Chillingsworth Surfingham / The Weeklings.

This is a duel review this week as these two releases have several things in common. First and foremost, both harken back to the sound of the 60’s. Secondly, each present an alternative persona. Finally, they’re extremely well done. First it’s Chillingsworth Surfingham and then The Weeklings.

Chillingsworth Surfinham’s debut album “Chillingsworth” will be released this week. Chillingsworth Surfingham is John Ashfield’s alter ego and a stuffed bear. You may be familiar with his work as leader of The Bobbleheads. Here, John gives us 14 tracks of instrumental surf guitar ala Dick Dale. It’s the perfect summer cruising music. GET IT HERE.

The latest JEM Records offering is from The Weeklings. It’s called In Their Own Write and there’s an interesting twist – it’s recorded live. Listen to any of The Weeklings’ three albums for JEM and you come away impressed with the way in which they channel 60’s British Invasion bands and come up with new fresh takes on an old sound.

You’re right to be skeptical of yet another band mining the same musical territory but these guys are different. First and foremost, they do it better than anyone else. Their original compositions are so well crafted that you’ll swear you’ve heard them before. My wife swore she had until after closer examination she realized she hadn’t.

Although they’ve adopted the names Lefty, Zeek, Rocky and Smokestack, the Weeklings are Glen Burtnik of Beatlemania fame, Bob Burger, John Merjave and Joe Bellia. Their last album entitled 3 was one of the best albums of 2020. You don’t want to miss this one. GET IN YOUR OWN WRITE HERE.