A+ Dropouts' Debut Video Released

Not your average teen band, the A+ Dropouts are receiving the kind of attention that most 13- and 14-year-olds are not used to. Formed in 2009, the middle school rock band has been voted one of the top 12 bands teen bands in America, played at Summerfest along with stars such as Usher, Santana, Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow, and has just released its first professional video featuring an original song.

Lead singer and guitarist Cheska Zaide wrote the song featured on the video, “On Your Own,” which gives listeners a taste of what the band is all about. 

“It really reflects the band’s personality,” Zaide said.

Influenced by Green Day, No Doubt, Blink 182 and Paramore, the band has produced a song with punk and rock elements that exhibits the musicians' individual style and youthful energy.

“All of the creative and artistic elements of the band's music comes from them; the parents don’t influence the music,” said Pat Hagler, mother of guitarist Erik Hagler.

“We all have different tastes in music, so that makes us a well-rounded band,” drummer Brendan Evans explained.

Just one week after its release, the new video has received more than 15,000 hits on YouTube. Director, Seth Blaustein, was able to build on the band’s personality and incorporate his artistic ideas into the video.

“He believes in the band, so it’s a great partnership," said Rina Zaide, Cheska's mother. "He inspires the ideas and everyone enjoys working with him."

Riding on the success of the first video, the A+ Dropouts are currently working on a second video and recording their first full album. 

Of the attention that the band has received, Erik Hagler said, “It’s exciting and humbling at the same time.”

Part of the success of the A+ Dropouts rides on the support of the parents, and these parents are on board with the teens’ aspirations.

“The kids love music and have inspired others," Rina Zaide said. "Their grades are still good — they are the A+ Dropouts after all — they have a good work ethic. To top it all off, this is what they all want.”

More information on the A+ Dropouts can be found at: www.aplusdropouts.com.