The Weeklings Land Cutting Room Residency
NYC dates in wake of Abbey Road Studios recorded album Studio 2
Asbury Park based power pop band The Weeklings has announced they will set out this month for a NYC residency at the famed Cutting Room on E. 32nd Street.
In the wake of their Nov. 18 “Studio 2” release, the quartet kicks off Cutting Room performances with a Jan. 11 tribute – Celebrating the Life and Birthday of Clarence Clemons, as a part of the Light of Day Winterfest 2017 shows in New York.
The band, which formed two years ago, is comprised of industry veterans Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger, John Merjave, and Joe Bellia. And while last month’s Christmas tree lighting show at Convention Hall drew a crowd of over 2,500, the boys will be leaving town for a bit.
Their six date residency begins Jan. 19 with music from the critically acclaimed Beatles homage album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the very room the iconic band had worked, with collaboration from former Beatles recording engineers Ken Scott and Alan Parsons.
Using vintage 1960’s equipment and some of the same instruments [including the piano used in ‘A Day in the Life’], The 
Weeklings produced a compilation featuring eight original Beatles-influenced songs written by band members, as well as four unreleased Beatles rarities, including those penned by Lennon/McCartney and Lennon/McCartney/Harrison.
A sold-out “Studio 2” Release Concert was recorded for an upcoming “Loft Session” on Sirius/XM Channel 30.
Their accolades include high praise on BBC Merseyside radio show hosted by Spencer Leigh and Little Steven’s Underground Garage Sirius/XM channel for ‘Little Elvis’ and their rendition of George Harrison’s ‘You Know What To Do.’ Chris Carter, host of “Breakfast With The Beatles/British Invasion” on 95.5 called the album – the Greatest Rock ‘N’ Roll long player of 2016.
Burtnik, aka Lefty Weekling, is the band’s bass player, a former member of Styx, current member of The Orchestra, comprised of former members of Electric Light Orchestra [ELO]. He portrayed Paul McCartney in the Broadway production of Beatlemania, is a platinum and gold record awarded songwriter who’s composed music for John Waite, Styx, Randy Travis, Marshall Crenshaw, Patty Smyth and Don Henley.
Rhythm guitarist Burger, aka Zeek Weekling, is a gold record awarded songwriter whose credits include Styx, Donnie Iris, HBO pictures, Kasim Sulton and others. He’s performed with Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jon Bon Jovi.
Merjave, aka Rocky Weekling, is the band’s lead guitarist and longstanding member of The Fest for Beatles Fans house band Liverpool, and has performed with Billy Preston, Donovan, Ronnie Spector, Billy J. Kramer, and Denny Laine.
Drummer Bellia, aka Smokestack Weekling, has performed with Southside Johnny, Dave Mason, Marshall Crenshaw, Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Rick Derringer, and Jon Bon Jovi.
The Weeklings’ Clarence Clemons tribute Light of Day performance at the Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd Street, will be on Jan 11, doors opening at 6 p.m. Their Cutting Room residency kicks off Jan. 19, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. The residency runs on select Thursdays through February. For dates, times and ticket information, visit The Cutting Room website.
For more about The Weeklings, visit weeklings.com.
[Photos courtesy of The Weeklings Facebook page]
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