Episode 2:
And New Beginnings
Mav's Note: So once again we meet the wonderful and colorful person Steve Clark. I would like to point out though; here I give him a much different origin. Also, there will only be one more character from the original story that I will be adding, guess who and you'll get a cookie.
This chapter written by Mavrick-17
"There are an infinite number universes coexisting with ours on parallel dimensional planes. Now in each of these alternate universes, the reality is different than our own. Sometimes only slightly, sometimes quite radically. The point is every possible eventuality exits."
- Stewie Griffin on the Theory of Multiple-Dimension.
City Time Square, New York
June 12th 2012
A studio audience excited waited in their seats. The lights dimmed and a familiar theme song started as a famous talk show host entered the stage and sat down behind his desk.
"And welcome back to the Late Show with David Ladderman." The announcer said. The audience clapped and cheered
"Welcome back to the show. My next guests this evening are young group of rockers well on their way to stardom after their first successful album At The Southern Gate and here they are, THE HAWKS!" He said excitedly pointing toward a group of five young men entering the stage from his right.
The five young men had semi-formal look to them. The farthest from the group had short black hair and was wearing a shirt and jacket over it. Next to him was long reddish blond man with light beard showing. The man in the center had Japanese look to him. The one next to him had short white blond hair wore black vest of a white shirt and pants. And the closeted to David was a young man with blue eyes, long blond hair and wore a black dress shirt and pants with a red tie.
"Welcome to the show guys. It's great to see you. I have to say for a group of eighteen and nineteen year olds, you guys are well on your way to being the next big thing. If you aren't already."
"Its great to see you too David, thanks for having us." The man farthest from David said. David nodded and looked at the group smiling.
"We'll start with you, Steve Clark. What can you tell us about the new group? And I'm sure, many in the audience, as well as myself are wondering, what happened to the High-School Gang?"
The young man closest to David, identified as Steve Clark looked a little shocked, that was his first question?
"Well, The Hawks is a little sort of tribute band to all of the great musical groups before my time, such as the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and Aerosmith to name a few. You know, classic rock groups. I have sort of taken a step forward in the band from being just a "hired" guitarist to being more of a front man with in the group along with Chris and Dave, who have been helping me get outta my comfort zones and become a better singer-song writer." Steve spoke indicated the man next to him and the furthest from David.
The audience cheered and applauded. David smiled.
"That's good that you're getting out of your comfort zone. Now about The Gang?" David asked looking back to Steve.
"And as far as the High-School Gang is considered, the reason that band is no more is because Ace and I had a bad fall out. For me, being in a band was never about the money or the fame. It was about making the music for people. Apparently Ace wanted the riches and glory that came with being a rock star, and his ego, all the drama he involved us in, is what broke up The Gang." Steve continued
"Well I'm certain sorry to hear that. You think there will ever be a chance for A High-School Gang reunion?"
"I'll answer that." The man next to Steve said, raising his hand slightly.
"Alright Chris, go ahead."
"It's safe to say that Steve and I have a mutual dislike for our former lead singer-"
"I hate him." Steve interrupted folding his arms.
"Ok, ether way Steve and I don't like Ace. That's not to say that in the long run should Ace ever mature and see logic and reason, I don't see a reason to not do a reunion show or tour even."
"I think the High-School Gang fans would be happy to hear that." David said as some of the audience cheered.
"Now lets move on to another familiar faces. Hashimoto Nikki, its great to see you again." David said addressing the Japanese man in the center.
"The pleasure is mine, David-san. I see you remember the lesson I gave you about Japanese names." Nikki said with a slight bow.
David bowed in response. The two looked up at each other, grinned and burst out laughing.
"So tell us Nikki, how did the Famous Clown Emperor of Rock find himself in a group such as the Hawks?"
"That's actually a very interesting story David-san. I had grown up listening to the High-School Gang through out middle school and high school. And when I moved to America to Study music, guess who turned out to be my dorm mate at ULI?"
"Steve Clark?" David guessed
"No actually." The audience laughed as David's eyes opened wide.
"Dawne Williams, Chris's Girlfriend."
David raised an eyebrow.
"You roomed with Chris's girlfriend, that how you too met?"
"More or less yes." Nikki said as Chris nodded.
"Strange that Chris is so trusting of you."
"Well as we all know, Chris is a die hard Christian and so is his girlfriend, besides, I have my own girl." Nikki said raising his right hand showing a wedding band on his right hand.
The audience cheered and applauded.
"Ok so now on to the two new guys. David Carman and David Lee the drummer and bass guitarist for the Hawks."
The one of the guys at the end nodded the other looked up from drinking his glass of water.
"Im sorry what?" he asked.
"You didn't miss a thing, Dave." The Chris said.
The guys laughed.
"So tell us a little about yourself David."
"Which one?" The David's asked in unison to which the audience chuckled.
"David Lee." David clarified.
The one farthest from David nodded.
"Well as some of you may know me as drummer and vocalist from Those Guys. Anyway while I was in Long Island for college, I did not attend the University of Long Island. I was going to a Community College near by when I heard that the two of the former members of the High-School Gang wanted to make a new band. I jumped at the opportunity. So I showed up and I out drummed everyone there."
"Interesting, how about you Carmen?"
"Well, I was in the area when I heard these guys were looking to make a new band and well I was the only bass player to show up, so it looks like I got the job only because there was no one else to pick from." The other David spoke rubbing his beard.
"There had been a few before you Dave." Steve said.
"Ya, you were the only one who showed up that day and the only one who could naturally fit in the harmony, well I take that back. You were the only one who could sing and not sound outta tune with your bass." Chris said.
"So before we run out of time, tell us a little about your first album. It seems most of you play the classic roles of band, playing guitar, bass or drums and singing. But I heard a few other instruments in the mix, who played those? Studio musicians?" David asked.
"Well actually, Chris and Nikki, depending on the track are ether playing the piano or keyboard and the saxophone you hear in Tommorrow Never Comes is played by Steve."
Steve seemed to be slightly embarrassed by this statement.
"Well we are almost out of time, So what are you gonna play for us?" David asked. As the guys got up and walked over to the three electric guitars, bass guitar and drum kit that had been set up on the stage.
"We can do an Eagles song if you like, cause we know how much you like 'em." Chris said putting on a Gibson Les Paul, to which David just grinned.
"Hit it boys." David said.
The Hawks started playing Life in the Fast Lane by the Eagles.
The show cut to a commercial so as not to be sued for copyright.
Eighteen Months Later
Neu-Phonic Records, Long Island
10:12 p.m.
"Rolling, Miss Those Days, Take 3." The recording engineer spoke into the intercom.
The band started playing after a quick little drum fill. Chris started strumming on his acoustic guitar. Steve followed along on a slightly distorted guitar while Nikki preformed a slide guitar solo. Dave Careman thumping along his bass while Dave Lee playing drums while a recording of Steve hit a cowbell.
"Oh how I miss the warmth of the sun. Where did the time go? Being able to have such fun. Had no excuses for the things that we'd done." Chris sang into the microphone.
"In the middle of the school hall. Growin' up too fast and I do recall Makes me strive for a better tomorrow." The five band members sang in harmony.
"The adventures we had. They make me smile and laugh, makes me wish I never gave up on you, it makes me feel bad." Chris sang holding out the last word as the chorus came in again.
"Oh, take me back Nikki. Take me back." Chris said as Nikki started to solo.
Once Nikki finishing up the solo the band came back in on the chorus.
"Life is a journey, the places you go and the people you met. It just makes wonder why? Why does this feeling hurt so."
Now it was Steve's turn to solo. When he finished the band went into the bridge.
"I don't know what this world even means. But one thing is for sure, with you in my life, girl. My life feels complete. So we're just have to push on through."
Steve started to solo again as the band repeated the chorus and the song started to fade out.
"Suddenly this crazy world makes more sense to me" Steve spoke into the microphone as the music in their ears faded out.
"Good take you guys, really solid. How do you guys feel?" The engineer asked.
Chris took off his headphones and looked around the band. Everyone nodded as they took off their headphones and some started to put their instruments up.
"Good take." Chris said.
"Well unless you guys have anything you want to redo or record, I'd say lets call it a day."
"Actually, I'd like to try doubling what Steve plays. You mind letting me do that?" Nikki asked.
"No sure." The engineer said.
"Well I'm calling it a night. Good night guys." Steve said as he close the lid to his guitar case.
"Oh, Steve, don't forget, we have the radio interview in the morning." Chris said looking at Steve.
"I won't. See you in the morning." Steve said with a smile. He then exited the studio.
"Night Steve." Was the collective response he received.
Steve felt the cool night air against his face and shivered. He took out a cigarette and lit it. He inhaled, tasting the tobacco in his mouth. He sighed. It had been nearly two years to the day he and Ace had exchanged fists and insults. To this day no-one except Chris and Ace knew what had really gone down when the High-School Gang broke up, and Steve would have preferred to keep it that way.
Since the formation of the Hawks, life had been good to him so far. He was now 19 years old and was completely independent. He had a nice house of his own on the beach, complete with a home Recording-Studio. The last tour the band had grossed nearly 150 million in record sales alone, that was not counting the 50 something shows they had done which a good portion of them were sold out. Not to mention during his off time, Steve had put out a solo record, which had made about a hundred grand to date.
He got into his rebuilt 65 Fastback Mustang and took off heading for home. Where he could not wait to catch up on his favorite anime series: The Strike Witches. Little did he know his life was about to change, as he turn on to the bridge about five minuets from his home, an eighteen wheeler came out of nowhere, his high beams blinding Steve causing him to swerve. Steve barely missed the truck, but a bright white light was still blinding him. He felt as if his body was being sucking into some sort of void. A moment later the driver and the contents in his car vanished. The car now driverless, crashed into the back of the big rig. There was a massive explosion as the truck skidded to halt.
Steve felt his body flying through space and time. Before he knew what was happening he felt himself falling toward the earth. So with nothing else to do, Steve let out a scream as he fell to what he assumed to be his death. But it was not the end for the young guitarist. His life was about to change. Steve hit the ground hard.
"Ben Zona!" Steve curse as he landing on his stomach, the impact causing his head to bounce. He felt his conscience slowly fade, but before he passed out he could have swore he heard a female voice.
"Get a stretcher!"