The Brand New article in the MESSAGE by Joe Milliken-Thanks Pal!
Vermont Rockers Spectris Building A Colorful ImagePublished in The Message For The Week, April 16, 2008 Attention local rock and roll fans: be on the look out for a Spectris gig near you, because this is a well–rounded progressive rock band that you won’t want to miss. A fun band, but also a “musician’s band.” The Bellows Falls–based Spectris, which formed in 2001, is actually a re–formation of an earlier band, both of which were started by guitarist/vocalist Christopher Bergmann and his high school friend, Todd Westfall. Another Bellows Falls resident, Josh Mosher is the newest member. Both musicians are also graduates of Bellows Falls Union High School. Bergmann and Westfall originally formed a band called “Phoss”, which soon changed to “Invisible Spectrum”. “Spectris” is a mutation of the old band moniker. After high school Chris moved to Boston where he was involved in several bands, gaining valuable experience as a guitarist, bass player and keyboard player, and also getting to rub elbows with such rock legends as drummer Sib Hashian of Boston and David Robinson of The Cars. Westfall got married and started a family after high school, but still kept his dream alive of one day performing with his own band, preparing for the inevitable by purchasing a nine–piece Tama drum kit with auxiliary percussion and a P.A. system before even having a band completely formed. In 2001 Chris and Todd finally reconnected to form Spectris and released their self–titled debut in 2004, which relieved positive critical acclaim from the local media. Spectris offers a unique blend of classic rock, but also a highly instrumental–progressive influence as well, taking their cue from highly respected prog bands such as Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes and Tool. Not to mention their own songs that are not only intelligently written and impeccably arranged and performed. The local attention led to major gigs including an opening stint for legendary rockers Badfinger while also headlining the Harley Rendezvous Bike Rally in Pattersonville, New York. After undergoing a personnel change in late 2005, Westfall and Bergmann recruited another local rocker in Josh Mosher, a multi–talented singer/guitarist/bassist who has played in local bands such as Kaos and Curst, and is also working on a solo project under the name Libel. 2006 saw a large flow of new interest in Spectris, as they were invited to play the Rock The Whale Festival in Enfield, New Hampshire and were contacted by the world famous Prog-Rock society, NewEars, to play at the Lowell Brewery in Lowell, Massachusetts. 2007 highlights included the successful Field Of Rock benefit concert hosted by Christopher’s Bar And Grill In Ludlow, and the band is currently working on it’s second CD release titled Industry. “The new album has a decidedly darker, heavier sound than their previous album,” Bergmann said in a recent exclusive interview with The Message. “The CD release will also include some unbelievable new artwork by Todd, marking the next phase in Spectris’ evolution as a leading creative force in modern progressive rock and metal.” Upcoming Spectris shows include the upcoming Vermont Rally, a three day motorcycle event on June 7, at the Rutland Fairground and another show at The Imperial in Claremont, NH on June 13. Also look for the new Spectris CD Industry, due out in late summer and early fall. “We’re really looking forward to the release of our new CD". “Having Josh in the fold brings a new dimension to our sound and we are really looking forward to seeing what kind of response the new songs get from our live audiences". To learn more about Spectris and their upcoming CD release, visit their web site at www.spectrisband.com
Electra-Lebanon-Opened for BADFINGER Lowell Brewery-Lowell, MA-Presented by NewEars Harley Rendevous– Pattersonville, NY Harpoon Brewery-Windsor, VT Hard Rock Café-Boston, MA Bixby Field (Field Of Rock)-Ludlow, VT Whaleback Mountain (Rock The Whale)-Enfield, NH Newport Opera House-**USO Benefit show-Rockin For The Troops**(With HEXEREI and LEVITICUS, now known as TIL WE DIE) Nectar’s-Burlington, VT Middle Earth-Bradford, VT Green Door Pub-Stratton MTN, VT Rick’s Bar and Grille--Bellows Falls, VT Moose Hall- Bellows Falls, VT Old Home Days-Bellows Falls, VT- 2002, 2003, 2004 The Heritage-Charlestown, NH Charakters-Ludlow, VT Black Bear Pub-Springfield, VT Mcgees’s-Claremont, NH Legion Hall- Bellows Falls, VT Kaptain B’s-Musician Showcase-Ascutney, VT Shenanigans, White River Jct, VT Woody’s-Claremont, NH Magic MTN Ski Resort-Londonderry, VT Gusto’s-Barre, VT Coyote Creek Sports Pub & Grill-Claremont, NH Firehouse– Keene, NH Squiddies-Jay Peak Resort Lodge, Jay, VT Grizzly’s-Stratton MTN, VT Lucky Dog-Newport, VT KJ's-Springfield, VT Ashley’s-Randolph, VT Cuzzin’s-Barre, VT JC’s-Bennington, VT Christopher's Bar-Ludlow, VT Imperial-Claremont, NH Gino's-Keene, NH Rutland Fairgrounds-Rutland, VT-Vermont Motorcycle Rally
Front Row-St Johnsbury, VT
The Outback-Ludlow, VT
East Lounge-Claremont, NH
Millie's-Manchester, NH
Allyson's-Walpole, NH
Silver Fern, Claremont NH
several private party events
PAST PROMO PICS_____________________________________________________
"Now a three piece band, this is not the Spectris you’ve known through the years. The addition of Josh Mosher (KAOS, Curst) on bass anchors a more aggressive, guitar-forward sound that takes its cues from power trios like Tool (and Rush, which means they haven’t completely forsaken their progressive rock roots). Check out 'Entropy' on their MySpace page for a sample of this new, edgier sound." Mike Witthause, Eagle Times
Tickets and passes from "Rock The Whale" and "Field Of Rock"
FIELD OF ROCK, SUMMER '07______________________________________
The Message Field Of Rock Charity Event An Ear-Splitting Success Nine Area Bands Rock Together For Ludlow Recreation Camp
By Joe Milliken, Message Arts&Entertainment
Rock and roll is a powerful force, capable of not only bringing joy to generations of music lovers around the world, but also capable of bringing together local communities for a truly worthy cause.
In this case it was the Field Of Rock 2007 festival at Bixby Field in Ludlow, a nine-band rock concert sponsored by Ludlow's Christopher's Bar & Grill and Spiderbiteradio.com, to benefit a great cause - the local Ludlow Recreational Camp Fund.
An "open to all ages/no alcohol" event, the nearly 14-hour rock show featured some of the best local bands in the area including headliner Stonewall, as well as Undying Breed, Broken Mindz, Spectris, Starefall, Mercy Machine, D'Brotherhood, Cellblock One, Pocket Toys, and Y69.
Along with a day of great live music, there were also several interesting "giveaway" raffles including a beautiful Washburn, 12-string electric guitar complete with hard case/extra strings/picks, as well as a set of band t-shirts from all the days' performers.
After several bands performed earlier in the day including Y69, Pocket Toys, Cellblock One and the trio D'Brotherhood, local thrashers Starefall took the stage, blasting their way through an hour long set, before the veteran local band Spectris shifted gears, moving to a more progressive, power-trio sound full of tight arrangements, odd time changes and a signature classic rock-guitar sound.
Consisting of Christopher Bergmann (guitar/vocals), Todd Westfall (drums/vocals) and Josh Mosher (bass/vocals), Spectris performed an interesting mix of originals from their first album, a couple new songs and even a Tool cover mixed in.
Look for the new Spectris titled Industry to be released soon.
Springfield-based Broken Mindz, Roger Bickford (lead vocal/rhythm guitar), Roger Convey (rhythm guitar/vocals), Mike Descoteaux (bass/vocals) and Jeff Bixby (drums), followed with a hard-hitting set of fusion-type metal, displaying hard riffs that blended well with interesting progressive arrangements and an impressive rhythm section.
Undying Breed, a Slayer-influenced metal foursome which travelled down from the North Kingdom to appear at the benefit were up next, followed by Springfield's own old-school metal outfit Mercy Machine.
After eight bands worth of unadulterated metal and hard rock, the stage was set for the headlining Stonewall, a trio based in Claremont, who have been making quite a name for themselves with their unique brand of powerful grunge-rock.
Consisting of Josh Parker on guitar and lead vocals, Ryan Young on drums and vocals and Phillip Chui on bass, Stonewall has been on quite a roll to say the least, having won five-straight "battles of the bands" including most recently at the "Shenanigan's Battle of the bands" in White River Junction.
Stonewall is currently working on a new album at Exsubel Studios which should be ready sometime in the fall, and their latest single "Blessings For Pearls" is currently getting weekend airplay on the Upper Valley FM station Rock 93.9/101.7.
Overall, the Field Of Rock 2007 festival was a success in bringing together so many local bands to work as one, for a great cause.
A return show is already being planned for next year, so it looks like this may grow into an annual event.
Tickets and passes from "Rock The Whale" and "Field Of Rock"
The Message
SPECTRIS at the HARLEY RENDEZVOUS, pattersonville, New York, Summer 2005-The estimated audience was over 30,000.
