For a good laugh The Good Times Band can more than provide. The four memebers are known to incorporate quirky acts of comedy into their performances, such as wearing afro wigs to perform a '70s disco number or pulling the audience to their feet with the Irish medley "Whiskey of the Devil."

After a 4-year hiatus, The Good Times Band will return to the stage for its comeback performance on Friday, at Legends Bar.

The band will feature three of the four original members, Chris Kowaleski on bass guitar, Tim Stevens on keyboards and Mike Bruton on lead guitar.

Original member Mike Thurston, acoustic guitarist, passed away unexpectedly in June of 2004. Just after the band had started talking about getting back together.

Larry Glauberman will join the band on drums.

The former local cover band was an all acoustic group that played popular tunes from the classic rock genre.

The band attributes their success to the all acoustic music they played, as well as their quirky antics of comedy.

The band stopped performing in 2001 as they felt that they had exhausted all avenues of acoustic performance. Several of the members had also gotten married and wanted to spend more time with their families.

Although the band no longer played the local music scene, they kept in touch and jammed together whenever they could.

"We were just four good friends looking to have a good time," Kowaleski said. "We have been very lucky in that we have always been friends first. That was good for the band."

With their return, the band has decided to go electric and add drums, but they won't abandon their acoustic side of performing.

In addition to the classic rock music they are known for, the band has added disco and '80s funk. They plan to keep the comedy as part of the act.

"We are part music performance and part comedy," Stevens said. "We don't plan for the comedy but we are having such a great time that we work well off of each other. The fact that we are friends has a lot to do with that."

Stevens has played with many bands since high school. His first professional gig was at the age of 14.

"We had a Friday night standing gig at the Hejamada Campgrounds," Stevens said. "We were kids and having a great time."

Garage bands are where Mike Bruton got his start. He picked up the guitar at 11 years old and has written most of his own originals through the years. He played in the band Tantrum with Kowaleski and was the opening act for Benny Mardones, at the Winners Circle in Auburn.

Kowaleski also got his start as a teenager playing with garage bands. He and Bruton have played in many bands together through the years. His first professional gig was at the age of 12.

The bands newest member Larry Glauberman, started playing drums at the age of 7. He spent many years traveling the Central New York music circuit running sound for area bands.

The band is well rehearsed and ready to hit the music scene again and are psyched about being back into the groove.

"They used to perform here at the bar," said Legends bar owner, Marcy Albino. "We are glad to see them back together."