The Weeklings Inspired Take on "I'm On Fire"

The Weeklings are a terrific New Jersey based band who are well-known for their sterling interpretations and re-imaginings of the music of The Beatles. The group also creates fantastic original power pop music in the spirit of their British Invasion heroes. Their album 3 is one of the best power pop records of the last decade. They released a video for their marvelous rendition of The Fab Four's “I’ve Just Seen A Face” earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGlfZ6up7NI. 

The band’s latest single (on JEM Records) is a superb re-invention of a memorable Bruce Springsteen song. “I’m On Fire,” a classic track from the album Born in the USA, rose to number 6 on the charts in 1985. The Weeklings take this brooding, intense number and re-imagine it as an all out rockabilly rave up. Yes, you read that right. The band reworks “I’m On Fire” into an old school rocker, complete with James Burton-esque guitar and vocals that recall early rock and roll heroes like Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. This splendiferous, electrifying revamp of a much revered tune from The Boss is one of the most electrifying covers I've heard in a very long time.

The Weeklings "I'm On Fire" is a brilliant version of an iconic song that takes it in an entirely different, but tremendously exciting and compelling direction. I think it’ll get stuck in your head, and you’ll find yourself wondering why no one's ever thought of this idea before. Kudos to Glen Burtnik, aka Lefty Weekling, on bass and vocals, Bob Burger, aka Zeek Weekling, on rhythm guitar and vocals, John Merjave, aka Rocky Weekling on lead guitar and vocals, and Joe Bellia, aka Smokestack Weekling, on drums and vocals, for making this left field (but truly inspired) cover of "I'm On Fire" work so well. Check out the video for for the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO43E2LFc8o.
 

A High Energy "Rattled Humming Heart"

When I reviewed Red Letter Glow, the debut album from The Midnight Callers back in 2020, I waxed rhapsodically about the band, their well-crafted songs, and their fantastic sound, a perfect fusion of classic rock and power pop, featuring a touch of punk. The band is back with their sophomore release, Rattled Humming Heart, which will be released June 23rd on JEM Records. I’m here to tell you that Red Letter Glow was no fluke. Rattled Humming Heart is one of the best rock and roll records I’ve heard this year.

“New York Tramp,” the album’s opening salvo, explodes with a hard-driving guitar and drum attack, amplified with some terrific vocals, wrapped up in a song that will remind you of vintage Cheap Trick. Rattled Humming Heart is positively drenched in the sounds of classic rock and power pop, with a bit of glam added to the mix. If you’re a fan of T-Rex, The Raspberries, Badfinger, Big Star, Queen, Dwight Twilley and Tom Petty, you’ll find tunes such as “Closer” and “Without Ya” absolutely hitting your sweet spot. Songs like “Step!” and “Baby Let Me Be” will warm the hearts of power pop fans everywhere, and have them quickly reaching for the replay button.

The Midnight Callers also know how to rock out, as evidenced by the boisterous “What Goes Around,” and the high-energy “Little Runaround.” In addition to the classic rock influences which permeate this must-have release, there’s a modern rock vibe on songs like “Girl On The Run” and “Colors," which has a bit of an Alarm-like feel to it. It’s hard to pick favorites on an album filled with such splendid tunes, but I really dig the synergy of wonderful lyrics, vocals and instrumental work on “The Plan,” and the acoustic-laced “Maggie,” a pair of love songs that have a lot of heart, and amply display the versatility of this outstanding band.

The group may wear their influences on their sleeves, but they’re not a copycat act. Their passion for creating extraordinary music is evident throughout Rattled Humming Heart, illustrated by their top-notch playing, as well as their superb songwriting skills. The band’s stellar lineup consists of Chris Paine on rhythm guitar and vocals, Marley Myrianthopoulos on bass and vocals, Martin Stubbs on lead guitar and vocals, and Julien Budrino on drums and vocals. The album was produced and mixed by the uber-talented Kurt Reil (of Grip Weeds fame), who did a phenomenal job working with the band, helping them craft a disc that’s even better than their impressive debut.

The Midnight Callers aren’t jaded rockers going through the motions, they’re excellent musicians at the peak of their powers, both as players and songwriters. This band is clearly dedicated to crafting first class rock and roll. Rattled Humming Heart fulfills the promise of Red Letter Glow, and shows us that the best is yet to come from these New York City based rockers. For more on The Midnight Callers and Rattled Humming Heart, head over to JEM Records: https://www.jemrecordings.com/.

A Spectrum of "Periodic Boyfriends"

Drew Pisarra is a well-regarded author who has written about the emotional and erotic aspects of queer love in works such as the powerful poetry cycle Infinity Standing Up (2019), and the engaging and affecting short story collection You’re Pretty Gay (2021). His latest work is Periodic Boyfriends, a collection of witty, insightful and passionate examinations of his romantic adventures. Many of us, queer or straight, have likely jotted down some memories regarding our past fling and flirtations, but I’m sure most of us haven’t done so in the form of sonnets. We certainly haven’t organized and titled them after the entries in the periodic table of elements, as Pisarra cleverly does in this new collection.

The eloquent and masterfully constructed sonnets in Periodic Boyfriends will by turns bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and perhaps inspire memories of your own adventures in the dating (or hook-up) arena. Pisarra openly shares the desires and emotions which he felt during (and after) these couplings, and offers some reflective musings on his encounters. These poems are witty, sardonic, romantic, and imbued with a strong sense of the passion he felt during these experiences. The cleverly constructed poems in this collection are deeply infused with trenchant observations about his partners, and sharply sketched details about the location of the trysts.

Pisarra is an innately talented writer, and pulls no punches in these ingenious sonnets, which are tinged with a humor, ardor,  a sense of (occasional) regret, and some perceptive ruminations on love, lust and the white-hot combustibility of sexual attraction. It’s no simple feat to make this format work so well, but Pisarra succeeds admirably, and I think you’ll find yourself regularly re-visiting these well-crafted poems. Some of my favorites include “Krypton,” “Thallium” and “Nihonium,” but the entire spectrum of Periodic Boyfriends is worthy of exploration.

In addition to his masterful poetry and short fiction, Pisarra has penned several excellent plays, and written and performed some acclaimed one-man shows, including Singularly Grotesque and The Gospel According to Saint Genet. I highly recommend checking out Periodic Boyfriends, which is available from Capturing Fire Press, as well as seeking out his other work.