Vermont Rockers Spectris Building A Colorful Image

Spectris: Photo By Joe MillikenPublished 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.
Christopher Bergmann of Spectris: Photo By Joe MillikenAfter 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.
Todd Westfall of Spectris: Photo By Joe MillikenAfter 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.
Josh Mosher of Spectris: Photo By Joe Milliken“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