Band ‘JetStream’ ready for takeoff




UP AND COMING—Teen band JetStream recently signed with RCA to release an album and go on tour. The band members are, from left: Jake Munk, Kevin Grimmett, Garrett Zeile and Ben Zelico.

UP AND COMING—Teen band JetStream recently signed with RCA to release an album and go on tour. The band members are, from left: Jake Munk, Kevin Grimmett, Garrett Zeile and Ben Zelico.


JetStream, a teen rock band that has been wowing the community for about a year with original music, ’70s songs and classic rock, has signed a recording contract with RCA Records.

Cheryl Zelico, the mother of the JetStream’s drummer, Ben, said the contract was signed by the boys and their parents in Century City on Dec. 4.

That Thursday was a powerpacked day for the boys, most of whom aren’t old enough to even drive. KTLA Channel 5 sponsored a JetStream performance at the Nokia Theatre before the RCA meeting, and after the contract was signed the boys and their families went to the Staples Center to see the band Oasis in concert.

JetStream members are Ben Zelico, Garrett Zeile, Kevin Grimmett and Jake Munk. They met at the Paul Green School of Rock Music in Agoura Hills in 2006, formed a band and have been making music together ever since. The group won several competitions and performed for an international crowd in the Global Battle of the Bands in London last year, where they won second place.

The band also has performed at The Canyon and other venues, opening for musicians such as American Idol’s Bo Bice, Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame and Steve Lukather, known for his work with the rock group Toto.

At 16, Ben is the oldest of the foursome. A sophomore at Oak Park High School, Ben said he became interested in playing the drums because his uncle thought drums were “cool.”

“I thought he was cool, so I decided to pick it up,” Ben said.

While Ben hopes to lead the life of a rich and famous rock star some day, he doesn’t expect fame and fortune to happen very quickly. Right now, he is more concerned with making up the schoolwork he missed while signing the RCA contract.

“School this year is much harder,” Ben said.

Jake, a freshman at Newbury Park High School, serves as a backup singer and plays guitar.

“I’m excited,” Jake said. “I was expecting this to happen because we’ve been talking to this record label since May and have been in negotiations.”

Garrett, 15, a sophomore at Oaks Christian High School, plays guitar and is the band’s lead vocalist. He and Jake write most of JetStream’s songs.

“It’s awesome,” said Garrett about the deal with RCA. “It’s really great that we were able to pick up a deal that fast. We’ve only been playing seriously for about a year. I’m anxious to get back in the studio and start work on the demos.”

Kevin, who turned 13 on Nov. 2, is in seventh grade at A.C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas. He plays bass guitar and also called the band’s recent accomplishment “awesome,” adding that he’s looking forward to enjoying the experience of recording music, performing concerts and “everything.”

The band’s rise to fame after a year of playing together has affected their lives on and offstage.

“As a band mom, for me personally, it is an exciting time, but it comes with certain stressors,” said Zelico. “I was somewhat prepared to deal with normal 15yearold issues—peer pressure, academics, raging hormones—but now I’ve added to the list socializing with adult rock stars, crazed groupies and an unrealistic view of reality through the crazy world of rock music.”

John Grimmett, Kevin’s father, is enjoying the excitement of the moment. “A major label to offer a record deal to a young band is rare,” he said. “(JetStream is) making a big impact when they play to young kids and adults.” The Grimmetts live in West Hills.

Todd Zeile, Garrett’s father, said he and his wife first thought they were just biased about their son’s talent.

“Some of the attention they’ve gotten, praise throughout the last year, has made us feel a little bit more realistic,” Zeile said. The band’s apparent appeal to audiences and people in the music industry gave the Zeiles “the chance to solidify what we had already thought.”

Garrett doesn’t worry too much about handling adult responsibilities. “We learn stuff,” he said about going to concerts and hanging out with such bands as Motley Crue, Justin Timberlake and the Foo Fighters.

Sandy Munk, Jake’s mother, is thrilled with the boys’ success. “It’s really amazing,” she said. “Considering the average label signs maybe less than 20 acts per year, it’s just very commendable.”

Neither the boys nor their parents are sure how their lives will change. Home schooling might be a possibility.

As for the boys having to deal with adult issues, Munk is not concerned. “They’re such great kids, and we’re so much a part of their world that they’re not left to their own devices. It’s a great time in their lives,” the mom said.

Garrett, who plays baseball for Oaks Christian, calls the experience a “dream come true.”

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