This past Friday night The Weeks turned the Basement East into their own personal house party. Packing in a raucous crowd, this Mississippi four-piece proved that they play for themselves first. The southern rock group is comprised of twin brothers Cyle (lead vocal) and Cain (drums) Barnes, Samuel Williams (guitar) and Damien Bones (Bass), who started the project in their early teens in 2006. By 2008 the band had signed to their first label and recorded their first album. Since then they have built up a following of almost 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and continuously packed in shows while putting out seven full-length albums.
I came to this show only somewhat familiar with The Weeks. The single “Comin Down,” off their latest record “Two Moons,” had sparked my interest enough to save it to my favorite playlist when I first heard it on the radio. The song is a perfect party anthem and tailgate banger. With a huge draw from outlaw country, infused heavily with 70s rock, this song makes you want to drive a fast car straight out of town or dance on the bar of some dive on the wrong side of the tracks.
Cyle Barnes led the group in some astoundingly polished vocals. His voice sounds exactly the same live as it does on the records. His stage presence is comfortable and unamused. He brandishes the microphone and struts around the stage like a steel guitar version of Mick Jagger. Often rolling his eyes it’s hard to tell if he doesn’t care at all or cares just that much. Whatever it is, it is highly entertaining.
The setlist comprised of mostly songs in support of The Weeks’ newest album “Two Moons” but peppered in old favorites such as “Hands on the Radio” and “Bottle Rocket” from past projects. I was only a little surprised to learn that the band came from Mississipi and not California. Their sound brings on a chilled out, west coast vibe that can only be described as “southern rock gone surfing.” The Weeks clearly play music for themselves above anyone else. They have created a sound that is unique to them and are not afraid to give it to the masses. Judging by the size of the crowd at the Basement East, the masses are eating it up.
Photographs by Caroline Voisine