The next morning, everyone was up and out to get to the stadium for sound check. When we got there, the Star Fly guys were hanging around, including Matty. We were all formally introduced, and I sat with Matty in the first row to watch the guys go through their checks. He looked particularly nice in a flowing blouse, tight jeans, and Doc Martens. His cheeks were a little pink, and I wasn’t sure if it was from being in the wind, the sun, or if it was makeup. Either way, it made him appear fresh.
Pierce went through some vocals, while all the guitarists did their piece, and Randy pounded on every surface he had available. Finally satisfied, they prepared to run through a song or two. The first one wasHouse and Home, of course. When they finished, all the Star Fly guys stood and clapped, and Matty and I joined them.
“Thank you. Thanks.” Pierce motioned for them to come out on stage. “Come play something with us. What do you know?”
“Fuck!” Drake drawled as he headed for Pierce. “Let’s do Midnight Hunt’sOne About Fighting. Everybody fucking knows that classic. Right?”
“Hell, yeah. Let’s do it.”
Of course, there wasn’t enough room on the stage for everyone, especially the drums. So Star Fly’s drummer, Gonzo, along with the bassist, who went by Tank, stood to the side. They grabbed an extra mic to share. Matty handed his guitar over to Finn and stood with Gonzo and Tank. With everyone situated, they started playing, and everyone else headbanged and did the air guitar thing. Pierce and Drake sang together.
It happens more than I like
It's a whirlwind of spitfire
Fucking hell it’s another fight
Trippin’ your last nerve
You’re pushing the worst button
Words cut like knives
We hurt each other, like no other
And I just have to leave
Because I can’t hit you
And you wont touch me
Fist to fist
Everyone on stage sang the chorus together, and it was surprisingly very good.
This is the one about fighting
This is the one where I walk away
This is the one where you refuse to stay
This is the one
This is the one
By the time they finished the rest of the song, the Midnight Hunt guys had shown up. Miami jumped on stage and did the screaming parts while everyone else joined the chorus. When they finished, Matty and I stood on the chairs and clapped and hooted, along with all the roadies and technicians around.
Wolf patted the air, asking everyone to be quiet. “That was killer. Want to do that during the show tonight?”
At first, everyone seemed stunned, but Jinx spoke up. “It’d be a great way to introduce them. You can do it last, and we’ll come out at the end like this, too. The fans will go batshit crazy.”
It didn’t take any more discussion for everyone to get on board. They moved on to talking about logistics and once it was ironed out, they moved off the stage for the roadies and techs to take over, while everyone else headed to the dressing rooms to wait for the show.
Everything worked out well for the show, and they were not wrong about the reception they got for it. No one knew who the fuck Star Fly were. Not yet. But they would with Midnight Hunt backing them, and performances like they put on.
After the show, we went back to the hotel. I unlocked our door and pushed it open. “Good show, Kay. Want to call Daddy and tell him about it?”
“Yes. Cool. Let me shower first.”
