WE SHOWED UP ON time, but of course everything took twice as long as it should have. Because there were five bands to get on and off in a couple hours, everyone had to use the same basic setup. Drums, amps, mikes. This was a pain, because we weren't used to the gear. But those were the rules.
They said we'd have a sound check. That was a joke. We stood on the stage for about five minutes before the sound man even noticed us there. And when we asked questions or said the levels in the monitors were too low, he didn't even bother to answer.
So it was looking pretty grizzly as the doors opened for the crowd. I was hoping nobody would show up. Then at least we wouldn't look like wanks in front of the whole world. No such luck. Some of the other bands had a pretty good following. And by the time things got rolling, the place was packed.
From where we were hiding, off to the side of the stage, Waterstreet looked even bigger than before. Hundreds and hundreds of kids were all milling around. Shouts, screams, laughter, arguments, greetings, and just plain talking. Even without the bands playing, it was way loud.
I didn't have butterflies in my stomach. It was more like a swarm of sharks churning around. My palms were sweaty. My legs were weak. And we weren't even on yet.
"Look," Relly said. "No matter what happens, we're still the best. Right? Doesn't matter what this crowd thinks. If they like us, fine. If they don't, that's fine too. We're still the best."
Jerod was all hyped up, and I guess he'd never looked better. Maybe being nervous was a good thing. He was practically glowing with excitement, talking about nothing, doing high-fives, kind of jumping around and dancing. Butt was silent. He kept looking at me as though he thought I was the weak link and if we messed up, the whole disaster would be my fault. Relly stroked his fingers over the fretboard of his Strat, like he was trying to calm the guitar down.
Then the first band went on. The crowd was screaming already. And I knew I didn't have long before it all was over.
It was impossible, at least for me, to really listen to the first band. I mean I heard them. I knew they were playing. But I was so nervous I couldn't pay any attention.
I guess they were all right. The crowd seemed to like them. But nobody really listens to the opening act.
They did their last tune, which sounded to me like a retread of Sabbath's "Paranoid." And then we were on.