Jump to content

Draft:Lespecial (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
lespecial in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Chris Beikirch

lespecial is an American power trio from Northwestern Connecticut. [1] The band members include guitarist/keys/vocalist Jonathan "Jonny G" Grusauskas, bassist Luke Bemand, and drummer/vocalist Rory Dolan. lespecial has been carving their sonic path through the jam-band community. It has been considered that they are the rebels of the Jam scene and bring a fresh signature blend of "heavy future grove" [2] [3] [4]

"The band’s signature blend of “heavy future groove” combines headbanging metal riffage and surgical rhythmic precision with bone shaking 808s, sub synths and ethereal vocal stylings for a dance floor that welcomes moshing, dancing and hip swaying alike. Listeners are taken on a journey to the musical netherworld through esoteric soundscapes punctuated by raw, primal power." [1] [4]

History[edit]

Early Years[edit]

lespecial was formed in Northwest CT in 2005 by 3 high school friends Jonathan Grusauskas "Jonny G" (Guitar/Vocals), Luke Bemand (Bass/Vocals) and Rory Dolan (Drums/Vocals). [3] [5] Bemand and Dolan grew up together since childhood. They have always been influenced by Les Claypool, Larry LaLonde and Tim Alexander of Primus. Grusauskas attended and graduated from Bennington College 2005-2010. He studied under Milford Graves. Bemand and Dolan both attended and graduated from Berkley College Of Music 2005-2010. [3] [5]

Touring[edit]

From 2005-2010 lespecial would play weekend shows in the Northeastern region. After graduating college the band went to tour throughout the United States. Other dates-present include opening for Umphrey's McGee, Lotus, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Motet.

lespecial performs Red Rocks Amphitheatre 2022 supporting Umphreys McGee. Photo by Chris Beikirch

On June 17th, 2022 lespecial performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO as direct support for Umphrey's Mcgee. [6] [7]

lespecial has attended and performed at music festivals including Summer Camp Music Festival, Jam Cruise [8], Sonic Bloom [9], Northlands Must & Arts [10], Camp Bisco[11].

Le Getaway[edit]

In October 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, lespecial hosted a socially-distanced event at Club Getaway resort in the Bekshire Moutains in Kent, CT. [12]. The event is described as an intimate cabin event. It has been re-occurring every year since then. [12] [13]

Le Getaway is headlined by two sets of lespecial and has featured TAUK, Eggy, Honeycomb, West End Blend [14], Club d'Elf ft. Rob Compa of Dopapod [15], and Sunsquabi. [16]

Recordings[edit]

lespecial has 5 studio recorded albums and 5 recorded singles.

December 31st, 2020 lespecial streamed their "Ancient Homies NYE Blast Off" video. [17] The video was sponsored by Cannabrush which featured highly immersive audio and visual experience powered by Audio Spectrum [17] [18]. It is considered one of the most marketed and viewed lespecial videos during the pandemic.

March 12th, 2021 lespecial streamed and performed Primus's debut album Frizzle Fry. As Primus is a HUGE influence on the band, they viewed it as a great honor to challenge themselves by learning and performing the album in its entirety during the pandemic. [19]

September 29th, 2023 lespecial released their fan favorite live song, "Lungs of the Planet" [20] complimented with a music video filmed at Catalyst Stage at ESPN headquarters in Connecticut. [20]

Discography[edit]

Studio Albums[edit]
  • Ceremony (2015)
  • Omnisquid (2015) [21]
  • Cheen (2017)
  • Ancient Homies (2020) [22] [23]
  • Odd Times (2023) [24] [25]
Live Albums[edit]
  • 11/15/19 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO [26]
  • 12/31/19 - Rams Head Live! - Baltimore, MD [27]
  • 10/19/19 - lespectacle IX - Lincoln, RI [28]
  • 2/26/20 - The Filmore - Philadelphia, PA [29]
  • 6/25/20 - lespecial LIVE: Cheen Stream II [30]
  • 10/9/20 - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari LIVE [31]
  • 6/17/20 - Live at Red Rocks [7]
Singles[edit]
  • "Machine Elf" Ft. Chuck Morris of Lotus (2020)
  • "The Vessel" (2020)
  • "Enter the Homieverse" (2022)
  • "Lungs of the Planet" (2023) [20]
  • "Rays" (2023)

Other appearances[edit]

In December 2022, lespecial and Mike Dillon announced a new collaboration titled "Fackin' A". Dillon is a percussionist has been referred to as the mallet master. [32] He is a member of Critters Buggin, Les Claypool's Fancy Band and Garage A Trois.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "ABOUT". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  2. ^ "Lespecial". Color Red Music. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  3. ^ a b c Inman, Matt (2019-01-09). "At Work: lespecial". Relix Media. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  4. ^ a b "MUSIC: lespecial w. LITZ". Roanoke Outside Foundation. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  5. ^ a b Audenino, Abby (2023-10-14). "Rocktober Feature: lespecial". Main Street Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  6. ^ "Lespecial Setlist at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  7. ^ a b "Live at Red Rocks - 6/17/22, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  8. ^ O'Brien, Andrew (2024-03-05). "10 Of The Best Things We Saw On Jam Cruise 20: Days 4 & 5 [Photos/Videos]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  9. ^ "lespecial sonic bloom". Bing. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  10. ^ "lespecial northlands". Bing. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  11. ^ "camp bisco lespecial". Bing. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  12. ^ a b Hurley, Miles (2020-10-18). "lespecial, Eggy Offer Homegrown Connecticut Jams At Le Getaway [Photos]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  13. ^ "Le Getaway Part 4 2023 Lineup - Oct 13 - 15, 2023". JamBase. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  14. ^ admin (2021-07-20). "lespecial Announces Le Getaway Part Deux Ft. West End Blend, More". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  15. ^ "lespecial Unveil Artist Lineup for Le Getaway Part 3: TAUK, Club d'Elf Featuring Rob Compa and More". Jambands. 2022-08-05. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  16. ^ "Le Getaway Part 4 2023 Lineup - Oct 13 - 15, 2023". JamBase. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  17. ^ a b Broerman, Michael (2020-12-22). "lespcial Announces 'Ancient Homies NYE Future Blast Off' Stream". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  18. ^ "Cannabrush Presents: lespecial's Ancient Homies NYE Future Blast Off". LoudSwell. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  19. ^ O'Brien, Andrew (2021-03-10). "lespecial Discusses Dissecting Primus' Debut LP Ahead Of 'Frizzle Fry' Livestream [Interview]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  20. ^ a b c Getz, B. (2023-07-21). "lespecial Warns Of Climate Chaos In Apocalyptic "Lungs Of The Planet" Video [Watch]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  21. ^ "Hearing Aide: lespecial "Omnisquid"". NYS Music. 2015-12-14. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  22. ^ Getz, B. (2020-12-10). "FOOD OF THE GODS: Decoding the New lespecial LP, 'Ancient Homies' [Review]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  23. ^ Kawas, Kel (2020-12-05). "lespecial Releases New Studio Album, 'Ancient Homies' [Stream]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  24. ^ Getz, B. (2023-09-29). "The Gains Have Been Substantial: lespecial Releases 4th Studio LP, 'Odd Times' [Review/Stream]". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  25. ^ "Concert Preview: Talking about "Odd Times" with Luke Bemand of Lespecial - The Arts Fuse". https://artsfuse.org/. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-03-18. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  26. ^ "11/15/2019 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  27. ^ "12/31/2019 Rams Head Live! Baltimore, MD, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  28. ^ "lespectacle IX @ The Reliquarium - Lincoln, RI 10/19/2019, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  29. ^ "Foundry @ The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA 2/26/2020, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  30. ^ "lespecial LIVE: Cheen Stream II @ The Music Cellar 6/25/2020, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  31. ^ "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari LIVE 10/9/2020, by lespecial". lespecial. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  32. ^ Sissler, James (2022-12-15). "lespecial & Mike Dillon Launch New Collaborative Project, Fackn' A". L4LM. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
Retrieved from "https://en.luquay.com/w/index.php?title=Draft:Lespecial_(band)&oldid=1214670759"