The Chezdon Chronicles: The Continuing Saga--New Plot (bxb)

Chapter 6: The Night Watch

Around 4:30 that arvo, Austin realized he needed to get to Charlie's, a little bit before Jayden had suggested. He wanted to see the band practicing. Jayden getting back to playing his guitar would be fun to watch. That thought brought a smile to his face.

Charlie's place was a short 10 minute walk from the tram station. Arriving there at 5ish, Austin could see the band members playing a song, one he didn't recognize—though the music sounded great. "On Holiday" was an anti-Iraq War song penned by Billie Joe Armstrong for his band Green Day. It had been a commercial and critical success when it came out a decade ago. When Charlie had formed the band a few months back, he was insistent that "On Holiday" be the first song the band mastered. The rest of the band was opposed—adamantly so. As Joshua put it from his perch behind drums, no one's going to hire a band to play an anti-war song at a wedding, confirmation celebration, or bar mitzvah.

Then Charlie explained why it was so important to him that that song be the band's first one. He had an uncle whom he loved dearly who went off to Iraq in 2005. Charlie was but eight years old. That uncle came back to Melbourne in a body bag. When he told the band of his reason, the other four just sat there, unsure what to do or so. Then Jayden suggested that they start with "On Holiday," and the rest of the band agreed. It had become the best in their repertoire, even as they knew they would never be able to play it at any gig for which they'd be hired.

When Jayden saw Austin's approach, he stopped playing his guitar, and smiling, greeted his mate warmly. He then asked his fellow band members if it would be ok for Austin to stay and hear their efforts. No one objected—Charlie thought it would be good to get some feedback. Ever since Jayden had told the band that they have been asked by The X-Factor to appear, the band was excited but unprepared for it. Charlie was particularly anxious—"it's my name on the band." They had to get themselves in sync—and fast. Practice, practice, practice. It was going to be a long week of practicing.

The band practiced for another 45 minutes. Austin thought that the music sounded wonderful, until they stopped playing that Green Day machination. Jayden suggested the band play "I'd Love to Change the World" from Ten Years After and see what Austin thought of that song. Joshua thought it a great idea, though Charlie wasn't quite sure that the band's version of the song, if you could call it that, was ready to be heard by anyone not in the band. "No matter," Jayden countered, "Austin's comments would be helpful." The rest of the band acknowledged as much, and so they began to play.

It became clear why Charlie didn't think the band ready to perform. It wasn't so much the individual players who were off so much as much as the band as a whole. Austin asked each member to play his own part of the song. Jayden started, and he generated a rich tapestry of sound. The same was true for each of the other band members. Individually, they sounded fine, but as a group, not so much.

After a frustrating 45 minutes, Charlie declared that practice for that day was done. Except for the drums, which Joshua left as they were, the band members packed up their equipment and headed home for dinner.

After he finished packing his guitar, Jayden went over to Austin sitting in a folding chair. "So, what did you think?"

"Honestly, Jayden? You blokes have some work ahead of you this week." Charlie threw his hands in the air and said, "Everyone's a bloody critic. Sod that, I'm going to eat."

Jayden, and the rest of the boys present chuckled. Austin got up from his chair, folded it, and placed it against a wall. Both boys were hungry, and Jayden looked forward to dinner. "Where are we going, Austin? You never said where you wanted to go."

Jayden looked at him and replied, "Rosetta or A29."

"Really Jayden? Pizza versus real food?"

"Yeah."