#is the drummer but also the tour musical director

[statementlou]

Hello, do you think is possible that we will get a FITF live album? Louis and the band sound so good on tour.

they doooo! I love Steve's arrangements and additions to the songs so much! Honestly I have no idea; on the one hand it seems like Louis might be more focused on moving towards new stuff, like we are still in FITF mode but by the time it came out he had had it forever and now he's well into LT3 and probably feeling more excited about those new songs and sounds; on the other hand he is very good at working the industry stuff and all the angles and it's basically free money, right? He has said FITF was a further step towards the sound he wants most rather than the finish line, so it's possible that as happened with Walls as he works more on the new one he is getting less enthused about sharing the old stuff; but I think adding Steve's arrangements and just moving away from some of the songs seems to have lessened that this time around, so maybe that isn't a factor. Here's the thing though: the only way it would happen or make sense I think would be if it was recorded pretty recently, like one of the UK shows; the show was still being tweaked and gelled and cooking until then. But if they wanted to make vinyl (and surely they would? fancy double vinyl of live albums is SUCH a thing), that is very very long process of waiting around these days. First you have to get lacquers made (this is the physical thing that the recording is cut into that all the records are duplicates of- if you want quality it has to be more or less handmade by an artisan) but one of the two places left in the world that made those burnt to the ground in 2020 so there's a super long wait time on that. Then it just has to get made; but there are basically ten large scale factories left (again, in the WORLD) that press records so that also has a very long wait time... so it would take forever and the thing is I think we're getting LT3 in the late fall/ early winter (I bet he's using this month to finish it up so it can begin this lengthy process). So I kind of don't think so, like I guess they could do a CD/ cassette/ digital only in late spring and make so much money, and it would be fun, but who knows. Either way, I just hope Louis has Steve do some production work on LT3, I like his sounds and ideas a lot, and that he keeps him around to do his tours forever!

#could I have just said it takes a while to make records I GUESS #but maybe people are interested! #IN MY DAY *totters up on a creaky walker* you could just be like I wanna make a record of my band #and send off $500 and a mastered recording and 6 weeks later get a couple boxes of 7's in the mail #SIGHHHH #this planning a year in advance is such a bummer I bet Louis would much rather get to write the songs and share them #and by a year later be onto whole new ones #it's no wonder he doesn't remember the lyrics by the time it's time to tour them he's ages past those ones #fitf live #vinyl pressing #steve durham #is the drummer but also the tour musical director #I've always had an embarrassing thing for drummers and I genuinely do not have a thing for steve because I am past that tyvm #but every time I rave about him I do side eye myself like is this correct or are you just in drummer groupie mode #anyway he looks just like- I kid you not- a drummer I have uh #what #had a Thing With let us say #once upon a time #but honestly I really do just like his arrangements musically I think he seems kind of annoying personally #and that tattoo artist was his friend and that guy seemed like a DOUCHE which made me even more skeptical #anyway enjoy the personal TMI corner GOTTA GO BYE

[dreamings-free]

“What I love about the Louis Tomlinson tour is I get to do kinda both of those things (being the musical director and the drummer), get to play drums, play big sizes, play nice and loud. But I also get to do all the creative stuff, building the show with Louis. Which is.. yeah that’s what I love.”

— Steve Durham about being in Louis’ touring band

Louis Tomlinson Tour Kit Rundown - Modern Drummer 31/3/24

#quotes #steve durham #about louis #FITF tour #hollywood fl #13.07.23 #modern drummer #tour kit rundown #posted: #31.03.24 #louis’ band #m

[yridenergyridenergy]

Rhythm & Drums 2023/10 interview between Shinya and Toshiya

Rearranged HD scan.

Translation notes below (hint: heartwarming words between the two members of Dir en grey's rhythm section!):

When Shinya first heard Toshiya's bass style, hethought that it was one that really moves a lot. In reverse, Toshiya felt that Shinya was a drummer with multiple hands. Shinya clarified that in his previous band, their songs were all fast-paced and repetitive.

Shinya's drumming was inspired by bands such as X Japan, AION and Gargoyle, and he watched instructional videos from Kozo Suganuma.

Toshiya's inspiration was visual kei bands as well as Guns n Roses, with a little bit more western music too.

Toshiya finds that Shinya is a drummer with a lot of freedom, what with the unusual phrases he composes.

Shinya creates the drum phrases in his head.

Toshiya has been trying to subtract and pull back on his bass composition, after listening to Shinya's new drums. He feels that it will help make the most of each of their instruments, rather than combine them too closely.

Shinya finds Toshiya's bass playing rhytmic and elegant. He said that even when he watches their live footage, he's drawn to the bass the most. For Toshiya, he sees the drums as the core of any band. If the drums are cool, the band is cool.

Toshiya feels that they are a band made up of people who know how to present their own performance and instruments the best. For him, if you play a song too "normally", then you might as well replace your presence on stage with the audio from the studio recording.

For the past 20 years, Shinya has checked his live performances to assess his arm movements. If he deems something not good enough, he will change at the next show/tour.

Apparently Toshiya was most impressed by the fact that Shinya started wearing ankle weights during one of their overseas tours, to improve his drumming. He thought: "Cool, it's like that character from Dragon Ball!"

A director told Shinya (and the rest of the band?) to play overseas with a lot of power, like they're carnivorous/eating meat.

Toshiya genuinely admires Shinya and to him, the most fun about being in Dir en grey/working is when he pairs up with Shinya. He has never seen any other drummer playing such unique phrases as Shinya's. He also really respects his curiousity, about his interests but also still about drumming.

Shinya confirms that he's very particular about what he likes, but he also came to realize that he has zero knowledge about stuff that does not interest him.

Shinya said that while there are countless bassists who play well, he feels that Toshiya's aura and presence are at the top level in Japan. As for Toshiya, he reiterated that Dir en grey wouldn't be the same without Shinya, that nobody can replace Shinya.

To answer "Which song do you think represents the relationship between drums and bass the most in Dir en grey?", Shinya selected egnirys cimredopyh +) an injection.  

#Dir en grey #Toshiya #Shinya #scan #magazine #interview #translation #Phalaris

[a-silent-symphony]

NIGHTWISH Re-Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Symphonic metal giants NIGHTWISH, who have worked with Nuclear Blast since the release of their highly lauded 2004 album "Once", have signed a new multi-album deal with the German record label.

NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen states: "20 years ago our journey together with Nuclear Blast started, and the time has now come to renew our vows. Superbly excited to see what kind of magic we can cook up together this time!"

Nuclear Blast managing director Marcus Hammer states: "It's an honor to renew this partnership to continue writing music history. We're more than proud to carry on the collaboration with this exceptionally gifted group of musicians and their management team. Thanks for your friendship and trust, Floor, Tuomas, Emppu, Troy, Kai and Jukkis. Looking forward to celebrate your upcoming album and everything beyond! Kiitos!"

NIGHTWISH recently completed mixing and mastering its tenth studio album for a tentative late 2024 release.

In January, NIGHTWISH drummer Kai Hahto spoke about the band's upcoming follow-up to 2020's "Human. :II: Nature." album in an interview with Laureline Tilkin of Tuonela Magazine. He said: "At least it's not gonna be the same as 'Human. :II: Nature.', so… Probably, let's say that we go back to more heavy, heavier things on the new album, but also there's a lot of, again, new winds to blow, so to speak. So, different new elements. But, of course, it's still NIGHTWISH, but, of course, we brought back the big symphony orchestra again to the new upcoming tenth album. Yeah, it's gonna be exciting. And quite challenging music to play as well."

Asked if he is "in a way happy" that he doesn't have to play the new NIGHTWISH songs live right now, in light of the fact that the band is taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future, Kai said: "No, no, no. Totally opposite. I would love to go and play it live. But hopefully the time will come when we go back, charging the batteries first. Of course, it's nice to be home with the kids and wife and dogs, but still, of course, I've always been a player, so I also like to play for the people. But I believe I'm not gonna be bored. So I have a lot of things in the back of my head. Even NIGHTWISH is now taking a break. So, I'm not gonna be bored."

#nightwish #news

[justforbooks]

Dickey Betts

Guitarist, singer and founding member of the Allman Brothers Band best known for writing their 1973 hit Ramblin’ Man

Dickey Betts, who has died aged 80, was a founder member of the Allman Brothers Band, one of the most influential US “southern rock” groups of the 1970s. The hard-living outfit blazed out of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 with a mix of rock, blues, country and jazz that defined the genre, also influencing artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, the Black Crowes and Kid Rock. They scored several platinum and gold albums and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Although the six-piece band was ostensibly led by the blond- haired Allman brothers, Duane and Gregg (guitar and keyboards/vocals respectively), as joint lead guitarist, singer and main songwriter Betts played a crucial role. A larger than life character with his cowboy hats, long moustache and gunslinger good looks, Betts wrote many of the band’s best loved songs, including Jessica, Blue Sky and the 1973 US No 2 smash Ramblin’ Man, inspired by life on the road.

The signature duelling of Betts’s and Duane Allman’s lead guitars rewrote the rule book of how twin guitarists play together - previously one had played lead and the other rhythm. The band’s huge fanbase included President Jimmy Carter, and in 2020 Betts even received the rare accolade of a mention in a Bob Dylan song, when Murder Most Foul contained the line “Play Oscar Peterson, play Stan Getz/Play Blue Sky, play Dickey Betts.”

He was also the inspiration for the rock star character played by Billy Crudup in the former rock journalist Cameron Crowe’s film Almost Famous (2000), the director having been drawn to Betts’s aura of “possible danger and playful recklessness behind his eyes”.

Betts was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, one of the three children of Harold, a carpenter, and his wife, Sarah (nee Brinson), who wrote poetry and played the cornet in a Salvation Army band. Although his father was also a keen fiddler, Dickey’s first instrument was the ukelele, which he started playing aged five, later graduating to the mandolin and the banjo.

He was at West Gate elementary school when he wrote his first song, Seven Years With Pamela, about his sister. He then attended various West Palm Beach schools until seventh grade, dropping out of high school when he was 16, by which time his pursuits included carpentry, hunting and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the family radio.

Hearing Chuck Berry’s Maybellene in his mid-teens prompted another switch of instrument, as he “started realising that girls like guitars”. He dropped out of high school aged 16 to tour the US with a travelling circus in his first band, the Swinging Saints, but was playing in Second Coming with the bassist Berry Oakley when Duane Allman invited both men to join his new group.

The lineup was completed by the drummer Butch Trucks and – unusually in white-dominated 60s southern rock - a black second drummer, James Lee Johnson, who had previously played with Otis Redding and Percy Sledge.

Although sales of their first two albums were sluggish, Duane Allman’s appearance on Eric Clapton’s 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs – which included the classic hit Layla – boosted the heavy-touring Allman Brothers Band’s rising profile. Their 1971 live album At Fillmore East sold 1m copies.

After Duane Allman and Oakley were killed in motorcycle accidents in 1971 and 1972 respectively, Betts led a rejigged lineup. The 1973 album Brothers and Sisters – featuring Ramblin’ Man and the instrumental Jessica, later the theme to the television motoring show Top Gear – topped the US charts for five weeks, while 1975’s Win, Lose Or Draw went into the Top five. By then the band were succumbing to a familiar music industry cocktail of success, drugs, alcohol and feuding.

Betts and Gregg Allman both made solo albums, before Betts felt betrayed when the latter testified against the band’s road manager in a 1976 drugs case and refused to work with him again. Nevertheless, they regrouped in 1978, splitting again in 1982.

A second comeback in 1989 proved more enduring, although in 2000 Betts was fired over his drinking. That third spell in the band had been dogged by alcohol and drug abuse, lawsuits and arrests, and in 1996 he was charged with aggravated domestic assault after pointing a handgun at his fifth wife, Donna (nee Stearns), whom he had married in 1989. The charges were dropped after Betts agreed to enter rehab.

In his later years he returned with his own Dickey Betts Band and played in the band Great Southern with his son Duane. True to his ramblin’ man credentials, he remained on the road to the last, even after brain surgery following a 2018 fall at home, and he released live albums well into his 70s.

He is survived by Donna and his children, Kimberly, Christy, Jessica and Duane.

🔔 Forrest Richard Betts, musician, singer and songwriter, born 12 December 1943; died 18 April 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

#just for books #Dickey Betts #in memoriam

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Ian Anderson, born 10th August 1947 in Dunfermline.

After attending primary school in Edinburgh, his family relocated to Blackpool in 1959. Following a traditional Grammar school education, he moved on to Art college to study fine art before deciding on an attempt at a musical career. He was influenced by his father’s big band and jazz records and the emergence of rock music, but was disenchanted with the “show biz” style of early American rock and roll stars like Elvis Presley.

In 1963 with some school friends he formed his first band The Blades, a soul and blues outfit. In 1965 they regrouped into The John Evan Band with major lineup changes. They disband two years later when Anderson moved to Luton. In his new surroundings, Ian meets the drummer Clive Bunker and the guitarist Mick Abrahams and with Glenn Cornick, a bassist - of The John Evan Band-, Anderson creates the seed of the group that would become the legendary Jethro Tull.

Still enjoying a lengthy if intermittent ongoing career, Jethro Tull has released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies since the band first performed at London’s famous Marquee club.

After undertaking more than 3000 concerts in forty-something countries throughout four decades, Tull has played typically 100 concerts each year to longstanding, as well as new fans worldwide.

Widely recognized as the man who introduced the flute to rock music, Ian Anderson remains the crowned exponent of the popular and rock genres of flute playing. So far, no pretender to the throne has stepped forward. Ian also plays ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin bouzouki, balalaika, saxophone, harmonica, and a variety of whistles.

I briefly met Ian on Skye in 1987 on my way back from Benbecula where he had an estate and ran a Fish farm, well 11 fish farms as my research has unearthed, he also employed over 400 people before selling it in the 90’s.

Anderson recalled in an interview how he started as a flautist…

“ once owned a 1960s Fender Stratocaster, which had previously belonged to Lemmy Kilminster before he found fame with Motorhead. But when it dawned on me I was never going to catch up with the growing band of hotshot British guitarists at that time – Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton – I traded it in for a Selma Goldfield student flute worth £30.

I knew Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton didn’t play the flute, so I thought I would be in with a chance. A lot of people told me it was a ridiculous trade because the Strat was worth at least £150. But in fact it was a great buy because learning to play it was the start of Jethro Tull.”

Anderson lives on a farm in the southwest of England where he has a recording studio and office. He has been married for 37 years to Shona who is also an active director of their music and other companies. They have two children.

In 2006 and 2010, he was awarded Doctorates in Literature from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and the Abertay University of Dundee. He received the Ivor Award for International Achievement in Music.

Ian admits he owns no fast car, never yet having taken a driving test, and has a wardrobe of singularly uninspiring and drab leisurewear varying from light grey to black in colour. He still keeps a couple of off-road competition motorcycles, and a saxophone which he promises never to play again.

Jethro Tull are about to start a US tour on Friday, Aug. 18th, at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. They will however be hopping over the Atlantic to perform in Europe during the tour.

#scotland #scottish #history #musical history #Fife #anglo scot #Youtube

[berenwrites]

Freaks - Stranger Things - Steddie

Freaks: What the World Sees - A Stranger Things Future Fic

A/N: For @steddie-week day 5. This is kind of a sequel to yesterday’s fic (So Sorry), but you don’t have to have read that one to get this one. :D

Prompt: Together / Established relationship / Hold the Line by Toto

Summary: The world knows a lot about famous guitarist and singer Eddie Munson, including things about his husband, but there is so much they don’t see as well.

Also on AO3

Everyone knows that Eddie Munson of Corroded Coffin fame is a freak – his own description, not ours. Famous for hard rock and weathering the storm of being outed as bisexual during the band’s rise to fame, Munson is anything but average.

Not least of all because he still looks no more than twenty-five even though he’s in his forties. When asked about his lasting good looks he either responds with something along the lines of ‘It’s all the good sex’ or simply ‘I’m a vampire’. There was even that one story from the early nineties of a groupie sneaking onto the group’s tour bus and finding real blood in the refrigerator.

The band did a whole photoshoot with fake fangs and fake blood after that one to make a point, and their next music video was very gothic.

That Munson once stopped a large and heavy speaker tower from falling on the band’s drummer Gareth Emerson with apparently no effort helped fuel the rumours. He just claimed adrenaline and leverage were on his side before threatening to sue the festival they had been performing at.

What fewer people know is Munson’s long-time partner and now husband, is also on the eccentric side. Steve Harrington is a fixture with the group. Often assumed to be a roadie in the early days of the band, Harrington is never far from Munson’s side, and has several writing credits on the band’s albums. Often hiding behind dark glasses, Harrington remains just as youthful as his husband, and never gives interviews.

There have been a few peculiar stories about him over the years, including that he always travels with a baseball bat studded with nails somewhere close by. One fan even claimed to have taken a picture of it in the trunk of his car.

“It’s for monster fighting, of course,” Munson famously said when asked about it in one interview.

The couple have a rich and close social group, including the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Nancy Wheeler and her long term partner, photojournalist Johnathan Byers, physicists & computing pioneers Dustin & Suzie Henderson-Bingham, basketball star Lucas Sinclair and his sister, youngest ever serving congresswoman Erica Sinclair, renown UN negotiator Robin Buckley, fantasy author Mike Wheeler and his long term partner, illustrator and graphic artist Will Byers, actress and director Jane ‘EL’ Hopper, and vocal children’s law advocate Max Mayfield.

Members of ‘The Party’ as they refer to themselves were involved in the tragedies which overtook the small town of Hawkins Indiana in the early to mid-80s. According to several of them, the events that took place there have bonded them together forever no matter how far across the planet they spread.

This can be seen in connections such as Munson’s band Corroded Coffin being contracted to do the soundtrack for two of Hopper’s breakout movies. Or the benefit concert Munson and Harrington organised, calling on friends in the music industry, to raise money and awareness for Mayfield’s children’s charity.

This list goes on. It seems there is little these incredibly successful people will not do for each other.

However, when asked what keeps him going and striving for bigger and better things, Eddie Munson’s answer since the pair came out as a couple has always been ‘Steve’. Unlike some celebrity marriages, this one seems built on very sure foundations.

As Corroded Coffin tour with yet another award-winning album, we wish them continued success bringing their music to the new generation.

~*~

Eddie put down the article after reading it out over the breakfast table.

“Stevie, you’re a freak now too,” Eddie said with a laugh.

“Still not a nerd though,” Steve replied, peering over the top of his dark glasses.

Ever since Eddie had carried him out of the Upside Down, turning him into a vampire to save his life, Steve hadn’t been able to deal with bright light. And their kitchen was definitely bright. It was something Eddie had never suffered from, which Steve was thankful for given Eddie’s career choice, although Eddie had his own idiosyncrasies to deal with.

“Your book collection begs to differ,” Eddie told him with a grin.

“Lots of those are Mike’s,” he defended himself.

“Sweetheart, one of the rooms in this house is a library, I don’t think you can blame that all on Mike,” his husband replied, laughing at him again.

“I don’t know, he’s a creative little shit,” he said, grinning back.

“Big shit these days, he’s taller than both of us. Isn’t his latest book launch party coming up soon?” Eddie asked.

“First Thursday of next month,” he replied.

“That’s next Thursday,” Eddie said, eyes going comically wide.

“I know,” Steve said.

“Shit, I’ve got nothing to wear,” Eddie said, pushing his chair away from the table. “I can’t turn up in anything I’ve worn before, the press would eat me alive.”

Steve watched his ridiculous husband scramble away fondly, slowly counting in his head. He got to thirty before Eddie appeared back in the kitchen doorway.

“It’s a costume party, isn’t it?” Eddie said.

Steve nodded.

“And Mike already allocated us costumes, didn’t he?” Eddie added.

“Yep,” Steve replied. “Now how about you come sit back down and finish breakfast?”

Eddie slunk back in and folded gracefully into his chair.

“How do you keep all this shit straight in your head?” he asked, picking up his glass of juice.

“I’m not writing the next billboard smash in the back of my brain while doing everything else,” Steve said and grinned. “All I have to do is look pretty, it’s easy.”

He blew his husband a kiss.

“You keep telling yourself that, Mr I-know-the-security-systems-of-every-stadium-better-than-the-guys-paid-to,” Eddie shot back. “And keep fluttering your eyelashes at me like that and neither of us are getting to finish breakfast.”

“Maybe I’m not hungry for food,” he said with a tiny, innocent smile.

He began counting in his head again. Eddie only had so much self-control and Steve always enjoyed snapping it.

The End

Find my other steddie fanfic listed here in my pinned post.

#stranger things fanfiction #steddie #steve harrington/eddie munson #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #eddie lives #stranger things #fanfic #post season 4 #vampires #vampire eddie munson #steddieweek2023

[elceeu2morrow]

It's a funny feeling because I only finished the last tour I'd say like maybe a month ago, 6 weeks ago, all the days are blurring into one at the moment. But that was amazing. I've waited for such a long time for that, so that was amazing. And I actually said maybe two or three weeks into that tour, I turned to my drummer who’s also my musical director, I said "let’s make sure we all really take this in cause I’m not sure the second tour is gonna feel like this". And the reason I said that is because I waited for it for so long, we all waited for it for so long through COVID, and it just felt so perfect that I thought it can’t be like this again. But where we left it, like I said about four weeks ago, I’m just so excited to get back out on the road and I was wrong, it is gonna be as good, if not better. I feel closer to my band than I ever have in terms of chemistry on stage and off stage, I’ve got a great great group of people, the fans, every single show no matter where I’m at, I’m so blessed, give an amazing energy and atmosphere. So the idea of all of those things but with a new album sounds pretty perfect to me.

- Louis on touring Faith in the Future [Jojo Wright / KIIS 102.7]

#lt quote #fitf promo #jojo wright #posted on #11.16.22 #touring #fitfwt2023 #my repost

[noahreids]

NUVO MAGAZINE | Noah Reid on Switching Gears and Making Adjustments

Writer Josh Greenblatt | Photographer Ted Belton

From Schitt’s Creek to a Broadway debut, the screen and stage actor is now pouring his emotions into music. When Noah Reid appears on our video chat, he’s sitting in what looks like the prototypical New York apartment with a gallery wall obscured by lush monstera plants. The Toronto native has been staying at a friend’s place in Queens during his run in the Tony-nominated Broadway show The Minutes, which has earned rave reviews, though Reid ignores them. To his right sits the cover of his third album, Adjustments, which features boarded-up storefronts, an image of a period marked by immense change. “During the pandemic, the visual texture of neighbourhoods changed so much,” Reid says of the inspiration behind the eerie album art. “So many businesses that didn’t make it through, the boarded-up stores, they became part of the tapestry of the streetscape, certainly in Toronto, and I’m guessing in a lot of places.” He wonders what happened to the owners. “If you had to close your business, where would you go? What would you do?”

Reid starting writing songs for the album, the follow-up to his sophomore effort, 2020’s Gemini, before the pandemic, but when the world locked down, his Gemini tour was cancelled. It was just a month before the final episode of Schitt’s Creek aired. The beloved sitcom became a cultural phenomenon, winning a record number of Emmy Awards plus a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, and made Reid a star as Patrick Brewer, the love interest to Dan Levy’s character, David.

Noah Reid was photographed in Toronto this past June, while on a trip to his hometown from New York, where he is staying during his run in the Tony-nominated Broadway show, The Minutes.

Lockdown was an intensely creative time for Reid, if a trying one. “I was staying up way too late and just couldn’t differentiate the hours of the day,” he says, his casual approach to making music allowing him to hone his voice without the noise or pressure of a major label. Recorded live at Toronto’s Union Sound Company and produced by Juno Award nom­inee Matthew Barber (who also collaborated with Reid on Gemini and his 2016 debut album, Songs from a Broken Chair), Adjustments came to life over a series of sessions with musicians including Bahamian guitarist Christine Bougie and Great Lake Swimmers drummer Joshua Van Tassel. The result is an intensely personal, emotionally raw examination of our new, uncertain reality. “Everyday,” the effervescent album-opening lead single, encapsulates Reid’s headspace during the making of the album. “I wrote that song in the early days of the pandemic, when I’d look out the window at this park that’s usually full of kids and families but now was totally desolate,” he says. “It came from a feeling of being forced into a sort of loneliness and not really knowing what to do about that.”

Reid knows his genre of music isn’t exactly made for radio play. Alt-rock isn’t the most culturally relevant right now, he says. “I’m not trying to write hit songs. I just am writing from my own perspective.” Unlike in Hollywood or on Broadway, where producers, development executives, and casting directors determine actors’ fates, having full creative control over his music is paramount. So what is Reid’s perspective? “Finding that undercurrent of adjustments,” the artist says. “Sometimes the adjustment is about kind of letting go of what you can’t control, and sometimes it’s about trying to try to put a better foot forward.”

Noah Reid’s latest album, Adjustments, is an eight-track disc of smooth alt-rock.

Reid, 35, was born in Toronto to visual artist parents and began performing in local theatre productions as a young boy. A sensitive kid with energy to burn, he sang in his school choir, played on sports teams, and did typical extracurricular activities. But at the same time, he says, “I was going off and doing these other things that felt special and creative,” for which he sometimes felt isolated from his peers—feelings he explores on the song “Left Behind.” He originally thought the song was about the end of Schitt’s Creek, he says, but now feels it has more to do with “deeper-seated feelings of being left out of things or moving through different groups of people when you’re involved in these casts.” He and Levy remain close. “We had so much stuff together, and that became a real foundation of a really loving, trusting friendship,” Reid says. “And you know, that on-screen partnership, we had to really rely on each other and build that trust with each other. A lot of projects, I’ve taken a few friends with me from each thing, and Schitt’s Creek, it’s just that special thing where if I’m in the same place as any of those people, that’s a terrific day for me.”

Noah Reid knows his genre of music isn’t exactly made for radio play. Alt-rock isn’t the most culturally relevant right now, he says. “I’m not trying to write hit songs. I just am writing from my own perspective.”

A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, Reid is a rare example of a child actor who made it to the big leagues. His disarming sincerity recalls the wholesome affability of his Schitt’s Creek character. “I don’t consider myself famous,” he says. “I know some famous people. They live differently from me.” Recently, in New York, Levy asked him how he’s been handling his new-found celebrity after the premiere of The Minutes. “That guy can’t walk down the street,” Reid says of his famous friend. “I can walk down the street, and maybe people are, like, ‘I know you from somewhere.’”

Despite his current stardom, Reid has found his fumbles more meaningful than his successes. “I think some of the best moments in my life have been when things professionally weren’t working out,” he says. “And I found things that grounded me—relationships and an understanding that you can contribute to the world around you and your community in ways that don’t involve people clapping for you or inviting you to fancy parties and stuff.” This healthy remove from Hollywood excess feels like a more honest place to make music audiences can relate to, which is more important to Reid than commercial success or industry praise. Not that they are irrelevant, but “now, interestingly, professional success is abundant, and it’s a hard time to focus on it because I’ve got other family matters that I value more deeply,” Reid says. “And so that kind of balancing act can be really tricky.”

As his run in The Minutes ends, Reid is adjusting to his new gig: fatherhood. And he’s approaching it like he has everything else that’s come his way: with a level head and grace. “I’ve always had a sense that rolling with the punches is important, that things are going to come and go,” he says. “I don’t get too high, don’t get too low, just be chill. Take what comes and try to do what you can with it. There’s always another day. If that thing doesn’t work out, there’ll be something else.”

#noah reid #noah reid: media #noah reid: articles

[greensparty]

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To in March

Wow, somehow it's already month 3 of 2024. In addition to Daylight Savings Time (March 10 - Spring ahead), Ramadan (March 10-April 9), St. Patrick's Day (March 17), first day of Spring (March 19), Palm Sunday (March 24), Holi (March 25), Good Friday (March 29), and Easter (March 31) here is what's on my radar this month:

Movies:

Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve has become one of the great visual stylists of recent years thanks to films like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. I named his film Dune Part One, one of my Best Movies of 2021. How good Part One really was depends on Part Two, which drops 3/1.

Knox Goes Away

Michael Keaton has always been a tremendous actor and now he's back in the director's chair for the second time with a starring role about a contract killer who has a form of dementia and he attempts to connect with his estranged son. Oh and Al Pacino co-stars! Opens 3/15.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 

A Ghostbusters sequel is a tall order. Jason Reitman's 2021 sequel Ghostbusters Afterlife actually had its moments and it had a lot to say about living up to a legacy, in the film it's the grandchildren of Egon, but it could also be Jason Reitman about the fear and honor of continuing a film series that his dad Ivan began. The new sequel is directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote this with Jason. The fact that original Ghostbuster cast members are back gives me hope. Sequel drops 3/22.

Music:

Sheer Mag Playing Favorites

I was lucky enough to see Philly rockers Sheer Mag at House of Blues in May 2022. After two solid albums, they are finally back with their third, dropping on 3/1. (Review to come)

Liam Gallagher & John Squire Liam Gallagher John Squire

Former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher's solo career has been a mixed back, but his album As You Were was one of my Best Albums of the 2010s. As shown in the 2019 documentary Liam Gallagher: As It Was, he doesn't need to play music for money or fame, he has plenty. He plays because he loves music. Now he's doing a new album with John Squire, former guitarist for The Stone Roses. Sounds like a serious meeting of musical minds! Album drops 3/1.

The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards

The first new studio album from The Black Crowes since 2009 is cause for celebration. After a bitter break-up in 2015, the brothers Chris and Rich Robinson announced they were reuniting in 2019. In early 2020, I caught an acoustic live show from Brothers of a Feather (my last concert before the pandemic lockdowns) and since that show, The Black Crowes have had some reunion tours (NOTE: by reunion - I mean Chris and Rich, not the original lineup). They've released some anniversary albums, but this marks the group's first studio album in 15 years. Looking forward to it when it drops on 3/15.

The Dandy Warhols Rockmaker

I've always loved Portlandia's The Dandy Warhols. Through this blog, I've had the pleasure of interviewing lead Dandy Courtney Taylor-Taylor and keyboardist / bassist Zia McCabe, the band's 2019 Boston concert, and their excellent 2019 album Why You So Crazy. Now the band is back with a new album dropping on 3/15! (Review to come)

Film Festivals:

Boston Underground Film Festival

Boston's fun genre film festival for horror, fantasy and bizarre is back. I've had the pleasure of covering this fest from 2016 to 2019 and returning last year. The fest returns to The Brattle Theatre (Cambridge, MA) from 3/20 to 3/24!

Conventions:

Northeast Comic Con

I've had a blast covering the Northeast Comic Con for years now (read my coverage here) and the Spring 2024 edition returns with guests like Kevin Chapman (who I worked with on Monument Ave), a Growing Pains reunion of Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Julie McCullough, The Go-Go's drummer Gina Schock and more! Convention is at the Boxborough Regency (Boxborough, MA) from 3/8-3/10. (Coverage to come).

Awards Season:

The awards season for the best of 2023 continues on with the Razzie Awards, actually the Worst of 2023 (3/9) and the Academy Awards (3/10).

In a Category all its own...

Shamrock shakes!!!

#stuff i'm looking forward to #dune part two #denis villeneuve #knox goes away #michael keaton #ghostbusters: frozen empire #gil kenan #sheer mag #liam gallagher and john squire #liam gallagher #john squire #the black crowes #the dandy warhols #boston underground film festival #northeast comic con #shamrock shakes #film geek #music nerd #film festivals #conventions

[bridgertonbabe]

Bridgerton Brother AU:

So what’s Daphne and Simon AND Fran and Michael up to?

Also, was Lucy Gregory’s onstage musical co star that shifted into a real life romance?

Simon is the band's live drummer and quickly forms a close friendship with the brothers during their very first tour. Eventually Daphne accompanies the band when she becomes their tour manager, being in charge of their itinerary and keeping her brothers in check. Though she initially takes her very role very seriously to the point of disgruntling her brothers with just how orderly and authoritative she is with them, a few months into their latest tour she becomes a lot more lax and is less uptight than she originally was. Her brothers are just glad that Daphne has eased off and assume she's become more laid-back in her role after realising she doesn't have to be on their cases because they're more capable than she initially gave them credit for. However it's not until Anthony strolls into Simon's dressing room one day without bothering to knock and discovers his little sister straddling their band's drummer and snogging his face off that it suddenly clicks why Daphne has been in such a better mood as of late. Of course Anthony doesn't quite take Simon hooking up with his sister very well, and Benedict and Colin along with their security team have to break the pair up from fighting each other just twenty minutes before they're meant to be on stage. Things are certainly frosty for a good couple of weeks before Simon and Daphne come to Anthony to make him aware that they're not just fooling around and that there's a genuine connection they believe to be the real deal - and though still peeved, Anthony does acknowledge just how happier his best friend and sister are as a couple and accepts their relationship.

Meanwhile Michael Stirling is a famous actor who has socialised with the Bridgerton Brothers from time to time after previously starring in a couple of projects alongside Edmund. After bumping into the Bridgerton patriarch at an awards function Michael mentions being up for a role which would preferably require an actor who is already proficient in playing the piano, and though he can play it amateurishly he knows the casting director is after someone much more well-versed in tickling the ivories than he can. Edmund offers his help by mentioning his second to youngest daughter just so happens to be a piano teacher and that she could provide him with lessons if Michael's interested. The younger man gratefully takes his co-star up on the offer, though as soon as Francesca opens her door and welcomes him in he immediately has his reservations about staying on as her student because how can he possibly focus when the world's most perfect woman is sat right beside him? Michael was a far cry from his typically cool and flirtatious self during their lessons, restraining himself as best he could from even so much as smiling in her direction in case Francesca told her dad he had tried it on and for Michael to then suffer Edmund's wrath. However as much as Michael was trying to be on his best behaviour, it was Francesca who made the first move and honestly how was he supposed to say no? (Also Michael never realised that Edmund suggested Francesca as a tutor as a way to set the pair up, feeling confident that his daughter would be the right person to make the younger man finally settle down.)

And as for Gregory and Lucy the pair met after being cast in Wicked together; Gregory as Fiyero and Lucy as a member of the ensemble and understudy for Elphaba. It was Hermione (who starred as Glinda) who Gregory initially fell for and begged Lucy to help set him up with her best friend, which Lucy reluctantly did in the hopes that he might stop bugging her. It took ages for Hermione to show even a flicker of interest in him but just as it seemed she might possibly reciprocate Gregory's crush, she suddenly dropped out of the production after finding out she was pregnant with Lucy's brother's baby. Gregory was naturally upset and unfairly resented Lucy for everything that had happened despite Lucy being even more floored that her brother and best friend had been hooking up behind her back and were now going to have a baby together. As best as he could Gregory avoided Lucy, but then she was promoted and took over the role of Elphaba after the previous actress left earlier than planned. Ever the consummate performers, they didn't let their personal drama stand in the way of putting on the best show possible night after night; however with every performance something seemed to grow between them after every onstage kiss, and eventually it dawned on Gregory that he was in love with Lucy far beyond any feelings of infatuation he had held for Hermione. There's only one small problem preventing them from being together; Lucy's engagement to another man.

#asks #bridgerton brothers au #saphne #franchel #grucy

[garbagegirlblog]

27 club part 2 ☆

Gary Thaine 1948-1975 (Uriah Heep)

he became a member of the band "The Secrets", which eventually dissolved in 1966. Later, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he traveled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969. Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band, performing at Woodstock in 1969 and, in 1971, they toured with Uriah Heep.

Alan Wilson (Blind Owl) 1943-1970

The "rural hippie anthem" became the unofficial theme song for the Woodstock Festival where Canned Heat performed at sunset on August 16, 1969. Although Canned Heat's live performance was cut from the original theatrical release of the Woodstock film, they were featured in the 25th anniversary "Director's Cut."

Leslie Harvey 1944-1972 (Stone the Crows)

In 1969, Harvey joined Scottish band Cartoone to record some tracks for their second album. He also accompanied Cartoone on their live tour of the United States supporting Led Zeppelin. Harvey was a co-founder of Stone the Crows in late 1969. While on stage with Stone the Crows at Swansea Top Rank in 1972, he was electrocuted when he touched a microphone that was not earthed while the fingers of his other hand were holding the strings of his guitar.

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan 1945-1973 (Grateful Dead)

He founded the Grateful Dead band, who he played for between 1965 and 1972. McKernan was close friends with American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin due to common musical influences and lifestyles, particularly a shared love of alcohol over other drugs. While his bandmates and friends were using cannabis, LSD, and other hallucinogenic drugs, McKernan preferred alcoholic beverages. friends and band biographers have described McKernan as a quiet, kind, and introspective person. Hart later said "Pigpen was the musician in the Grateful Dead." Kreutzmann said McKernan was "the sweetest guy anybody had ever met."

Dave Alexander 1947-1975 (The Stooges)

The Stooges’ founding bassist Dave “Zander” Alexander had the reputation of being a loose cannon before the group even came together: He dropped out of high school 45 minutes into his senior year to win a bet, and he and Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton once traveled to England with hopes of running into the Beatles. Alexander was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at the Goose Lake International Music Festival too drunk to play.

#the stooges #grateful dead #Stone the Crows #dave alexander #Ron McKernan #alan wilson #Leslie harvey #led zeppelin #woodstock #the beatles #Gary Thaine #uriah heep #vintage #50s 60s 70s

[nocturnalazure]

I think a summary may be in order? :D

It’s my fault for not making more updates on anything other than Laurie & Erik!

Sooo... Tim, Kyle and Uli are members of a famous band called Sunrise on Pluto. Last time we saw them was in this update from.... January 2021. Sorry, no wonder no one remembers. 😬 I kind of triggered the age transition earlier for their kids too, so I understand how it may be confusing.

Tim is technically Nathaniel Golzine’s cousin but he has nothing to do with the mob side of the family. He’s also uncle to Gloria (our little violonist that Erik kind of left in the lurch?). But Tim is first and foremost singer and guitarist for Sunrise on Pluto. He’s a cheery kind of guy, passionate about music. Fame never got to his head. You might want to keep in mind the fact that he met Pippa (my favorite insecure witch) when they were kids in summer camp and when they met again in early adulthood, they started dating. But Pippa freaked out at the idea of being into a relationship and broke up with him. When she found out that he was depressed, she erased his memories of her. Tim ended up marrying his first girlfriend (and first fan of the band), Amber, a rather unstable girl and they had a child called Luna, who’s now a teen. Tim started questioning his deteriorating relationship with Amber in the last update, saying he wanted to put an end to it.

As a side note, Amber (pictured above with Tim) had the ambition of becoming a singer herself. She recorded a song with the band who worked really well but she never managed to launch her solo career. She is suffering from depression and is, well... rather destructive.

Kyle founded Sunrise on Pluto with Tim and is the keyboard player, bassist and band leader. He’s the spokesperson of the band and also seriously bossy!  He doesn’t always get along well with Uli whom he considers too laid-back. Kyle used to have a crush on Amber (they actually had a one-night stand) but he met Shana, a model, who is now about to become his wife. :) Shana already had a boy, Nash, from a past relationship.

Ulrich, or Uli, is the eccentric band drummer and occasional mixer. He’s always getting into scandals, the first one being that he secretly dated Jessie, the winner of a lyrics contest the band organized, who was then still underage. Jessie not only became Uli’s partner but also the lyricist and now artistic director for the band. Together, they have adopted Louise, now also a teenager. Uli is not very communicative and tends to follow his whims. In the last update, his bandmates discover that he’s originally from Dronningslund and that he’s the disinherited son of a world-renowned composer.

The three families live together in a big house and that doesn’t go without issues, especially since Lulu (Luna) and Lou (Louise) can’t stand each other.

The last time you saw these kids, Lulu and Lou were already fighting. And it was often up to Shana to take care of the kids while the guys were on tour and Amber barely went out of bed.

#ts3 #sims 3 #sims 3 story #sims stories #summary

[seasurfacefullofclouds1]

For me, I really hope Louis can keep Michael, Steve and Matt with him as his tour band for a long while. Obviously they could get better offers in some way (though Louis certainty gives them perks they may not get with every singer (it’s so cute how Louis wants his band to enjoy themselves)) - although probably not Steve since he is also musical director - but I really like their dynamic and their talent. Michael has such a calm and authoritative air on stage and Louis does really like his presence on stage with him (and he cuts off larries which is always nice). Steve is great, a wonderful drummer, a lot of fun and he’s often around Louis and I love that too. Matt is of course a cutie and I really enjoy his bass and fun hyperactive energy. I do like Zak too but he often does get overlooked a bit 😅 Isaac is, um, he tries and he’s obviously a decent guitarist, he’s just definitely not Michael. Anyway, my whole point: I really hope Louis is able to work with Steve, Michael and Matt for a long time.

100% agree.

#louis tomlinson

[guitars-and-kaleidoscope-eyes]

Queen Band; X Reader; A Highschool Dream

I should mention, this is NOT to be confused with my Rock Intern series. This is a different Queen fan fiction. In this, your a freshmen in highschool in England. You going through a lot at home. Then four boys change that... (Also, let me know if anyone wants a part two!)

WARNINGS: Abuse, trauma, attempting suicide, injuries.

April 30th, 1975

Your POV:

Another long day of school. And I still have three more years to go.

There's not really much excitment going on right now. I'm fact, my life is pretty routine. I go to school, I go home, I do my homework, and then I repeat.

The bell just rang and Mr. McGuire told me this morning that he wanted to see me after school in the choir room. I was actually surprised that Mr. McGuire, the drama club director, wanted to see me. I've been asking and asking to be given a job in stage crew, and everytime, he said he'd "think about it".

Every year on the last day, my school puts on a musical. Recently they've been adding some kind of entertainment for intermission.

3rd person POV:

While (y/n) walked to the choir room, Mr. McGuire and Queen made their way to the room as well.

Once they entered the room, Mr. McGuire turned to the boys and started.

"I should warn you guys, the girl that we have taking care of you all, we originally weren't going to have her do this. You see, we usually don't hire freshmen. But she's been begging to have a job in this department and to be honest, it's been getting a bit old. So when we found you guys and hired you to perform, we kinda just gave her this job last minute."

"Oh don't worry dear, I'm sure she'll be great." Freddie said.

"Believe us, we've had worse." John said.

"She'll be here soon. Once she arrives I have a folder with everything explaining what to do. Then she'll take you all down to the band room to begin." Mr. McGuire said.

Your POV:

I walked to the other side of the school (Our school's huge. You could have no reason to be anything but thin here!) and knocked on the closed door.

"Ah, (y/n)" I heard Mr. McGuire say. "Please come in."

I opened the door and oh hell! Did I have a surprise! Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John! Queen!

"So your (y/n)?" Freddie asked sweetly.

"Um, y-yeah." I said shyly while looking down.

"Boys, this is (f/n) (l/n), she'll be managing you all. (Y/n), well, you already know who they are." Mr. McGuire smiled.

He handed me a file with everything needed and left me to do my job.

"Well, we need to go to the band room, most of the cast of Wicked, the musical we're doing, will be rehearsing here in the choir room." I explained.

We walked across the hall and over to the band room.

"So the idea is that during the intermission, we'll have you perform In The Lap Of The Gods, Now I'm Here, and Seven Seas Of Rye. The musical will be on June 6th. And I have papers here explaining everything." I said as I handed them the papers.

"Well lovies, let's get the important stuff down first." Freddie said.

"So you got a boyfriend?" Roger asked me.

"Roger!!" Brian yelled.

"That's ok." I said. "And no, I don't yet." I chuckled.

"Sorry about Roger." Freddie said.

"That's fine." I responded.

"Well, I'll give you a tour of the school." I said.

After showing them around the PAC center and everywhere else they started rehearsing on In The Lap Of The Gods while I worked on homework.

"That was lovely darlings." Freddie said. "Let's give it one more run though."

"Roger, keep better time." Brian said.

"Oh focus on your own time ya sod!" Roger shot back.

"Just keep break'n sticks drummer boy." John added.

I laughed softly at the shenanigans.

"Let's ask the little darling what she thinks of it." Freddie asked as they all turned to me.

I was kinda star struck that Queen actually wanted the opinion of a shy highschooler, but I managed to keep it together.

"Well, the drums did sound a bit off."

Freddie, Brian, and John all laughed at each other as Roger turned to me in almost a disappointed shock.

"Um, did I say something wrong?" I asked, scared.

"No darling," Freddie chuckled. "Roger's just disappointed that for once, someone didn't take his side. And boys, keep in mind we are keeping this girl because she gets common sense." Freddie stated bluntly as he pulled me into a hug.

Roger kicked Freddie in the ankle and Brian interrupted them. "Well let's have one last run though before we go."

They played one last time, discussed a few measures to go over and then packed up their stuff.

"Good rehearsal my darlings. What time should we come on Friday (y/n)" Freddie asked.

"Same time as today, 3 to 7. And you can enter through the main office." I told them.

3rd person POV:

As asked of them, the next day the boys came in through the main office, signed in, and waited for (y/n)'s arrival. Once she arrived, they came back to the band room and worked on a few of the measures they were having trouble with.

Meanwhile, (y/n) said she was going to fill out some paperwork in the cafeteria and gave the boys a map to it so they could join her later.

Your POV:

I had gotten a few tacos at the food stand that some of the students had set up for rehearsals for the musical. At the moment I was studying for the final exams that was coming up. I actually hadn't realized how long I had been there until I looked at my watch. I had been there for two hours!

"Still studying my little workaholic?"

I looked up from my work to see Freddie standing at the table with John next to him.

"Yeah, my finals are coming up." I replied. "Where are the others?"

"They left. Rehearsal ended two hours ago." John answered.

"Oh my God!" It's 9:00 pm?!" I yelled while flying up from my seat.

"Don't worry my dear. We can give you a ride if you need it." Freddie said as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"No, no, I'll leave on my own." I said as I gathered up my stuff and ran towards the door.

"Are you sure? It's really not much trouble." John said.

"Just... it's fine." I said as the door slammed behind me, leaving Freddie and John to stand there.

The next day I came in late for a morning rehearsal. About ten minutes. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but if Mr. McGuire finds out, I'm a dead women!

It's raining outside so my hair is wet. I run into the band room where the guys are already warming up.

"Guys!"

The boys all turn towards me.

"You guys, I am so sorry I'm late! Traffic was absolutely horrible and-"

"(y/n), (y/n), it's alright dear! It's alright." Freddie said, clearly seeing how distraught I was.

The boys put there instruments down and walked up. Roger took my hands in his, John placed his hand on my shoulder, Brian put his hand on the side of my head, and Freddie placed his palm on the side of my face.

"I'm sorry if I scared you guys. I'm just worried that you guys might get mad if I show up late." I said.

"Don't worry (y/n), we're just glad you're alright. John said as he kissed the top of my head.

As they all returned back to there instruments, Brian turned back to me and asked.

"Hey (y/n)?"

"Yeah?"

"If you don't mind me asking, why would you think we'd be that mad if you showed up ten minutes late? After all, it's only ten minutes."

I looked down. "Oh, I uh, just thought you might."

"Ok?" Brian replied.

"Don't worry Brian dear." Freddie said. "Our girl is safe here with us."

I smiled and the boys started off with Now I'm Here. After an hour of rehearsal, it was 7:30 and five minutes before students would start pouring in.

"Well, that was a pretty good rehearsal guys." I said while gathering up the files. "See you in the same place at 3 later today?"

"See you then darling." Freddie said.

So after they left and I put the files back on the folder, it was classes, classes, and more classes. Finally, came 2:40 and rehearsal.

"I still don't know how I feel about the solo here." Brian said. (They're practicing Seven Seas Of Rye.)

"Oh darling, the audience will love it!" Freddie said while waving around his arms.

"(y/n), hope much time have we got?" Roger asked me.

"About three hours, you should be good." I said while glancing at my watch.

"I'm actually gonna go to the vending machines. Does anyone want anything?" I asked.

"Just a water for me."

"Coke and Marathon Bar please."

"Water darling."

"Bri?" I asked looking up at him.

"Could I actually come with you?" Brian asked.

"Oh, uh, I guess you could."

"Thanks." Brian smiled.

Brian's POV:

The reason I actually asked to come with (y/n) was because I wanted to ask her something important.

After seeing her so frantic this morning, I knew something must be up. I had just never seen anyone so anxious before.

"So two waters, Marathon Bar, and coke. Bri?" (Y/n) asked as she pulled out a handful of coins.

"Oh nothing for me thanks." I said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

On the way back I finally asked the question.

"Hey (y/n)?" I asked.

"Yeah?" She asked back.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Depends on what you're going to ask." She chuckled.

"It's about this morning."

She looked down a bit before saying.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry if I scared you guys. I was just a bit stressed. That's all."

I nodded. I would definitely need to bring it up later.

Your POV:

After Monday, Wednesday, and Friday rehearsals, the boys and I had to come in early on Saturday to get in extra hours.

Students were rehearsing on stage, so the concession stand was open, this time with breakfast foods.

Not really much though. Donuts, orange juice, coffee.

The boys and I had gotten our food and decided to sit against the walls and eat in the hallway of the music hall.

"So that's how I became known as 'Carrot Face'." I said as I finished telling them an embarrassing story from primary school.

"Back when I was a lad I was known as 'Bucky'." Freddie said, obviously because of his overbite.

"Aww." I said.

"Ah, don't worry deary. I was teased then, but look at me now! All those motherf***ers have a boring nine to five hour job while I'm living the dream!" Freddie said, rather loudly.

"Fred!" Brian said.

We all chuckled at that.

I then stretched up a bit, my shirt rising a bit. That's when everyone suddenly gasped.

"Oh my gosh, (y/n)!" Deaky exclaimed.

"What?" I asked.

Deaky lifted my shirt a bit and pointed at the large purplish bruise at the bottom of my right rib.

"Oh my God, I didn't think it had gotten that bad!" I said as I tugged my shirt back down.

Brian shock his head. "Ok, that's it. Band room. NOW."

The guys and I had eaten everything, so there was no food to grab. Freddie and Brian gently, but firmly, grabbed my wrists and pulled me up. Roger led up to the band room, and Deaky followed behind us. We arrived and the boys set four chairs around one and had me sit in the center and the guys all sitting around me.

"Look (y/n), I didn't want to have to bring this up, but with the way you acted when you came in late, the way you hesitated to answer me when we went to the vending machines, and now this. Are you sure there isn't something wrong?" Brian asked. There wasn't really any anger in his voice. His tone was a bit stern, but he spoke gently with warmth in his eyes.

"It's nothing, really." I lied.

"(y/n) darling, we're not stupid. We can tell that you're clearly lying. So please tell us what's going on. We care about you. We all do." Freddie said in a sweet comforting tone.

I sorta just sat there for a moment trying to think of the right words to explain. But luckily the boys were all very patient with me. I finally inhaled and started going.

"I come from a lot of baggage. You see, my mother and little brother died in a car crash when I was three years old. I don't really remember them much. Than two years later in 65', my dad got drafted into Vietnam. I haven't seen him sense. With no other family to take care of me, I was put into foster care. I'm currently in my fourth home. Every home has been the same. The woman dresses like a street walker and treats me like an unpaid servant, and the man drinks too much and beats me if he ever loses his temper. That's how I got this bruise on me."

I had to take a moment to take a deep breath before continuing.

"You know, you guys are actually the first I've ever told this to. I've never brought this up to anyone else before because all the men have always threatened to send me off to another home. And if there's anything worse then what I deal with now, is that."

I finally finished and looked up at the boys to see there reaction: Shocked.

"Oh my gosh, (y/n). Honey, I am so sorry." Freddie said.

"(y/n), you need help." Brian said.

"No Bri. I've already tried that. The men and women were informed by the police who ended up doing nothing at all. Then the man physically punished me. I'll just hold off until I'm on my own." I said.

"But what if this gets worse? What if you don't live to see that day?" Roger said, with pure concern in his blue eyes.

"Trust me Rog, I'll be alright. I promise." I said as I took one of his hands and held it in both of mine.

"Well, can we still give you a hug?" Deaky asked.

"Oh, from you guys, of course." I said as we all stood up and was brought in the middle of a Queen group hug. I felt them gently pat or ruffle my head, rub my back, and occasionally kiss the top of my head.

Fast Forwards To June 2nd:

After weeks of rehearsals, tech week had finally come!

Everyone is getting costumes together, rehearsing lines, doing hair and makeup, and of course, the boys are getting ready.

"So here's the packet telling you where to enter so you won't get mobbed, performance times, and everything else you'll need to know." I said as I handed each of them a packet as we made our way to the auditorium.

"Alright love." Roger said, as he leaned down and kissed the back of my head.

"In about 30 minutes they'll call us back and we can go over strict details. For the time being, we can just watch the dress rehearsal." I said as we collapsed into the seats.

Some time goes by, then I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and through the dimmed light, I see Lucy Boynton, a junior stage hand.

"They're ready for you." She said. "Dressing rooms in the back. You'll need to go over costumes and makeup. Then you'll start dress rehearsal at 7."

"Ok, thanks Luc." I wispered.

We went back to the dressing rooms. There was a few actors and actresses back there. There's a separate room for changing clothes, so everyone was fully dressed.

Some of the other students had brought in a turntable and a Beach Boys record was playing.

"Well it looks like Mr. Reid already brought in some costumes to choose from." John said.

After a while of going over choices, they finally picked them out and left to go change.

After about 10 minutes, they finally retuned.

Freddie was wearing a white batwing shirt with white pants, Brian was wearing the same thing but with black pants, and John and Roger were wearing basically the same brown jacket and green pants, only Roger's jacket was open.

So what do you think darling?" Freddie asked.

"Woah, you guys look great! Now what makeup do you normally wear? I asked.

"Black liquid eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadow honey." Brian told me.

"Alright, whoever wants to go first, you can sit here." I said, gestering towards to the stool infront of mine.

John came and sat down infront of me and the others say down on the couch. After John was finished, he went back to the auditorium and Roger sat down. Then Brian, and then finally Freddie came and sat infront of me while the others waited in the auditorium.

"So how do you guys feel about the songs?" I asked as I started his mascara.

"I think we're good. Of course we had a lot more fun with you helping us." He said as he leaned in and kissed my cheek as I giggled and playfuly pushed him away.

It was a bit quiet for awhile. Then I felt him reach over and lightly tickle my ribs.

Me being wanting to be a mature, professional adult, I tried to ignore it and bit my lower lip to keep myself from smiling. Then he continued.

"Fred, stop it." I said.

"Ah, so you are ticklish!" Freddie smiled as he continued.

"I never said that!!" I panicked.

"Anyone who says to stop when someone is tickling them is always ticklish!" Freddie smiled wickedly.

Then when he tickled my stomach, I completely lost it. I rolled off the stool laughing as he continued.

"Hey what's going on here?" I heard Brian ask.

I looked up to see the other three standing over us.

"Hey lads, come over here, she's ticklish!" Freddie grinned.

"Guhihihiys! Nohohoho! Plehehehease!!" I yelled. But to no avail, the boys ignored me and joined in with Freddie. John tickling my waist, Brian tickling my ribs, and Roger and Freddie scribbling their fingers all over my belly.

"Guhihihiys, stohahahap ihihihit!" I screamed.

"Do you surrender??" Roger integrated.

"Yehehes!! I surrender!!" I yelled.

The boys finally stopped, leaving me painting on the ground.

"We'll meet you in the wings honey." Fred smiled as he pat my shoulder.

I lay there for a moment (Luckily everyone else had left awhile ago.) until finally getting up and finding the boys waiting for me.

"Five minutes." I wispered.

The boys nodded and we continued to wait until it was time for them to go on and oh boy, I'd always knew they were amazing performers, but seeing them up close And in person was even more amazing! I couldn't imagine what it'll be like when there's hundreds of people watching.

We repeated the same things for the rest of the week until it was finally...

✨Show Day✨:

I've finished my very last final for this year and am waiting to leave the classroom. Everyone NEEDS to be in the PAC center as soon as the bell rings so we can get every last detail of everything together for the performance at 6 tonight.

At 2:39 pm, the bell finally rings. I quickly dart off to the loo to change into stage clothes. (Black t-shirt, black shorts, and black running shoes.) Then the PAC to get everything started. Everyone had a meeting with Mr. McGuire in the auditorium and then it was time for rehearsals.

We had last minute security checks, special effects, singing rehearsals, we even had the school orchestra performance music for Wicked. Then at 5:20, the boys came in.

"Hi guys, thanks for coming early." I said as I opened the back door.

"Anything to make out performance perfect." Brian said.

"(y/n!)" I heard someone yell.

I turned around to see Lucy behind me.

"Mr. McGuire wanted me to give you these." She said while holding out a head set. "Sense you're technically part of the stage crew, you'll need these to stay on track with us.

"Ok, thanks Lucy." I said and turned back to the boys.

"Well let's go to the band room. You guys can rehears for an hour, then hair, makeup, and costumes, than you'll go on at 7:30."

"Right." They said.

Practice lasted for an hour, the boys killed it, as usual, then came makeup, hair, and costumes.

"Ok, now no tricks this time." I said, blushing a bit.

"Oh, I don't know." Brian teased as I did his makeup while the others watched.

"Brian! I'm serious, don't!" I panicked.

"Don't worry honey, I won't." He said.

I finished makeup on the boys, (I never truly realized how hard it was to do a dude's makeup!) got their hair done, and they changed into costumes.

"Ok, we've got about 45 minutes until show time." I told them, suddenly my head set began vibrating.

Me: Hello?

Mr. McGuire: Hi (y/n), would you mind coming out here to help move around sets?

Me: Not at all. I just finished the boys hair, makeup, and costumes.

Mr. McGuire: Ok, great! We need you on stage right.

Me: Right. I'll be there.

"I've gotta go. I'll be back in 30 minutes." I told the boys.

"Alright darling. See you then." Freddie told me.

I ran over to stage right to find Mr. McGuire waiting for me.

"Thanks for coming (y/n)." He wispered. "We're going to need the stairs moved in a moment. Then the others will tell you what to do from there."

"Alright." I wispered back.

From there, it was moving sets, helping with effects, and pulling ropes.

"Can we recruit someone else to cover for me?" I wispered to on of the stage hands as I looked at my watch. "I need to get the boys."

"Yeah, we'll cover for you." He wispered back.

I ran back to the band room to get the boys.

"Guys, we're ready for you. You've got ten minutes." I said.

The guys got there instruments and we got someone to assist with the piano and drum set.

"Ok, the curtains will come down in a moment, then someone will help me get the piano and drum rises on stage, you'll get into positions, then the curtains will come back up." I told them.

Suddenly I felt a huge weight fall on my ankle. A bag holding down the ropes. I immediately fell to the floor.

"AHH!" I yelled in pain.

"Oh my gosh! (Y/n)!" Freddie yelled.

"QUIET!" I wispered.

"Sorry" Freddie said.

"Common, we've got to get you in a chair." Brian said.

"Wait! You guys have got to go on in 7 minutes." I said.

"Right, 7 minutes. You're more important." Roger said as he kissed my head.

The boys picked up the bag and helped to pick me up from the ground and onto a chair with a stool supporting my left foot.

"Ok, well lucky, I don't think you've broken anything." Freddie said as he examined my foot. "But it is swelling. Do we have any bandages?" Freddie asked around to people in the wings.

"Here's some." Mr. McGuire said and handed Freddie a roll off them.

"Thankyou darling." Fred replied.

Freddie then raped the bandages around my ankle and someone brought over a bag of ice for it.

"There you go love. You'll be good as new soon. Just let it sit like that for awhile." Freddie said he patted my knee.

"Hey Fred, how did you know that it wasn't broken?" I asked.

"When I was a lad, I used to do boxing. And despite being at the top, I was often injured at the beginning. So after so many times of the doctors examining, I guess it just sort of caught on." He explained. "And lucky for you, you'll be just fine. Just need to sit still for awhile."

I nodded and glanced over at the stage and exclaimed. "Oh guys! The curtains are going down!"

"Well let's go my darlings." Freddie said to the others.

Two of the stage hands helped move the piano and drums on stage and the boys grabbed their instruments and ran on stage.

Just as the curtains went up, Brian started the guitar for Now I'm Here.

I'd always known that Queen put on amazing performances, but watching the perform live was surreal! The way Freddie moved, the way Brian played, everything was amazing!

"Good evening my beauties!" I Freddie shouted through the mic.

The audience shouted back to him and Freddie took it all in. It's amazing how he can command the audience like that. They were eating out of his hand!

Then Roger said into his microphone.

"Thankyou! I'd like to feature for you now, commonly referred to by the press as Mr. Two Fingered Freddie Mercury, using all ten fingers tonight. I hope you enjoy this. This is a good one, this is really loud. It appeals to the lower elements such as myself. This one's called The Seven Seas Of Rhye!"

Finally, they ended with In The Lap Of The Gods. This. THIS was amazing! Everything about this song has always made me feel better when I was dealing with the depression from the abuse. When I would lay on my bed and cry over everything in my life, just listening to the song gave me comfort. This song absolutely gave me the chills watching!

Finally, they finished and the curtains came down. The boys ran off stage and two stage hands helped move the drums and piano.

"Oh my God! You guys were amazing!" I exclainlmed.

"Thankyou my darling. How's your foot?" Freddie asked.

"I think I'm fine to walk now." I said.

"Ok, but you should probably keep the bandage on." Brian said. "Can't risk you getting even more injured.

The boys helped me stand to make sure I was alright to walk. Then we returned to the bank stage area.

"Oh by the way, there's an after show party tonight." I said.

"Oh really? We didn't know." John said.

"You didn't??" I asked, panic filing me.

"Don't, worry (y/n). I made some calls to John Reid, and we've got suits for the boys to wear."

I turned around to see Mr. McGuire standing there holding four suits.

"Oh my gosh, thankyou sir!" I exclaimed. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell the boys, I-"

Mr. McGuire interrupted me. "Don't worry, it was just an accident. In fact, there's something I wanted talk to you about in the hallway. If you'll excuse us boys."

I followed Mr. McGuire out the door and when he closed it, he turned to me and started.

"(y/n), I originally wanted you to have this job because Queen was a last minute thing. But seeing how well you were with this job I have you, I believe I stood corrected. I think you're ready to tackle real stage jobs. So I wanted to ask you, would you be willing to be an official member of stage crew for the next school year?"

I stared at him in disbelief. Lost for words.

"Y-you're sure?" I asked.

He smiled and nodded.

"Oh my gosh, yes! Thankyou so much Mr. McGuire!" I bursted.

"Don't mention it (y/n). I really think you've proven yourself and you'll make a great member." He said.

I thanked him again and grabbed my dress to get changed for the cast party.

It took me months to save up for this dress but was totally worth it. A floor length blue silk dress with white flowers on it and with spaghetti straps, necklace with gold flowers and matching earrings, a flower ring, and tan sandle shoes. As for hair and makeup, my hair was half up and curled, and my makeup was basic makeup with eyeliner and plum colored lips.

I arrived back at the dressing room to find the boys there. They were all dressed in black suits.

Freddie took a look at me and gasped.

"Oh my gosh! (Y/n)! You look amazing!"

He came up to me and swirled me around, making me giggle.

"Thankyou Fred. You all look great too!"

"Not nearly as great as you look (n/n)." Roger said.

"Well, Thankyou again. So you all want to help head out to the party?" I asked while getting my bag.

"Yeah, let's go." Brian said.

We all made our way down to the gym and entered. Everything looked great! Music playing, tables set up with pounds of food and sweets, everyone looked amazing!

The boys and I stayed close but begin to drift apart to mingle. But for some reason, I just felt this overwhelming feeling of sadness. I hadn't really got much of a reason to. I've been promoted to stage crew, I had the time of my life with Queen. But I felt this sadness controlling me more and more.

Maybe it was because I knew I would never truly get out of this. And the idea that I was going to have to spend another whole summer going through abuse. At least in school I was protected. I left the after show at that moment.

I don't know where I'm going. I'm waking down the London streets alone, clutching my bag to my chest. It almost feels like I'm having a panic attack.

I come to a railroad track. I passed by this place often. I cannot control the overwhelming feel of hopelessness. The boys know. But as usual, there's nothing that can be done. Of course, they're willing to do anything for me. But in the end, nothing will be done from the right authorities.

Tears begin rolling down my face. In the distance of the sunset, I see a train coming. Closer, and closer, and closer. I can't do this anymore, I can't do this anymore, I can't do this anymore...

3rd Person POV:

(y/n) slowly opens her eyes, which are blurred by the tears, to find it's dark outside next to the side of the tracks. Her head is resting in Freddie's lap. Roger's stroking her hair, John and Brian are holding her hands. Freddie finally starts.

"(y/n) darling, we know you're hurting. But we're going to take care of you. Everything's going to be alright. We're going to take you to a doctor. Alright (y/n)?"

And finally, after ten years of abuse, (y/n) feels calm. She closes her eyes and nods.

#Spotify #fanfic #fanfiction #queen band #rock music #mental wellbeing #mental health #mentally ill #x reader #imagines

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Ian Anderson, born 10th August 1947 in Dunfermline.

After attending primary school in Edinburgh, his family relocated to Blackpool in 1959. Following a traditional Grammar school education, he moved on to Art college to study fine art before deciding on an attempt at a musical career. He was influenced by his father’s big band and jazz records and the emergence of rock music, but was disenchanted with the “show biz” style of early American rock and roll stars like Elvis Presley.

In 1963 with some school friends he formed his first band The Blades, a soul and blues outfit. In 1965 they regrouped into The John Evan Band with major lineup changes. They disband two years later when Anderson moved to Luton. In his new surroundings, Ian meets the drummer Clive Bunker and the guitarist Mick Abrahams and with Glenn Cornick, a bassist - of The John Evan Band-, Anderson creates the seed of the group that would become the legendary Jethro Tull.

Still enjoying a lengthy if intermittent ongoing career, Jethro Tull has released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies since the band first performed at London’s famous Marquee club.

After undertaking more than 3000 concerts in forty-something countries throughout four decades, Tull has played typically 100 concerts each year to longstanding, as well as new fans worldwide.

Widely recognized as the man who introduced the flute to rock music, Ian Anderson remains the crowned exponent of the popular and rock genres of flute playing. So far, no pretender to the throne has stepped forward. Ian also plays ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin bouzouki, balalaika, saxophone, harmonica, and a variety of whistles.

I briefly met Ian on Skye in 1987 on my way back from Benbecula where he had an estate and ran a Fish farm, well 11 fish farms as my research has unearthed, he also employed over 400 people before selling it in the 90’s.

Anderson recalled in an interview how he started as a flautist…

“ once owned a 1960s Fender Stratocaster, which had previously belonged to Lemmy Kilminster before he found fame with Motorhead. But when it dawned on me I was never going to catch up with the growing band of hotshot British guitarists at that time – Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton – I traded it in for a Selma Goldfield student flute worth £30.

I knew Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton didn’t play the flute, so I thought I would be in with a chance. A lot of people told me it was a ridiculous trade because the Strat was worth at least £150. But in fact it was a great buy because learning to play it was the start of Jethro Tull.”

Anderson lives on a farm in the southwest of England where he has a recording studio and office. He has been married for 37 years to Shona who is also an active director of their music and other companies. They have two children.

In 2006 and 2010, he was awarded Doctorates in Literature from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and the Abertay University of Dundee. He received the Ivor Award for International Achievement in Music.

Ian admits he owns no fast car, never yet having taken a driving test, and has a wardrobe of singularly uninspiring and drab leisurewear varying from light grey to black in colour. He still keeps a couple of off-road competition motorcycles, and a saxophone which he promises never to play again.

I have a lot of respect for Ian Anderson, he seems a down to earth guy, in an interview he was asked who he banked with and replied he used to be with the Bank of Scotland and RBS, or just ‘The Bank’ and ‘The Royal’ as I think we all call them here in Scotland.

Jethro Tull are touring Europe just now, you can check the dates om there web page here https://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/

#Scotland #scottish #musician #singersongwriter #anglo-scottish #history #music history