What can a high school band teach business owners and creators about AI, social media, and staying creative?
The Chenangos are a group of high school friends from Orange County, California, making music in a world where artists are increasingly expected to think about algorithms, views, followers, and content alongside the music itself. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles, The Ventures, surf rock, jazz, funk, and other artists from generations before them, they’ve developed a perspective that feels surprisingly relevant to anyone trying to create something today.
The band officially came together almost by accident. Days before a school talent show in January 2025, drummer Joey Bernabe needed a backup band after his original group fell through. His friends stepped in, they rehearsed once, performed together, and The Chenangos were born.
In this episode of Unfinished Business, Eric Mulvin sits down with The Chenangos to explore what it looks like to create in an era dominated by social media and rapidly evolving AI. They discuss the pressure musicians face to chase trends and build an online audience — and why focusing too much on what gets views can pull creators away from the work that made them want to create in the first place.
The conversation also tackles one of the biggest questions facing creators and businesses today: Where should AI fit into the creative process? The band shares where they believe AI can be genuinely useful, from learning new skills to restoring old recordings, while explaining why they don't want technology replacing the human process behind making music.
Along the way, they talk about friendship, creative chemistry, learning from previous generations, finding an audience without losing yourself, and what they hope to accomplish before graduation takes their lives in different directions.
Whether you're building a band, a business, or a brand, The Chenangos offer an unexpected Gen Z perspective on a challenge every creator faces: How do you embrace new technology without letting it dictate what you create?
Listen to the episode to hear what a high school band can teach us about AI, social media, creativity, and making something because you genuinely love making it.
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Welcome to Unfinished Business
02:23 - How The Chenangos First Came Together
04:04 - One Rehearsal Before Their First Performance
07:15 - Early Bands, Friendship, and Getting Serious
10:06 - Why They’re Drawn to Surf Rock, Jazz Fusion, and Older Music
12:41 - How The Beatles Inspired Their Music
15:26 - Getting an Unexpected Talent Show Reaction
16:24 - Their Goals Before High School Graduation
17:35 - Writing Original Music as Young Musicians
20:40 - Does Social Media Help Young Artists — or Distract Them From the Music?
24:10 - Where AI Belongs — and Doesn’t Belong — in the Creative Process
29:24 - What Gen Z Really Thinks About AI
34:43 - The Story Behind The Chenangos Name
36:09 - Will the Band Continue After Graduation?
41:00 - Their Musical Unfinished Business
About The Chenangos
The Chenangos are a high school band based in Orange County, California, blending influences from surf rock, jazz fusion, funk, pop, and classic rock.
The members became friends through school and music, with several playing together as early as eighth grade. The current group officially formed in January 2025 when drummer Joey Bernabe needed a last-minute band for a school talent show. With only one rehearsal, the group performed together and decided to keep going.
Their musical influences reach across generations, including The Beatles, The Ventures, Masayoshi Takanaka, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and other classic rock and jazz artists.
As they enter their senior year, the band hopes to play more live shows, record original music in a studio, and continue developing a sound that reflects their wide range of influences.
Band Members
McCoy - Rhythm guitar
William - Lead guitar
Joey - Drums
Oliver - Keys
Liam - Bass guitar
Connect With The Chenangos on IG
The Chenagos - https://www.instagram.com/thechenangos/
William - https://www.instagram.com/william.saxingtoniii/
Oliver - https://www.instagram.com/professorleukemia/
Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin
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