With a handful of Folly Beach gigs this month, Weigh Station Duo is ready to rock
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
When John Heinsohn first met fellow musician Tom Leonczyk randomly in 2004 at a party on James Island, Heinsohn started singing his song “Love Transport Company” and Leonczyk immediately wrote a lick on top of it. Their first gig together was two years later at the now defunct Kickin’ Chicken downtown on King Street. They continued to play there once a month, while frequently performing for fraternity and sorority house parties at The College of Charleston, as well as in Athens, Chapel Hill, and Asheville.
At the time Weigh Station played its first show at The Charleston Pour House in 2007, Weigh Station was rocking with a bassist, saxophonist, and percussionist. Since these early days, Heinsohn and Leonczyk have been melting both the hearts and faces of their listeners with soulful, funky melodies. Still going strong as a duo, the two consider The Allman Brothers Band, The Beatles, Outkast, Parliament Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone, Lettuce, The Wood Brothers, and Pink Floyd to be influential to their sound. They also enjoy the songs of today’s Americana songwriters, such as Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Jason Isbell and have been known to jam some The Grateful Dead, as well as the music of grunge greats like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Blind Melon.
When it comes to original music and songwriting, Heinsohn and Leonczyk often draw inspiration out of the clear blue sky …. sometimes literally. Whether it’s pulling from past relationships or their environment, traveling Wyoming, or visiting The Grand Tetons, their lyrics take the listener on a musical journey.
“Sometimes our inspiration is a tree, sometimes it’s a flower, sometimes it’s a cigarette on the sidewalk. A lot of times it’s breakups,” says Heinsohn.
After jamming together for almost two decades now, Weigh Station Duo is excited to be back on Folly Beach rocking The Washout on Friday, June 3. You can also catch them again on Thursday, June 9 at Lowlife Bar. On Friday, June 10, they will perform at Patriot’s Point Harbor Resort in the afternoon and then Freehouse Brewery in the evening. On Saturday, June 11, they’re booked to play Reel Bar at Patriot’s Point. Then after a coupled days rest, the boys are set to bring it back to the beach on Saturday, June 18 at Chico Feo. The Following week you can catch Weigh Station Duo rocking Firefly Distillery on Saturday, June 25 in the afternoon and then at Holy City Brewery later that evening.
View a complete rundown of all the shows happening this month across Folly Beach.
