A Dreamers Prayer
Screams
The whole day is filled with frantic band members and roadies running around like headless chickens. If we had gotten up at noon, right now I would probably be pulling my hair out of my head. The only people I saw was our manger and a guitar tech they gave us. The rest of the time I was practicing all of our songs five times in a row until I got them so perfect I never made a mistake. A local band was playing a few songs before us which gave us some down time to just make sure the guitars were in tune and we all knew what was happening. A few interviewers for AP magazine stole Andy and Lilly to talk about the tour together.
It is about an hour to the first band to open and Andy and the other boys were doing signings. I take a glance from behind back stage and see tons of people scrunched up to the signing booth to just get their attention. They were giving hugs and taking pictures. My band mates and I were sitting on the couches back stage, fooling around really. Today was one of the most important days we were going to have and we were talking about who ate the last of Darin's pop tart. Black Veil Brides were done with their signing and they come back with us along with the local band.
“Oh my god, you guys have no idea how big of fans we are!” The drummer of the band says giving Andy a hand shake.
“Yeah like, we've been trying to get onto a stage with you guys for years!” the singer states.
“How long have you been around?” Jake asks.
“Few years. We just moved here from Mississippi. Let me tell you that is no place to start a screamo band.” The singer says.
“How the hell did you guys get so lucky?!” The guitarist asks me.
“Honestly, we snuck into a concert after party.” I say.
“I was wondering why you guys were even there.” Ashley says.”
“But you're happy about it.” I wink sarcastically at him.
“I'll give you that.” He says back.
“Next time we come down to San Diego give us a call and we will gladly put you on a tour with us.” Jinxx says to the local band.
I remember them giving their names but I forget. A roadie runs up on stage and begins sound check for all of the microphones. I go back to my spot on the couch and wait for our bands turn. Andy comes and sits beside me.
“Nervous?” He asks.
“Like crazy,” I say playing with the blue pick in my hand.
He pats my knee, “don't be, you're going to be amazing!” He smiles.
“Thanks, Andy,” I smile.
“You guys are up.” Someone tells the local band and they run up on stage.
The crowed doesn't scream until they say their names. “We are Evil's Smile from sunny Southern California!” The lead singer yells. The crowed yells, “god it is so good to be playing for you tonight. So you want to hear some fucking awesome music?!” The crowed screams, “beat that bass!”
With that the drums start vibrating through the venue and I sigh and slink more into the couch. Ben won't sit down, he just keeps pacing with his guitar over his shoulder. Darin is bribing CC for the last of his Monster, Lilly and Jason are talking like it was a normal day on the couch, opposite me Ashley was checking his phone, Jinxx and Jake were arguing over what food was better, Andy was sitting on the couch beside me checking his phone, and me, well I was panicking, and also sweating so bad it was showing.
Andy looks over and laughs. “Stop panicking, if anything you're going to be so caught up in the moment you won't care about how many people are out there.” He says putting his phone in his pocket.
I take a deep breath and try to get rid of the butterflies in my stomach. “I've just never have played for so many people. I've never had to impress thousands and live up to the big Black Veil Brides.” I giggle.
He takes a moment to ponder over what I said, “I started out doing what that band up there is doing right now, and trust me I was scared as hell. Most of the time people didn't even scream after the songs. But I knew eventually people were going to love me because I loved me. I just had to realize that no one was going to like me if I didn't believe in myself or this band. Just go out there, kick some ass, and love what you're doing.”
“No one even knows us,” I whine.
“How much you wanna bet that no one knows them either.” Andy stops talking and the bands song finishes and the crowd goes wild. “If they don't know you they are going to scream for your music anyway. They're here for the music, not how famous you are, they won't care. Have you been to a concert with opening bands?” I nod and he goes on, “did you scream after every song that was played even if the opening band was awful?” I laugh and nod again, “exactly, all they want is to hear music and mosh.” He smirks, “you're going to blow their little ears.”
I laugh and the opening band says their good byes and tells them about pictures and albums being sold after the concert. They run back stage and I have to take another deep breath. About now my band was starting to freak out. They start to pace and fiddle with their thumbs. Jason is tapping his drum sticks on Lilly's lap and Lilly is mutter songs and nodding her head with the rhythm she had memorized. Darin was now more hyped than normal on Monster and was bouncing around asking everyone if they were, and I quote, “ready to make everyone jiz their fucking pants.”
The guitar techs take our guitars and went on stage for tuning and sound check. Drums were banged out with a good to go after the tech decided they were fine. “Good to go,” a roadie says after walking off stage from sound check.
My band looks at each other and take a deep breath. “Well, here's to not sucking.” Lilly says walking on stage after she given the go ahead.
Ben goes on next, then Darin, I was about to go on when Andy grabbed me by the arm and told Jason to go on. “I'll be expecting nothing less than best!” He sternly says then laughs. “Just kidding, it will be amazing though, trust me.” He gives me a tight hug and a roadie pulls me away from him forcing me on stage.
I go on stage and the light almost blinds me. I blink a few times then finally adjust. Jesus, there are thousands of kids. It's one thing to imagine a crowd this big but to actually see it was surreal. I smirk at the crowd in front of me and look to Ben who has the same look on his face.
“What's up?!” Lilly yells, the crowd responds with a scream right back. "We're A Dreamers Prayer! Let me tell you, we are all scared as hell up here. This is our first big stage so be nice to us!” Lilly laughs turning to Jason. Jason pedals the bass and she turns back to the crowd. “No one has any tomatoes out their right?!” The crowd laughs. “So we're going to play some rock music for you guys. Is that cool?!” The crowd screams and I smile. I look back to see Andy watching from the safety of backstage. He give me a thumbs up and a smile. “So this song is called Mother's Scorn!”
Lilly flips her hair forward and I start out the intro along with Ben. The crowd is already screaming and I lose all the fear I had and just did what I knew best. During the drum solo I look back to see Andy in the same spot still smiling. I smile back and blush looking back to the neck of my guitar. When we finish the song the crowd goes crazy again. We play three more songs before I finally get the courage to say something to the crowd. I was given my own mic and I tell Lilly that I want to say something.
“You guys are fucking great!” They scream and I go on, “we're a tiny fucking band and we have been waiting a long ass time to be up here. You know we didn't meet the very talented Black Veil Brides until about a week ago. When they asked us for this tour opportunity we jumped right on. We were all so stoked and didn't pay attention to how fucking nervous we actually were. When this day came the nervousness finally started to show itself. And just an hour ago I was sweating back there like a pig not even wanting to see how big this fucking crowd is! When I came out here I let everything go! Wanna know why?!” The crowd screams and I laugh, “it's 'cause you guys are fucking awesome! I will never forget you guys!” I back away from the mic and nod to Lilly that I was done.
“That was deep man,” Lilly says.
“Got anymore feels to give?” Ben laughs, “I think I got a few tears left.”
“Naw, that's all I got for the week.” I say, “you're going to have to save those tears for when I kick your ass in the next song.”
“Oh, was that a challenge?” He questions.
“Maybe it was,” the crowd ooo's like someone in class got in trouble.
“What are we getting at? Solo contest? The crowd decides?” Darin asks.
“Yeah, what do you say? Or are you too chicken?” I ask Ben.
“No, I eat chicken!” The crowd and the band laugh at his attempt to be funny.
“Let's start off with Vic! What you gonna play for us beautiful?” Darin asks.
“Any solo suggestions?” I ask the crowd. All I hear is a bunch of screaming. “Okay, well since I can't hear a fucking word any of you are saying I'm going to play a solo from one of my faves.” I smile as the crowd screams.
I start off with just a few notes from the solo then start off. The crowd goes crazy when they realize what I'm playing. The Legacy was by far my favorite song off the Set The World On Fire album and right when I heard it I had to know how it was played. I hit almost every note on key and when it was supposed to. I start on the pick slide and the crowd goes crazy again. When finish I laugh and wiggle my fingers wondering how Jake could do that for an hour or more.
“I'm not even going to compete with that.” Ben says.
“Yeah, that's right who's guitar god? Oh wait that's Jake Pitts. Sorry Jake,” I laugh and the crowd screams.
“So I think we got one more song in us. What do you say?” Lilly asks, the crowd screams in response. “So this song goes out to all the kids that don't feel like they belong. Don't fucking care! Wake up what's best in you and what you love!” The crowd screams, “when people let you down don't let them see it. Pick yourself back up and realize that what you have dormant inside of you is way more important than their fucking jocks and prissy hair do's. This is called Waking Wilshire.”
The song finishes and Lilly welcomes BVB to the stage. We run off and place the instruments in there designated area. People immediately go on stage to move things around to get ready for the next band.
“You guys fucking ruled!” CC yells giving everyone bear hugs in turn.
Andy comes up to me and lightly hugs me. “I told you you were going to kick ass.”
“Taken' my title huh?” Jake shoves me jokingly then pulls me back in for a hug.
“I gave it back!” I yell.
It is about an hour to the first band to open and Andy and the other boys were doing signings. I take a glance from behind back stage and see tons of people scrunched up to the signing booth to just get their attention. They were giving hugs and taking pictures. My band mates and I were sitting on the couches back stage, fooling around really. Today was one of the most important days we were going to have and we were talking about who ate the last of Darin's pop tart. Black Veil Brides were done with their signing and they come back with us along with the local band.
“Oh my god, you guys have no idea how big of fans we are!” The drummer of the band says giving Andy a hand shake.
“Yeah like, we've been trying to get onto a stage with you guys for years!” the singer states.
“How long have you been around?” Jake asks.
“Few years. We just moved here from Mississippi. Let me tell you that is no place to start a screamo band.” The singer says.
“How the hell did you guys get so lucky?!” The guitarist asks me.
“Honestly, we snuck into a concert after party.” I say.
“I was wondering why you guys were even there.” Ashley says.”
“But you're happy about it.” I wink sarcastically at him.
“I'll give you that.” He says back.
“Next time we come down to San Diego give us a call and we will gladly put you on a tour with us.” Jinxx says to the local band.
I remember them giving their names but I forget. A roadie runs up on stage and begins sound check for all of the microphones. I go back to my spot on the couch and wait for our bands turn. Andy comes and sits beside me.
“Nervous?” He asks.
“Like crazy,” I say playing with the blue pick in my hand.
He pats my knee, “don't be, you're going to be amazing!” He smiles.
“Thanks, Andy,” I smile.
“You guys are up.” Someone tells the local band and they run up on stage.
The crowed doesn't scream until they say their names. “We are Evil's Smile from sunny Southern California!” The lead singer yells. The crowed yells, “god it is so good to be playing for you tonight. So you want to hear some fucking awesome music?!” The crowed screams, “beat that bass!”
With that the drums start vibrating through the venue and I sigh and slink more into the couch. Ben won't sit down, he just keeps pacing with his guitar over his shoulder. Darin is bribing CC for the last of his Monster, Lilly and Jason are talking like it was a normal day on the couch, opposite me Ashley was checking his phone, Jinxx and Jake were arguing over what food was better, Andy was sitting on the couch beside me checking his phone, and me, well I was panicking, and also sweating so bad it was showing.
Andy looks over and laughs. “Stop panicking, if anything you're going to be so caught up in the moment you won't care about how many people are out there.” He says putting his phone in his pocket.
I take a deep breath and try to get rid of the butterflies in my stomach. “I've just never have played for so many people. I've never had to impress thousands and live up to the big Black Veil Brides.” I giggle.
He takes a moment to ponder over what I said, “I started out doing what that band up there is doing right now, and trust me I was scared as hell. Most of the time people didn't even scream after the songs. But I knew eventually people were going to love me because I loved me. I just had to realize that no one was going to like me if I didn't believe in myself or this band. Just go out there, kick some ass, and love what you're doing.”
“No one even knows us,” I whine.
“How much you wanna bet that no one knows them either.” Andy stops talking and the bands song finishes and the crowd goes wild. “If they don't know you they are going to scream for your music anyway. They're here for the music, not how famous you are, they won't care. Have you been to a concert with opening bands?” I nod and he goes on, “did you scream after every song that was played even if the opening band was awful?” I laugh and nod again, “exactly, all they want is to hear music and mosh.” He smirks, “you're going to blow their little ears.”
I laugh and the opening band says their good byes and tells them about pictures and albums being sold after the concert. They run back stage and I have to take another deep breath. About now my band was starting to freak out. They start to pace and fiddle with their thumbs. Jason is tapping his drum sticks on Lilly's lap and Lilly is mutter songs and nodding her head with the rhythm she had memorized. Darin was now more hyped than normal on Monster and was bouncing around asking everyone if they were, and I quote, “ready to make everyone jiz their fucking pants.”
The guitar techs take our guitars and went on stage for tuning and sound check. Drums were banged out with a good to go after the tech decided they were fine. “Good to go,” a roadie says after walking off stage from sound check.
My band looks at each other and take a deep breath. “Well, here's to not sucking.” Lilly says walking on stage after she given the go ahead.
Ben goes on next, then Darin, I was about to go on when Andy grabbed me by the arm and told Jason to go on. “I'll be expecting nothing less than best!” He sternly says then laughs. “Just kidding, it will be amazing though, trust me.” He gives me a tight hug and a roadie pulls me away from him forcing me on stage.
I go on stage and the light almost blinds me. I blink a few times then finally adjust. Jesus, there are thousands of kids. It's one thing to imagine a crowd this big but to actually see it was surreal. I smirk at the crowd in front of me and look to Ben who has the same look on his face.
“What's up?!” Lilly yells, the crowd responds with a scream right back. "We're A Dreamers Prayer! Let me tell you, we are all scared as hell up here. This is our first big stage so be nice to us!” Lilly laughs turning to Jason. Jason pedals the bass and she turns back to the crowd. “No one has any tomatoes out their right?!” The crowd laughs. “So we're going to play some rock music for you guys. Is that cool?!” The crowd screams and I smile. I look back to see Andy watching from the safety of backstage. He give me a thumbs up and a smile. “So this song is called Mother's Scorn!”
Lilly flips her hair forward and I start out the intro along with Ben. The crowd is already screaming and I lose all the fear I had and just did what I knew best. During the drum solo I look back to see Andy in the same spot still smiling. I smile back and blush looking back to the neck of my guitar. When we finish the song the crowd goes crazy again. We play three more songs before I finally get the courage to say something to the crowd. I was given my own mic and I tell Lilly that I want to say something.
“You guys are fucking great!” They scream and I go on, “we're a tiny fucking band and we have been waiting a long ass time to be up here. You know we didn't meet the very talented Black Veil Brides until about a week ago. When they asked us for this tour opportunity we jumped right on. We were all so stoked and didn't pay attention to how fucking nervous we actually were. When this day came the nervousness finally started to show itself. And just an hour ago I was sweating back there like a pig not even wanting to see how big this fucking crowd is! When I came out here I let everything go! Wanna know why?!” The crowd screams and I laugh, “it's 'cause you guys are fucking awesome! I will never forget you guys!” I back away from the mic and nod to Lilly that I was done.
“That was deep man,” Lilly says.
“Got anymore feels to give?” Ben laughs, “I think I got a few tears left.”
“Naw, that's all I got for the week.” I say, “you're going to have to save those tears for when I kick your ass in the next song.”
“Oh, was that a challenge?” He questions.
“Maybe it was,” the crowd ooo's like someone in class got in trouble.
“What are we getting at? Solo contest? The crowd decides?” Darin asks.
“Yeah, what do you say? Or are you too chicken?” I ask Ben.
“No, I eat chicken!” The crowd and the band laugh at his attempt to be funny.
“Let's start off with Vic! What you gonna play for us beautiful?” Darin asks.
“Any solo suggestions?” I ask the crowd. All I hear is a bunch of screaming. “Okay, well since I can't hear a fucking word any of you are saying I'm going to play a solo from one of my faves.” I smile as the crowd screams.
I start off with just a few notes from the solo then start off. The crowd goes crazy when they realize what I'm playing. The Legacy was by far my favorite song off the Set The World On Fire album and right when I heard it I had to know how it was played. I hit almost every note on key and when it was supposed to. I start on the pick slide and the crowd goes crazy again. When finish I laugh and wiggle my fingers wondering how Jake could do that for an hour or more.
“I'm not even going to compete with that.” Ben says.
“Yeah, that's right who's guitar god? Oh wait that's Jake Pitts. Sorry Jake,” I laugh and the crowd screams.
“So I think we got one more song in us. What do you say?” Lilly asks, the crowd screams in response. “So this song goes out to all the kids that don't feel like they belong. Don't fucking care! Wake up what's best in you and what you love!” The crowd screams, “when people let you down don't let them see it. Pick yourself back up and realize that what you have dormant inside of you is way more important than their fucking jocks and prissy hair do's. This is called Waking Wilshire.”
The song finishes and Lilly welcomes BVB to the stage. We run off and place the instruments in there designated area. People immediately go on stage to move things around to get ready for the next band.
“You guys fucking ruled!” CC yells giving everyone bear hugs in turn.
Andy comes up to me and lightly hugs me. “I told you you were going to kick ass.”
“Taken' my title huh?” Jake shoves me jokingly then pulls me back in for a hug.
“I gave it back!” I yell.
Sure go ahead. People will at least know it's mine first :)
5/10/14