At least one Friday or Saturday night a month, a crowd gathers at The Vineyard off Coursey Boulevard to watch five men play a unique concoction of country, rock, and soul. The five belong to Leauxco, a band growing in local popularity.
According to their Web site, Leauxco is “an eclectic blend of modern & classic rock, a bit of country, and a whole lotta soul.” During live shows, the band tries to incorporate their original country-rock material with covers of artists such as The Black Crowes, Cheap Trick, Wild Cherry and Eric Clapton. They have made an especially significant splash at their favorite venue, The Vineyard.
Casey Jackson, bartender at The Vineyard for more than a year, has seen many of the band’s performances.
“We’re [a] pretty small [bar], but now they pack it every time. They really mix it up,” she said.
The band has gathered its own crowd faithful to the band’s sound.
“I think the crowd’s getting bigger every time. They really have their own following,” Jackson said.
Leauxco began as a group of committed LSU fans. The name, taken from the University’s popular spelling for “Geaux Tigers,” reflects the affinity the band has with LSU sports.
The band consists of Ryan David on lead guitar, Chris Lindsey on bass, Neil Ray as vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Nicholas Roberts on keyboards and guitar, and Ed Wattigney on drums. Two band members, Roberts and Lindsay, are current LSU students. Formed more than three years ago, the band continues to evolve, as Roberts was taken into their fold only a few months ago.
Recently, Leauxco has played at a wide variety of venues, including Zachary Café, The Train Station and a gig for the LSU Foundation at LSU football coach Nick Saban’s house last semester.
Ray, the main songwriter of the band, finds inspiration for his songs from one source.
“[The songs] are mostly about heartache,” he said.
The songs reflect almost only that.
“How hard must I try/ To keep my dreams alive?/ To open your eyes/ And you’ll realize once and for all/ That the fear is worse than the fall,” Ray croons in “The Fear is Worse Than the Fall.”
The band plans to complete work on an album this year.
“We’ve got a few songs that are in limbo, and we plan on going into the studio sometime this summer,” Ray said. “We’re still recording and trying to get some stuff together,” Roberts said.
To download samples of Leauxco’s music, try its Web site at www.leauxco.com.