Redwood Student Formed Band: Black Chrysanthemum

By Daniel Huerta

In the city of Visalia, California, a locally formed metal band is in the works on a performance sometime in late November. Where are they planning on performing, you ask? On the campus of Redwood High School! This is Black Chrysanthemum.

Band leader Josiah Valdez, ‘24, gives a bit of background regarding the band, “I’ve been through numerous bands and had many different members in and out of them. It wasn’t until 2021 when I finally formed this one.”

Valdez adds, “I’m really proud with how far we’ve come, starting in a band with only three members including myself to now having a full band. We definitely plan to go big with this.”

Some of the first members Selene Churie, 24’, and Damon Owen, ‘25, were also in another band with Valdez before Black Chrysanthemum. After a falling out with a former member, the three of them stuck together.

It wasn’t until the beginning of their junior year that they found their missing puzzle piece. Arlen Rose, 24’, caught the attention of Valdez with his distinct metal-inspired fashion. He wore a Freddy Mercury shirt and a guitar pick necklace. Rose says, “I had been wanting to be in a band for a while there, then Josiah asked if I played and I said guitar.”

The rest was history.

When asked about the influence behind starting the band, Valdez states, “I was inspired by many different leading bands, Metallica, Pantera, and Black Sabbath. I have always had a love for music and a desire to make my own. Forming this band, I knew the members personally and I saw the potential in each of them.”

The locally formed metal band, Black Chrysanthemum, plans to make its mark performing in the Redwood quad sometime in November, with more performances to come.