Lespecial will bring their very interesting sound to Bend for a free show downtown at The Commons on Friday night.

Where an album is mixed is an important factor in how it sounds, but it’s generally a minor detail to the listening public. Most people not only don’t care where an album is mixed — they don’t know what “mixing” means.

In the case of “Ancient Homies,” the 2020 release from New York “heavy future groove” band Lespecial, it seems worth noting that all tracks on the album were mixed by David Sanchez at Riffs or Die, which is definitely a podcast and also maybe a studio? Or, at least, it’s a guy’s online brand, and that guy has a podcast.

The point is, Lespecial is one of those bands that hasn’t forgotten about the power of a good guitar riff in rock ‘n’ roll. They’re a self-described “power trio” and that comes through in their music, which is definitely heavy and riff-centric, but also rhythmically varied (like prog rock), with regular jaunts into a more electronic, bass-forward sound. It’s like listening to a highly technical prog-metal band that moonlights as a dubstep DJ at some hedonistic Vegas pool party — a sort of musical double life.

Lespecial will bring their very interesting sound to Bend for a free show downtown on Friday night. And when they’re done, if you still want to dance, make your way to Volcanic Theatre Pub (70 SW Century Drive, Bend) for the official after-party featuring Eugene jam band Spunj with special guest Brother Gabe. Doors will open at 9:30 p.m. and it’s $13 to get in.

Lespecial: Free, 6:30 p.m. Friday; The Commons, 875 NW Brooks Street, Bend, parallel44presents.com.