Band Does Justice to Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Sound in Live Performances
Sloan Marshall may joke that he joined a band to get girls and free beer, but as keyboardist for Leroy Justice, he is bringing the music scene back to the roots of American rock ‘n’ roll.
The band, which formed more than a decade ago over a poker game on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, channels “American twangs” as well as classic rock songs from the 1970s that the five members grew up listening to.
But the real treat is for the people who watch them perform live, as they let the music take control and expand their songs with some impromptu jamming. They will take their act onto the Main Stage at this Saturday’s Pleasantville Music Festival.
“During live shows, we have a tendency to open up some tunes and just see where the music takes us, but it’s done within the confines of great songwriting as opposed to just noodling and shredding,” explained bass player Brad Wegner.
Vocalist and guitarist Jason Gallagher said performing live is always risky. The audience will be judging the group based on the one take they hear, so the pressure is always great to make everything sound good.
Wegner noted, though, that playing before a large crowd is an experience that can’t be replicated in any studio.
“There’s something that lives right out there somewhere between the band and the crowd that doesn’t actually belong to either one of them,” Wegner said. “It’s nearly tangible at times and it feels amazing to be part of it. I’ve breathed underwater and jumped out of airplanes, and they don’t compare to connecting with a live audience.”
Although none of the group’s members are named Leroy, the group gets its name from a real person. An acquaintance of the band’s original drummer passed away, but his legacy lives on in a name that the band members believe speaks to an image of Americana.
“The image I’ve always carried of Leroy Justice was a guy who could slide out from under the truck smeared with grease and oil, sit down (at) the piano, and just rip through some classic rhythm and blues,” said Wegner.
Although Gallagher jokes that the inspiration for the group’s music comes “mostly from girls in sundresses,” the fact that ’70s rock music has played a role in the band’s style makes the members of Leroy Justice all the more excited to be able to play on the same program as former Mott the Hoople lead man and festival headliner Ian Hunter.
“I have been working on my ‘All The Young Dudes’ licks all week, in case he wants to call me on stage with him,” joked Marshall. “And, of course, there’s always an extra amp waiting from him during our set…just saying.”
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