It was just past 1 a.m., and local cover band Kids in a Sandbox had finished playing a gig at Clam Diggers in Dickson City. A patron approached rhythm guitar player Rich Robinson, praising the band and, specifically, lead guitarist Dom Tolerico.
"When you see him, you tell him he's sick," the man told Mr. Robinson, who thanked him and shook his hand. Little did the patron know that the musician he was complimenting hadn't even begun high school yet.
"He lost it when he found out (Dom) was 14," Mr. Robinson said.
According to Mr. Robinson, practically the band's patriarch at 20 years old, the group's young ages have no effect on the its performances.
"We're really tight when we play," he said. "We're very professional, but we're entertainers."
Clam Diggers' owner, Dave Turano, initially was hesitant to book such a young band, but after their performance, he was impressed.
"They were excellent. To be playing that young is awesome," he said, also noting that the bartenders were receiving positive feedback on the band all night.
"I see so many bands come through here," Mr. Turano said. "They're (Kids in a Sandbox) going to be good. They were just up there playing classic rock."
The band plays everything from the Beatles to Bruno Mars in local bars and clubs until the early morning hours. These venues are a far cry from the first time the band played together at Lakeland Junior-Senior High School's talent show this past April.
The band formed when Mr. Robinson, drummer Laura Konosky, 18, and bass player Matt Bednash, 20, began playing music together for fun a few times a week. Lead singer Alyssa Corey, 18, was introduced to the band by Mr. Robinson and soon took over lead vocals. After Dom, who just turned 15, was added to the mix, the band decided it was time to begin looking for gigs at clubs. In addition to Clam Diggers, the band has played at local venues such as Mark's Cafe in Simpson, the Stonehouse in Carbondale and the Caverna in Jessup.
Rooted in music
Music has always been a part of the band members' lives. Dom's father was interested in music and owned several guitars, so Dom began taking lessons at Galucci Music in Scranton at 10. As a classic rock fan, Dom, who once met Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, cites Led Zepplin's Jimmy Page as his guitar idol.
Ms. Konosky began playing bells and drums in her high school marching band and the guitar for jazz band. Ms. Corey comes from a musical family and was a member of the chorus and played the trumpet throughout grade school. She performed in musicals during high school and taught herself how to play the guitar.
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Bednash also are self-taught musicians. Mr. Robinson learned guitar on his own at 16 after playing drums in marching band in high school. Mr. Bednash gained proficiency in guitar, bass and drums without any lessons and without ever playing music in school. Mr. Bednash said he doesn't know how to read music, but it doesn't hinder his songwriting ability.
"I think you're better off writing music without theory or any of that," Mr. Bednash said. "If you know how to play, you can write music."
Kids in a Sandbox has a handful of original songs written, but it rarely gets a chance to play its songs at venues.
"When you're at bars, (the crowd doesn't) really want to hear it," Mr. Robinson said.
"If we ever make it big, we'll bring them out," Mr. Bednash said with a laugh.
Band members are still happy to cover their favorite artists when they perform, citing as their influences not only classic rock icons like the Doors, the Beatles and Pink Floyd but also alternative rockers like Nirvana and Alanis Morissette.
Scheduling conflicts
Scheduling practices can be difficult, the band said. For example, Ms. Corey is a member of the cheerleading squad at Keystone College, where she is a sophomore. She and Mr. Robinson both work part-time jobs at Kmart. Mr. Robinson is a junior business major at Marywood University.
Mr. Bednash is employed full time at Jack Williams Tire & Auto Service Center in Dickson City. Ms. Konosky will attend Temple University this fall. Dom is a member of Lakeland's marching band and will start his freshman year this fall.
However, the band always finds time to get together.
"We enjoy it so much that we're either going to make it work ..." Ms. Corey said.
"Or we're going to make it work," cut in Mr. Robinson, finishing her sentence and making it obvious that all of the members of the band are close friends.
According to Mr. Robinson, the band is made up of "friends that all know how to play music," and they make sure they're enjoying themselves in whatever they do. Whether they are performing, going on nature hikes, having band sleepovers or writing original songs, the band's mission is to have a good time.
"We spend more time being friends," Ms. Corey said.
Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com
Meet Kids in a Sandbox
Alyssa Corey, 18: Lead vocals, guitar; sophomore at Keystone College
Dom Tolerico, 15: Lead guitar; freshman at Lakeland Junior-Senior High School
Rich Robinson, 20: Rhythm guitar, vocals; junior at Marywood University
Matt Bednash, 20: Bass guitar, vocals; Johnson College graduate; employed at Jack Williams Tire & Auto in Dickson City
Laura Konosky, 18: Drums; freshman at Temple University
On the road
For music and local shows, check out Kids in a Sandbox on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidsinasandboxmusic
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