Young Simi Valley rockers 'Vendetta' are coming out of the shadows
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

FAST FINGERS- Chet Toner, 13, the band's lead singer and songwriter, has been playing guitar for five years. Chet and his best friend since kindergarten, Mindy, started the band when they were in the third grade.

The three members of Vendetta are sometimes shy and softspoken. When asked where their musical inspiration comes from, they just smile and quietly say, "Van Halen" or "Nirvana." Their talent, on the other hand, comes out loud and clear.

Some people say they may be Simi Valley's next up-and-coming rock band- and they haven't even hit high school yet.

Chet Toner, 13, and Mindy Kephart, 12, started their band when they were in the third grade. Best friends since kindergarten, the two would spend time after school listening to their favorite Van Halen album, "The Best of Both Worlds."

Eventually, their passion for music translated into a full-time undertaking. Mindy plays the drums and Chet, who writes all the songs, sings and plays guitar in the band, recruited his younger brother Aidan, 10, to be their bassist.

"We all just loved music, and we all wanted to learn instruments," Chet said.

Photos by BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS- Above, Mindy Kephart, 12, has been playing drums for more than four years and provides the rhythm for the up-and-coming Simi Valley band Vendetta. The young musicians are battling to find originality in the shadows of their rock predecessors

He was first introduced to the electric guitar when his mom, Rachel Toner, played Michael Jackson's "Beat It," on which Eddie Van Halen played the guitar.

"I want to play like that," Chet told his mom.

The three Vendetta members have been taking lessons at World Music in Simi for years, and they've played every third Friday of the month at the store's monthly jam night.

"They're pretty dedicated, and they practice hard," said World Music manager Mark Hennessy.

Vendetta is part of a tight-knit community of musicians who take lessons out of the store. When Simi Parks and Recreation came to Hennessy for a band to play at this year's Independence Day celebration at Santa Susana Park, he happily suggested Vendetta for the gig.

BOTTOM LINE- Aidan Toner, 10, the youngest member of Vendetta, has been playing the bass guitar since he was 7.He was recruited to play in the band by his older brother, Chet.

In the event program, they were called "The World Music Band" because they hadn't yet decided on an official band name, Hennessy said.

"Everybody thought they were an adult band," he said. "When they came up, everyone was surprised, but they loved them. They're fantastic."

The three agreed that playing at the celebration was an exciting experience, especially because they were able to play alongside other musicians such as The Shawn Barry Band.

"The leader of The Drew Davis Band offered to be our manager," Mindy said.

They haven't decided on whether or not they'll accept the offer, but for now they're focused on polishing their four original songs to record a demo.

To help them out, Chet and Aidan's parents converted one of the bedrooms in their home into a sound-insulated band room, where they can practice whenever they need to. When they call a practice, Mindy usually rides her bike to the house.

Although all three would love to turn their band into a career, they said if it doesn't happen, they'd still want to work in the music field. Mindy and Aidan would like to teach their respective instruments, and Chet would probably try to become a sound engineer.

Still, they plan on performing as often as possible. Last fall, Vendetta played for a Washington Mutual fundraiser, where they raised $365 for United Way. They'll probably be seen at the next World Music jam night and they can't wait to play another gig after that.

"They're exciting and talented," Hennessy said. "I really want to see them go somewhere."

Until then, they'll be together practicing.

Vendetta's small, carpeted jam room is home to a few posters, some music magazines and an action figure of the late Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana. It's also where the band keeps their instruments: Chet's black-and-white Squire Stratocaster, Aidan's redand-white Greg Bennett Corsair bass and Mindy's blue Groove Percussion drum set.

"I want to get a new bass," Aidan said. "I don't like the color red."

Despite his distaste for the color of his guitar, Aidan has no problem using it to its full capacity.

When the band covers Nirvana's "Dive," Aidan, in jeans and a white Tshirt with a handdrawn Vendetta logo, rocks back and forth in a strong stance with his head down just like the real Nirvana's Krist Novoselic. Simultaneously, Chet sings into the one microphone in the room with guitar in hand, keeping his posture straight with an occasional head nod. Mindy, from a corner of the room, keeps time perfectly, beating the drums and stepping on the bass pedal with her Converse shoes.

Cobain would be proud.