Crossing Boundaries not limited by youth

They appear to be four ordinary teenage boys.

They sound like seasoned professionals, adept well beyond each of their 17 years.

Crossing Boundaries, performing Friday at the Hard Rock Cafe, are an atypical band, a mix of unblemished youth and striking musical sophistication.

"Their writing is well beyond their years, both musically and lyrically," says Kevin McDonald, a local musician and producer who has advised the band on live performance and songwriting. "There's some really intelligent stuff, chord changes and arrangements, that I flat-out didn't expect out of guys this age."

The band started three years ago when guitarist and vocalist Jacob Klein, from Marshall, and keyboardist and singer Evan Fuhrer, from Sewickley, met at a talent contest. Destin LeCornu, also from Sewickley, was later added on drums, as was bassist and vocalist Sam Scarpino of Upper St. Clair, when previous members left.

The initial impulse when Fuhrer and Klein got together was just to jam.

"I don't know why we started playing original music," Fuhrer says. "There was no reason to write music. We were pretty young then."

What emerged from those early sessions were songs that showcased a flair for pop music laced with heart and grit. Fuhrer's keyboards allow Crossing Boundaries to enter the territory once occupied by Ben Folds Five and the late Elliott Smith. Klein's pop guitar grooves are reminiscent of early John Mayer, with just a dash of the Edge thrown in for good measure. Scarpino and LeCornu are fluid players who shape the music unobtrusively.

"All of us have really diverse influences," LeCornu says. "It all comes together in this melting pot."

The band has released two albums, "Here's to Yesterday" and "All that Matters," and opened shows for acts including Maroon 5, Raul Malo, Arrested Development and Rusted Root. But the group's greatest achievement just might be going into enemy territory and coming home with a victory. In February of this year, Crossing Boundaries finished first in the Tri-C High School Rock-Off at the House of Blues in Cleveland. Crossing Boundaries was the only non-Ohio band participating, and, during preliminaries, there were some intimations of envy about the outsiders. Once they reached the finals at the House of Blues, any resentment faded away.

"They helped us out a lot," LeCornu says. "We met some incredible people there."

"It's not like we were the football team," Fuhrer adds.

Next year, each member of the band will be a senior in high school. They all plan to go to college, but they also realize the music they are creating is special. Education is important but if there are opportunities to tour, a tough decision will have to be made.

"I want to go to college," Klein says, "but I wouldn't mind applying to schools and then taking a year off and trying to get out and do some traveling with the music."

"If it's going on a good track in the next year, we'll see what happens," Fuhrer says.

Additional Information:

Crossing Boundaries

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Admission: $5

Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square

Details: 724-481-7625