Charlotte Observer, October 24, 2002

Success sweet for justincase
Charlotte's sibling teen-pop band looks back on breakout year
by TONYA JAMESON

This time last year, Justin, Nick and Hannah Tosco were negotiating a contract to sign with Madonna's Maverick Records. Now, the Charlotte teens, who make up the band justincase, will celebrate the release of their self-titled Maverick debut with a free concert at Manifest Discs and Tapes on Tuesday.

In a phone interview, the three precocious siblings discussed life on a major label and their new disc, which hits stores today.

Q. When are you going to tour? Justin (singer and songwriter): We're trying to get on a tour, but the big tours just got done and everybody's in the studio.

Q. What's been the most frustrating experience? Nick (drummer): Getting the album pushed back. Maverick wants to set it up for radio to get a big first week of sales.

Q. How about the most fun experience? Justin: Playing in Barcelona (Spain). The city was amazing. That was our first time out of the country. We got to play for rich business executives at a Warner Bros. convention.

Q. You've opened for labelmate Michelle Branch several times. Do her fans know who you are? Nick: People have started to recognize the single, "Don't Cry for Us," a little bit.

Q. How do you like your independent albums compared to this one? Nick: The old stuff is a piece of ---- compared to our new stuff.

Q. Do you have a favorite song on the disc? Justin: "Letter." It's a pissed-off song, but that's the most passionate song for me on the album.

Q. Describe working on the video for "Don't Cry for Us." Nick: I had no idea you had to wake up at 5 a.m. and start working at 6 a.m. It was a really long day. It was totally tiring. It was awesome.

Q. What was the best part? Nick: It was incredibly weird. It was like all these people, all this work and money and food, all for you.

Hannah (bass): Cool clothes.

Q. How did it feel to see your video on MTV? Hannah: It was cool to hear host Carson Daly say our name and see our name on the screen.

Nick: You know what's really cool? When you're flipping channels and just happen to the see the video.

Justin: That's never happened to me.

Hannah: Me either.

Q. Has it happened to you, Nick? Nick: No. But I heard it was cool.

Q. What kind of e-mails are you getting from fans? Hannah: Justin's so hot. Nick, you look like you could be a good drummer. Hannah, it's cool you can play the bass.

Nick: I get e-mails saying I'm hot, too.