So, without any further hoo-hah, from 2023 please enjoy The Weeklings and their near-genius power pop reimagining of The Beatles' classic "I've Just Seen a Face."
Face it, if that doesn't bring a smile to your lips and/or a tear to your eye, there's no hope for you. How do I love this? Let me count the ways. For starters, rhythmically it's pretty much straight ahead punk, albeit overlaid with gloriously inventive harmonies, and unlike the Rubber Soul original, which had a vaguely bluegrass feel, it rocks, and irresistably. I was also gobsmacked by how cleverly the band appropriated the Beatles' original guitar intro to serve as a new instrumental break. And then those women in the vid -- particularly the one doing the McCartney impression -- are too loveable for words; for the first time ever, I think I understand what it must have been like to be a teenage girl losng their shit over four adorable moptops back in the day.
Incidentally, if you're not familiar with the Weeklings (as I wasn't, really, until a week or so ago), they're a bunch of rock lifers fronted (sort of) by Glen Burtnik (the guy on the left with the hat), who's a former member of Styx, a fixture on the Asbury Park music scene (he's worked with Little Steven, Bruce and all those folks), and a songwriter whose stuff has been recorded by the likes of Randy Travis, Patty Smyth and Don Henley. I don't know who the women guesting in the video are, but you can bet your bippy I'm gonna find out.
Meanwhile, to glom lots more Weeklings stuff, including how to check out more of their music, you need to head over to their official website HERE.
Oh, and have I mentioned that the first time I watched the vid, I immediately played it five more times in a row?
19 comments:
That’s the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park
That was excellent!
Burtnik was also in Beatlemania, as well as being in Marshall Crenshaw's touring band for a bit.
That was delightful!
Marshall Crenshaw and Glen Burtnik were in Beatlemania at the same time in the late 1970s; Marshall played John, Glen played Paul. Nearly 40 years later, I saw both of them in Toronto as part of the band backing up Max Weinburg on his "Jukebox" tour (Max doing covers of 60s and 70s hits). They played several Beatles' songs that night, including "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".
Nick Piunti did something similar in a video. It starts with Nick and his band playing, and they are eventually replaced by their daughters. But none of them resembled John Lennon.
There’s also a “Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend” collection from a few months ago that features the Weeklings as well as several other fabulous current powerpop bands; you should check that one out too.
The Weeklings.. absolutely love ..Nick Punti!!!…. Very talented fellow…with great tunes.. thx Nick!!!!!!…Joe Bellia
My dear friend Mitch Weissman was the first Paul in Beatlemania
I've been a Weeklings fan for a while but this cover is a cut above what they usually do.
The Weeklings do GREAT versions of the Beatles’ songs, including IJSAF - but if you think that’s good, you should listen to their original music!! Absolutely holds its own, great, catchy, obviously Beatles-influenced, yet 100% original. Little Elvis, Mona Lisa, Stop Your Running Around, Little Tease… the list goes on. Original music rocks!!
The Weeklings are always doing it a bit different but absolutely unique… you should check out their original music..John Merjave, Joe Bellia, Glen Burtnick, and Bob Burger ROCK IT!
Absolutely agree. I love all things Beatles they perform, but their original music is just so darn good. Just saw them last week in Jim Thorpe PA. Everything they record is performed live to complete perfection. Not every band can do that. ❤️
Great review! Great track! Great band!
Fun Fact: From the mid-80s through the early 90s, Johnny Cash (yes, THE Johnny Cash) was a part owner of the hotel where the video was shot.
I’m going to see Johnny Carson is alive and well 🕺
I’m glad to see Johnny Carson is alive and well here.
What Alicia said! Weeklings original power tunes FABULOUS!!!!! Covers are reinvented and are off the charts. I am so happy I was introduced to the Weeklings 7 years ago. 💙💙💙 Ilene from NJ/DE
Been a Weeklings fan ever since Bill Kelly put me onto "Don't Know Don't Care" a few years back. Kind of weird to connect with an old Audities listserv fella up in New England when he saw my Weeklings t-shirt.
Excellent cover! I'm pretty sure that's the Asbury Park Convention Center tower in the background.
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