The Suffolk Welcomes Back The Weight Band

The Suffolk will welcome back The Weight Band, featuring members of The Band and the Levon Helm Band, on Friday, August 8.

Performing original songs as well as classics of The Band, The Weight Band is led by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band and the Levon Helm Band. The Weight Band originated in 2013 inside the Woodstock barn of Levon Helm. Weider was inspired by Helm to carry on the musical legacy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group.

The Weight Band features Jim Weider on guitar, mandolin and vocals, a former member of The Band from 1985 to 2000; Michael Bram on drums and vocals and a current drummer for Jason Mraz; Brian Mitchell on keyboard and vocals, a current member of Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Band; Matt Zeiner on keyboard and vocals, who toured with Matt “Guitar” Murphy of Blues Brothers fame; and Albert Rogers on bass and vocals who has shared the stage with Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, The Jim Weider Band and more.

The Weight Band’s origins are tied to Woodstock and some of its most famous inhabitants, The Band. Weider, a Woodstock native, served as The Band’s lead guitarist from 1985-2000, following Robbie Robertson’s departure. In the late 2000’s, he replaced Jimmy Vivino in the Levon Helm Band, which already included keyboardist Brian Mitchell. The connections extend further, as Rogers shared the stage with Helm and Hudson while in The Jim Weider Band and Michael Bram drummed in the Chris O’Leary Band, an offshoot of Helm’s band The Barnburners.

In 2017, The Weight Band performed on the PBS series “Infinity Hall Live.” The following year, their self-produced debut, “World Gone Mad,” was released to strong reviews. Most recently, The Weight Band put out “Acoustic Live” in 2021. This 11-track album features five songs recorded at the Big Pink, and six songs recorded in Levon Helm’s barn/studio. Performances include memorable versions of “World Gone Mad,” Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” Jerry Garcia’s “Deal” and several Band covers.

The Weight Band will be at The Suffolk on Friday, August 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thesuffolk.org.