Roman Sky
As The Sweat Pours Out Your Body Like The Music That You Play
...2001
“How’s Warped Tour treating ya?” My dad’s voice crackles on the other end of the line. Damn bad reception.
“It’s hot.” I laugh as I exit the van and head over to the merch table. “Why did I agree to help Darren?”
“He’s your best friend, he didn’t even ask you. You offered.” Dad reminds me.
“He’s lucky I love his skinny white ass.” I chuckle. “I’m sweating like a whore in church.”
“Layla!” Dad tries to scold but can’t due to him laugh too hard. “Where the hell did you get your mouth?”
“You old man.” I laugh just as a familiar face walks up to. “I’ve got to go, give the guys a hug from me?”
“Will do, love ya Layla.”
“Love ya Dad.” I hang up the phone and look up the man in the Metallica shirt. He hands me a CD; a CD I already own. “Thanks but I actually own it. I thought I told you to stop screaming, it’s not becoming of the vocal talents you show on Warmness of the Soul and Streets. You have the raw talent there, needs more work though.”
“I’m guessing those are your favorite songs?” He chuckles.
“It’s actually The Art of Subconscious Illusion,” I reply earning an actual laugh from Matt. “The growls are pretty sexy if I’m 100% honest. But again screaming isn’t the way to go; bad for your vocal cords. You don’t want to be mute, do you?”
“Why do you care so much about my vocal cords?” He questions me. “No offence but you’re not a music expert.”
“No but my Dad is in this industry and I’ve spent my childhood summers on a tour bus and backstage. I’ve seen the greats and the worsts. I have an idea of what is going to last and what’s going to flop. Screaming will survive long enough to become the villain.”
“So is your Dad in a band?”
“Yea, been in one since I was born.” I reply. “He’s toured the world and brought me along for the ride when he could. As I got older, I saw less and less of him.”
“Would I know the band?”
I just chuckle, “you might. But I’m not going to tell you; don’t know you well enough. I met you one night 2 years ago some of the people I’ve been hanging out with since high school don’t even know; or they don’t believe me.”
“Will you ever tell me?”
“Maybe if we don’t have these once every two year meetings, I’ll tell ya.” I laugh.
“How long are you going to be at Warped?”
“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot has a few more tour dates then I’m off to be in the studio with my dad; so not long.” I frown causing him to frown as well.
“I guess we’ll just have to make do with the time we have.” A smile quickly replaces the frown. That smile alone makes my heart flutter.
“I guess so.” My own smile appears on my lips as he takes me hand and guides me away from the merch tent, much to Darren’s protest.
Matt looks back at me and down at my chest. “I thought you weren’t a Metallica fan?”
“I’m pretty sure I told you I had no choice.” I point out. “Like I said, I grew up listening to them. Dad thinks they are a pretty big deal.”
“Ever got to meet them?” He asks.
I can’t help but to chuckle, “a few times. They’re total assholes…” I laugh even more causing Matt to stare at me. If he only knew.
“How’s Warped Tour treating ya?” My dad’s voice crackles on the other end of the line. Damn bad reception.
“It’s hot.” I laugh as I exit the van and head over to the merch table. “Why did I agree to help Darren?”
“He’s your best friend, he didn’t even ask you. You offered.” Dad reminds me.
“He’s lucky I love his skinny white ass.” I chuckle. “I’m sweating like a whore in church.”
“Layla!” Dad tries to scold but can’t due to him laugh too hard. “Where the hell did you get your mouth?”
“You old man.” I laugh just as a familiar face walks up to. “I’ve got to go, give the guys a hug from me?”
“Will do, love ya Layla.”
“Love ya Dad.” I hang up the phone and look up the man in the Metallica shirt. He hands me a CD; a CD I already own. “Thanks but I actually own it. I thought I told you to stop screaming, it’s not becoming of the vocal talents you show on Warmness of the Soul and Streets. You have the raw talent there, needs more work though.”
“I’m guessing those are your favorite songs?” He chuckles.
“It’s actually The Art of Subconscious Illusion,” I reply earning an actual laugh from Matt. “The growls are pretty sexy if I’m 100% honest. But again screaming isn’t the way to go; bad for your vocal cords. You don’t want to be mute, do you?”
“Why do you care so much about my vocal cords?” He questions me. “No offence but you’re not a music expert.”
“No but my Dad is in this industry and I’ve spent my childhood summers on a tour bus and backstage. I’ve seen the greats and the worsts. I have an idea of what is going to last and what’s going to flop. Screaming will survive long enough to become the villain.”
“So is your Dad in a band?”
“Yea, been in one since I was born.” I reply. “He’s toured the world and brought me along for the ride when he could. As I got older, I saw less and less of him.”
“Would I know the band?”
I just chuckle, “you might. But I’m not going to tell you; don’t know you well enough. I met you one night 2 years ago some of the people I’ve been hanging out with since high school don’t even know; or they don’t believe me.”
“Will you ever tell me?”
“Maybe if we don’t have these once every two year meetings, I’ll tell ya.” I laugh.
“How long are you going to be at Warped?”
“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot has a few more tour dates then I’m off to be in the studio with my dad; so not long.” I frown causing him to frown as well.
“I guess we’ll just have to make do with the time we have.” A smile quickly replaces the frown. That smile alone makes my heart flutter.
“I guess so.” My own smile appears on my lips as he takes me hand and guides me away from the merch tent, much to Darren’s protest.
Matt looks back at me and down at my chest. “I thought you weren’t a Metallica fan?”
“I’m pretty sure I told you I had no choice.” I point out. “Like I said, I grew up listening to them. Dad thinks they are a pretty big deal.”
“Ever got to meet them?” He asks.
I can’t help but to chuckle, “a few times. They’re total assholes…” I laugh even more causing Matt to stare at me. If he only knew.
@Kimmie
The sequel is titled Nothing Else Matters. It's being posted now.
7/8/18