Funk band Lettuce to take the stage at The Space

Billy Fitzpatrick

Modern funk is coming to Westbury on Saturday, Sept. 21, when the band Lettuce pays a visit to The Space.

While Lettuce is considered a funk band, guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff says the band’s music will also include hip hop elements and will attempt to break genres. 

“We try to become genreless at points,” said Smirnoff. “You can expect improvisations, mostly instrumental, but we do have a vocalist (Nigel Hall) who is absolutely incredible and will do a couple vocal tunes as well.”

Playing on Long Island is a homecoming of sorts for Smirnoff, who now lives in Denver but is originally from  the Westchester area.

“Long Island and New Jersey – we’re playing Asbury Park the night before – both of those, for me, are special,” said Smirnoff. “I have family in both New Jersey and New York so that weekend will be the homecoming weekend. I’ll have some family coming out to the shows when we’re out there.”

The Boston-originated band has been touring since the end of August for its newest album, “Elevate.” The band’s sixth studio album was released on June 14.

“It’s been a long process for this record as far as when the idea starts forming, when we started forming the music and when we finally got in the studio,” said Smirnoff. “This has been a couple of years in the making but there’s a lot more than meets the eye and I think sooner than later there will be a couple more releases before you know it.”

Lettuce’s sixth studio album, “Elevate.”

 

The band celebrated the release of “Elevate” by performing at the fourth annual Rage Rocks at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on June 15, just one day after the album’s release. The performance featured two full sets from Lettuce, one of  being a Jerry Garcia Band cover.

“[Red Rocks] is definitely one of my favorite places in the entire world,” said Smirnoff. “You become one with the dinosaurs when you play at Red Rocks. It’s a bucket list destination. That and The Gorge, where we just opened up for Dave Matthews Band, are some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever played at.”

To those who will be in attendance at Lettuce’s Long Island appearance on Sept. 21, Smirnoff said: “I’ll see you out there, I’m looking forward to it, and I can’t wait to be back on the East Coast. If you get the chance to look up the album ‘Elevate,’ check it out and if you learn it, you’ll probably have a better time at the show.”

“Elevate” can be found  on all major streaming platforms or it can be purchased through  the band’s website, www.lettucefunk.com. For more information on the six-piece modern funk band, you can check out the band’s bio on its website. Tickets to Lettuce’s show at The Space at Westbury are still available and can be purchased through TicketMaster or through the venue’s box office, which can be reached at 516-283-5566.

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