onlyonweekends

The seeds of Only on Weekends were planted over ten years ago by four high school students in Cherry Hill, NJ. Harry Rose (vocals / guitar), Danny Rose (bass), Kenny Ensign (drums) and Mikey Esler (vocals / guitar) started playing music together and called themselves Blackout. It wasn’t until Mikey left the band that Danny and Kenny traded instruments, and Blackout became Only on Weekends. Only on Weekends played any basement, bar and backyard in Philadelphia and New Jersey that would have them, and as they began to develop their sound, they started to write the songs that would ultimately be included on their debut album.

In 2006, Only on Weekends found its missing ingredient in the talented keyboardist and vocalist, Christa Wesley. The band had known Christa for many years, and when the light bulb went on to invite Christa to join them, her contributions added new depth and diversity to their music. They began to record the songs that they had written, but with Danny no longer living in the area, Only on Weekends was unable to perform. In 2011, after going four years without playing a live show, the imminent release of their self-titled debut album ignited their interest in performing once again, but one obstacle stood in their way. Only on Weekends needed to find a drummer.

As luck would have it, former No Regrets drummer, Anthony Dandrea, answered a Craigslist ad that the band had placed during its search. One dinner at Taco Bell and a couple of practice sessions later, it was clear that Anthony had the attitude, personality and talent that the band was looking for. After a couple of months, Only on Weekends, occasionally supplemented by Joe Matteo on guitar, began playing shows in South Jersey and Philadelphia more frequently and wanted to record some songs with their new and improved line-up. In early 2012, Harry, Kenny, Christa, Anthony and Joe went to Audiodrome Recording to record a new batch of songs, and in July, they released Dig In, a four song EP that surpassed their previous album in every way.

Only on Weekends is a serious band that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Drawing influences from bands like The Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World, Dig In is filled with songs that are catchy and fun, while at the same time, heartfelt and meaningful. With themes of growing up and drifting apart from people that you used to hold closely, the songs on this EP are ones that anyone can relate to.