Teen band makes name in local music scene Ages of members may surprise some: rockers are 11 to 14 years old BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer The Stolen Band, (from left) Rob Chiarappa, Dominic Cuce, Mike Chiarappa and Charlie Costello, have played more than 50 gigs in the area. OLD BRIDGE - The Stolen Band is stealing shows - and hearts - with its musical stylings. Not your average rock band, its members range in age from 11 to 14, but what the boys lack in stature, they make up for in talent. "The boys are phenomenal," Diane Cuce, mother of the band's vocalist said. "A lot of the people in Old Bridge now are starting to know who they are." Having played more than 50 gigs throughout the area, the band is no stranger to rock 'n' roll. Almost three years ago, the Stolen was born at the home of Rob and Mike Chiarappa, now 14 and 11, respectively. While the brothers and their friends were hanging out in the basement where they would play for fun, they had an idea to form a band, Mike, the lead guitarist, said. "Before the band, I knew a little bit about guitar," Rob said. "We basically taught ourselves." After learning some basics from his father of the same name, who plays guitar with Rooster and the Funky Soul Junkies and serves as soundman for the band, Rob learned to play by ear. Mike, the drummer, got his musical foundation from his uncle. "All the time on the weekends, we'll go in the basement and just jam and stuff," Mike said. It was during those times when Dominic Cuce, 12, developed his penchant for singing. Able to change his voice according to the song the band is covering, Dominic said he would like to develop his voice further through vocal training at the middle school arts program in town. His personal idol in terms of singing is the late Bon Scott, who was the vocalist for AC/DC. "Even though he sort of did wrong things, I kind of look up to him for his voice," Dominic said. Charlie Costello, 12, plays bass for the band, and wrote the lyrics for their first original song, called "The Impossible." The song, which deals with topics like people doing destructive things to the environment, saw its debut at the band's most recent gig, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh family picnic. Rob wrote the guitar and bass parts for the song. "I was impressed," Diane said. "They can pick up anything." All of the boys said they plan to pursue music later in life, as they enjoy playing and performing. "It's just fun to be up on stage and see everyone looking at you," Charlie said. "A lot of the little kids look up to you, and that's pretty cool." As for who Charlie looks up to, he said Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers is his biggest influence. In line with the band's musical idols, they play tunes by AC/DC, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Nirvana, the Police, U2 and even the Blues Brothers. "We do all kinds of rock, really," Rob said. The diligence of the boys pays off for them. Mike said they normally get paid $50 to $60 each for the various gigs they perform, but he is not banking completely on a musical career. "I'd also want a side job, just in case that doesn't work out," Mike said. "I'd probably want to be a carpenter." For now, the boys' parents help to book their gigs, which increase as word of mouth spreads about the Stolen's rocking sound. Over the summer, the band performed at the waterfront park in Red Bank, and at the Milltown Fourth of July parade, on the back of a flatbed truck. They got a taste of the touring life when they played at the Elevators Union Local picnic in Pomona, N.Y., this summer, as well. Dominic said one possible upcoming gig is the dance at Carl Sandburg Middle School, where he attends. Whether they play there will depend on if he overcomes the stage fright he gets when his friends are around, he said. Either way, the Stolen Band is making a name for itself and does not plan to retire any time soon. For more information about the Stolen Band, visit myspace.com/thestolenband, or look up the band on youtube.com to see footage from past performances