Schoolhouse Rock
I can understand now why Chris paces the room when he's anxious, as I'm doing that myself. I can feel Dad's eyes on me, watching my edgy movement from his seat in a lobby at hospital – I don't know how he can be so calm. I've seldom been so worried as I am right now... oh, hello. You'd be well within your rights to wonder why I'm at hospital in my stage gear, with my Dad no less. Okay... I'll have to go back in time a little bit for this one...
It started some time ago, when I was browsing the school noticeboard. It sprung out at me like a stray football – there was going to be a school concert, and just for a change it wasn't to do with orchestras, but proper rock concerts. It was asking for any musicians to put their names forwards... but the bubbles of excitement I was feeling burst when I read on. They were looking for existing bands and I had none. My ad was nowhere to be seen on the board either, expired most likely. I was certainly under no illusion about it being easy to get anywhere in this business, but just being able to form a band would be nice!
We go to night school; initially it was in the hope of getting away from our “friends” who were causing us grief, but now we stay because at least we can see our Uncle Evan up there – he's a vampire, so this is the only chance we get really. That particular night I was sat with Chris and our triplet cousins, chatting with them as best as I could but still pre-occupied about that notice I'd seen.
“What's up?” Sierra asked, “You've been miserable all night.”
I sighed to myself as I explained the position, but raised an eyebrow at their reaction.
“Why the hell didn't you say anything?” Kian, the long haired of the triplets, replied, “We're all tied to musicians remember?”
“You've never shown an interest before!” I retorted, but Leon just sniggered, heartily slapping Kian's shoulder as he spoke.
“You haven't seen this guy on the drums lately,” he grinned, “After Mum finally caved in and got him a kit for his birthday, he's been on it non-stop.”
“Yeah?” I challenged, “We'll need more than a drummer and pianist you know.”
“I've been taking guitar lessons,” Leon explained, “I'm no Yngwie Malmsteen but I've still got rhythm.”
Now I allowed a fire of hope to ignite within as I eyed Sierra.
“Oh Mummy...?” she began as if imitating a conversation, batting her eyelids with a silly grin on her face, “You know how you play bass in your spare time...?”
It wasn't just at her I was laughing, but excitement too. Was this really happening? Was I really, finally, getting to play in a band?
“Okay,” Leon spoke up, “Who gets to take singing lessons from Granddad?”
“I can do that too!” she replied, but I soon slipped into serious mode (yes, it
is possible!) as I shook my head. Before I could say anything though, Chris broke his silence.
“Any band worth their salt has a front-person,” he said, “Someone with the freedom to act out the lyrics, lead the audience... Why are you looking at me like that Andy?”
A smile had slowly spread across my face as my expression changed, from merely listening to a knowing look.
“Is that an offer Chris?” I hinted, my hands clasped together eagerly.
“Hey whoa!” he spluttered, “I'm not a singer, I was just saying...!”
“Pleeeease?” I begged, before turning to my now questioning cousins. “You haven't heard this guy; he's got an awesome voice!”
“Oh Andy, I don't know...” he stalled in reply.
“Come on, please?” I pushed, “You could do with a lift, and I've noticed the difference when you start singing...”
The others joined my pleading, and to my joy he finally gave. I had barely time to wrap my arms round him and plant a big kiss on his cheek before someone else caught my eye. I left them to chatter while I hurriedly proceeded to hunt down the guy who thought he was only passing through...
“Uncle dearest...!” I began as I approached, again my hands clasped together with a big soppy grin.
“What do you want?!” came his teasing reply as he folded his arms.
“I'm a writer, not a musician!”
“Your Dad's Shredder Extraordinaire!” I replied, my voice raising in mounting anxiety. A lead guitarist, that was all that was now missing... “Pleeease?”
“I've not long got him back, remember?” he reminded me, “He's got his own life too, just remember that.”
“I know, but please... even if it's just for one night; this is my dream, I can't get anyone else. You know what the others are like! It's only because of my cousins I can think of doing this at all... pleeeeeeeeease?”
Evan sighed to himself with a smile. “Why couldn't you get your Mum's features instead, huh?” he began, “They're a lot easier to say no to...”
Ignoring his reference to what no doubt was Dad's huge eyes and cheeky grin, the fire of hope was now becoming an inferno. “Is that a yes?” I checked, my nerves now like a coiled spring. Just one more, that was all we needed...
“Yes, alright,” he bit playfully, chuckling as I flung my arms around his neck.
“Thank you!!” I beamed, placing an even bigger kiss on his cheek.
“So these are the other rockers, eh?” he acknowledged as we went back to the main group, and as we started to discuss tactics I was smiling so much my mouth began to hurt. I had to resist the frequent urge to pinch myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming any of it.
I'd never been so grateful for fast learning running in the family. Evan was at it nightly, and Chris even joined Sierra for bass lessons. By the time performance night came around we were rocking the house well and truly, and I was confident in everyone's ability to blow the audience away. My stomach was doing cartwheels as we were both getting ready at home to the point where I began to feel sick, and I started to silently pray this familiar nausea wouldn't put a spanner in the works. For the sake of putting on a show to die for I had to sweep those misgivings aside, but my eyes widened on seeing Chris when we were both dressed – let's just say he changed my view on leather that night!
My fingers were moving swiftly up and down the invisible keyboard on my lap while we were driving up there in the car. Chris insisted Dad put on Reckoning Night so he could practise, and belted it out so well I had to stop to wiggle a finger in my ear, as I winced at the sudden increase of pressure on my eardrum. He didn't believe me at the time when I told him “Give it long enough and you could give Fabio Lione a run for his money,” but hearing him now I was more sure of that than ever. I just hoped we could convince the audience of that.
The competition wasn't bad, but I was confident our “unique selling point” as it were would be a good edge. When our time came I gave my fingers one last warm-up as I took my place, and away we went. My heart sank momentarily on spotting the people most guilty of making Chris's and my lives a misery during our time at school, but that was quickly replaced by the smug feeling associated with being sure of having the last laugh. Yes folks, the “Mouldy Faggot” is now on stage, and there's that much lightning running through his fingers he'll melt the keys!
I glowed with pride as I watched Chris when I had the chance. He's a natural, both with the singing and the crowd, and those who weren't blown away by his hidden ability were cheering like crazy. I wasn't the only one with lightning fingers either – I could swear smoke was coming from Evan's guitar! Not many people at our school are familiar with this kind of music, but Chris soon spotted those who were and was even encouraging them to sing along, like the pros do on tour. Our unique selling point went down a treat too when we did some Nightwish songs – how many bands do you know have a bassist and singer who are interchangeable?
She was just as good with the crowd as Chris, who was singing the male parts when needed in the songs. That turned out to be a good thing, because predictably the night was going too well...
“I wish I had a-aaghh!!”
My head turned sharply in his direction to see what was wrong... and my eyes widened in horror as I sprang from my seat, crying after him.
“Chris, no!!”
“Damn,” Sierra cursed as she studied her mobile, “Where's a good phone signal when you need one?”
Evan promptly scooped up Chris in his arms. Knowing immediately why my eyes began to probe the now muttering crowd in desperation.
“Dad?!”
I turned at a tap on my shoulder, and there he was right behind me. On offering his hand he spoke a few words into the microphone before we followed hot on Evan's heels.
“Sorry to interrupt the show folks, we're having a domestic emergency right now...”
With that he promptly whisked me away to the hospital, where we were asked to wait outside while they worked their magic on Chris, or at least that's what I was hoping.
That's what I
am hoping. I just wish they could let me inside, or at least tell me that everything's alright... and I wish Dad would show some emotion! It's his son in there after all!
The doors swing open, and out walks another Uncle of mine, Dad's brother-in-law Adrian. He's been dealing with us both since we needed to make regular check-up appointments, so I'm not surprised to see the doctor in charge being him. In my nervous anticipation I pounce him, ignoring the trigger to my own nausea as I do so.
“What's happened? Is he alright?”
Adrian shushes me as he lays comforting hands on my shoulders. “He's fine Andy,” he says with a smile, “The baby's fine too, he's still pregnant.”
The relief washes over me like a tidal wave as I fall into his arms. “Oh thank God!” I exclaim as I cling to him, “Thank you so much!”
... Whoops. Ahem... that's let the cat out of the bag, huh? Alright, but this goes no further than these virtual walls, okay? Yes we're both pregnant, yes it's with each other's babies. Don't ask how they got there or how it's possible; that's a very long story best left untold. I know we're too young for this, but we're both determined to make the best of this situation. I don't know how I would have felt if Chris had miscarried, and I don't want to even think about that now. I'm just glad he didn't – I never want to have that scare again.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was a combination of things that brought this on – they all fall under one word though, stress - but why it had to happen on stage like that is beyond me. Anyone who thinks that I'll let that get in the way of a good performance is gravely mistaken, however; stars perform while pregnant all the time without any problems, it was just bad timing with what happened to Chris tonight. It might even rub off on our kids, rocking out before they're even born! We had a taste of that through hearing the stereo playing while we grew inside our Mum. I hope we can stay together as a band, but if not I'll find other ways to get myself noticed, even if it's back to what I was doing before. In fact now I've had a taste of stage performance I want it more than ever. The lift is amazing, and above all it raises me further above the level of those scum-bags at school. Even now I feel I can go back tomorrow with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I have a talent they're most likely secretly jealous of. Music has been my tonic for years; an outlet, something that's kept me going through the darkest times of my life, and as long as I have the power to do so, I'll make sure it stays that way.
Question Time
What? I have to answer these too? Okay, even though I've answered most of them above I'll do it again for you:
Where did you get the gig? The local private school Chris and I go to.
Was this your first public performance? This was my first proper stage performance. I usually play at the local bar for pocket change but that probably doesn't count, in which case yes.
Did the crowd love you or boo you off stage? I picked up some booing as soon as I stepped on stage - that's when I traced it to those people I mentioned earlier. Mouldy Faggot? They thought it an amusing tag for me since I'm gay and green *rolls eyes* Whatever. Bet it broke their hearts when their jeers got drowned out by cheering from the rest of the crowd! Chris and Sierra knocked them dead, and that's without the solos... Is the keyboard still in one piece? ;)
Album Cover
