Lemonface is a local pop-ska band that's been making waves throughout the D.C. metropolitan area not only for their catchy tunes and harmonies, but for the fact that they're all just 14 years old. Coming down off a show this past Monday at Fort Reno, the three members, Dana, Richard and Brendan took time to answer some DCist questions.

VITALS:
Full Name: Dana Wilentz (bass/vocals)
Age: 14
Hometown: Montgomery Village, Md.

Full Name: Richard Wynne (guitar/vocals)
Age: 14
Hometown: Vienna, Va.

Full Name: Brendan Philip McCusker (drums)
Age: 14
Hometown: Rockville, Md.

You guys are all 15 or 14, correct? Have you found that your youth has worked for you as a band (i.e. novelty in the scene) or against you (i.e. people not wanting to take you seriously)?

DANA: I think it's a little of both. The novelty thing is okay sometimes because people will make a conscious effort to come out and see us, but when we send our CD to some clubs, I think some won't even take a second look at it. They see "a band of 14-year-olds" and throw it in the garbage.

RICHARD: I think it kind of works both ways. Because some people might see the Jammin Java website, for example, and see a picture of a bunch of 14-year-olds and think, "They probably won't be very good, I shouldn't waste my time." But then some people see us live and think we're great because we're so young.

BRENDAN: I know at concerts I've heard during pre-shows things like "here come the middle schoolers," and degrading crap like that about us, but whatever. When they hear the stuff we play, it doesn't make a difference.

How did the band get together, and how have you been able to make such a name for yourself in a relatively short period of time? I could barely keep a diary when I was your age...

DANA: I met Richard two years ago at a day camp where you make rock bands (Dayjams). We were put in a band together the first week. I asked Richard to join a band that I had with my friend Kyle, who is a drummer. We started playing around the area at community centers and some local clubs (Jammin' Java and Galaxy Hut, e.g..) In July of 2004, Kyle left the band. I got Brendan's number from his drum teacher, Steve Larrance. He came and played for us in August, and we said, "We need to get this guy in the band." We've been together like this ever since.

RICHARD: The guitarist from Dana's band, Corrupt Dollhouse, was quitting and the drummer from my band, Kilroy, was moving to Florida so we thought it would be a great opportunity. We decided to change the name to Lemonface.

How would you describe the kind of music you play? Musical influences?

DANA: Our "official" description of the music is "power pop with a punk edge, a hint of ska, and some French death metal." Our newer stuff has sort of a prog-type edge to it, but I'm not a fan of prog rock at all. Our newest song, though, definitely has a Yes influence. My main musical influences are Aimee Mann, Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers, They Might Be Giants, Moxy Fruvous, and The Beatles. I'm a big fan of the more quirky/obscure pop-rock. Also, Gwen Stefani (in the early No Doubt phase) has been an influence on me.

RICHARD: I'd say we're pop-punk with a twist. My first musical influence was Green Day, but now I'm sort of more into alternative stuff that isn't that popular and a lot of jazz. A lot of weird stuff with odd timing.

BRENDAN: I guess sort of like power-pop punk. I dunno. My personal influences are Dream Theater, Rod Stewart, and Jim Steele.

How do your parents feel about you being in a band, and are they supportive of what you do? I've read that a few of them are musicians - have they influenced you musically or otherwise?

DANA: We're very fortunate because in all of our cases, at least one of our parents is a professional musician. My dad, Richard's dad, and both of Brendan's parents play music professionally around the area. They are all very, very supportive of what we're doing and always give us tips and advice on what we should do. Yes, my dad is another influence in my life. I started playing drums when I was five, and took piano lessons from him at the same time. I began guitar at age eight, and bass at eleven. I definitely am fortunate that I started playing music so early in my life, and it was primarily because of him (although I'm sure my mom also had something to do with it.)

RICHARD: My parents have definitely influenced me and are very, very supportive. My dad's a musician, my mom's mother was a concert pianist and my dad's mom sang on the radio.

BRENDAN: My parents are both professional musicians so I've had full support of my parents from the start. They've influenced me in more ways than I can describe in an interview.

You've played everywhere from Galaxy Hut to Fort Reno. Do you guys have a favorite venue? Do you enjoy playing live, or is it a nervewracking experience?

DANA: We've gotten this question a few times, and I always have to think about it. My mind always returns to the Galaxy Hut. It's such an intimate venue, and there's always walk-in traffic. We've gotten so many new fans from them just walking by and hearing us. The people who work there are great. Performing, for me, is like breathing. It's something that I've done for as long as I can remember. This included jumping on the coffee table and singing, taking those styrofoam boxes and producing "The Dana Show", and singing as often as I could. Off-key. I love being onstage, so it's never nervewracking to me.

RICHARD: I think my favorite venue is Galaxy Hut because we've played there so many times and it's such a great atmosphere. Playing live is not nervewrecking at all. I enjoy it to the most.

BRENDAN: I LOVE playing live. Playing live is sometimes what I look forward to for a week or two.

Is it difficult to balance being in a band with all the other stuff that comes along with being a teenager - schoolwork, social pressures, little things like, oh, not being able to drive a car?

DANA: Yeah, it can be tough. Especially that not being able to drive a car thing. I mean, I always make offers to my parents that I'll drive somewhere, but for some reason they won't let me! I just don't get it. Anyway, in my house, schoolwork comes first. I can't do anything until my schoolwork is done. I can sometimes get by it if I say I've just gotten a burst of "musical inspiration" and "have to write a song right now", but it's usually schoolwork first. I can be kind of a recluse, but mostly I just am not a cliquey person. I really don't have a specific group of friends, but I hang out with everyone. Lately, I've been hanging out with the drama club a lot, and everyone there is a total individual. I don't have to worry about conformity and stuff like that. It's nice to be able to be myself.

RICHARD: It's not really tough because I can't think of much other stuff I'd rather be doing than being in a band. All my friends are really supportive and they come to my shows. It's not bad for my social life at all.

BRENDAN: Meh.

What's the longterm plan for Lemonface? Do you plan on playing together through the rest of high school and beyond, or can you see things changing?

DANA: I don't think things will be changing for the worse anytime soon. We've discussed a lot of things, but breaking up is not one of them. I'm not sure exactly how big we'll get, but we're definitely going to keep playing. I know it's cliche, but we're in it for the music.

RICHARD: I want to play with Lemonface as long as I possibly can. I'd say probably the ultimate goal would be being 20, still having fun and making music. Maybe with a little bit of fame on the side.

BRENDAN: What I would love would be some chances to play in bigger venues with bigger crowds. That's what I'm looking for in the long run. I hope we can make it to that point.