It is known that Woodbridge High has a vibrant tapestry of musical talent in its established performing programs. However, beyond campus, a budding music scene is developing as student-led bands show off their unique blend of creativity and passion, electrifying stages and adding to the local soundscapes.
Members of For Those Above (under the alias Second Heartbeat) and Pulse Jet recently performed at Woodbridge High’s inaugural spring carnival on March 22. Students, staff and community members alike were able to spectate the musical talents of the student performers.
For Those Above
For Those Above is a band comprised of sophomores Ryan McPherson (guitar and vocals), Neftali Dubon (DJ), Nate Jenkins (drums) and Aditya Barbudhe (keyboards and synthesizer). The band also has three other members that come from surrounding Orange County schools.
According to Dubon, the idea of creating a band started at Mimi’s Cafe in the spring of 2023 with McPherson. Over the summer, the idea of the band drifted away. But McPherson and Jenkins reunited in a drama class this year, and the relevance of starting a band hastened the pace, especially after the spring carnival.
The band members have various influences, ranging from classical, hard rock, country and other genres. The biggest genre of influence for the band is metal and grunge, with heroes coming from Nirvana, Linkin Park and Pierce the Veil.
“We like metal music, all of us like metal music, whether it can range from the lightest of metal music to the heaviest music that a lot of people won’t listen to,” McPherson said.
The band is currently in the process of writing and recording their debut album, which they hope to release by early summer. The album will feature almost all original tracks that have relevancy and a rendition of the Foo Fighters classic, ‘Everlong.’
“We write a little bit of political stuff…anything that is relatable as far as a high schooler would find relatable, or just anybody in general,” McPherson said. “It’s just something that I like to make sure that if I write it and I’m singing it and I’m performing it, I want it to at least mean something and I want it to reach a person.”
For the band, music is more than just a hobby; it also serves as an outlet for self-expression. Jenkins finds inspiration and comfort in the power of music.
“I use music often as a creative outlet, whether or not that’s playing or listening to music. A lot of times my emotions can fluctuate and that influences my music taste at the time. I just see it as a great way to express yourself and how you’re feeling,” Jenkins said.
While starting a band in high school is a daunting task, For Those Above believe that is worth the effort.
“If you have the time and the resources, go for it. It’s just a great way to find like-minded people who share interests and similar goals,” Dubon said.
Pulse Jet
Three out of the four members of Pulse Jet go to Woodbridge High. Sophomores Avi Sharma (bass and guitar), Collin Tedesco (bass and guitar) and Tom Negrete (vocals) came together in the wake of the spring carnival.
Sharma took hold of the opportunity to play with his friend and drummer Ezra Jarvis, who is enrolled in a high school in Anaheim. After that, things started to pick up momentum.
“[In ninth grade] I became closer with [Tedesco] and I realized he played a lot of music and he joined the band. Originally our singer…backed out last minute and we got [Negrete],” Sharma said.
Pulse Jet draws inspiration from vast rock genres , from heavy metal bands like Pantera to hard rock icons like Led Zeppelin and Van Halen.
Negrete highlights his flexibility in terms of the music he listens to.
“I don’t have much inspiration. I just listen to music. I just listen to what’s on my mind,” Negrete said.
Since the members of Pulse Jet primarily see the future of their band as a high school endeavor and have not written material as of now, they maintain a more relaxed schedule when it comes to projects.
“I don’t want to focus on music, but there’s a big hope somewhere in my brain that we do make some influence out there,” Sharma said.
That doesn’t necessarily rule out the band’s hope to establish more of a base within the wider community, using their Instagram to bolster more engagement.
“Hopefully, we can get out there somehow. Because my plan is [to do music] after high school,” Tedesco said.
As a collective, music plays an important role in the members’ lives, creating a sense of enjoyment and community.
“I try to see it as a way of contributing to the friendship and wanting to help others and kind of serve as someone,” Tedesco said.
According to McPherson of For Those Above, both bands hope to collaborate and organize a future concert to raise money for cancer awareness.
