Last modified: Sunday, January 18, 2004 12:01 AM EST The singing Sweets of Attleboro include, from left, Danielle, 14; Chris, 17; father Scott; Jessica, 13; and mom Nicole. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell) Sweet sounds BY JAMES A. MEROLLA / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO -- It started when her two daughters began banging and denting some pots and pans. Nicole Sweet hadn't planned this when she took her children out of public schools in 1997 and began home schooling them. But the 1986 Attleboro High School grad -- who played piano for years, belonged to the school's drama club, the band and the a cappella choir -- still pursued her music. Yet how could even she know that finding an old drum set at a yard sale in 1998 -- to replace those rattled pots and pans -- would lead to forming a five-part family Christian rock band? Let me introduce you to the Sweets -- father Scott, 36, (on bass), mother Nicole, 35, (keyboard and vocals), son Christopher, 17, (lead guitar and vocals), daughter Danielle, 14, (rhythm guitar, keyboard and vocals) and daughter Jessica, 14, (drums, bass and vocals) and their group How Sweet It Is. `I was a convertrquote This was the last thing Scott Sweet expected. `` I don't have a musical background. I still don't. I was not even interested in music. I was a convert,'' said the 1985 AHS grad who owns E. Sweet Jewelry Finishings on John Williams Street. `` I used to cruise around with my high school buddies and listen to talk radio, business shows.'' But when Scott dislocated his knee a few years back, Nicole -- his high school sweet heart -- and the children took the opportuni ty to teach him how to play bass. `` They are talented; very talented,'' said Sweet of his family. `` But I'm a fire alarm.'' Long a staple in the South among Baptists and periodically the genesis to launch cer tain families into American music stardom (the Osmonds, the Lennon Sisters and the King family come immediately to mind), the Sweets of Attleboro are upholding a storied tradition of families whose faith has inspired their closeness, their singular purpose and, of course, their musical voice. Nicole began giving piano lessons to her children, the youngest of whom was 7. Chris had already played drums in the school band before he began home schooling. In a fourweek period, the family said, spiritually inspired songs `` just started coming in to them.'' Nicole wrote one song. Then, the youngest, Jessica, wrote a song called `` John 6'' in a day, she said. `` When we found that drum set, it was miraculous, really, for us,'' said Nicole. `` And that's how it kind of started.'' `` When Nicole's song was finished and she played it on the keyboard, `Just Follow Jesus,' we kind of realized there was something here,'' said her husband. `` We weren't really concerned with the idea of a band,'' added Chris. `` We were just messing around, just practicing, and before you knew it, we were playing at our church.'' That would be St. Charles Church in Providence where the Sweets first played in front of large groups -- an extension of their a cappella singing. `` We started becoming more aware, we started working more intently, and we realized there was a good possibility of having something to share with everyone,'' added Nicole. `` On a Saturday night, Feb. 2, 1999, in the middle of winter, 200-plus people showed up and then, we were playing as a family at the Rhode Island Statehouse,'' said Scott. (Although Nicole said it may have been the other way around.) Now, from state rallies to charitable events, concerts to coffeehouses, no event is too big or too small for How Sweet It Is. The family admits, however, that being together virtually all the time -- home schooling by Mom, music lessons, rehearsals, etc. -- has human drawbacks. `` It's like bringing a sports team to practice every day and only getting to play four times a year,'' said Scott. `` You have discussions, conflict, individual frustrations that are born out of the process. The artist wants to come out and to share what they have on a regular basis.'' `` In the band room, it comes down to respecting each other as musicians,'' added son Chris. They have changed their music over time, they added, from strongly religious lyrics -- `` hard core religion,'' Scott called it -- to a softer, more mainstream blend of pop, alternative, country and rock. `` It has a popular musical appeal to a broader audience,'' said Chris. `` And then, we hit them with the (religious) lyrics.'' `` It's hard work and discipline, but it is very rewarding in itself,'' added Nicole. `` It's really upbeat, modern and fresh; sounds you want to hear without the negative lyrics.'' They have expanded their repertoire to more than 30 songs and expanded their sound in the process. Usually, the family member who wrote the song gets to be lead singer on it. Even Nicole's father Eddy Lamarre will grab his guitar and join in on several family numbers. Their bold message of Jesus, family and life is a full-throated anthem of their purpose. They recognize, however, that it isn't for everyone. `` We have some Protestant friends who think what we do is really cool,'' said Danielle. `` But certain people could get jealous of it.'' They know, too, that those who are not called will likely not call upon them in concert. But they have the calling and that's enough. `` From a parent's perspective, just this whole thing -- the home schooling and this extension of this incredible gift -- as a mother, to have her family always there, always around, and you share with them parts of yourself'85. it's really extraordinary what you can do as a family. It's just an incredible journey so far.''