//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Hidden Underground // Story: A Musician Reborn // by Zen //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Hidden Underground I sat at my laptop browsing various online music stores as I munched on a mini pizza. After setting up Vinyl’s laptop and getting it connected to my wifi network, she had spent most of yesterday and so far all of today watching the My Little Pony episodes. She had said something about ‘needing to know what it was all about’ or something, so I let her be. Today Nathan and Kyle were coming over in about an hour to work on some new material. I hadn’t told them about Vinyl yet; in fact I wanted her to be a surprise. The only issue is that Nathan doesn’t watch the show nor is he a part of the community. He doesn’t judge anyone for liking it, but just chooses not to get involved. Every time I pressed him about it he always insisted that he just didn't 'get it' or something. Personally I think he's trying too hard to understand since there's not really a whole lot to understand. Kyle has watched the show and is more or less neutral about it. He did claim to like what the fan base had created as far as art was considered, and truthfully the fan base could claim a fair number of incredibly talented artists of all kinds. It was something I was grateful for. I had a lot of older friends decide to slowly cut contact with me because of it, so to have these two long-time friends not give me any flak for it was something I appreciated immensely. Either way, explaining her to them was going to be interesting. I flipped through inventories looking for a new distortion pedal. The one I currently had was starting to go, so a replacement was in order. The only problem was that only cheap ones that I could find had ridiculous shipping costs, which effectively nullified any potential savings I could hope for. None of the music stores in town had what I was looking for, which meant I was going to have to head to a different city to pick one up. Oh well. It’ll give me an opportunity to show Vinyl around part of the state; she’d mentioned interest in seeing some other places outside of Longmont last night. I closed the browser and finished my pizza. I heard activity coming from upstairs, and a moment later Vinyl came down the stairs. “Hey Vinyl.” I greeted her, opening up iTunes and browsing through my library for something to listen to. “Hey Matt.” Vinyl replied, heading into the kitchen. I couldn’t help but notice that something was…off. “Something wrong?” I asked clicking on the ‘play’ button and letting shuffle pick for me. Vinyl sighed. “That show…” She said somewhat quietly. “It is pretty mind blowing that you guys know about Equestria like that. It’s not all completely accurate, but it’s still pretty amazing. But I can’t help but feel really homesick and inwardly hate myself for putting myself into this situation.” I got up and walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Vinyl I promise I’ll do what I can to help you get back home.” I said. “I know what being homesick is like; I haven’t seen my true home in nearly two decades. But don’t hate yourself for this. You couldn’t have possibly known that this was going to happen, right?” She nodded. “Yeah, I was pissed and upset, and I’d never in a thousand years thought that making a wish like that would have resulted in something like this.” “Right, so don’t hate yourself over it. In the meantime, you’ve got a place to stay, food, and a friend.” “I guess that’s true. Things could be a lot worse…” “Exactly.” I said, grabbing a soda from the fridge. “Now, Nathan and Kyle are heading over today and we’re gonna see if we can’t get some work done on our material. Since you’re going to be our dee jay you’re more than welcome to come down and participate in whichever way you’d like.” “Do they know about me?” She asked. “I haven’t told them yet.” I said. “Truthfully I’m not sure how they’ll react. I know they’d be pretty happy to have someone new in the group, but when I tell them who you are…I don’t know how they’ll react.” “Do they know about us?” Vinyl asked, suddenly concerned. “If by ‘us’ you mean Equestrians then yes, but only to a small degree.” I opened the can and took a drink. “Neither are huge fans of the show but they don’t hate it either.” “So you’re going to tell them who I am.” It wasn’t a question. “I can trust these two to not tell anyone else.” I said. “I’ve known Nathan for most of my life, and Kyle has proven to be a trustworthy individual.” “I’ll trust you on this.” Vinyl said, grabbing an apple. “I happened to see some of the…no so nice things that you said humans tend to do and say while on the internet. You weren’t kidding; there are some real scumbags out there. While I’m not afraid to confront somepony if they got hostile, I’d prefer not to. And since I’m still unfamiliar with the customs and culture of this place, I trust you to make sure I don’t do anything stupid.” “Understood.” I finished the soda. “I’m going to go set up the studio.” I headed downstairs and after a minute I heard Vinyl join me. I plugged in my amp and tested it by playing a few bars with my practice bass. Everything sounded good, so I took a few minutes to set up the recording equipment. “Need any help?” Vinyl asked. “Umm…” I looked around the studio. “If you want to set up the mic stands that would be great.” Vinyl set about getting the mic stands ready. “Hey, before your buddies get here, do you think you could play something?” I looked up from what I was doing. “What for?” Vinyl shrugged as she set the stands down. “I just wanna see how good you are.” I quickly finished working with the mixing board. “Sure.” I said and walked over to my practice bass, slinging the strap over my shoulder and plugging it into the amp. “How about I play you the song we tend to cover the most?” “Whichever you want to.” Vinyl said, taking a seat at the desk. I played a few notes to find that the bass was perfectly in tune and stepped up to a microphone, switching it on. Producing a guitar pick out of my pocket and foregoing the use of my unreliable distortion pedal I began to play Nine Inch Nail’s “Wish”. It’s not a particularly difficult song, but it’s one that all three of us could really get into. Funny thing…I don’t play the bass guitar like most people do. I talk to other bassists and they tell me that they play finger pick style. I, for whatever reason, can’t seem to make it work, so instead I play with a pick like most guitarists do. Personally I find it more comfortable and it fits the genres that I like to play just fine. I played through the song without slipping up, but it did feel odd to play for someone and not have at least the guitar accompanying me. When I finished I took a step back from the microphone and rested the body of the guitar on my foot. “That was a song called “Wish” by Nine Inch Nails.” I said. “Not the most difficult song out there but it’s one that we play at every gig. We usually use it as a finishing song because of how high energy it can be.” “I see.” Vinyl stood up. “That was good, but did you stop playing while you sung because you can’t do both at the same time?” “Nope, there just aren’t any notes during the verses.” I replied, turning off the microphone and the amp before leaning the guitar against the side of the amp. “It sounds a lot better when there’s a guitar playing and when I have the bass distorted with a pedal.” “Distorted bass sounds like my style.” Vinyl said. “Why didn’t you?” “Because I need to replace my distortion pedal.” I said. “It’s decided that it’s only going to work when it wants to, which is almost never at this point, so I think I’m going to go get a new one this weekend.” “Cool. Are there music stores in town?” “There’s a few, but none of them have what I want or they want way too much for it. I got my first one for fifty dollars a few years ago and until recently it’s served me just fine. I don’t need the top of the line gear, just something that works.” “I hear ya.” Vinyl said, crossing her arms. “So where can you go to get one?” “Probably the state capital city of Denver.” I replied. “There are a fair number of record stores in and around Denver and I know most of them sell equipment alongside music and related merchandise. I think I’ll go tomorrow, so would you like to come?” “Absolutely!” Vinyl exclaimed. “Is Colorado big on music?” “In the past decade or so there have been a fair number of groups that have made it to mainstream success and a few other bands relocated to Colorado to record. Bands like The Fray, 3Oh!3, The Flobots, and The Epilogues are all from Colorado and have all had mainstream success, Denver can claim Ivan Moody, who is the front man for the famous metal group Five Finger Death Punch, and famous punk and alternative rock band Rise Against records in a studio just up north in Fort Collins. Then there are some of the wicked underground scenes. Colorado has some really talented metal bands that just haven’t quite had their lucky break yet, especially here in Longmont.” “That’s pretty awesome.” Vinyl said. “Does your group have a name?” “Yeah, we’re called Hidden Underground.” “Hidden Underground, huh? How’d you come up with the name?” “Like I said earlier, a lot of Colorado’s rock and metal groups haven’t had their lucky break yet, so our name reflects that trend since we want to write material that would be classified as rock or metal.” “That’s…actually pretty cool.” We spent the next hour or so chatting and I occasionally played through a bass line I had come up with. Vinyl talked about some of the stuff she used to play or compose back in Equestria, and the more she talked the more I would have liked to hear some of it. Then I felt my leg vibrating. I pulled out my phone and flipped it open to see that I had a new text message from Nathan that read “At your place.” Signaling for Vinyl to stay in the studio, I went upstairs and to the front door, which I unlocked and opened. Nathan and Kyle were standing on the porch. “What’s up dude?” Nathan said with guitar and amp in hand. I ushered them in. “Not a whole lot, just been warming up for today’s session.” “Good.” Kyle said. “I’d love to be able to record at least a demo today.” “I plan on it.” I said, following them to the basement door. Nathan has been a friend of mine since high school, but we knew each other since early elementary. He’s about my height with a large build. Not fat, just big. He’s gone through several genre switches since we decided to form a project, originally going with a post-grunge sound and eventually working our way into what we have now. Kyle, on the other hand, is slightly shorter than the average adult male and fairly scrawny as well. I’ve also known Kyle since high school, though he was a year ahead of Nathan and me. Kyle is a big fan of jazz and classic and alternative rock, but is okay with playing drums for slightly heavier genres. He’s one of the best drummers I know, so I was pretty happy when he said he was willing to play metal. I lead the way downstairs and rounded the corner into the studio where Vinyl was waiting. “Hey Matt, did you get a girlfriend?” Nathan jeered. I swear Vinyl turned slightly red but otherwise didn’t have any outward reaction. “No actually.” I responded coolly. “This is my new roommate and Hidden Underground’s new dee jay.” “New dee jay?” Kyle echoed. “That’ll be really nice.” “Yeah it will.” Nathan set his equipment down in the middle of the studio and extended an open hand to Vinyl, which she shook. “My name’s Nathan, nice to meet you.” He said. “I’m Kyle.” Kyle added, waving from where he was standing. “Nice to meet you guys.” Vinyl said. “The name’s Vinyl, and I hope that I don’t disappoint.” “Vinyl?” Nathan repeated. “That’s an interesting name. Are you from around here?” “Nah, I’m from Trottingham.” Vinyl replied. I noticed that Nathan and Kyle exchanged an odd look. Kyle turned to me and said, “Hey, would you mind helping me unload my drum set?” “Yeah sure.” I said. “You coming Nathan?” “Yeah.” Nathan followed us upstairs while Vinyl elected to stay in the studio and play with the mixing board. “So, who the hell is this girl, Matt?” Nathan asked once we got upstairs. I sighed. “You guys probably aren’t going to believe me, but you gotta promise that you won’t tell anyone about her.” Nathan and Kyle exchanged another odd look. “Sure, we won’t tell.” Kyle said. “Alright.” I sighed again, thinking about how I was going to start. “So, a few nights ago I was out hiking over at Sandstone Ranch at the edge of town. I thought I heard someone in pain, so I looked around and saw her at the base of those cliffs at the ranch. She was barely conscious and all cut up and bruised, so I couldn’t help myself but try and help her. Long story short she’s the human form of a background character from My Little Pony.” I could tell that Nathan was trying not to laugh and Kyle just looked at me like I was crazy. “I’m serious guys. I was skeptical at first, but the more I talked with her the more convinced I became that she’s the background character known as Vinyl Scratch. C’mon, I’ll show you.” I took them into my office area and pointed to a printed still from the scene in the last episode of season two where Vinyl was behind a turn table with a certain pink pony called Pinkie Pie, goggles raised to reveal her magenta irises. Nathan and Kyle stared at the image for a moment. “She does bear a striking resemblance.” Nathan conceded after a moment, and Kyle nodded in agreement. “How do you know she’s not some kind of crazy god tier cosplayer?” Kyle asked. “There’re certain mannerisms and phrases that most people would stumble over or get mixed up without years of training. You should have seen her when I first found her; she could barely function properly!” I pointed to the pony Vinyl’s flank. “See this? See this cutie mark?” Nathan and Kyle said they saw it. “Well, she’s got this on her hip.” I said. “You sure it’s not a tattoo?” Kyle asked. “I’ve never seen any tattoo that looks like this.” I replied. “And I don’t mean that in the sense that I’ve never seen musical notes as a tattoo before. You know how tattoos have that certain look, like the edges are usually just slightly blurry and the colors just slightly off? Well this mark she has is pure black, has really sharp edges, and looks like it’s actually part of her skin, like she was born with it.” Nathan scratched his chin. “So uh…how did you see it if it’s on her hip?” “I asked her if she had it and she showed me.” I said. They exchanged one last look. “Alright Matt. I won’t say I’m not still skeptical but I’ll go with it for now.” Kyle said. “Yeah.” Nathan added. “There’s enough evidence that hints that she might be this pony you speak of, but I’ll reserve judgment until I know her better.” I nodded. “Understandable, and thanks guys.” I had expected more resistance from them, but it would seem as though I was given a break. “No problem.” Kyle said. “Now about that drum set?” We headed outside to Kyle’s van and started to unload the drum set. Kyle picked up the case containing the bass drum. “So you said she’s your roommate?” He asked. I picked up two cases containing snare drums and said, “Yeah. She’s got nowhere else to go, and so I offered to let her stay in one of my spare bedrooms.” “Do your folks know?” Nathan picked up a set of stands and drumsticks. “And how are you going to afford this?” “My folks don’t really care so long as the rent is paid for and I don’t wreck the place.” I said. “As for how I’ll pay for it…I’m not actually sure yet.” We took everything downstairs and Nathan went back to Kyle’s van to get the last two snare drums and cymbals while Kyle unpacked and set everything up. “So, what exactly can I do?” Vinyl asked, sitting at the desk. “For today, all I’d like you to do is to listen to what we play.” I said. “I unfortunately don’t have anything like a turntable or keyboard for you to play, so for now just sit back and listen.” “If you say so.” Vinyl leaned back in the chair and made herself comfortable. A few minutes later everyone was set up and ready to go. “What sounds good for a warm up?” I asked, flipping my pick between some fingers. ““King Nothing” sound good?” Nathan suggested. “Works for me.” Kyle said. “Alright let’s do this.” I said and waited a moment before starting the intro bass riff. To date “King Nothing” is the only Metallica song I’ve ever been able to play well, and I made it a point to learn it and master it as best as I could. Nathan joined in soon enough with the guitar work and Kyle not long after with the drums. Nathan took over vocals for this song, and I only joined in for certain lines during the chorus. Our cover of “King Nothing” went really well, and the only way I could think of to make it better would to have had a second guitarist. Vinyl stood and applauded us as the final notes faded away. “That was very good.” She said. “Would be better if we had a second guitarist.” I said. “And if my distortion pedal was working.” “This is true.” Nathan said. “But I was thinking…maybe we should record some of these covers?” “Not a bad idea.” I said. “Vinyl, you think you could handle that?” “Absolutely.” Vinyl walked over to the recording equipment, which consisted of a simple laptop connected to a microphone that hung from the ceiling in the middle of the studio and fiddled with it for a moment. “Okay, it’s ready!” ““King Nothing” again?” I suggested, and after everyone agreed I signaled for Vinyl to begin the recording. Once she made sure the computer was recording I began the intro bass riff. Like with our previous play through we played the song as best as we could. It wasn’t the best but it was good enough that I think everyone present would agree that it was still a fairly decent cover. Once it was over I signaled for Vinyl to end the recording. “How about another cover?” Nathan asked. “I think “Wish” deserves to be recorded.” I said. “Considering that it’s our staple for every gig we play, I’d say so.” Kyle said. “Alright Vinyl, get the recorder ready and I’ve got vocals for this.” I said and she signaled me when it was ready. Kyle started off with the drums and Nathan improvised the backing electro sound with his guitar. I sung the verses with a slight growl and an octave lower than I normally sing to better fit the tone of the lyrics, but switched to my normal style during the chorus. During the song I couldn’t help but notice Vinyl’s wide grin and her head bobbing to the rhythm of the song. As the final notes faded I signaled for Vinyl to stop the recording. “One more?” I asked. ““Bleed it Out”?” Kyle suggested. “Only if Matt’s the chorus and I’ve got the verses.” Nathan said, and I nodded and let Vinyl know to start recording again. Nathan started strong with the guitar intro and started to rap the first verse without missing a beat. Kyle and I both began when appropriate and I nailed the chorus. “Bleed it Out” was another song we liked to play at gigs a lot, and usually we used it as our opener, though not always. We finished the song and Vinyl stopped the recording. I set my bass down and walked over to save and transfer the three recordings to a thumb drive. “This is pretty great.” I said. “Now that we finally have some decent recordings we have something to show people who are interested in playing with us.” “Yeah, and we can move on to more complex stuff.” Nathan said. “Now how about we work on some original material?” Within an hour we had recorded several demos, mostly instrumentals, and decided to call it a day. Nathan and Kyle packed up and made their way out while I put my gear away and turned everything off. “I’d call that a successful day, no?” I said to Vinyl as I made sure everything had been backed up on the laptop and transferred to the thumb drive. “I’d think so.” Vinyl said. “You guys are really good, and I’m pretty happy that you’re giving me a chance to join Hidden Underground.” “You happen to fit a role that’s really hard to fill these days.” I said with a shrug. “The only issue is getting you the proper equipment.” We went upstairs and I set about making a stew for dinner tonight. “What are you going to do with those recordings?” Vinyl asked, leaning against the kitchen counter. “I plan on making videos with the covers and uploading them to YouTube.” I said. “I won’t do anything with the demos for now, but you’re more than welcome to listen to them anytime you want.” “I plan on it.” Vinyl said. “How else am I supposed to get an idea for what I can add if I can’t carefully listen to what you guys have?” “Exactly.” I said, smiling at Vinyl. But instead of smiling back, Vinyl was looking at the floor, uncertainty dominating her expression. “What’s up?” I asked. “I just hope I don’t disappoint.” Vinyl said quietly, a small quiver in her voice. Clearly the rejection she experienced was causing her some serious distress. “I have every confidence in you, Vinyl.” I said, trying to cheer her up. “I know that you’ll do great.” Vinyl suddenly gave me a cold look and said, “That’s exactly what my producer said before my second album dropped.” She then walked off and headed upstairs, leaving me dumbfounded.