Pass Fail

Last night was the test—to see if elevenfold was headed anywhere other than the dumpster. The three of us met in Keith’s basement and enjoyed refreshments, got comfy and started up, reminiscent of the rebirth of Spinal Tap.

But this time Josh wasn’t playing bass. He sang.

Almost immediately something felt different, better. Something began to click. Foremost, Keith and I were on. He’s been jamming with another group, and has pared down The Mighty Set to core drums and cymbals.

Tasty.

Working though instrumental rhythms, Josh just began belting out stuff. We jumped to trickier progressions. He kept with it.

He never once stood silent or just “grooving”. Something was always coming out. It was amazing. That’s when we all knew—we had something.

Through seven, eight, even nine potential songs, we kept at it. As long as I kept riffing them out, we kept going. Four hours straight. So much so that it inspired Josh to break out a G.K.Chesterson poem he’d been trying to put to music.

It fit with a tune. That was one of those moments where, afterward, we all just laughed—a part disbelief, part amazed, part crazed kind of laugh. This could actually work. Why hadn’t we tried it before?

Last night was the test. And I think we have a shot at something. Maybe nothing pro, but rocking is rocking, and we can do that.

The tentative plan is to acquire some recording software (by way of local musician friends, Matt, Mr. Bass) and get a demo started soon then book a couple gigs where we invite a Mr. Markland to attend.

I’m excited here. Incredibly excited. Haven’t stopped thinking about it.