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Metal band is passion for California correctional officer

Correctional officer Harry Bestolarides is a soft-spoken visiting officer but after work, he is the lead singer of the alternative-metal band Sedit

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California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Reprinted with permission from Inside CDCR

By Lieutenant Wilona Lewis

During the day, California Health Care Facility Correctional Officer Harry Bestolarides is a mild-mannered, soft-spoken, visiting officer. But after his shift, he transforms into the lead singer of popular local alternative-metal band Sedit.

The band recently released a song with a deeper meaning. Performing for about four years, the band has had a few line-up changes but has been fairly consistent. For Bestolarides, he’s been singing professionally for a decade.

Inside CDCR caught up with California Health Care Facility (CHCF) Officer Bestolarides to discuss his life-balancing love of music and the band.

How did you come up with the band name?

Sedit is Tides spelled backward. It represents the ups and downs we all go through in life.

Can you describe the feeling of performing?

The best way to describe the feeling when I perform I guess would be completely alive and completely vulnerable. There is nothing more real than when I am playing on stage. Everything is just raw emotion in the moment and every performance feels new and just as exciting as the first one.

Who’s your favorite artist?

This is a very hard one because I have so many that have influenced me. I would say from a singer/songwriter’s point of view it would be Cat Stevens. But from a band point of view that has had a major influence on my current sound as a singer for the band would be Architects. But like I said there are so many bands and artists that have made an impact on me personally.

https://www.facebook.com/seditband/videos/629163068923080/

What arena is your dream arena to perform?

Well, that’s a tough one. There are so many that would be cool but I would have to say if I got to choose, Wembley Stadium. So many iconic bands played that stage. It would be amazing to play the same stage as so many legends.

Who writes the music?

Every song is written differently. Sometimes the band comes up with the music/melody while I write the lyrics. Sometimes we write off a vocal melody. We all have a hand in every song written. We write together as a group on just about everything we do and I am really proud of that. Most bands have one writer but Sedit is unique. Everyone has a part, playing a role in every song written.

What’s your favorite song and what is the motivation behind the lyrics?

My favorite song that we have written as a group is our newest song “Whispers.”

“Whispers” is a dark song and was written about mental health and suicide. It’s about ignoring the whispers of negativity in our lives and pushing through. In our line of work, unfortunately, this is something that I have seen too often. The words just kind of poured out of me when the melody was presented to me by my band. It’s a very real problem and it affects so many of us. It’s something that should be talked about more. I hope that anyone who hears that song can relate and if they are in a dark place, hopefully, it helps pull them out.

More information about the band

Sedit’s music is available on all major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Learn more about the band on their Facebook page.

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