The Dark Side Of The Pixie

The Not So Pretty tour was short but successful. As was the album of the same name. Obviously fans were disappointed that they didn't make it to their city or town. So we asked the group about it.

PMM: Why the short tour? You must have known you could have toured for entire year and still filled stadiums? That album is going to stay in the charts forever. The new version of Make War Not War is pure genius… sorry I'm gushing.

EH: [smiles] Thank you. We know we could have extended the tour. We had plenty of rest before we started to record the album. But recording it took a lot out of us. Especially Mike and I. I think Max and Dustin could have done it forever.

MW: Let's be clear, it took the most out of… El. She's the creative genius behind 11, and let's face it, without her voice, 11 is just another band. Not to slight Max, she could replace Rick Wakeman in Yes, or John Evans in Jethro Tull. Or even Keith Emerson. Those guys should look over their shoulder, she's only fifteen… [he looks over at Dustin] You too, dude. I've never seen end-of-the-world drumming like that.

- Pop Music Magazine

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Eleven had finished giggling over girl stuff with Max, "you know," Max said, "just give him a sign that you like him. Guys will get the hint if you show even a little interest. You already told me that he's seen your bad side."

"Not the studio side I haven't. I have to warn him. I'm really going to try to be better, but I have to warn him."

"Better do it now then." Max said. She was her best friend, she would support El no matter what.

Eleven got up from where she was sitting and went to sit near Mike. She wasn't happy about this, it felt like she was making an excuse for the behaviour she was going to show, which was exactly what she doing. But she wasn't happy about it.

"I have to tell you something."

"Um, ok."

"There is no sugar coating this. I am difficult to work with in the recording studio."

"Genius at work, I get it Eleven. I didn't think it would be a walk in the park."

"No, Mike," She touched the wrist the the torn piece of shirt was tied, "I can be an absolute bitch when we are making an album."

And then he looked at her searching with his eyes. Her heart caught in her chest, it was pounding. He had to be hearing it.

She tried to explain it, but it sounded lame, it had to have sounded lame.

"Will you promise me something?"

"If I can, Eleven." His eyes were baring open her soul.

"Whatever happens, will you still talk to me afterwards? You don't have to like me, just… talk to me?"

"I think I've seen you at your worst… and," he tapped her heart again "I've seen the pretty inside Eleven. I promise."

He didn't know, couldn't possibly know how bad it would get, because she didn't either. But when he said he promised, her tears started

He talked like he would understand, she but knew he wouldn't.

When Eleven got into the studio, she could feel the change. She could feel the anger, she could feel herself, watching through her own eyes, as she tried to destroy everything.

She heard her own yelling. Yelling at Max. Yelling at Dustin. Yelling at Lucas.

The worst of course, was yelling at Mike. For doing exactly what she asked him to do.

He got mad and yelled back at her, and that was ok, it meant he knew what he was doing and that he was doing it right.

But she kept at him, the whole morning.

Mike was a lot like Max on her instrument. Classically trained musicians tended to be perfectionists, and they tended to be really good on their instruments. They didn't make mistakes. That had been Eleven's experience.

"El, Pop Music Magazine is here, you guys have to do that interview now."

She was glad when Max intervened and said that Mike had to be in to be interview. But that was until the end. She had ceased to be a reasonable person and wished Mike had never seen that side of her. Not as bad as that.

She was being a little asshole, as Dustin would say. She couldn't help it. This album, with the sound change, the different songs… she didn't want her decisions to be the end of the band. She felt a responsibility to Dustin and Max. And to Mike, who had come up with an idea she knew she could work with.

And then she did it. She went too far. Mike, in a tired voice said, "I'm in tune Eleven."

"Don't you dare call me that." And then she hurt him with her ability. She didn't mean to. She would never be able to explain it to him. She would never be able to make it up to him,

It was like she'd been taken over by an evil bitch, and stood watching helplessly as she was made to self-destruct

"That is a great idea. Best one today." She could hear the sarcasm

Mike unslung his guitar and settled it deliberately on the stand. He looked up to her.

When he told her he wanted a hug from Holly, she knew her tears were not going to be that far behind.

He used her name in the way she hated. And she deserved it. The wheels were starting to come off.

She challenged him, but she could feel that her bitter heart was not in it.

He did something she hadn't expected., he started to work at the tight knot he'd put in the shirt-bandage around his wrist.

And then the El Hopper disappeared, she hurried over to him and clasped both hands around his wrist so he had to stop him from untying the shirt-bandage.

She tried to apologize, but it seemed to have no effect on him. None whatsoever

"Not gonna work this time. El."

"Please call me Eleven."

"Uh, no."

She was terrified, he'd lost faith in her, "please keep it on Mike."

She didn't need to hear what he said next. It hurt too much. He was right and there didn't seem to be anything she could do about it.

What hurt the most, she knew was coming. Calling her a bitch, well yeah, she deserved that. But when he tapped her heart and said, "Not so pretty."

She almost told him about the lab, right then and there. She didn't but she let her true feelings out. It was all she had left. If it didn't work, she would just tell him that she loved him, and let the cards fall where they may.

A little bit of her ability slipped out, but no one seemed to notice. She could not control her crying. Her sobs came from deep within her.

She only vaguely saw a flash and turned towards it. More flashes. She heard Mike's voice, there was kindness to it. Was it directed at her?

She felt so alone. Standing there, away from home, her dad would have hugged her until she stopped crying. She thought of Mike's little sister hugging him to make him feel better and she cried even harder. She would give up everything, throw it all away. The fame. The money. Everything. If he would only hold her that way one more time.

This was bad. She was done. There really wasn't any point anymore.

She felt Mike's arms encircle her. She pushed her face into the spot between his neck and shoulder and let go. It felt like he was trying to protect her. He held her tightly the whole time, he never once let his arms loosen around her.

After awhile she was calm and in control of herself again. She knew her face would be a mess, but Mike might as well see her that way. She didn't want to keep anything from him… well… except for maybe that secret. It would have to wait.

She asked him what to do, and he told her. It was very simple. The best part of his answer was that she knew she could do it. He just wanted her to be Eleven. That's who she was. She would be Eleven for Mike.

She really didn't care about anything else.

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We know we haven't had an article about 11 in a long time. It's been four months since they've we've heard anything. The band's publicist say they aren't doing interviews and would neither confirm nor deny they were working on any projects.

Pop Music Magazine

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Eleven knew she couldn't really tell Mike what the meaning was behind the first two album covers. That would have to wait also.

Dustin and Max came back into the studio.

Once everyone was comfortable at their spots.

El leaned into the microphone.

"Change of plans."

"Lucas. Dustin, Max. Please listen to what Mike has to say."

Everyone turned to look at Mike and he looked a little out of sorts, Eleven knew he was a little out of his element. Then his voice took a bit of a commanding tone. She tingled a bit and was secretly thrilled. She hoped he was ok with his new role.

"Ok, first, um, Dustin, walk the drums." Dustin did so.

"Ok those last three, can you hit them with the same force but slower?" Dustin did that one also.

"Eleven?"

"I know what you're going to say Mike, the second skin is out of tune. Could that be what was throwing me off… thinking you were out of tune?"

"I tried to hit the same string every time he hit that tom. Could be the acoustics in hear through you off? Play it again Dustin just that tom, over and over."

Mike hit the E string on his guitar at the fifth fret, it sounded out of tune, "Ok Dustin stop."

He hit plucked the string again. "Eleven, that's an A right?"

"Yes, but it sounds like a bit flat when played at the same time as Dustin hits that tom."

"Can you tune that Dustin?"

"Give me a sec. Ok, let's try now."

When they played it together again. Mike saw Eleven's beautiful smile, that also reached her eyes.

"I thought I was going crazy, instead I just got angry."

She walked over to Mike and kissed him. On the lips. She was not shy about using her tongue, and Mike responded with his.

"Uh, guys, do you want some privacy, or should we continue?" Dustin said.

"Ok, one more thing, can you remember the take where you did the little hi-hat shuffle?"

Dustin played it for him.

"That's the one, ok use the take you did that on, for this next one."

"And Max, you did this really fast arpeggio."

Max frowned, "I played a few different ones, did you have one in mind. He walked over and played it for her. Both Max and Eleven looked wide eyes at him.

"I didn't know you could play." Eleven said.

"I can't really, but I have nimble fingers and I know a piano keyboard layout. So Max, remember that one?"

"I know the one."

"Ok, keep the Leslie speakers on higher when you play that."

"I see where you are going with this Mike," Max smiled.

"Lucas?"

"I'm listening."

"Ok, on the chorus, can you boost Eleven's bottom?" Mike stopped, felt his face heat up.

She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "he knows what you mean Mike."

Eleven looked at him, she seemed afraid to ask him anything. "Is there anything you want me to do?"

"Yeah, are you and Lucas familiar with Cheech and Chong's Sister Mary Elephant? Specifically the 'shuddup' part?"

Lucas laughed through the speaker in the studio, "yeah man, we can recreate that."

"Ok, Eleven, on the very last 'Make War Not War' just scream it, top of your lungs, don't hold back. Lucas can do his bit."

"Um, Eleven?"

"Yes Mike?"

"I'm going to play the guitar bit the way I first played it when you were in my basement. I think you liked that one the best?"

She looked at him for a few seconds and then nodded. She turned to the microphone.

"One, two three…."

And they recorded the song in one take, exactly how Mike and El had envisioned it.

She looked at him in wonder, and came over and gave him another deep kiss. "I'm never going to be able to thank you enough for today Mike."

Mike cleared his throat, "uh, that was thanks enough… um, you are my first kiss Eleven. I wasn't expecting the full…"

"Tongue?" She laughed, "my first kiss too Mike. I guess I did it right."

Mike was happy to be going home, he hadn't seen Eleven for a day or so as she was redoing some parts, but she told him that his guitar track was perfect.

She was on the bus being very quiet, Lucas was there with them this time too. They were all going back to Hawkins.

It was midnight, the bus lights were turned down low. Mike was half dozing on one of the sofas when Eleven came over to him.

She had been crying. If there were a pictorial dictionary her face could have been under the entry for 'miserable'.

"What's wrong Eleven?" He said low, he didn't want to wake the others.

Her mouth was down turned, she was barely keeping it together. "I heard the tape of our takes, not the music parts, just the El Hopper parts." She said it with disgust.

"I"m ashamed of myself. Can-" He put his finger across her lips.

He adjusted the shirt-bandage around his wrist, "I know what you are going to ask Eleven. All is forgiven. I want you to know that I'm never taking this off. Means too much to me, and now I know what it means to you, not everything, of course, I know you have… secrets. But it stays on. I won't threaten to take it off again... I'm sorry about that."

She leaned her head on his shoulder, and fell asleep there. Mike eventually fell asleep and they both slowly fell over on the sofa.

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11 as the band we knew is dead. Most pop bands can't make it past three years of huge popularity. Some hang on, unfortunately longer, but their audience gets older and moves on. A lot of bands can't recruit new fans. Not all of course, but most. 11 is different. When their new version of Make War Not War, was released, we could see that El Hopper had a new sound in mind. It's also clear that Mike Wheeler was having an influence on her. They have stated over and over again in interviews that they are not a couple, and neither of them look at the other when they are asked the question.

Rock Music Magazine

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A warm wet cloth woke Mike up. Eleven was cleaning his face.

Her cheeks were very red. "I… drooled all over your face."

He felt his own face heat up. He gave a small laugh, "It's ok, Eleven."

"You haven't heard the news. Our record company heard the new take of Make War Not War, and asked if Lucas could make a master tape, they want to release it early. They are expecting it to be big."

"I, um, had a slight change made to your contract."

Mike tried to be funny, "I'm going to be paid in kisses?"

Eleven's cheeks turned a deep red. "I had it changed from a single contractual payment, to royalties." She had some sheets of paper on a clipboard.

"Ok I don't know the music business at all, does this mean I get paid more or less?"

"Potentially a lot, but the danger of little if it doesn't sell well. I know you don't know our music and just how big we are, but you will make a lot more money from this album, if you sign. Mike."

"Eleven, um, I trust you you. Do you think I should sign?"

She nodded.

"Wait, I can't legally sign anything can I?"

"Don't sweat the details Mike. Trust me ok? I still want you to talk to me."

Mike signed. If he made a little money it was ok. The road trip, the experience in the studio, and getting to kiss Eleven. That had all been worth it.

He was invited to jam with them on the bus. Mike had a good time. They were all having fun. Lucas recorded the jam session just in case they got inspired.

Later that evening Eleven came over to Mike on the sofa he'd commandeered. She seemed very shy, which he thought was amusing considering that she could sing in front of seventy-five thousand people and not blink an eye.

"Are we good? I mean you and I?"

"Yeah Eleven, we are good."

"I like you." Mike's heart did a triple thump.

"I like you too Eleven, we had a bit of a rocky start, but I think of us as friends now."

She looked around, uneasy and seemed frustrated, "no, I mean I really like you." Mike's heart starting thrumming. His breath caught.

"And I really like you. We are friends. Right? Am I missing something?"

She sighed. "Why haven't you asked me out?" She looked at him with her eyes that he already found deadly,

Mike had been thinking about this off and on since they started their trip back to Hawkins. He'd had plenty teen magazines on the bus, and he'd read a lot of Nancy's magazines. Eleven wasn't going to like his answer.

He drew in a deep breath and gave his own sigh. "I already told you I'd always be honest with you. Nothing has changed there. Do you want to know why?

She looked down, her voice already sad. "Yes."

"You are a celebrity. Do you have any idea how long celebrity romances our age last on average? Longest I could count was about seven months. I admit that I'd be thrilled to have you for a girlfriend for that long. But I know that between tours, and all the people, all the guys you run into, there's no way you wouldn't get, um distracted. It's the business. Just open up any issue of Tiger Beat or Pop Music Magazine. Any of those guys ask you on a date and you'd refuse?"

"I would never see you. I saw you for what, a week, before you were off to record the album. If you hadn't invited me along, I wouldn't have seen you this entire time."

"But. those are just excuses to make me feel better. They aren't the real reason."

"Mike, friends tell the truth." Her round eyes looked at him. He would tell her. He didn't want to but he would.

"You won't like it."

"I already don't like it. Tell me the truth."

"I am ready to make a commitment to you."

"A commitment? You mean you'd stay my boyfriend for… a long time?" Eleven sounded odd when she said that.

"Forever Eleven. I would stay with you forever."