The Weight Band

The Weight Band originated in 2013 inside the famed Woodstock, New York barn of Levon Helm when Jim Weider and Randy Ciarlante —both former members of The Band— performed “Songs of The Band” with Band founder, Garth Hudson.

Inspired to carry on the rock band's legacy, Weider (guitar, mandolin, vocals), and Ciarlante began performing fan favorites from The Band catalog to audiences across the country, inviting Brian Mitchell (keyboards, organ, accordion, vocals) to complete their sound. The Weight Band later added Albert Rogers (bass, vocals), Matt Zeiner (keyboards, vocals) and Michael Bram (drums, vocals) to make up their current lineup with Weider and Mitchell. After years of touring, The Weight Band recorded a new album of original material, capturing The Band’s musical tradition and packaged for today’s Americana base.

The Weight Band’s musical connections to The Band run deep. Replacing Robbie Robertson as a member of The Band, Weider toured internationally with Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko. His tenure included writing for and recording three studio albums with The Band.

The group released their first full-length studio album in February 2018. World Gone Mad is an Americana/Roots Rock masterpiece of the Woodstock sound. Recently, The Weight Band was announced as the first headliner for the new Folk & Americana Music Series, a celebration of the genre's rich musical history and influence, at the Boch Center in Boston, Massachusetts.