Mitch Therieau doesn't know what the future holds for Final Fix, but he's "cautiously optimistic" his band will rock for a long time.
The 14-year-old Waltham resident and lead guitarist, was paired with his other band-mates (all freshmen from Needham schools) through The Plugged In Teen Band Program.
The Needham nonprofit rock band organization, formed in 2002m teaches teens how to successfully be in a band and the importance of giving back to the community.
"I think we have a really strong connection to Plugged In, " he said. " It's kind of like a circle that anyone can be in ... sometimes it seems like everyone is in one big band."
Therieau explained that Plugged In creates bands based on the musicians taste and skill level.
"My mom works at Needham High School and she found a flier on the wall advertising Plugged In," he said.
Therieau said he signed up for the program about year ago and his band, Final Fix, has stayed together since.
"I'd been playing guitar for a while." he said "It seemed like a sweet deal. It's been really great ever since."
Final Fix has played between 15 and 20 shows, mostly covering classic and modern rock hits.
But there is more to the music program than creating bands.
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Three times a year, Plugged In hosts benefit concerts where students choose the charity.
Charities are selected at the beginning of each Plugged In session. During a charity night, students present their charity pick. At the end of this year's charity night, students decided for the second year in a row to raise money for the the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Next week, Final Fix will join 20 other bands for a two-day concert, 65 Roses II.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation said "65 Roses" is what some children with cystic fibrosis call the disease because it is easier to pronounce.
"The charity aspect is good. Sometimes when people are musicians ... they sometimes lose track of a bigger sense of the world," Therieau said.
Final Fix has been practicing since September.
"There's even more of a sense of satisfaction when helping a good cause, he said."
Last year the 65 Roses I concert and an accompanying CD generated a $4,100 for the foundation.
Plugged In also holds a song-writing workshop which gives students the opportunity to learn more about the selected charity as they fine tune their song-writing techniques with help from professionals. Students also write, perform and record an original song for the final CD.
As for Final Fix, Therieau said they are beginning to work on original material.
"We have secured recording time. We started meeting much more frequently. We're going to start working on some originals," he said. "Right now we're doing it for the fun of it. Some of us have some side projects, but I think we're going to be together for a while. We all get along and there's an energy that works."
For more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation visit www.cff.org. For more information about The Plugged In Teen Band Program, visit www.pluggedinband.org.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
