On the Local Scene: Scythian

Scythian,
@ Fado's Irish Pub, November 15

Five years ago, these four guys were performing on the streets of Old Town, Alexandria just for kicks and the few bucks folks might drop in a hat. But after two of them casually got up in a bar and played a song, during which the crowd went wild, their full-time music career began. Now they play inside pubs and venues with a sound system, still whipping the crowd into a frenzy, but now getting a paycheck.

Scythian plays Celtic music with a twist. Their inspirations are many and varied, with the common thread being raw energy. When listening to this band, you'll hear traces of East European music, traces of Klezmer and Gypsy music, some rock, some jazz, and occasionally even a bit of reggae. You'll also clap...a lot.

They travel all over the country playing small clubs, the smallest of which are in their home town. Why? Loyal lads that they are, they continue to play just about every Thursday night at Fado's Pub in Chinatown and occasional gigs at the tiny Flanagan's in Bethesda, another club that took a chance on them in their early days. They also have been active on the festival circuit.

Scythian are all sons of immigrants, hence the title of their debut album released this summer, Immigrant Road Show. All of them are classically trained. In fact, the drummer, who is half Jordanian, recently completed a master's of jazz from the University of Maryland (go Terps!) Two of them are brothers of Ukrainian descent and the fourth is of Austrian heritage. Their family roots figure prominently into their sound.

Scythian are: Alex and Danylo Fedoryko (Alex on vocals, fiddle/bass guitar/harmonica/mandolin and Danylo on vocals, guitar, and accordion); Josef Crosby on fiddle and bass; and Michael Ounallah on percussion.

Look for my profile of this band in the January 2008 issue of On Tap.