Hersey student makes debut in music video

Anthony Fragale's summer got off to a normal start: a class in summer school, working at the local pool, hanging out with friends.

Then came Tom Flannery and the Shillelaghs.

Bruce Janu, his world history teacher and owner of Bell, Book and Camera Productions was asked to create a video for a song from the band's debut album Teen Angst and the Green Flannel.

“I just thought of Anthony,” Janu stated. “He had that look I wanted for the video.”

Fragale, who has interest in video production himself, accepted the gig. They filmed in Mt. Prospect in mid-July.

“It was hot,” Janu said. “Really hot. I felt sorry for Anthony as he had to sit in the hot sun and do a lot of walking while lip synching to the song.”

The song is “If I Only Knew” and is about adolescent love gone bad, a theme that runs through the album. For the video, Fragale laments the loss of his girlfriend “Annette” and tears pages out of his journal that bears her name.

Flannery's band hails from northeastern Pennsylvania and the debut album is getting some great reviews in local media. Flannery had previously provided songs for Janu's two documentaries, Facing Sudan and Crayons and Paper. Teen Angst and the Green Flannel is somewhat of a departure for the Pennsylvanian native, who was more of the acoustic, singer-songwriter type. The new album is reminiscent of classic, garage band rock and roll.

“It's great hearing Tom with the volume turned up,” said Janu.

Next month, the band will throw an album release party and will feature the video of “If I Only Knew.”

And Janu is not ruling out a sequel. “There are a lot of great songs on this album,” he said. “Perhaps Anthony can reprise his role for another song. Who knows?”

Video and press images can be found at http://www.bellbookcamera.com/angst.html