Artist: Jeshua Marshall

Featured song: “The Weeping Symphony”

Upcoming show: Guardian of the Underdog at Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend; 8 p.m. Oct. 29; $5 at the door; volcanictheatrepub.com.

Jeshua Marshall is best known as the bassist and co-founder of long-running, Bend-based, roots-punk band Larry and His Flask. In the last few years, he’s become a much more visible presence on the local scene with his new bands Guardian of the Underdog and Hot Club of Bend. The Flask will be on the road through Sept. 9, including four dates with The Reverend Horton Heat. Until Marshall returns, tide yourself over with this performance of his song “The Weeping Symphony.”

Q: What’s the story behind this song — how was it written, recorded, etc.?

A: I started coming up with the chord progression, and then the lyrics just evolved over time. I pretty much wrote it all in the same day or two, and then added to the lyrics a little bit later. … I have some songs like that, that just all came out at once, and then there’s other ones that have been bits and pieces, like a little bit there. Even with this one, if a different lyric pops in my head that sounds better, I’ll just change it. Even if I have recorded it, I’ll still just change it.

Q: What’s the story inside this song — what’s it about?

A: It’s a lot about my dad. The Weeping Symphony is like — my dad had terminal pancreatic cancer. When he was diagnosed, they gave him about six weeks to two months to live. And he went through some chemotherapy and stuff, and it prolonged his life almost 10 months. But when he did pass (in November 2011) — the Weeping Symphony is kind of like a metaphor for myself and my brother (Jamin Marshall, Larry and His Flask drummer). We’ve been lifelong bandmates and musicians together. And all of my bandmates were like his sons as well; he treated all of my friends like they were his kids, too. He was a very loving man. It was kind of a metaphor. … Like, what do you do when a person who’s so important to you is gone?

— Brian McElhiney, The Bulletin