Scythian (band)

Scythian

Scythian performing in 2014
Background information
Origin Washington, D.C., USA
Genres Celtic, Celtic rock
Years active 2002 - present
Website http://www.scythianmusic.com/
Members Josef Crosby
Alexander Fedoryka
Danylo Fedoryka
Tim Hepburn
Past members Alexander Kuldell
Michael Ounallah
Andrew Toy
Ben-David Warner

Scythian is a Celtic/Celtic rock band based in the DC Metro Area that formed in 2002 and went full-time in 2004.[1] Their latest studio album, "Old Tin Can," is the band's seventh album. The band's name, according to the members of Scythian, means "[a] bunch of pre-Mesopotamian barbarians who did not use forks or phonics," to describe a varying sound that encompasses everything from traditional jigs and reels to contemporary covers.[2] The UB Post describes their sound as a mix of Celtic, Klezmer, Gaelic, Gypsy and Rock.[3]

The band was named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythians, due to the Ukrainian ancestry of Alexander, Larissa and Danylo Fedorykas.

The band comprises brothers Alexander Fedoryka (Violin/Mandolin/Harmonica/Bass/Vocals) and Danylo Fedoryka (Rhythm Guitar/Accordion/Vocals) as well as band members Josef Crosby (Violin/Bass/Vocals), and Tim Hepburn (Percussion/Drums). Since its inception, Scythian developed from a group of street performers in Alexandria, VA,[3] to the 2009 winner of Washington City Paper's Best of DC 'Best Local Band' competition.[4] In 2004 the band scored a brief appearance in the M. Night Shyamalan film The Village.[5] The band has toured extensively on the East Coast.[6] In 2011, Ben-David Warner began touring with Scythian, greatly strengthening their live sound. He left the band in 2014, returning to play once in 2015 while the band was on tour. He also makes an appearance on Old Tin Can. In July 2011, Michael Ounallah left the band. He was replaced by Andrew Toy as drummer who played through 2013. The band's current drummer is Tim Hepburn.

Band members

Josef Crosby

Alexander Fedoryka

Danylo Fedoryka

Tim Hepburn

Past Band members

Alexander Kuldell

Michael Ounallah

Danny Schneible

Andrew Toy

Ben-David Warner

Discography

Controversy

In 2013, 3 members of Scythian agreed to perform at the "March for Marriage," a march opposing same-sex marriage, organized by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). The march was to take place on the day of oral arguments before the Supreme Court on the matter of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case concerning California Proposition 8. Scythian band members, Alexander Fedoryka, Danylo Fedoryka and Ben-David Warner started the new group Ultramontane. Scythian band member Josef Crosby was not part of Ultramontane, so the press photos that Ultramontane gave NOM included Scythian band photos that featured only the Fedoryka brothers and Warner. In response to his band mates' plans to play at the march, Crosby released the following statement via his Facebook page:

"Dear Friends, The last few days have been really tough for me with the Ultramontane/Scythian/NOM controversy. I was completely unaware of this upcoming event and NOM in general. But I’ve since spent many hours researching this group and I’m saddened that now Scythian will be associated with an ideology I so strongly oppose. I’d like to sincerely apologize to all of my friends and all Scythian fans that have been hurt by recent circumstances. I know my bandmates’ intention is not to harm, and their actions come from a place of faith, but I understand the response and concerns this has generated. I’ve always made it a point to leave politics at the door when it came to Scythian, but I feel I have to go on record as saying that I am completely in support of full equality for all couples, no matter their orientation. I can only hope the Supreme Court agrees. Joey" [7]

Scythian issued the following statement on its Facebook page:

"Like the country, the members of Scythian are divided on the definition of marriage, but, remaining great friends, we have the utmost respect for each others' freedoms of opinion."[8]

Drummer Andrew Toy also decided not to perform at the march.[8] Toy eventually left the band shortly afterward, though it is unclear if his leaving was connected with the controversy.[9]

In the end, Ultramontane decided not to perform and the concert was ultimately cancelled. Scythian has no affiliation with the NOM.

References

  1. ↑ "Immigrant Road Show review". CelticRadio.net. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  2. ↑ "Scythian". Leeway's HomeGrown Music Network. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Scythian Delivers Celtic Music with Unique Twist, Contagious Zeal". The UB Post. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Washington City Paper's 2009 Best of D.C.". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  5. ↑ Hahn, Fritz (6 August 2004). "Scythian, Gettin' Jiggy With It". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  6. ↑ "Adrenaline Peddlers: An Interview With the Band Scythian". Washingtonian. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Members of band hurt by NOM speak out". Talk About Equality. Wordpress. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  8. 1 2 "More NOM 'March For Marriage' musical weirdness; why you won't find any Google hits for UltraMontane". Good As You. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "NOM breaks up the band". Talk About Equality. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
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