How can you have a Garage band without a garage?

[Deleted]

Epic maybe to himself, but it really just made him look like an idiot. Though if his goal was to make all the girls uncomfortable, then it was well met. George certainly seemed to be. Axelle seemed a bit…preoccupied with other things. Oh, well. It didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

“Oh, so you’re both roommates? I guess that makes sense, why you two seem to know each other then.” Conversely, Marcus didn’t really know anyone here, save for Lucas, and he didn’t even know him that well…and definitely didn’t want to admit as to how he knew him. “I’m not sure…” he answered about as honestly as he could to Matt, in an equally quiet voice. “I don’t really know him, but if he says he can, then I don’t see any reason to not believe him. I mean, it’d be pretty dumb to make a claim like that knowing you’d have to back it up somehow later, right?”

Marcus grinned, giving Matt a nod when he gave his name. “Marcus…it’s nice to meet you two.” He laughed at Matt’s commentary to his excitable exclamation. “Ha ha, actually Brentlefloss is a band name. They do covers of retro video games and add lyrics to them.” To demonstrate, he to the liberty of playing a snippet from one of his favorites of theirs, complete with his barely adequate singing. “Like that,” he said when he was done.

It was about then that Lucas started talking about the piano…which was fine with Marcus too. He didn’t really like the piano, though he had more talent and skill with it than the guitar, courtesy of years and years of lessons pulverized into him. He smiled as the guy ran trough one of his own favorites. “That’s beautiful, man.”

This was getting really exciting, actually. “This is kind of amazing. A lot of bands only get one person per instrument, but we got a bunch of us who can play multiple things! That makes it possible for us to do a lot more, maybe even switch it up sometimes. Like, there’s this jpop band that likes to have their members exchange instruments when they play secret shows under a different name. That’d be so cool to do!!” Marcus pumped his fist up slightly in his excitement.

[Cameron Tyler]

Sept 28, 2014 19:25:17 GMT -5 @ophelia12 said:

It was about then that Lucas started talking about the piano…which was fine with Marcus too. He didn’t really like the piano, though he had more talent and skill with it than the guitar, courtesy of years and years of lessons pulverized into him. He smiled as the guy ran trough one of his own favorites. “That’s beautiful, man.”

Cameron gave her own praise with a hearty round of applause and a whoop of delight.
"That was lovely....." 

This was getting really exciting, actually. “This is kind of amazing. A lot of bands only get one person per instrument, but we got a bunch of us who can play multiple things! That makes it possible for us to do a lot more, maybe even switch it up sometimes. Like, there’s this jpop band that likes to have their members exchange instruments when they play secret shows under a different name. That’d be so cool to do!!” Marcus pumped his fist up slightly in his excitement.

Cameron's face lit up with fresh excitement.
"Fantastic idea, Marcus! It's like a game of musical chairs, except we rotate to a new instrument. That way, we each get to play lead on our particular style of preference."


She held up a finger to make a point she had just discovered.
"Or this! We could do like that jpop band and go out as different bands, depending upon the gig. We hit one place as a classic rock cover band, another doing more modern stuff. We could wear costumes and makeup like KISS or Gwar....."


She looked around at everyone, putting an arm over her roommates's shoulder.
"Part of being a musician is being a performer. You can't just play great. You have to have some kind of catch or angle. For example, Men at Work played off their Ausssie roots, or DEVO their sci fi philosophy."


"What could we use like that?"

[Matt Davis]

Matt laughed when Cam moved beside of him and threw her arm around him. He ducked down some and scooted a bit closer. Cam was a small girl, at least by comparison, so he tried to help keep her arm around him. He gave her a slight nudge with his elbow while watching the others. He had been listening to the lot of them for some time, though a lot of what they said kind of went over his head. Aside from the choir and playing for himself, he hadn’t been in something like this. Or really talked that much about music with his friends.

“Alright, I’ve got t’ask… Am I th’only one who doesn’ know what ‘J-pop’ is? Sounds like some sorta… frozen… fruity...sucker thing. So I don’t really know what ya’ll are talkin’ about. However…” He held up his finger as if protesting his own statement. “I do like the idea of switchin’ up styles for differen’ venues.. but that might, y’know… make it hard t’find our sound, you know?”

He lifted his arm up some and put it around Cam, pulling her into a small hug. “An’ while I probably can play the cowbell… It was more of a joke… I do drums -some- but the only instrument I really work well with is the guitar, y’know? So… AInt the best for switchin’ them up… Though I can sing. There’s that. Sure Cam’s heard me beltin’ out like a cryin’ goat a few times.”

[Lucas Blacke]

''J-pop?'' He repeated. ''J.. pop..? Jay-pop? Jay pop? Yay pop?'' He repeated the word in every possible intonation he could think of before looking over to Matt and shaking his head. ''Yer not the only one, I keep picturin' a jaywalkin' puddin' pop, and I'm fairly certain those don't play music. Or walk.''

He didn't really have all too much to add, really, he could just do whatever they did. It had always been like that for him and this time wouldn't be any different. It was awesome but did get kind of boring after a while, just being able to be on par with someone without exceeding them. He guessed he needed to tell them and brushed his fingers over the keys of the piano slightly.

''Gettin' back to the comment about me teachin' ya,'' He eyed Cam and shot a smile her way before that smile rapidly faded. It wasn't like he himself didn't like his power, but he was sure they would see it as cheating or something. ''I think I owe ya all an explanation.''

''I can only really play the piano.'' Which was odd seeing as he'd previously rocked a song on guitar perfectly, but that was just his power. ''I can't teach anythin' else than piano because of my power..'' He slowly eyed everyone in the room to see their reactions to it as he slowly began playing something on the background.

''Ya see, I have this thing where I can see and do the same, so with guitar and stuff I'd just be copying someone else. The only instrument I can really play is the piano, and even this I'm playing right now is because of my power, hence why I'm talking and playing at the same time.''

And when he finally hit the last few notes of the song he looked around the room again, waiting for someone to answer him when he hesitantly asked. ''So ya still want me in yer band?''

[Deleted]

“Ah…ha ha…” Marcus laughed, a bit embarrassed. Seems like he was the only one here who liked anime. “J-pop. As is, Japanese pop. Guess…I kind of assumed you’d know what that was, since that song you played, Lucas, is…” Oh, well. Wasn’t important. Marcus just laughed it off again and scratched his head.

He turned to Matt. “Well…guitar is great! Sure, having a lot of instruments to choose from is cool, but, you know, I know there’s a lot of really successful bands that have, like, so much less than what we got. There’s this country band, I don’t really remember the name, but they have four guitarists, not even a drummer, it’s kinda awesome. And then…have you heard of the metal band Apocalyptica? They’re awesome, and they all play the cello. Well, one guy does drums, but the others started out as classical cellists. Like the super posh kind.” Where was he going with this? “The point is, as long as it sounds good, we really shouldn’t worry about it. We can work around each other.” Marcus was such an optimist. It was easier to be so when he was excited about something. Like music.

Lucas started talking again, and Marcus turned to give his attention to him, still uneasy about the other boy. He hadn’t said anything yet about their previous encounter, so by this point Marcus was assuming that he didn’t realize that he and the girl he kissed were the same person. It was…probably best not to say anything. Marcus wanted this band thing to work out more than..well, whatever result would come from making thing uncomfortable between potential bandmates.

Marcus shrugged. “I don’t see why not,” he admitted. “It may be because of your power but…well, your power still makes it so you can do things nobody else can, well, at least, not many. And I think that’s still pretty amazing.” Marcus wasn’t sure what Lucas’ problem was, though. “I’d rather have you than not have you.”

[Cameron Tyler]

Cameron got up from next to Matt-the poor guy was all hunched over so she could put her arm over his shoulder. She gave him a soft smile before kneeling down on the stage behind Matt. She rested herself on him and watched the exchange, her hands massaging his shoulders.

She nodded when Marcus said he had no problem with Lucas and his gifts. She was starting to like Marcus, he had a good head on his shoulders.

"Look, I'm a little disappointed you can't teach me stuff. But I know there's more to music than just knowing what notes to play, and when. The magic comes from the heart and soul. If that wasn't true, computers and drum machines would have replaced people years ago."

She pushed herself up from Matt and hopped down onto the floor. She walked up to Lucas and shoved her hands into her back pockets with an impish grin.
"I don't have a problem with you either....just as long as you're not going to be a jerk. Are you going to be a jerk, Lucas?"

She looked at the rest of the guys before looking back up at Matt.
"This is a band. All for one, and one for all."
She looked to the gang.
"Any objections?"

[Matt Davis]

J-pop was japanese pop. He didn’t really know what that was, but he wouldn’t mind playing it, he figured. Pop was what people would listen to, and if there was a way to mix it up with rock, then he could probably get behind at least playing a few of those songs. The idea of switching up instruments was a pretty awesome idea though. Matt was...pretty damn excited really! He was going to be in a highschool band, rock out with some friends, might even meet some girls who’d throw their panties on stage or something! An odd concept, but heck if it wasn’t a staple of stardom.

It all got better, too, when Cam lifted up and decided to give him an impromptu massage. He didn’t mind her leaning on him, so the massage was just gravy. Sweet delicious gravy. He rolled his shoulders some as she pulled away some tension. She wouldn’t even feel that much tension, at first… Though soon every muscle started to clench in her hand. His eyes shifted over to what he believed to be a braggart at first. Now things were a bit more clear. His ‘power’ let him play all of these instruments? He didn’t actually know? What else could he do if that was the case? His eyes were a little wide when he looked about.

Marcus didn’t seem to have a problem… Cam later chimed in that she didn’t have a problem either. Really? They didn’t see any problem with it? Disregarding that he was a mutant, he wanted to use his powers so that he could play well? People thought that Lip Synching was bad, imagine what it’d be like if it came out that mutant powers were at play, and not only did he not know the ins and outs of songs, but he didn’t even know how to truly play the instrument?

The fact that the other two seemed okay with it was...sort of unnerving. Would they all be using their powers? Was that supposed to be their thing? He had really hoped that it’d just be a band… a band where people could just play music. Not generate it from powers, or copy other things. The powers. A lingering annoyance that caused his eyed to twitch in a wince, as if he was hit hard by the mere thought of it.

When he realized that they were doing a sort of role-call as to who was down, Matt had to seriously consider it. He may have taken a moment longer than the others. They did seem excited, and he didn’t want to ruin it. Especially for Cam.

“Yeah...Yeah, I guess we’re a band… Vocals and guitar, maybe…” He cleared his throat some, avoiding the question about if Lucas’ powers offended Matt. He only elaborated with an almsot quiet. “Well...Maybe we can just have you play the piano, then… you know.” He looked toward the boy. “Since you’re more...versed in it, and such.” Mitigating his power would probably be best, especially for performances.

[Lucas Blacke]

He was still seated at the piano when they all said what they needed to say about him and his powers, the ones that allowed him to play every instrument. He was happy that two out of three felt it was okay to have him join, it wasn't like he was a freak or anything, but this Matt guy seemed a bit hesitant. He muttered something and as Luke mimicked the movement of his lips since he couldn't quite hear it he found himself mouthing that he should stick to piano. It kind of pained him to get a reaction like this, but not everyone could be pleased.

When Cam walked up to him and asked him if he was a jerk he took more than a few seconds to think of an answer. Of course he wasn't going to be responding to that question in truth but he did reflect a bit. He wasn't the nicest guy and had even been a dick before but wasn't it enough that he was trying to change? He'd surely fuck up a bunch more times, but he really felt like he was getting somewhere.

''I don't think so doll. Not consciously anyway.'' He replied finally with a smile. And then he turned his head to Matt and his smile turned into a frown.

''I'll leave if it irks ya too much. Don't wanna cause friction.. but I'm not gonna stick to just the piano. I happen to like music, I'll learn those instruments if I need to! And that's a promise.''

[Deleted]

Marcus smiled at the girl, Cameron was it? She was pretty straightforward and had the guts to ask the question that Marcus had been too afraid to bring up and ask. Based on their last meeting, Marcus had been worried that Lucas was going to be an ass about everything. And he kinda was. Sorta. But after hearing the situation a little more clearly, and the answer that the other boy gave to Cam, Marcus was starting to think that Lucas was a lot more awkward than he let on. Because Marcus knew that others felt the same about their powers giving them a weird advantage in something that took a normal person a lot of effort to achieve. Like his roommate, Rylee, and her love for sports.

Or maybe he was just seeing things?

If Lucas wanted to be there, in the band, and contribute, then that was all that Marcus needed to be okay with him there. He still had issues with the boy, something they’d probably have to address eventually, but it wasn’t imperative at the moment. “Okay,” he started once Matt jumped on, a little worried about his pause before answering, but…well, he said yes, right?

But it seemed like Lucas took offense to what Matt had suggested. Marcus didn’t want things to explode between them. “Well…why don’t we just play it by ear for now?” he interjected, trying to offer a compromise of sorts before things got out of hand. “We don’t know what’s going to work yet and what won’t, right? I mean, we don’t even have a playlist or anything that we want to perform yet, right?” He looked to Lucas. “I’ll be honest. I like playing guitar more, but it’s the piano I’m best at.” He looked to Cam. “You play piano too, right?” Marcus thought he’d heard her say something like that. “I’m thinking a three-way. With this guy - Matt, right? - On guitar, or something.” Marcus shrugged. “I dunno, just an idea. And only one. There’s a lot of things we can do.”

[Cameron Tyler]

Cameron patted Marcus on the back and smiled widely.
"I'll play whatever we need to play so everybody gets a chance with their song of choice.....maracas or banjo or tambourine I don't care as long as we're making music. I'll get a chance to play."

"Speaking of song of choice..."
Cameron strolled over to a neighboring blackboard and dragged it over. She wiped off the old chalk with an eraser. with a fresh stick of chalk she drew a line down the middle of the blackboard. One side she labeled fast and the other slow.

"I think we've established that all of our music tastes are fairly similar. We all like the classic songs. Let's talk about songs that you would like to play. Everybody gets to pick one slow song and one fast song."

"just remember these are songs that we would want to play in front of people at a gig. And getting started people are going to want to hear songs they're familiar with on some level. Those of us who write their own music have to work that in over time."

"Who wants to be first?"