Post by Fiona McFly on Jun 7, 2017 2:23:17 GMT
Act I - "In Which We Meet the Band, Then Find Out How Good or Bad They Really Are..."
~24 May 2017 + 0830 GMT, Day 1~
MILLENNIUM STUDIOS + LONDON'S WEST SIDE
For a recording studio, it certainly wasn't too bad.
We find Fiona McFly milling about inside the live room of studio No. 47, peering her eyes upon a large drum set and microphones that hung from the ceiling. This was where she was going to work on her new "Open Book" album project for the foreseeable future. Aside from the live room, there was your basic control room and even a soundproof vocal recording station nearby, and all in all, the Northern Irishwoman couldn't have wanted it any other way.
FIONA MCFLY:
Hello?
She carefully walked around the space, peering about at the bare-bones facility. She closed her eyes for a moment, reflecting upon the REAL reason why she decided to jump into the world of music, when suddenly....
"Ahh, you're bright an' early lass!"
Startled by the distinctive Cokney accent, Fiona jumped back just a tad before turning around. She spotted a stately-looking gentleman wearing a black suit with matching tie stroll into the room. He was a man in his early-60s, wearing black-rimmed spectacles, and much taller than Fiona at around 6'5." Yet he was a veteran producer in the music industry, his facial wrinkles telling a story of musicians that have come and gone.
NIGEL RICHARDS:
The name's Richards, Nigel Richards--your producer. I've heard all about you, that you want to make the jump into music. Welcome to the Millennium Studios family!
FIONA:
It's an honour, sir.
The two shook hands in a deep, professional manner. it was at this point in time in which McFly knew that everything was going to be just fine with him around.
NIGEL:
Music...is a work of art. It has power, strength...grace and finesse. It will leave you RIFE with emotion--anger and hatred, happiness and jubilation, sadness and depression. You will have the ability to bewitch the mind...and soothe the soul. More importantly...the power of music will help you grow into a more honest, complete personality. Understand?
Fiona politely nodded her head.
FIONA:
I do, Mr. Richards.
NIGEL:
No need to be formal--please, call me Nigel.
Smiling warmly at her humility, Nigel gave Fiona a pat on the left shoulder.
NIGEL:
As long as you don't lose sight on what you want to accomplish with this album of yours, you will be unstoppable. Now...let's see your song ideas.
Fiona handed Nigel the notebook, and the latter opened it up. Adjusting his eyeglasses on his head, the longtime veteran producer took a deep breath, looking closely at her work.
NIGEL:
Hrmmm...HRRRRMMMM....
McFly, worried, shook her head softly...
FIONA:
No good?
...but Nigel, after a few moments to let it all sink in, widened his eyes and mustered a giant smile on his mug.
NIGEL:
They're great! Just the titles alone say you've got some WONDERFUL ideas! From the triumphant, resilient radiance that is "Sunrise," to the savage, power-pop message of "Crimson Smile," to the drug-inspired psychedelic prog-metal of "Into the Void"....you've definitely got a winner here. And the best part? They're ALL ORIGINAL ideas--no covers or fillers, except..."Varsity?"
FIONA:
That's my alma mater--the University of Wisconsin.
Nigel immediately gave the thumbs-up, spotting Fiona's Wisconsin class ring on her right ring finger.
NIGEL:
Ex-Badger, huh?! You're in good company--that's where I studied music. Joined an indie band as its lead back in the 1970s--ego problems, bunch of bullshite broke us up. Never had a hit single yet always dreamed of one.
Suddenly, the door to the live room burst open, and we see a pair of men, around 21 years of age and sporting dark blue jeans and red T-shirts, loudly chatting with each other in their Liverpook-esque dialect whilst carrying a pair of cheap-looking guitars, one of them a bass, as they hook them up to their respective outlets.
NIGEL:
Oh, here they are! These guys are your backing band, Miss McFly! The two blokes wearing AC/DC shirts--they're twin brothers, Donnie and Eddie Mercury, your lead guitarist and bassist respectively.
Fiona laughed at the twins, watching their conversation get more lively by the second. Donnie Mercury, bald but sporting a goatee, poked his brother Eddie in the ribs...
DONNIE MERCURY:
Chelsea's the more superior club, you know it.
....prompting Eddie, also bald yet clean-shaven, to do the same.
EDDIE MERCURY:
Fuck off, ya man-snogger you! United's number one!
DONNIE:
'Ey, at least I have SOMEONE in my life. You had a girl that was a bloody tart!
EDDIE:
Only 'cos ya made 'er cover 'er ears with your shitty guitar playin'!
Fiona laughed as Nigel whispered in her ear.
NIGEL:
They're quite hyper-competitive, a lively duo.
She warmly grinned, then spotted a man in his mid-30s, with long, curly hair and a beard that hasn't been kept up to snuff in God knows how long, calmly sat down behind the drums.
FIONA:
Who's the guy on the drums?
NIGEL:
His name's Kimble...Luke Kimble.
Hearing the surname "Kimble" prompted Fiona's right brow perked up in curiosity. Thinking Luke was related to her mentor Regina Kimble--in some fashion or another--she happily strolled up to him, offering a hand...
FIONA:
Nice to meet you, dear.
...but Luke gave the Northern Irishwoman a rather stone-faced look, his stoic demeanour a sharp contrast to the loud and boisterous Mercury twins. Nevertheless, the two shook hands albeit sheepishly, causing Fiona to slink back to the producer and talk to him softly, so's not to be within the drummer's listening range.
FIONA:
What's wrong with him?
NIGEL:
Oh...he's very shy around people. Very quiet, humble and reserved...but he plays a MEAN drum. You'll love him. You really will.
FIONA:
I bet.
The private conversation endd with Nigel clapping his hands, calling the rag-tag group to order.
NIGEL:
I'm sure you want to hear the band first before you start your work.
FIONA:
Right!
Fiona and Nigel stood back, allowing the band to take their places.
NIGEL:
A'right guys, let's welcome the lady in style! Give her a few bars of the metal section of "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a warmup!
Eddie chuckled to himself, staring at Fiona's athletic figure.
EDDIE:
Jus' so ya know peaches...we fuckin' blow big-time wanker balls.
Nigel snapped at the bassist, putting the silliness to an end in an instant.
NIGEL:
'EY! Miss McFly will decide who blows balls 'round 'ere! Now play 'er some gorram music!
The drummer counted to three before the band started playing the ever-popular Queen tune...and Fiona McFly couldn't believe what she was hearing. While Luke's skill on the drum during the heavy-metal passage was quite superb, the Mercury Brothers...err, not so much. The cacophony of discordant noise from Donnie's lead guitar and Eddie's bass was so pronounced, it prompted Nigel and Fiona to exit the live room, slowly sneaking into the hallway outside.
Fiona gritted her teeth as she gave her early assessment of what she had to work with....
FIONA:
Whilst Luke's spot on with the drums...
...her voice grew terse and very sincere when it came to talking about the twin guitarists.
FIONA:
...but Donnie and Eddie, the lot? They fucking suck big-time cock.
Nigel's eyes widened at the rather blunt evaluation the band. Fiona could only muster a deep sigh, knowing damn well that she had a helluva lot of work ahead of her if she wanted to get anything done.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
Well howdy there pardner.