Chapter 9 Expecting Nothing
Chris Keller and Haley James Scott sat in the Engineer's Booth at the local recording studio. He fiddled with the controls as the band set up their instruments and readied for the chance to play. The newest member of the band sat on the side lines, as the song they chose to audition with didn't require the second guitar. Chris looked in at them and made sure that intercom between the two rooms was off.
"Are you sure about this Haley?" Chris asked.
"Remember our deal Chris," Haley said and adjusted some of the settings on the mixing board.
"It's just they're basically a garage band, a good garage band, but not up to what you're use to recording with."
Haley nodded, "We have time, and they'll polish up, you should have heard how they were on Halloween compared to where they are now. Brian has got them practicing constantly."
Chris nodded, "Aren't they that kid Hawley's band?"
"He founded the band, but they didn't get anywhere until Brian joined."
Chris nodded, and looked over the setting. After peeking into the studio part, he turned back to Haley.
"I'm not expecting much, but I'm ready, when you're ready and they're ready."
Haley nodded and opened the intercom. "Whenever y'all are ready we can start," she said.
Brian nodded and checked with the band. "Well, here we go."
"What is the name of the song you're playing?" Chris asked.
"American Nightmare," Brian replied.
"Give me a count," Chris replied.
"One…two…three…four," Brian responded.
(Brian singing in italics)
Hot cherry on Friday night
When the sun goes down my spine
I put an axe in my baby's head
I'm gonna end up doing time
She looks so good in red
American nightmare running scared
She shoulda been hard to get
She shoulda been hard to kill
She shoulda been hard to kill, hey
I had to split your head
American nightmare running scared
I'm heading down the highway
Sign has three inverted nines
If the lord don't get me the devil will
But not without a fight
This highway never fucking ends
American nightmare running scared
American nightmare running scared
I'm heading down the highway
Sign has three inverted nines
If the lord don't get me the devil will
But not without a fight
This highway never fucking ends
American nightmare running scared
Hey, American nightmare running scared
Haley looked at Chris when the song was done and nodded. "So what do you think?"
Chris shrugged, "Not bad."
Haley smiled.
"But not good either. They need more work, but they are serviceable," Chris said.
Haley nodded, "Serviceable?"
Chris nodded, "Give me a few weeks to two months with them and you'll have the band you need. They're good, and Brian getting them to practice certainly helps. They just need more time."
Haley nodded.
"Look Haley, I know it is important for you to work with them. Trust me, I don't want to mess this up either, this is my redemption. They just need about a month of hard work, and then we can start rehearsals."
Haley nodded, "Are you sure about this?"
Chris nodded, "Very sure. We just need some rehearsal space and then we can get to work."
Haley nodded, "I'll talk to Peyton about that."
Chris nodded, "They have a good sound; I liked working with them for the party last night. They just need to polish it up. Personally, I think they did one hell of a job with that Misfits Song."
Haley nodded, "Chris, they have to be ready to work with me when I start recording; that is part of the deal and can't be taken out."
Chris nodded, "And they will be ready, Haley," Chris said, and turned on the intercom, "That was good. Now let's do that other song we've practiced."
"Are you sure about this, Chris?" Brian asked back.
Chris nodded, "Yes, I want to see the range."
"Okay," Brian said and slipped his head phones back on, and Hewston came over and took up his guitar, "Time Won't Let Me Go! One…two…three…four."
Whenever I look back
On the best days of my life
I think I saw them all on T.V.
I am so homesick now for
Someone that I never knew
I am so homesick now for
Someplace I will never be
Time won't let me go
Time won't let me go
If I could do it all again
I'd go back and change everything
But time won't let me go
I never had a 'Summer of 69'
Never had a Cherry Valance of my own
All these precious moments
You promised me would come in time
So where was I when I missed mine?
Time won't let me go
Time won't let me go
If you gave me back those years
I'd do it all better I swear
Time won't let me go
Ba ba ba ba ba...
If I could go back once again
I would change everything, yeah
If I could go back once again
I'd do it all so much better
Time won't let me go
Time won't let me go
If I could do it all again
I'd go back and change everything
But you won't ever let me go
Ba ba ba ba ba...
When they were done Chris looked at Haley and smiled. "See, I told you they had potential, that wasn't half bad and we practiced that in a week."
Haley nodded, "Your point is taken."
Chris smiled, "Good, I feel we can get this swan song to be the best album you've ever released."
Haley smiled and nodded, "That is my intention."