Chit-Chat with lead singer Kyle Dee: The Frantic is barely legal and rarely contained

You’re never too young to rock. Bands The Frantic, Late Night Hooligan Riff Raff and the Nick Galik Band will perform an all-ages benefit concert for Rock For Kids on Saturday, Feb. 27 at This Must Be The Place in Lemont. Members of The Frantic know all too well of how a person’s age doesn’t determine their ability. With band members no older than 21, the band and its successes – including going on a nationwide tour in June – serves as an example of age just being a number. Kyle Dee (lead vocalist and guitarist), Chris Farnesi (bass), Ian Farnesi (guitars) and Brett Hartwell (drums) are ready to rock Lemont for a charity they believe in. Rock For Kids is a non-profit organization that provides free year-round music education to underserved children and teens.

The Frantic. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Because of your young age as a band, do you catch a lot of slack?
A lot of times when we play at the bars, they expect nothing from us because of our age, but when we play, we impress... I think our age has opened a lot of doors for us. We definitely work it toward our advantage. We just hope that our age doesn’t affect the way people see us or listen to our music. 

Aren’t you too young to be in bars?
I’m 19, so I’m not supposed to be in bars. But when we perform its OK. It’s weird though. (laughs)

The band has been playing together since before high school. What were your dreams and hopes back then? Was it to play in a band?
It always stayed pretty consistent from when I was 3 years old. I’ve always been into music... I learned the piano at age 6, and I started learning the guitar at 8 years old. I always pictured myself in a band. I actually use to draw pictures of myself on stage.

Rock For Kids provides music education to children who can’t afford it. What has music done for you?
I couldn’t live without it. Since I was born, it was the first thing that caught my attention. Being able to put on this benefit concert for Rock For Kids is great to be part of. Working benefits are good to do, but when you help with one that you can relate to ... you put your passion into it.

The band is called The Frantic. What is something that makes you frantic?
My youth. Our band is definitely based on our youth and energy. Staying loose is a big message for the band. At first, our name, The Frantic, just sounded cool, but then it just started to fit in with the band... We try to be crazy on stage. As lead singer, the band pushed me to step out of the box, so now I’ve been jumping off the stage.

SEE THE SHOW
WHAT The Frantic, Late Night Hooligan Riff Raff and the Nick Galik Band
WHERE This Must Be The Place, 206 Main St., Lemont; (630) 243-1500, www.betheplace.com    
WHEN 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27   
HOW MUCH $10 suggested donation
WEB SITE www.thefrantic.com
EXTRA Limited edition The Frantic T-shirts are available in Hot Topic stores around the state.