All in the family

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- At a time in their lives when many teens rebel against their elders, the three siblings who make up the band justincase genuinely believe their middle-aged mom and dad are pretty cool.

Cool enough, in fact, to bring their mom along on justincase's three-week tour across 10 Southern states to promote their self-titled CD on Maverick, the record label owned by Madonna.

"Their musical influence was always there, starting with the Beatles," said lead singer and guitarist Justin Tosco, 19, who writes most of the band's songs. Brother Nick, 17, plays drums and sings backup and Hannah, 16, plays the bass.

Such a warm tribute to his parents may sound corny coming from an aspiring rock star. But this is the story of a band with deep musical roots conceived in a close-knit family.

The influence was evident in their early gigs -- early, as in none of them were in high school. "We'd play "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," and then play one of my songs. Then we'd go back to another Beatle song," Justin said, laughing.

While the band members count Goo Goo Dolls and matchbox twenty among their current inspirations, Justin reaches back to Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones and James Taylor when he starts writing a song.

He can easily find their CDs, tapes or albums on the bookshelves at the Tosco home in east Charlotte, where music was an intrinsic part of family life.

"The support all around them helped make this all happen," Holly Tosco said late last month, before the band performed new songs for several hundred fans at a CD release party at Manifest Discs & Tapes.

All five Toscos truly enjoy each other's company. Not that they don't have a tiff or two among all the riffs.

"Under normal circumstances, we pick on each other like most families but we've found we work well together," Hannah said. "Someone always gives in, and it's usually me."

The trio has been performing together for six years, starting when Justin was 13, Nick was 11 and Hannah was only 10. Their musical indoctrination came at a time of their lives when most people are listening to lullabies.

"They were exposed to music from the time they were in diapers," said John Tosco, a guitar teacher by day and a legend on the local music scene.

He wasn't exaggerating. Around the time Justin was born, the couple began hosting an event at their home they called the Tosco Music Party. To support local talent, the Toscos would invite musicians to their home to sing and play acoustic music.

Over time, the event became so popular that it outgrew the house and moved into music clubs. More recently, it has been held in halls and theaters with room for several hundred people.

The event is now supported by a nonprofit corporation made up largely of fans, friends and fellow musicians. The Sept. 21 Tosco Music Party at Spirit Square's 600-seat Loonis McGlohon Theater in downtown Charlotte was a sellout.

One of the main attractions was justincase, who performed along with some of the acts they were weaned on.

"Music was part of their upbringing," John Tosco said. "When the Tosco Music Party began, we held them in our living room of our house. The kids would fall asleep on the floor as the music played on."

Even as they slept, the melodies apparently made a strong impression on the Tosco kids.

Justin, who followed in his father's footsteps as a huge Beatles fan, picked up the acoustic guitar at a young age. Nick began playing the drums and Hannah dabbled with the flute, piano and bass.

"We've gone to hundreds of concerts," Nick said. "We were exposed to all kinds of music, from country to rock and everything else."

Four years ago, when Justin was in the eighth grade, they formed justincase -- the name was suggested by a friend and it stuck -- and began playing at local shows for free. After a while, they got some paying jobs, earning $100 or so for each.

It seems like such a long time ago now that justincase's first video, "Don't Cry For Us" aired on MTV's "TRL" (Total Request Live) in September. Their CD also includes the song "Without You," that features a duet with Justin and Maverick artist Michelle Branch.

The band met Branch at the EAT'M Music Conference for unsigned acts in Las Vegas in 2000. Branch signed with Maverick later that year and was instrumental in getting justincase an audition with the label.

Last November, the band finally signed a deal with Maverick. The result was a self-titled album with 11 songs written by Justin that contain no racy lyrics.

On a rainy Tuesday night in Charlotte, the band performed to an appreciative audience made up mostly of teenage girls. Despite a serious bout of laryngitis, Justin didn't disappoint them.

Between songs, Justin divulged that all three band members agree their favorite cut on the CD is "Letter," which tells the story of a person who is ending a relationship.

"We're very proud of this record and we're excited that it's finally coming out," he said. "Your support means a lot to us."

With his earrings and bleached hair, Justin looks very much the part of the college student, though he put off attending the University of North Carolina to give stardom a try. Nick and Hannah are taking high school classes online.

Asked what they would consider to be a successful career, Hannah's answer was direct: "Longevity."

Added Justin: "We want to make this our career, so I don't have to go back to school."