Each section — rhythm, horns and vocals — develops its own sound in collaboration with the whole group.

“There’s a reference to the original recording as well as a reference to the fluidity of it, the fact that we can mess with it,” Malis said.

Groove Spoon’s covers include Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Getaway,” The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

The band writes original music too, “generally by taking a little nugget and trying to make a tune out of it,” Stratton said.

Groove Spoon has written six to eight original songs, four of which have been recorded in a student-run sound booth on campus and put online. Most of the songs have been spontaneous, free-form and highly based on feeling.

As lead vocalist, Stanley contributes greatly to the songwriting dynamic.

“'Twan will just come in with whole tunes in his head, MJ style,” Stratton enthused about Stanley’s musical resemblance to Michael Jackson.

“MJ experience, right here,” Stanley jokingly agreed.

Groove Spoon’s original single “I Love You” was based off an audience-influenced concert improvisation. The song, like their music, changes and evolves constantly as the band gets new bursts of inspiration.

Band members polished “I Love You” at a recent rehearsal. After practicing the punchy electric guitar and soft keyboard, the entire band jumped into an a capella rendition of the chorus in order to harmonize the vocals. The room was buoyant with unity and exuberance.

The band’s name is one feature that has stuck through more than two years and up to 30 revolving members. Groove Spoon was originally called A New Universal Sound, which Stratton loved but clubs hated, so he went on an online name generator and found the name Groove Spoon.

“I don’t really like the name,” he added. “But that’s what it is, and it’s grown on me.”

Another constant — one looked at with more enthusiasm — is the band’s home at the University. Groove Spoon has pockets of fans from groups and programs in which the members are active. It thrives on the experimental environment the student atmosphere generates.

“This vibe you could really only find on a college campus,” said guitarist Justin Douglas, who graduated from LSA in December. “Just a bunch of musicians who are coming together without the pressure to get gigs and make tons on money.”

But Stratton feels no trepidation about advertising the band’s events, which was not always the case for his previous bands.

“With other bands, I would feel weird about promoting,” he said. “But this one, it’s just like, ‘Your loss if you don’t go.’ ”