A new local band, Feel Good, Inc is making waves on the island’s live music scene by performing modern alternative cover hits from bands across the world.
Randy Sparks, the band’s soulful singer, is an avid listener and devoted fan of Alt Nation on Sirius XM Radio. He’s responsible for bringing the unusual genre to Lowcountry stages that are traditionally known for hosting classic and pop hits.
Feel Good Inc. (from left to right): Tim Waggoner, Randy Sparks, Chip Larkby, David Ray and Trevor Harden.
Some of Sparks’ favorite bands include The Killers, Kings of Leon, Group Love, and Modest Mouse. Synthesizer and electronic drums draw him deep into the genre and he loves the hunt to find new-to-him music. His love of 1990’s hip hop runs deep with Naz, Busta Rhymes, and A Tribe Called Quest. Experiencing dozens of concerts all over the country has allowed his inner music lover to soak up a variety of bands and performance styles.
For the first half of his life, Sparks sang only in the privacy and comfort of his car. But at 25 years old, he finally began singing in front of others at karaoke bars. Friends and other bar-goers helped him realize that he was a very talented vocalist, which gave him the confidence to perform more frequently on larger stages.
In 2002, his first band, Razed, was formed and began playing grunge hits, including Nirvana, STP, and Sound Garden, around the Lowcountry. At the time, Sparks was an air traffic controller in the Marine Corps and started the band with his supervisor as the drummer. Razed built a huge following around the Beaufort area for a couple of years until the death of Sparks’ mom caused him to take a break from performing. After a few years’ hiatus, Sparks started singing at his church. He assumed his band years were over.
Fast forward to 2025, Chip Larkby, drummer of Feel Good, Inc, was such a fan of Sparks’ voice at church that he had pestered Sparks for years to start a band together. Larkby is a familiar face at Hilton Head Island venues, as he plays drums for such bands as JoJo Squirrel and the Home Pickles, Soul Remedy, and RetroRoxx. He finally convinced Sparks to say “yes” to jamming together by agreeing to two conditions: The band can play only alternative rock, and they will play only two to three shows per month to prevent burnout.
Sparks wanted to play lesser-known covers by bands like Young the Giant, The Black Keys, Franz Ferdinand, and Milky Chance, which are rarely heard in the island music scene. Larkby was thrilled to finally get a “yes” from Sparks and reluctantly agreed to trying out an unusual genre on Lowcountry stages.
Sparks’ remaining bandmates were also unfamiliar with his favorite vibes. Tim Waggoner, the group’s bassist, has been involved with leading praise and worship music for more than 25 years. When he was first introduced to Sparks’ favorite genre, he said, “I’ve never heard this stuff, ever,” and described rehearsing the music as a huge learning curve.
Waggoner hails from a family of talented musicians, with vocally gifted parents and an identical twin brother who is an excellent drummer. His accomplished genes and past band experience deemed him very capable of taking on a different musical challenge with Feel Good, Inc.
Trevor Harden, the band’s keyboardist and acoustic guitarist, owns a video production company on Hilton Head. He has been playing cover songs for 20 years and was burnt out on playing Van Morrison and the Eagles at each show. He described Feel Good, Inc’s rare song catalog as a “breath of fresh air” for him. When he’s not playing an instrument or working, he’s an anime/manga enthusiast and is learning to speak Japanese.
Rounding out the new group is guitarist David Ray. Sparks, Larkby, and Ray all knew one another from attending Church of the Cross together. Ray is a former worship leader who brings experience and youthfulness to the group. He’s also a local high school teacher and a self-proclaimed science fiction/fantasy nerd.
The guys bonded quickly with mutual respect for one another as musicians and friends. Ray says he decided to join the group because it’s an “opportunity to make music with just some awesome guys.” Their camaraderie is evident during shows when some dad jokes are tossed into the mix – as a sign they are all having a great time performing together. Sparks said, “I love these guys like brothers,” with Larkby adding, “Every one of these dudes kicks ass!”
Choosing a name was the next obstacle to conquer after the band formed. Numerous options were brainstormed and none really clicked until Sparks suggested Feel Good, Inc. The selection is a nod to a song produced by Gorillaz, a popular UK virtual band that effortlessly blends alternative rock, electronica, and hip hop. Feel Good, Inc has plans to perform another Gorillaz hit, “Clint Eastwood,” in the future after they secure a rapper needed to complete the arrangement. Sparks is a huge fan of the Gorillaz and hopes to see them on tour at some point.
As the leader of the pack, Sparks is in charge of song selection and the set list for each show, which Larkby calls “his labor of love.” He frequently adds new tunes to the list to keep things fresh and prevent boredom from bandmates and crowds. The group started rehearsals in January with their first show at Black Marlin at the end of February. After just a few run-throughs, Sparks exclaimed, “Holy crap, this sounds really, really good!”
Since the music is new to many of their listeners, Sparks shares a bit about each song or band before performing it. Listening ears can still expect some dancing during Feel Good, Inc’s set list. Songs like “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk The Moon and “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon bring high energy for listeners to enjoy swaying, shagging, and spinning.
Overall, the band’s sound is upbeat, well-practiced, and full of happy energy. Each musician is invested during their set with tapping toes and bopping heads. Sparks’ deep vocals bring a smooth richness and depth to their tunes. The lesser-known music is being received well and the band is developing a following on the island. At a recent Tiki Hut show, Dorothy Baker from Augusta, Georgia, said, “They are adding a twist and freshness to the beach scene and I love it!”
To learn more, follow Feel Good, Inc on Instagram at @feelgoodinc100 or on Facebook. Upcoming shows: October 5 and November 2, 1-5 p.m. at Tiki Hut; October 17, 6-10 p.m. at Black Marlin; October 24, 6-10 p.m. at Local Legend Brewing Company.
