Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 40: Rockin' the Small Stage

Backstage, the boys were gearing up for their big set. Jackson was tapping out a beat on his knee, Judah was tuning his bass, and Jamie was nervously fiddling with his guitar strings. Ryan, cool as ever, casually riffed on *My Hero*, while Alex stood in front of a mirror, warming up his vocals with a few deep breaths.

"So," Ryan said, breaking the silence, "we all know who the best guitarist is, right?"

"Let me guess..." Judah smirked without looking up from his bass. "Van Halen?"

Ryan grinned, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Exactly. Eddie Van Halen, man. No one can touch him."

Judah scoffed playfully. "Sure, he's fast, but Synyster Gates? That dude can shred. Have you heard his solos?"

Jackson snorted, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "You kids with your modern guitarists... No one beats Jimmy Page. Zeppelin? Come on. It's not even a contest."

Alex, not one to be left out, chimed in from across the room. "All respect to Page, but Hendrix? It's all about feeling, and that dude had more soul in one finger than most guitarists have in their whole body.."

They all nodded thoughtfully, each entrenched in their opinions, but then they turned to Jamie, who had been quiet, adjusting his strap. Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What about you, Jamie? Who's your guy?"

Jamie hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Uh... Slash?"

There was a beat of silence, and Jamie winced slightly, expecting mockery, but Jackson gave him a nod of approval. "Not bad."

"Yeah, Slash is solid," Judah agreed, surprising Jamie. "Not my favorite, but he's got style."

Ryan shrugged. "I'll allow it."

Alex grinned. "Alright, not a bad choice, Jamie. You're safe—for now."

Jamie let out a relieved breath as the banter eased. Just then, a tech poked his head into the green room. "You guys are up next."

Alex stood up, smoothing his shirt. "Alright, boys. This is gonna be one of the greatest nights of our lives. Let's make it count!"

They followed him to the stage, their nerves now a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. As they stepped into the spotlight, their hearts sank a little—there were only five people in the audience: two kids, their enthusiastic mom, and an older man in his 40s. Alex let out a chuckle under his breath. "Well, it's a start, right?"

Jackson shrugged, tapping his drumsticks together. "A crowd's a crowd."

Alex turned to the microphone, his confidence growing. "We're Your Mom's a Hoe," he said, announcing their Foo Fighters cover band name, "and we're here to rock your night!" With that, they launched into The Middle by Jimmy Eat World to warm up the crowd before diving into their setlist of Foo Fighters hits.

Alex's voice rang out as he belted the lyrics, and despite the small audience, the band started to hit their stride. Jackson was locked in on the drums, his rhythms tight and fast. Ryan shredded through the solos with ease, while Judah's bass lines held everything together. And Jamie? Well, Jamie strummed along until it was time for a solo. He fumbled through two seconds of it before sheepishly handing it back to Ryan—his brief moment of glory a solo within a solo.

By the time they reached Everlong, more people had wandered in, drawn by the energy on stage. A small but lively crowd formed, clapping along and cheering, making the boys feel like they were playing for a packed stadium.

As their set ended, the crowd erupted into applause. Alex gave a playful bow, throwing his arm around Jamie. "See? Told you this would be one of the best nights of our lives."

After the performance, Alex enthusiastically signed autographs for the kids, charming their moms in the process. Jackson chatted with the older man, who seemed genuinely interested in their music. Jamie, on the other hand, felt a bit awkward sitting alone, watching the interactions unfold. Judah was busy snapping pictures with the kids, their laughter filling the air. Ryan, ever the star, showed the kids his guitar, encouraging them to take turns playing.

It turned out to be a great time, despite the initial nerves. The boys realized that it wasn't just about the performance; it was about the joy they shared in playing together and the connections they made along the way. They left that night feeling accomplished, not just as musicians, but as friends supporting a cause they believed in.