A local band called lespecial brings new sound to its performances

KENT — As part of the annual Sidewalk Festival, local band lespecial (pronounced with no French accent, simply as le-special) grooved the crowd outside Kent House of Books last Friday, Aug. 1.

“Chill globally, groove locally†has become a slogan the band endorses and the crowd did just that as they enjoyed the wide range of psychedelic-style selections.

It all started four years ago when the band entered, and won, the Battle of the Bands competition at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Three students — Luke Bemand and Rory Dolan of Kent and Jonathan Grusauskas of Falls Village — joined up and have been making music together ever since.

After winning the Battle of the Bands in 2004, they repeated their success with another win in the 2005 contest.

“It really was a motivation for us to keep going. Winning it two years in a row told us, ‘we can do this,’†said Grusauskas.

When asked what genre the band falls under, the band members laughed. Bemand said, “Hard rock,†and then laughed.

“We are sort of a groove-experimental group. We love to do improvisational jazz among other things,†said Grusauskas. Some influences of the band include Radiohead and Primus. The result is a sound that is refreshing and breaks the mold of the typical punk rock band.

Now in college, the three still play together on weekends, mostly in New York City.

“Our spot down in the city is Sullivan Hall in Greenwich Village. We also play up in Massachusetts sometimes because Luke and Rory go to school at Berklee College of Music [near Boston],†said Grusauskas.

Meeting up can be difficult but the band has been pretty good at playing most weekends. As a result, their fan base is growing.

During the summer, the band members says they love playing locally at Bohemian Pizza in Litchfield on a weekly basis as well as getting involved in the community.

“All three of us give back by offering private lessons to kids interested in our instruments. For example, Rory and Luke were just down at Club Getaway, working with the kids and having group jam sessions,†said Grusauskas.

Upcoming events include a peace dance festival this Friday, Aug. 15, in Cornwall Bridge. Organizer Charlie Keil of Lakeville has brought together talented bands including lespecial to play contra dance music and New Orleans brass music.