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Band works the local circuit

Members of the band Jacob's Son Tony Levesque, Greg Bean, Mike Bean and Nick Cosimini are all local residents and play at many local venues. Reminder submitted photo
By Chloe Johnson

Staff Intern



Playing at bars throughout the region, Jacob's Son is paving their way to success on the local band circuit.

Comprised of four local men, the band has the drive to go as far as their music will take them.

"We just want to be a great local band -- and see where that takes us," said bassist Tony Levesque of East Longmeadow. We've all been playing for years. "It's really exciting. For all of us, this is our first original band."

Levesque, Greg Bean of Springfield, and Mike Bean of Palmer grew up together and formed Jacob's Son in 2004.

In August of 2005, after a change with the drummer position, Jacob's Son acquired drummer Nick Cosimini of Hampden.

According to band members, Cosimini was the missing piece to their puzzle.

"Nick was the fit that we were looking for," Levesque said. "After that, everything just came together."

Jacob's Son is the sound of four guys who love to rock -- fist-pumping and spread-eagle stance style.

"Our music in one word: Big," Mike Bean said. "A four piece has a big sound. Big's a style. We all let our instruments ring ... We have a similar sound to Soundgarden ... like a 1990's rock band, and we're modern like the Deftones."

Jacob's Son began playing live at local bars like the Cabot St. Pub and the Meadows.

"There's nothing like playing live," Greg Bean said. "And we're not in it for the money."

Cosimini agreed.

"It's pretty much the fun of performing -- getting up there and doing our thing," he explained. "We're just having fun together and having a great time."

And they also get the chance to share their originality with local audiences.

"We write our own music. It's so gratifying to see people's reaction to our music," Greg Bean said.

With a growing fan base and a three-song CD, Jacob's Son wants to get their music out to new audiences. One way they're bringing their music to fans outside of western Massachusetts is through the website Myspace.com

"Myspace is a great tool for musicians. It allows people to listen to our music and support us," Cosimini.

"And we like the feedback," Mike Bean added.

Levesque added that the band members are also "really lucky to get the support that we do from our friends and family. We're just flattered by all the support we get."

As for whether Jacob's Son is trying to make it big, the four members all agree that while it is a dream, right now they just want to work on being the best local band.

"It's a dream, but we've still got our feet on the ground," Mike Bean said.

Greg Bean acknowledged the work it would require to rise to a higher level of fame.

"I think we're all excited by the possible dream of having this band be our career. But there are also other bands who work so much harder and it's amazing that they can and are willing to do that," he said.

Cosimini added, "We write good tunes, have fun, and are happy with it. But in the back of my mind, you can't rule it out. Maybe someday we'll be able to make it into a career and have that dream."

Levesque said fame is alluring to him, as well.

"It takes a lot of money to do this, but once you see all the smiles and the bobbing heads, it's worth it," he added.

Jacob's Son will perform April 7 at Finn MacCools in Westfield, at Fat Cat's in downtown Springfield April 21, and at Crossroads in Palmer May 6.

For more information on Jacob's Son or to request a CD, visit www.myspace.com/jacobsson.