Kirk Hammett: Teenage Metalhead

Chapter 4: Don't Worry About It

"That'll be seven bucks" says the man from behind the counter. He's wearing a t-shirt with a band logo on it, Saxon. He has a name tag placed on the right of his chest, and he's wearing jeans that look like they've seen better days. "Ah c'mon man, five bucks". "Look little dude, I already told you, seven is the lowest I can go! My boss will beat the you know what out of me if he finds out I've been dropping prices for you". "He's not gonna find out Dillan, don't sweat it". "I'll go down to six". "Deal".

Kirk grinned as he pulled six one dollar bills out of his back pocket. He laid the money down on the glass counter and grabbed his record from Dillan.

Dillan was an employee at Rocket Records, a record shop just down the street from Kirks home. Dillan and Kirk bonded over their interest in the NWOBHM (new wave of British heavy metal) and bands such as the Misfits and Iron Maiden. Everytime a new record from a band Dillan thought Kirk might like came into the shop, he would set it aside in a bin labeled: "Kirks Bin. DO NOT TOUCH!".

Kirk would often bring the price down by just a few bucks, something Dillan always seemed to fall for.

"See man? Don't worry about it, I bet your boss doesn't even care" "Yeah, I guess". As Kirk headed to the front door, he turned back around and waved goodbye to Dillan. Dillan waved back, "Peace little dude". As Kirk exited the building, he couldn't help but smile. He just got a copy of Motorheads 1979 release "Overkill". He had just heard of them, and was excited to hear more.

As he walked back home, he couldn't help but think about how much fun it would be to make a record and see it being sold in record stores. That was a dream of his. But until then, he knew he would have to practice playing his guitar every day. So before listening to his new album, he planned on grabbing his guitar and the rest of his gear and heading down to a friend's house to practice.

The front door slammed open as Kirk entered his home. "My Lord Kirk! You almost scared me half to death!" yelled his mother. "Sorry mom!" Kirk shouted back as he raced upstairs to his room. He threw the record onto his bed and grabbed his guitar. He put it in its case and ran back downstairs. He popped the trunk of his beat up automobile and placed the guitar in it. He went running back into his house and up the stairs, this time coming down with his amp and effects pedals. He carefully placed his amp into the trunk and then squeezed his pedals in. He stared at his handy work for a few seconds, giving it an approving look before shutting the trunk and hopping inside the vehicle.

He started his engine and raced down the street to meet up with his friend.

"Wassup man", it was Gary, Kirks friend and fellow jam mate. Gary helped Kirk unload his trunk and bring the equipment inside. They headed for Gary's garage. They placed Kirks equipment down besides Gary's, who had already set his gear up before hand.

Kirk plugged into his Marshall amp and the two began to chug away at riffs from their favorite songs from the Scorpions and Misfits to Maiden and Judas Priest.

"Hey man, check this out", Gary turned his guitar up, and started chugging away at an original riff he had recently come up with. "That's sick man! Check this out". Kirk played a riff he had been working on for the last few days. Gary nodded his head in approval. The two of them laughed and went inside for a refreshment.

"We have to start a band, dude. We need some drums and bass!" "And a singer too!" "Wait, don't we have to come up with at least one full song before we start putting together a band?" "Nah, we can just put together some of the stuff we've already made and then jam with some guys from around town". Kirk took a sip of his lemonade, "Yeah, that makes sense".

"Man, once we get a band together, everyone's gonna be able to hear the kind of music we like!" Kirk started to smirk, he knew he was getting closer to achieving his dream, and he took comfort in that thought. "Hey man, what's taking you so long? C'mon!" Gary had already finished his lemonade and was down the hall in front of the garage door. "Coming" Kirk replied. The two of them raced back into the hot garage, ready to play some more of their favorite songs.