Point of View: Jerry Cantrell
"Whatre you doing?" Sean asked, as he walked in.
I picked up the last beer can off of the coffee table. "Picking up."
"Since when do you care to clean up this place?"
"Since I invited Layne over."
"Laynes coming over?"
"Yea. He caught me at the Cafe hanging up band flyers. Asked if he could hear me play guitar so I invited him over."
"Well good thing you picked up." Sean began. "Because a shit ton of Off Ramp performers are coming here."
"Why?" I asked.
"To hangout. Were recruiting people for our band. Remember?" He explained.
"I guess."
"Cool. Cause they should all be here any minute. Might wanna get your guitar out now buddy."
I threw the trash away, then ran to my room to get changed and ready.
As I was changing I could hear people start to pour in. I put on the same outfit from the other night. Sean's leather jacket, and band tank top, and my own shorts and combat boots. I grabbed my guitar and an amp, and walked out.
I could only make out a few familiar faces.
Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Mike Mccready, and Stone Gossard.
Of course Stone would show.
I set myself and my amp up on the counter, and strummed to get everyone's attention. "I didn't know about this shit show party till now." I laughed. "If you're here to party, then rock on. If your here to try out for my bassist and lead singer, meet me out front so I can fucking actually hear you guys."
The crowd got loud again, and a few people trailed outside. I got out last and saw Layne walking up the side walk.
"You guys sit here for a second." I told the group.
I ran up to Layne and stopped him.
"I didn't know you guys were having a party." He said.
He looked more normal tonight. His curly hair was down, he had no makeup on- except for maybe a little bit of left over eye liner, a tank top and a vest on, a pair of shorts, and combat boots.
We were almost dressed the fucking same.
"I didn't know either. I guess Sean threw it to recruite people for our band." I nodded towards the group of people. "Those are them. Everyone else is inside drinking and whatever. Theres a lot of musicians in there too..if you wanna go mingle."
"Could I just sit out here with you? Maybe help?" He asked.. kind of shyly.
"Of course man. I gotta go grab an extension cord for these amps, and grab my guitar. I'll be back."
Layne nodded, and headed to the crowd.
I set up the extension cord and plugged up my amp and guitar.
"Alright. I'm gonna play something.. you all just listen. If you dont think my guitar style is something you can play or sing to, just hang out inside or something."
A few people nodded so I started to play.
I played a piece I wrote.. where it's slow then speeds up. An alternative sound. I had my distortion on a bit too.
I looked up and everyone was still there.
"Okay. I'll pick the first bassist." I told them.
One by one I kept pulling people. None of them seemed good enough though. It was all bland as hell.
We all turned around as Melinda and Mike Starr pulled up to the house.
"Sean's inside!" I yelled.
Melinda ran up to me. "Mike's here for your guys' little band thingy. Let him down easy if he's shit." She laughed, then ran inside to find Sean.
"You guys still doing this?" Mike said, hauling over his bass and an amp.
I shrugged. "You're the last bassist."
"Cool man."
Mike set up. I played my guitar piece, then let him play bass to it.
Holy shit he's good.
"Alright. Bass people, were done here you can go fuck around inside."
They all yelled and ran inside to the party.
I turned around and saw Layne just hiding behind me. Like a little kid almost- which I didn't understand considering he's on stage in front of people all the time.
I went through all the people and again, none really caught my attention.
I turned around to Layne. "You should sing."
"But- I'm already in a band." He said.
"So? Show these guys how it's done." I grabbed his shoulder. "But real singing. Not talking singing."
Layne lightly shook his head. "I've never actually sang in front of this many people."
"I'll tell them to run inside then. Just me and you out here."
"I-I guess so."
I turned around and told them they could all go inside.
Once they left, I grabbed laynes hand and pulled him in front of me. "Sing something."
"Like what?" He asked.
"Take one of your songs, but SING sing it."
Layne closed his eyes and sang.
It was the best damn voice I've ever heard. It was gravelly.. and deep.. and fucking good.
When he stopped and opened his eyes, I stood in front of him.
"Layne.. that was so good. You should join my band."
"But I'm already in one."
"Fuck..that's right."
I sat back down and ran my fingers through my hair. I had a bassist- I think- but no lead singer.
"Can I.. hear you play again?" He asked.
"How long have you been in a band?" I asked.
"Since I was 17."
"So just this year?"
He nodded.
"How many guitarists have you been around?"
"Not many."
"How good are they?"
He shrugged. "Well I think you're the best I've heard."
That's why he wanted to hear it again.
I started playing again, and Layne sat in front of me in the grass. Like little kids do to teachers when they read them books.
"I've never seen anyone play like that." He said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well normally-" He put his hands up, mimicking someone playing guitar. "Normally it's just strum strum, moves their hand down, strum strum. But you- do all these things with moving your fingers and doing things with certain strings. It's cool to watch."
"Oh." I thought I'd amuse the kid by playing again.
Halfway through Stone came stumbling outside.
It must've been too dark for him to see Layne. Either that or he was too drunk to care.
"Theres weed inside." He said, as he sat close beside me.
"I'll be in, in a second." I told him, setting my guitar aside.
Stone took a drag from his pipe, then put our mouths together so he could blow the smoke into my mouth.
"I'll head inside." Layne said.
"Layne I-" I tried to move Stone for a second but he wouldn't budge. I guess I didn't care to move him too much either.
Stone and I kissed- now alone outside. I pushed my jacket off, and I grabbed at his sides.
I felt his hands tug at my pants button, so I got up.
"Not out here." I told him.
"So well go inside." Stone suggested.
"I gotta go find Layne ok? Later." I handed Stone his pipe, and ran in to find Layne.
I found Sean and asked where Layne went. "In the bathroom or something."
I knocked on the bathroom door. "Layne?"
"Yeah?" I heard him yell back, in a sad tone.
"You..good?"
Nothing.
"Hey I left something in there. If you're decent I'll come and get it."
I heard the toilet flush, and the sink start to run. "Yeah." He yelled.
I opened the door and shut it behind me. "I didn't need anything. You okay?"
He lightly nodded. "I think I'm gonna just go home."
"Layne- I'm sorry Stone came out of no where and interrupted us. Sorry if two guys fucking kissing grossed you out."
"Its okay. I'm just gonna head home I think."
"I'll walk you."
Layne just shrugged.
I walked with him outside, and grabbed my jacket off the ground, and put my guitar strap around my shoulder.
I started to lightly play as we walked.
"You can play and walk at the same time?" He asked. Almost amused.
"Yeah. It wont sound as good without my amp but- you asked to hear me play more and I owe it to you to play more."
Layne smiled, and hung his head low, as we walked to the Music Bank.
I waved bye, and started to walk off.
"Hey-" Layne called out. "You wanna.. hang out for a bit? Like tonight?"
I shrugged. "Stones probably looking for me. But whatever- sure man."
Layne nodded and led me inside to his small apartment.