Albums Live From New York City

Casey Shea, Jeff Jacobson and Wesley Verhoeve are the core of The Undisputed Heavyweights a Lower East Side band described as Frank Sinatra meets The Doors in a way only Stevie Wonder could dream of, (AM New York). Such acclaim for undiscovered musicians might elicit incredulity among the un-indoctrinated until one's first Heavyweight experience.

Their sound is melodic, memorable, and completely original. Lead singer Shea has a stunning, soulful voice that works wonders in all octaves. While each song is uniquely different, together the melodies build an unexpectedly cohesive set.

The virtue of a true live show is if, in the end, it is memorable. Behind the insults and the Amens is sophisticated songwriting and clever arrangements. And whether you remember Casey Shea's sunglasses, the Roll Your Windows Down sing-a-long or the pop sensibility of Lartigue, it doesn't really matter, as there is something for everyone.

Performing together since 2004, the three founding members connected through open mic nights in New York City and decided to create a sound that blended their unique influences.

The local favorites in the Undisputed Heavyweights come armed with lounge-ready shtick, but they are more than just tongue-in-cheek hipsters. Brandishing acoustic guitars and a horn section, the Heavyweights deliver an accomplished rock/blues/soul hybrid, and their endearingly uninhibited front man, Casey Shea, puts them right in the tradition of vaudevillian showmanship. - The New Yorker

The Undisputed Heavyweights show really is a thing of its own. It's an Vaudevillian acoustic/rock/blues show, or something. Casey's stage persona is equal parts James Brown, Elvis Presley, and Bono. He struts, he preens, his gestures wildly. Heck, the guy wears sunglasses on stage and gets away with it. But then comes the surprise, etched in cursive on the head of a pin. Listen closely, and the songs are beautifully heartfelt, and wrenching.
- Benjamin Wagner (MTVNews.com)

They've got some pretty crazy stage antics mixed with beautiful lyrics and talent all around to back it up. It's a heartfelt lounge act, if you can imagine such a thing.
- Gothamist

The Undisputed Heavyweigts live up to their name.
- New York Post