What do boys in the band do when they grow up, get real jobs and have kids? They rock on! At least that’s what five 40-something fathers of students in Point Loma-area schools are doing — jamming to classic rock, having a grand old time, and all the while supporting their kids and local schools. In a world of room moms and mothers who volunteer for school plays, field trips and special events, these busy dads formed the rock band Temple of the Dad and in their own unique way are involved and supporting their kids and schools. “The reason we started playing was because we didn’t want to pay for entertainment for a school auction at Loma Portal Elementary,” said guitarist Pete Mechalas, husband, father of a kindergarten and third-grader and full-time graphic designer. The dads met in the Dads Club at Loma Portal Elementary School, where they were filling in the gaps resulting from budget cuts by painting, weeding and even holding a Halloween haunted house as a fundraiser. That’s when the talk of music got started. Kerry McKay, a full-time engineer, started jamming with drummer Jon Sadden, who is in IT sales. “And then they called me,” said Mechalas, who plays rhythm and acoustic guitars and harmonica. Vince Escalera, who owns his own business, joined in on bass, and Scott Meyer, a surgeon, came in on lead guitar to round out the band. Now when Temple of the Dad gets a gig, money raised is donated to Loma Portal Elementary, Dana Middle School and Sunset View Elementary. “It’s very rewarding,” Mechalas said. “Your kids are the most important thing that’s ever happened to you and you want to be involved.” Temple of the Dad is a name the group came up with when they talked about some of their favorite bands like Stone Temple Pilots and Temple of the Dog. The group plays mostly cover tunes from the 1970s to present, from bands like the Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. The priority, Mechalas said, is keeping family close while balancing seriousness with fun. Temple of the Dad also gets kids involved in music. “We want to influence kids and expose them to good rock, the real classic music we’ve grown to appreciate,” Mechalas said. McKay has brought the concept full circle by starting a band with his sons and Scadden’s son called The Next Wave. “That’s what it’s about, getting kids interested,” Mechalas said. “It’s another way for them to learn music other than, say, piano or cello. They can just rock out and they don’t even have to sound great.” These modern-day dads are a breed apart from the days of “Father Knows Best.” “Our dads didn’t have the opportunities to be this involved,” Mechalas said. “My dad was a great dad, but he was your typical 1960s go to work, come home, ask how your day was and let mom take care of the little stuff and cook dinner. Parents weren’t even really involved in the schools then like we are now. Now, parents know teachers, the principals … It’s so different than when I was growing up.” Mechalas points out that all the band members’ wives are involved in the schools’ foundations and PTAs. “It’s a win-win,” Mechalas said. “It raises money for the schools, it gets kids excited about music, we have an excuse to jam and our wives are all for it.” The band is still in need of a keyboard player. But, Mechalas said, “He has to be a dad.” Temple of the Dad will play at Riley’s at the Quality Inn in Point Loma, 2901 Nimitz Blvd., on Saturday, March 7. To see the band’s profile, visit www.myspace.com/thetempleofthedad.