PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The popular Dave Matthews Band is in town for concerts Friday and Saturday nights at the First Niagara Pavilion.

The band has a legion of fans. But the high energy rockers are also a band with a conscience, giving back to communities they visit.

They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty in the process. A case in point is a community garden at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA.

Bass player Stefan Lessard picked up a pair of wire cutters to help volunteers construct a compost bin. It’s hot work for a guy who could be hanging out at the hotel pool.

“When I’m at home,” Lessard says, “I’m always dilly-dallying around, doing some project and so when I’m on the road it’s not natural for me just to sit in the hotel and do nothing all day. So that’s why I’m out here.”

The bass player teamed up with Adam Gardner, director of “Reverb,” a group that helps bands partner with community groups nationwide.

“He’s been very into food, and growing your own food,” Gardner says. “So we reached out to Grow Pittsburgh, and found this project and we’re here to help out however we can.”

Grow Pittsburgh director Julie Butcher-Pezzino agrees.

“He feels really passionate about access to local food, especially in more under-served communities and he really, on his day off, wanted to give back to the Pittsburgh community before he heads out to Burgettstown for the show.”

“Then when you go back to do music again,” Lessard says. “Maybe you’re inspired in a different way.”

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