By Chris Spiewak
The breakup of The Beatles in 1970 brought disbelief and sadness to millions of people. One of the most popular groups in history left a void in the music world, and life would never be the same for their fans around the world. Although John, Paul, George and Ringo would continue on as solo artists, that certain sound and style of the Fab Four was gone, but perhaps not forever. The Beatles have inspired thousands of musicians over the years, and who knows what might happen, given the right circumstances.
One thing that has not happened often is a group coming together to write and record original songs with the same style and sound as Lennon and McCartney did with the early Beatles. While they may not be the second coming of The Beatles, acclaimed New Jersey songwriters Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger have assembled a talented foursome that bear an uncanny resonance to those four chaps from Liverpool.
This project came together as a result of the annual Beatle Bash and British Invasion shows put together by Burtnick at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Glen Burtnick needs little introduction; he has been at the forefront of the national music scene since the 1980s with his solo career, as well as touring stints with the legendary rock band Styx, and The Orchestra (consisting of former members of Electric Light Orchestra). He has written No. 1 hits for Patty Smythe and Randy Travis, and still travels around the country to entertain fans as part of ‘The Fest for Beatles Fans’. Mr. Bob Burger is by no means your average musician. Beginning with a saxophone and a trumpet as a child, Burger chose the guitar as his musical weapon of choice as a teen. With music in his heart, he completed college with a degree in electrical engineering. He moved to Eatontown from Maryland and completed his law degree at Rutgers, making him one of the most educated musicians in New Jersey. Burger and Burtnik have been collaborating for more than 30 years, with Burger co-writing some songs for Styx while Burtnik was with the band.
Their work together at the Burtnik shows made them both wonder “what if?” They were huge Beatles fans; could they actually put a band together and pen some original compositions with that authentic early 1960s sound? The answer was a resounding “Yes”; ladies and gentlemen, meet The Weeklings. Alongside Burger and Burtnik, John Merjave brings his brilliant lead guitar and backing vocal talents, and new drummer Joe Bellia (replacing Dave Anthony who is off on tour with original Styx member Dennis DeYoung) lends his extraordinary skills to this fantastic project. Merjave, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, is a lifelong professional musician; in addition to The Weeklings, Merjave is also a member of the groups 27 West and Liverpool. Joe Bellia is also the consummate pro; he is always on call for Jon Bon Jovi’s local band “The Kings of Suburbia,” and has toured extensively with Dave Mason, and Glen Burtnick at his Summer of Love shows throughout the east and Midwest. There are absolutely, positively no weak links in this group.
The self-titled first release for The Weeklings was introduced in early 2015 to critical acclaim. Of the 12 tracks on the CD (also available on vinyl), there are six Burtnik/Burger original tracks, and five Lennon/McCartney demos and one George Harrison song that were never part of a Beatles album (until the Anthology compilation in 1995). The Weeklings put their own spin on the six demo tracks, giving them the authentic Beatles sound that they would have had years ago. “One and One is Two,” “I’m In Love” and “If You’ve Got Trouble,” done Burtnick/Burger-style, shows that these songs could have been included on, perhaps, “Introducing The Beatles” or “Meet The Beatles,” had they not been handed off to other Brian Epstein-managed artists like Cilla Black and Billy J Kramer.
Beatles fans will genuinely appreciate the original tracks from The Weeklings; “Little Tease,” “Mona Lisa” and “Leave Me With My Pride” will seriously take you back to that early era of pop music. Well-written and beguiling tunes from industry veterans Burtnik and Burger are the strong point of The Weeklings, transporting you back to when the Beatles ruled the music world. Please visit www.weeklings.com for upcoming dates and to purchase the CD; The Weeklings are well worth the price of admission, no matter the cost.
Chris Spiewak is currently the bassist for Rock/Blues cover band, VyntEdge.
