The Weeks at The End 1-23-11

by Dave Sharp on Jan 24^th, 2011

One Sunday evening I found myself almost ready to call it a day when it happened.  It was one of those moments where the stars align and magic occurs that can only happen in a music city like Nashville.  I’d been following The Weeks, a four piece from Jackson, Miss., for quite some time but they never seemed to surface at any time or place that was accessible. Finally!  That fateful Sunday evening I discovered the band would be the third of four bands to play a showcase at The End.

The showcase began at 9 p.m.; it was 9:55 p.m. when I made the discovery.  I grabbed my camera and dashed madly toward my favorite little indie rock joint in west Nashville.  I hustled in just in time to see The Weeks command the modest stage with a presence that seemed to cling desperately to its last shred of sobriety while simultaneously lulling you into the same wonderful emotional stupor in which the band seemed to be engaged.  Every other song seemed to bounce back and forth from gut wrenching tales to toe tapping numbers that wouldn’t let your feet rest if you tried.  It was exactly what a rock show should be.

Vocalist Cyle Barnes’ stirring howls coupled with the manic but solid riffs of guitarist Sammie D. became the soul of the performance.  Bassist Damien Bone and drummer Cain Barnes’ rhythm section took precedence at the conclusion of the set with the band’s noteworthy single Buttons.

The Weeks are the product of Kings of Leon and Mars Volta-esque influences, and their performance is the unquestionable evidence.  Though they’re southern indie rock fellas, they’re a touch less deep-fried and set themselves apart with their raw sound and persuasive performances.   Appropriately, the band members have recently rooted themselves here in our fair city, and we’re more than happy to have them.

The Weeks most recent EP Rarities can be downloaded for free at: http://theweeks.bandcamp.com/

Reviewer: Ashley Curtis