Page 77 of Kind of Famous
“Take care.”
He tipped an invisible hat. “And I’ll be watching for your blog post!”
The doors shut, and I backed away onto the sidewalk, waving at Shane through the windows as the bus pulled away, and the wild part of my life went with it.
I took a deep breath. It had only been a week, but it was going to be so weird to stay at his apartment with him gone.
Almost as if she read my mind, Jo came over and draped an arm over my shoulder. “You know you’re always welcome here.”
I shook my head. “I appreciate it, but it’s fine.”
Honestly, though, I felt keenly alone, like I’d lost a part of myself I hadn’t known existed until Shane exploded into my life and then just as quickly disappeared. I wanted to ask Jo how she managed the intense loneliness when Micah toured, but she’d think I was insane to have succumbed to a Shane addiction in the span of a week. How was she able to let Micah go time and time again and trust he’d return as in love with her as when he left?
The Rock Paper
In the Rehearsal Hall: Theater of the Absurd
By Layla Beckett
As a fan of a band, you feel lucky when a new album drops and you get to queue it up, close your eyes, and listen for the first time to brand new tunes.
You feel like you’ve won the lottery when you score tickets to see that band in concert and hear the songs you’ve been singing for months.
You hit the jackpot if you win a meet and greet and get to ask the band you love for an autograph and a picture.
Then, if all the stars align, you might get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine all of these experiences into a private concert for one.
I don’t even know how to describe the day I just spent with a band I adore as they performed never-before-heard new songs, never recorded or even performed in concert.
Lucky doesn’t cover it.
I’ve been following Theater of the Absurd ever since they broke on the scene while touring with Walking Disaster. Once on my radar, I made it a point to buy all their albums, falling in love with their off-beat rock music. Whenever I had the chance to see them in concert, I jumped at it, and like so many fans, I couldn’t get enough of their surprising onstage antics. The first time I saw Micah bodysurf across the audience, I knew I’d be a fan for life.
I never expected I’d ever meet the band. I’m just a Midwestern music fan. Never scored a backstage pass. Never went to a meet and greet. I’ve always been in it for the music, but I’d be lying if I didn’t confess a certain idol worship of the guys who bring this music to life.
Today my lucky stars converged, and I got the chance to meet them, hang out with them, and watch them banter, fight over setlists, cover a couple of songs, and perform unreleased music.
And as the ultimate treat, I get to share my score with fellow fans.
Here are my impressions from the day.
Micah Sinclair is as hot as you think he is. He’s also incredibly generous and as easy-going as you’d expect a Libra to be, but it was impressive to watch his leadership skills in action.
Noah Kennedy loves to play to the camera. He has a reputation for his fiery personality, and he didn’t disappoint. Between sets, the give-and-take between Noah and Shane could get blistering.
Shane Morgan is my secret favorite. He’s a madman on the drums as you ought to know already if you’re a fan. You’ll also be aware that he’s kind and funny. I can attest to how hot he is in person, and all I can say is: Hands off, ladies. I saw him first.
Rick Walters hangs back and does his thing, which is to show how to play a bass guitar righteously. I really loved watching him at work, but I don’t think we exchanged two words the entire day.
As it was a rehearsal and not a live show, the guys were more subdued than I’m used to, but it made for a more intimate experience. It was awesome just to focus on the music which as always blew my mind.
Videos with new music, including two covers and some between song banter are posted below the fold.
Chapter Twenty
As nice as it had been to get chauffeured or taxied to work, the subway presented a certain amount of novelty for this Indiana girl. I didn’t mind riding in and watching all the different people around me, most of whom seemed considerably more bored than I was.
Even the thrill of emerging into Times Square hadn’t worn off yet. I still couldn’t believe I had the most amazing job at the most amazing music magazine in the most amazing city in the world. I breathed it in, foul-smelling gutter garbage and all.
