By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/2/05)

When was the last time a man in his 20s played the accordion in public and was considered cool?

Nearly every Thursday night the four lads of Scythian (pronounced Sith-ee-yin) perform a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, tambourine-banging, good-clean-fun show at Fadó in Washington’s Chinatown. And week after week, the bar is packed with young adults drawn to the music.

The four band members, three of them friends since birth, perform what they call "Celtic with an edge." Their play list relies heavily on traditional Irish songs with an edgier feel — "speed folk" — and is sometimes influenced with a doo-wop beat or complemented with high energy Klezmer and gypsy songs.

"Growing up, to me, Irish music was hoky and sing-song," said fiddler Leks Fedoryka. "But the Celtic fiddle and Irish reels have incredible energy."

This energy is showcased in every one of Scythian’s performances.

They describe their music as "Celtic with an edge" because, "we don’t want to be thought of as Celtic rock," Leks said. "Rock levels a lot of the nuances of Celtic rhythms."

Scythian was formed in 2001 when brothers Oleksander (Leks) and Danylo Fedoryka, sons of former Christendom president Damian Fedoryka, were living in Alexandria and looking for a way to earn gas money. They started playing on a street corner in Old Town near the Torpedo Factory. Their friend since childhood, Joe Crosby, joined the band in 2002. Drummer Mike Ounallah joined the band earlier this year.

Leks spent four months in Ireland studying the music and culture. While there, he further discovered Celtic tunes and felt he had to play them. "People have to hear this music," he said.

The band also enjoys the cultural connection people feel to Irish music.

"Somewhere along the way it was fun and hip to be Irish," Joe said.

The trio was forced to create a street dynamic. "You had to make them listen," Joe said.

This dynamic made playing music different from what the band members were used to. Classically trained musicians who had been playing since the ages of 3-5, they found that being strict and methodical musicians on the street wouldn’t cut it. They had to not only play, but dance and entertain in order to make people listen for a song or two and throw them some change.

"When you’re jumping around, you’re not hitting as many notes perfectly," Danylo said.

"But it’s such a huge release to share with people on a whim," Leks added. When they started, "I was shy, rigid, had perfect classmanship. But music is more than that. At its raw form, music is to enjoy."

And the feedback they received only helped to fuel their passion for performing.

"It’s so much fun to play a simple tune and have people and kids dancing," Joe said. "You never get that feedback from classical music."

Once they were noticed on the street, people began inviting the band to play for functions. Their first gig was at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Danylo, Leks and Joe’s alma mater. The band says the first "real year" began in 2003.

For the sake of their music, the guys quit their day jobs to work for a ski and travel company. It allowed them the flexibility to perform more often.

In February 2004, the band took what they called a leap of faith and became a full-time band. In the beginning they made just enough money to cover rent. Soon they were performing up to three days a week.

The band’s style has evolved so that they now rely a lot on interaction with the audience during their shows. Whatever it takes — crazy antics, crowd participation, inviting audience members onstage to sing or dance — their goal is to get the audience excited about their performances.

"How the crowd responds determines how the show is," Leks said. "Eventually you create the dynamic with the crowd."

Joe said every once in a while he thinks "I’m not normal am I? It’s kind of off the wall what we do. None of us planned to be here. We’re still just playing on the streets and having fun."

The guys all count themselves lucky to be where they are today.

"Considering where we were five years ago and where we are now, it’s totally a gift from God," Leks said. "We can’t believe these incredible things that are happening to us."

God is not the only person they guys thank for their talents. Their parents have also been tremendous influences.

"Our parents never let us quit," Joe said. "Music was this thing we had to do every day."

Danylo and Leks credit their mother with encouraging them in music and not letting them quit their instruments. "It makes her very happy that we’re doing something with music," Leks said.

The band has been asked why, if they are so faith-based in their lives, they don’t play Christian music.

"I’m not trying to push myself on people," Leks said. "What we do is wholesome and good. Be faithful and do what you do well."

Scythian will play at the International Festival at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington on June 11 at 1 p.m.

For more information on the band go to www.scythianmusic.com.