Lovelace — The Seventies Band will take West End Fair attendees back to a groovy era when the group performs Aug. 23 on the fair’s Main Stage in Gilbert.

The act, set for shows at 7 and 9 p.m., plays genres such as bubblegum pop, soft AM/jam classics, funk, disco, album-oriented rock and heavy rock.

Lovelace, whose members hail from Berks and Lancaster counties, features: Al Fanella, lead vocals; Brian Levering, guitar, plus lead and background vocals; Joe Donato, drums; Jon Smith, keyboards, plus lead and background vocals; and Larry Mindler, bass and vocals.

Taking the Lovelace moniker officially in 2018 on Mindler’s suggestion, the band “wanted a name iconic to the ’70s era,” Donato said. “Watergate would have been kind of a downer for a band name, so Lovelace — The Seventies Band kind of struck a chord … so to speak.”

Rather than directly referencing ’70s-era adult film star Linda Lovelace, the group’s name, Donato said, “is more of a nod to the era in general.”

Born and raised in Chester County, Donato — who attended the same high school as singer-songwriter Daryl Hall — had a strong pull toward music early on, as did his bandmates. AM radio influenced the musician, whose parents gave him his first drum set at age 6.

“I would craft visions in my mind’s eye of the stories being told. Songs like ‘Seasons in the Sun,’ ‘Billy, Don’t Be a Hero’ and ‘American Pie’ were influential to drawing me into a narrative that I could daydream away to the song.”

Sonically, Donato enjoyed strong hooks and pop sensibilities. He vividly recalls seeing Bay City Rollers play “Saturday Night” on Howard Cosell’s mid-1970s variety show.

“I was awe-struck. I wore tartan and plaid for a year afterward and would lip-sync rock concerts in my bedroom, complete with cheesy light show and phony Scottish accents.”

Growing up, Donato drove his parents “bonkers,” playing favorites such as Wings and Electric Light Orchestra nonstop. One song, The Knack’s “My Sharona,” blew his mind.

“The lyrics intimated at something a bit more dangerous than just good hooks, and firmly planted the themes that make rock ‘n’ roll and puberty inseparable.”

Donato — who gravitated to genres such as classic rock, metal, singer-songwriter, and alt- and old-school-country — previously played with Fanella and Mindler in multiple bands. He also recorded five records as a member of rock band Anthrophobia from 1995 to 2008.

Levering plays in other bands, while Smith’s project Jon Smith’s Voyages — which recently released a new album, “Unattended Symphony” — draws heavily from the 1970s. Lovelace, meanwhile, has discussed recording original music, though the idea has yet to materialize.

Some Lovelace members, Donato said, have regular jobs, though a couple make their living as performers, music instructors and sound engineers.

Looking ahead, Donato has a full-theater Lovelace show in development. He hopes the project grows into a national touring production that plays larger venues and events.

In the meantime, the drummer relishes the chance to make emotional connections with fans.

“It is always a great feeling when you get a high-five after a show and a fan says, ‘You guys rocked tonight.’ ”

However, “the greatest highlights are when someone may approach you sheepishly after a show and tell you how much hearing a song meant to them.

“I have seen people smile from ear to ear while we are playing a tune, and I have seen one or two people cry,” he said. “That’s powerful. That is what music is supposed to do.”