The Beat Surrender

Leeds-based band The Weekends formed in the balmy summer of 2006; three of the band members – Kirk, Andy and Jon – had worked together previously in a band called The Rise, the career of whom TBS followed quite closely, witnessing them starting out in pubs in and around Leeds, highlighting in an electric and highly commended gig at The Cockpit in the Winter of 2005. Changes to the band include the new drummer, Martin, and new management in the form of Jamie.

Since then, the band have not only changed their dynamics and re-emerged as The Weekends, but they’ve concentrated on building up a new repertoire of tracks, gigged up and down the country, established a much wider fan base and have been in the recording studio. The result of this hard work so far is a new sound that’s not too far away from what we’ve grown to love, but with a fresher, tighter, more sophisticated edge.

“You You You”, to me, epitomises the new grown up sound that has been created by the band; it’s not just funky, it’s sexy …. Andy’s vocals have a smoother, more rounded sound and are complemented by John’s velvety tones. Martin on drums has not only settled excellently into the band, but is actually helping define a really distinctive sound. And Kirk’s bass? Well, I could go on and on …. there is no one out there at the moment who comes close to this kind of quality in my opinion.

Take a listen to “You You You” and other new tracks on the bands Myspace Site and go and check them out at The Mixing Tin (Trash) on Saturday 7 July at 8pm (tickets are £4.00 and available from the bands Official Site or on the door).

And watch this space for an interview with the band in the coming weeks.