Scythian Delivers Celtic Music with Unique Twist, Contagious Zeal
Jesika McKenzie
Issue date: 10/5/05 Section: Baltimore Life
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Scythian performs regularly at Mick O'Shea's, an Irish joint just blocks from campus at 328 N. Charles St. The group, whose name is pronounced "sith-ee-yin," garners delight from all audiences-young and old, with songs such as "Drunken Sailor," which has a twist-the audience is expected to provide the words; "The Devil Goes Down to Georgia;" and the more traditional "Danny Boy."
Oleksander "Leks" Fedoryka (violin, mandolin, harmonica, bass and vocals), Danylo "Dan" Fedoryka (guitar, accordion, keyboards and vocals), Josef "Joe" Crosby (violin, bass and vocals) and Mike Ounallah (percussion and drums) are the talent and sustenance of the band known as Scythian.
Part of what makes the band so appealing is their unique background. Ukrainian brothers Leks and Dan Fedoryka grew up in a family of 10 siblings. Raised by a loving mother, who is also a Juilliard School alumna, and a college professor father, education and performing as a family were a way of life.
The brothers both earned undergraduate degrees from Franciscan University in Ohio. With degrees in hand, the Fedorykas took what Dan Fedoryka describes as the ultimate risk: they went out on their own to perform "untraditionally."
"We quit our jobs," Dan Fedoryka said. "It was a hobby at first, but we knew that we would never do it right unless we gave it 100 percent."
Crosby has been horsing around with the brothers since childhood, which may explain the intensity of Scythian's signature dueling fiddle act. It entails Crosby and Leks Fedoryka battling it out on stage with fiddles in tow. Crosby, who brings the only Irish blood to Scythian, studied at Duquesne, a Catholic university in Pennsylvania.
Scottish-Jordanian Ounallah is Scythian's seventh drummer and, word is, he is here to stay.
Added Leks Fedoryka, "Mikey made that rare connection with the rest of us."
Ounallah is currently working on his master's in jazz percussion and theory at the University of Maryland. He described joining Scythian as "walking into a brotherhood."
The classically trained performers of the band have cumulatively racked up venues such as the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, the Benedum Center and an episode of "The Real World: Philadelphia," which was recorded at the Plough & the Stars, an Irish bar located in Philadelphia.
Also on the bands' impressive list of accomplishments is an appearance in "The Village," a 2004 movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
"If you look closely at the band performing at the wedding-it's us," Dan Fedoryka said.
Scythian also was featured recently on "The Bob Edwards Show," which aired on XM Satellite Radio. The 28-minute set included an interview and in-studio song recordings, which can be accessed at the band's website.
But, for the lads of Scythian, it really is all about the music.
"The music speaks for itself," said Dan Fedoryka, which he described as "high energy."
Scythian's beat is a mix of Celtic, Klesmer, Gaelic, Gypsy and rock. But the audience agrees with Dan Fedoryka.
"Pure adrenaline," Josh Dickerson said of a recent Scythian performance at Baltimore's Mick O'Shea's.
By now, some of you may be wondering-what does the name Scythian actually mean?
According to Dan Fedoryka, "The Scythians were Pre-Mesopotamian barbarians who didn't use forks or phonics."
Scythian roots can be traced back to the streets of Alexandria, Va., when performing for gas money was a reality. Learning how to solicit and draw in a crowd was an essential step in evolving from nomadic beginnings (no pun intended).
"We learned the angle from other street performers," Dan Fedoryka said.
When asked about the origins of the band's inspiration, Leks Fedoryka explained that it comes from playing on the streets. One aspect of engaging a crowd that he learned is "if you get the kids dancing, the adults will follow."
"Starting out at the bottom was a valuable lesson," Leks Fedoryka said. Performing on the street is "where we learned how to really connect with people."
Again, the audience couldn't agree more. As Greg Pontone pointed out, Scythian is "really unique-they infallibly get the crowd into the music."
How, you ask, do classically trained musicians transition into the bar scene? This was most appropriately cleared up by Crosby.
"Bottled up playing classical music for so long was like being a 24-year-old debutant-repression personified," he said.
With training, talent and charisma, it is apparent that Scythian is equipped with the right tools when presented with a challenge. Dan Fedoryka spoke animatedly of an experience which involved flipping the band's trailer on Interstate 95, as well as the time Leks Fedoryka broke his wrist and still continued to play. Scythian is proud to say that they have not yet missed a show.
Ginny Smith, a "self-appointed fan club member" appreciates Scythian's dedication to the audience and the music.
"What is so endearing is that Dan smiles through every song," Smith said.
Scythian credits their success to-first and foremost-their parents and, secondly, the "goodwill of the people. It is because of the people who helped along the way that Scythian has made it to where we are today," Leks Fedoryka said.
Scythian's website peaked to three million hits on Aug. 1. Their site, which is personality-infused, user-friendly and updated constantly, provides schedules, directions and pictures from most shows. The band is committed to their fans and believes the website has been an effective way of keeping supporters connected.
One of Scythian's adages is "music among friends" and, as Dan Fedoryka said, "the website has really helped create a sense of community."
What does the future hold for Scythian?
"Only time will tell," Ounallah said.
The band has a new CD in the works, which will be released in February. This disc will be their third. Although a name has not yet been decided, Ounallah is thinking "Choosy Beggar" just might make the cut.
Raw passion has taken Scythian on an unforgettable journey and opened doors that are leading places.
"Our motto is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way," Leks Fedoryka said. "We make a living and everything else is just gravy."
Long-term goals are not top priority for Scythian; how "untraditional" of them.
"Play hard, entertain people and focus on the present," said Leks Fedoryka of Scythian's immediate aspirations. "We owe it to the audience to give them a good show."
As Crosby said, "It is the not knowing that's the exciting part."
Oh, and guys, don't worry, Scythian's performance last month set the Irish car-bomb record at Mick O'Shea's. So, the music isn't all about the girls. For those of you who may not be aware, an Irish Car-Bomb is a wicked mixture of Guinness beer, Bailey's Irish Cream and Irish whiskey (I just recently learned this the hard way-I should have asked first).
Upcoming Performances:
Oct 14 and Dec. 2, 9:30 p.m.
Mick O'Shea's
328 N. Charles St.
Baltmore, MD 21202
(410) 539-7504
http://www.mickosheas.com/
Oct. 7 and 28, time to be announced
Flanagan's Irish Pub
7637 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 986-1007
http://www.flanagans-irish-pub.com/
$5 cover charge at the door