By: Dale Weimholt

Justin Tarin is a 19 year-old Mexican American musician from Montclair, California and has a dream of becoming a great artist. This dream includes being able to walk up onto a stage and express himself to the world through his music.

However, it has been a constant struggle for him because his family does not support his dream of becoming an artist. Just like many other young people who would listen to rock and roll growing up, he would get a lot of negative feedback for the music he would listen too and what he would try to play.

“I knew I wanted to be in a band; middle school is when I started playing drums after I got a drum kit for my birthday.”

He attended Montclair High school after graduating from Serrano Middle School in 2015, knowing that he should join jazz band to learn how to play the drums and learn more about music theory.

“Yeah, jazz band was a good experience and I learned a thing or two, but you know how high school is, no one wants to be there so no one is really going to take it seriously. I actually learned how to play drums on my own because no one in that class was actually able to play.”

Justin created a rock band of his own during his sophomore year of high school, called Bullets Ricochet and ensured to do his best to get the most of his learning experience with his band mates.

“I knew it was a short term project. We had a lead singer with Asperger's, a death metal bassist, a 20 year-old guitarist and me. It was fun and I think we all learned a lot, but yeah it was definitely was not going anywhere.”

The band played a handful of shows at their high school and opened up for a Doors cover band at The Canyon Club in the Montclair Place.

Bullets Ricochet, dismembered, and each band member went their separate ways.

Justin has now created a new band named Unholy Priest. He is the front man for his band and plays rhythm guitar. Unholy Priest has nearly a dozen songs written and are soon to be recorded by early 2021 and released mid-year.

“I had started singing and playing guitar right when I knew Bullets Ricochet was going downhill. I knew I needed to get started on something new as soon as possible, and I knew I wanted to be the front man this time.”

He feels that he is now making the music that he has always wanted to make. Justin believes that this project is fresh and interesting enough to be something that will draw the attention of lots of people.

“I'm not trying to become a celebrity or anything like that. Of course it would be nice, but honestly, as long as I am recognized and respected for what I do and create then I will be happy,” Justin says.

The Teenage Music Grind