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"Honestly, it always feels like a party whenever we play," said singer/guitarist Chris Blessing.

Along with drummer Ryan O'Hara and bassist Jacob Logue, Blessing has been building The Primates' name on the Auburn music scene with shows at , (where they'll return Nov. 18) and  (where they'll return Nov. 26).

The Primates played their first show in January at the theater. They began taking form when Blessing sat in with O'Hara for a set by . After O'Hara said yes to joining Blessing's project, the singer/guitarist recruited Logue, whom he knew from working at Auburn Public Theater and playing in Grateful Dead cover band .

"I think we all had a similar idea of what we wanted to do with the band," Blessing said. "We wanted to jam, but we also wanted to get people dancing and play music that also makes people think and inspires them."

Though they've been together less than a year, The Primates already have nine or 10 originals to their name. Influenced by blues, funk, soul and jam, their rock sound meets Blessing's personal storytelling on songs like "About Mary," "Undone" and "Capricorn." Audiences already know most of the words to the latter, Blessing said.

"We try to have our music remain positive or have some sort of message of free-spiritedness and general goodness," he said.

Between its own songs, The Primates blend classic rock covers by Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and more, as well as modern rock by Nirvana, The Black Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The White Stripes. 

The Primates have self-recorded a demo of their own songs, and plan to do another. They're also hoping to branch out of the Auburn scene — though the three are grateful for the enthusiasm they've gotten from their hometown so far.

"It's a very good community of artists and musicians that stick together and look out for each other," Blessing said. "I didn't think Auburn would have that kind of atmosphere, but it certainly does."

Five questions with The Primates singer/guitarist Chris Blessing

Q. What's the first concert you remember seeing?

A. I think it was Lynyrd Skynyrd in Pittsburgh. I was 14 or 15.

Q. What's one venue you've always wanted to play?

A. If I can be unrealistic, I'd probably say Royal Albert Hall.

Q. Do you have a desert island album?

A. When all else fails, I'd have to say "Led Zeppelin II."

Q. Who are your biggest musical influences?

A. There's a lot. Not that I would ever compare myself to the man, but I'm a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix. And Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin. I learned how to play guitar by watching concert footage of him playing. I think the same could be said for Jerry Garcia.

Q. What's your favorite song to play live?

A. Our song "Capricorn." The people that come to see us know most of the words, if not all of them. When we play live we usually jam it a bit. We have fun and go all-out with it.