SAXONBURG — An up-and-coming local rock band, This is the World, will help usher out 2018 on Saturday, but the members of the group might be sorry to see the old year out.

After all, the trio of Jessie Ort, 16, singer/songwriter/lead guitarist; Austin Zarnick, 15, bass guitarist; and Jason Brahler, 15, drummer/songwriter, have been having a pretty good year.

They were selected to participate in radio station WYEP's 2019 Reimagination Project, meaning one of This is the World's original songs will be included on the Reimagination Volume 6 album set to be released in May.

And the band released its first CD, “This is the World,” in May 2018. The 10 songs are all original, said Sean Zarinick of Great Belt, Austin's father and the band's manager.

The band members all attend Knoch High School.

“My son started playing an upright bass in fourth grade,” said Zarnick. “After a year, we bought him an electric bass.

“It's kind of funny. I found a drum set at Goodwill and bought it so I could keep the beat for him, but then Jason started playing drums and Jessie started a year later.”

The band originated three years ago this April. They played together prior, but not seriously, Zarnick said.

The name, This is the World, came from Jessie Ort. “When you look into a mirror and see a reflection, the reflection is This is the World,” said Sean Zarnick.

The elder Zarnick said the trio recorded its CD in a home studio.

The music on the CD is in the style of “classic rock,” said Zarnick. “It's almost a classic rock sound, it has a punk sound to it like the Ramones or early KISS. It's an up-tempo classic rock kind of sound. The Ramones and KISS were Jessie's idols. He grew up listening to them.” On Saturday, the band is slated to play from 6 to 8 p.m. at the South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St.

It has been an active performing year for the band.

In the summer, they played the Deutschtown Music Festival, the Deihl Automotive concert stage in downtown Butler, the Saturday Light Brigade on WRCT 88.3 Pittsburgh, and the Mingle on Main in Saxonburg

This is the World also played the Aug. 4 Music from the Mound event at the Butler Pullman Park Stadium with the likes of fellow musicians Anger the Ant, The Highland Brothers Band, and The Gents.

Other appearances were at the Grove City Community Center, the Penn Township Community Days festival, the Mars Apple Festival and a Knoch High School event.

The band has been attending WYEP's 91.3 FM Pittsburgh young talent workshops with Greg Joseph, bassist for the Clarks.

Sean Zarnick said he acts as band manager, sound system engineer and maybe even lighting technician if This is the World continues to get indoor appearances.

The band is working on its second CD.

Their manager said the music is taking on a more progressive tone, such as songs recorded by Yes.

“They are longer songs, progressive rock sounds. They have hours of material,” he said.

The group's members are committed to making music together as long as possible.

Zarnick said, “The lead guitarist plans to move to LA or New York or Tennessee to be in the music business.”

“My son, I'm requiring him to go to college because it's hard to make a living at music. But I want him to keep the hobby of music,” he said.

The band's website is not up and running yet, but people can text 724-712-9204 to get information about CDs or future appearances.

WHAT: This is the World concertWHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. SaxonburgINFO: 724-712-9204