on the weekends, and then writing lyrics over them.
Through the Cheesy 60 Second Song series, Gene aims to take listeners on a musical journey, allowing the tunes to evoke unique emotions and thoughts. Noteworthy is his inclusion of an original cartoon with each song, a talent he modestly acknowledges. Despite his proficiency in numerous creative endeavors, Gene has yet to put together a comic book, a childhood dream he harbored.
Currently focusing on art education, music therapy, and psychotherapy studies, Gene is considering releasing a solo album. He toys with the idea of layering guitar and bass tracks on all songs or embracing the raw energy of drums and vocals only. As a fluid songwriter with a knack for penning thought-provoking lyrics, his veritable treasure trove of material paves the way for an album that promises to be a sonic delight.
In the spirit of camaraderie and musical nostalgia, Gene hints at reuniting with the Stereosoul bandmates for a one-night-only extravaganza. His deep-seated gratitude for the unwavering support primarily from Gary Wien, his longtime friend and ardent champion, remains a driving force behind his musical aspirations. Their shared history and mutual admiration underscore the enduring impact of music as a unifying force that transcends time and space.