#i just have a thing for bass players ok

[rammingthestein]

Oliver Riedel playing with Rammstein at Hell and Heaven Fest, Mexico, during Rammstein's 2016 festival tour © Ortiz Borbolla for Vice.com

[you-are-constance]

how was the great gatsby musical?

overall, one of my favorite theatre experiences. to the level that i have been looping the cast recording nonstop since it came out last week

i do have a lot of specific points that i could talk So Long about with this show, most of which i'll put under a read more, but first: casting

anyway. spoilers for the great gatsby musical (things that were changed from the book for the production)

the 'main four' being Jeremy Jordan, Noah J Ricketts, Eva Noblezada, and Samantha Pauly, were all absolutely incredible. show stopping in their own ways. i was genuinely so scared that when i saw it that any of these 4 wouldn't be on, but i got so lucky and all of them were!! i am 100% convinced that many of the songs were written just to showcase certain actors voices (jeremy jordan).

let me tell you. getting to see jeremy jordan and eva noblezada live was unlike anything i've ever seen before. i was like. genuinely honored to be there. their stage presence, their voices, their acting ability, oh man... and Samantha Pauly was just incredible, and her big number was so. show stopping. Noah J. Ricketts was amazing the whole time, but his emotion in finale as he was saying the lines that are basically quoted exactly from the book... yeah i cried.

but so many other actors were also so amazing! John Zdrojeski as Tom was so good at the role, because Tom really was genuinely awful, but not in like an evil villain way, because he's much more realistic than that. i also find that a lot of times Tom is kinda seen as stupid or whatever for not noticing a lot of things going around him but in the musical he really like. could tell what was going on. and he worked his way into finding out secrets (kinda more on this later bc of my favorite song)

another main this was just. the design. Linda Cho costumes MY BELOVED im so glad she won the tony because this show DESERVED IT. it was definitely a glorified image of what those 1920s outfits would actually be, but most musical theatre isn't meant to be an exact replica of history, it's meant to dramatize it, and Linda Cho understands the assignment when it comes to costumes. the lighting and scenic design were also just incredible, especially their use of the green light shining from across the bay...

the show started out with Gatsby onstage, reaching for the green light. a set piece is moved across the stage, passing in front of him, Nick standing where Gatsby was. within that moment i was like "if they don't end the show with Nick standing there, the set piece passing in front, and leaving Gatsby behind, reaching for the green light, then what is the POINT" and then they DID and it was just as great as i'd imagined.

there were definitely changes to the story to adapt it to the stage, which i actually enjoyed (i've read the book, but didn't love it mostly due to a bad experience with reading it in school so. yeah). it is kinda more romance-centric in the first act, which i have heard people complain about, but i kinda see reasoning for it. yes, the first act is very much centered around the various relationships (especially the romantic ones), and in the second act, while certain characters (mostly gatsby) try to keep it centered on the romance, there is a much bigger, darker story going on all around them. so i really liked that meta perspective of it.

they also gave a lot more character to mr wilson (idr his first name), effectively intertwining him with both Gatsby and Wolfsheim as he, from the very beginning, plans to move him and Myrtle away from the city (its been a hot sec since i read the book, so idr if that's there but i don't think it is).

the relationship between Nick and Jordan is also taken a lot further in the musical, to the point where they are engaged, but after Myrtle's death, it gets broken off. this is because, in this version, Jordan ends up lumped in with both Tom and Daisy, in with the old money. throughout most of the show she is much more aware of society and doesn't want any part of what her role 'should' be, but when things go south, she is just as quick as the others to abandon what's 'right' in favor of what's better for her. and ik some people might not like that change but i actually did.

Myrtles character is also taken a lot further in this, which i find really fascinating. she is given her own big number right before her death as she tried to go after Tom, saying that he'll leave Daisy and marry her instead, but then she realizes she'll become just like Daisy in that situation, and the only choice is 'love or money.' she eventually decides that she wants to go back to her husband, and the moment she turns back, she is killed. this was Such a big number and, looking back, might be one of my favorites story-wise.

while i absolutely adored most everything, genuinely, the music was by far my favorite part (besides maybe jeremy jordan and eva noblezada...) a personal thing for me was that Every. Single. Song. has SUCH a good bassline. man i need the sheet music for this show. (side note: i got to talk to the show's bass player for a few minutes after the show! i was super nervous about it but im glad i did. he was super nice)

there's def a mix of more modern showtune styles, along with bringing in a lot of jazzy elements, which was GREAT. i love jazz. like i mentioned before, certain songs were definitely written for actor's voices (Past is Catching Up to Me) which is absolutely not a bad thing because they were AMAZING

two of my favorite songs were 'Only Tea' and 'Made to Last.'

only tea is when Gatsby is stressing about Daisy coming over for tea. this was hilarious. I kid you not jeremy jordan jumped a fence at the end. it was iconic. (you can Feel the nerves in just the cast recording alone).

made to last takes place in the scene in the Plaza. it's mostly Tom, revealing the secrets he learned about how Gatsby got his fortune, then Gatsby trying to get Daisy to tell Tom she doesn't love him. there are So Many Good lines in this song (everyone kinda drags Tom a lot its great) but this is where the characterization of Tom was really just. top notch. because he really is freaking Awful. but he's also smart and not going to let go of what he owns (not good that he considers Daisy a possession though...), and he knows exactly what is going to happen to Gatsby--he's not Made to Last.

(also the song Shady is iconic. spinny tailcoats)

another just. singular line that i need to draw attention to, sung by mr wilson (he has multiple songs directed to the Eyes of God), and this line is right when he decides to go after Gatsby. "God sees everything but he's slow on his commands/You've got the eyes of God, Doc/Who's gonna be his hands?"

(this line is reprised in the middle of Gatsby's song right before the gun goes off. fun fact)

i'm sure there are So Many Other Things i could talk about (i s2g i could write 13 essays about this show) but in general like. while it wasn't groundbreaking to the theatre, it was still Such a good show and absolutely deserves better yknow. attention then it's getting. like jeremy jordan is here for a Reason this is a Good show. and mostly this is my begging people to listen to the cast recoding because its SO GOOD.

anyway. if anyone has questions about specific things i am So Happy to talk but here's a lot of my more general thoughts... (god i haven't even Talked about Eric Anderson as Wolfsheim...)

[chubbygaysunite]

HELLO i have just realized that john doe has arthur’s left hand (i hope. im not fact-checking this im too tired) and i just want a world where john CAN play the fiddle (fastest fingering in the west) and WILL play devil went down to georgia but only after yelling at arthur to stop holding the bow wrong

[d0g0r0t]

Random Band!Mizu hc

Her Bass

This bitch plays bass change my mind

She played acoustic guitar first but liked the way electric bass sounded more

Her bass was a hammy down from Eiji

He taught her a little but told her "if you do not learn from your mistakes, you have learned nothing" and left her to it

She started when she was 14 and the first day she played after 15 minutes she yelled "I GIVE UP!"

Then the next day she played again

Then did the same thing

Over time she got really good at it but she played differently then others because she had no help involved and learned what was best for her

She snapped one of her strings once and thought she broke the whole thing. She didn't even know they COULD break

She ran to Eiji having a whole break down and he just laugh

She got it fixed and felt like a dumbass

Her bass is this matt navy blue color and has a Japanese wave design strap.

Reference ⬇️⬇️⬇️

The Band

She joined after meeting Ringo. He saw her bass in the corner of her room and bombarded her with questions and if she would join his band. She was anxious but said sure

But her first practice when she saw Taigen she wanted to break her bass over his fat ass forehead

Taigen is lead guitar

Ringo is lead drummer and side singer

Akemi is lead singer and plays the piano in some songs

First practice she spent it learning from Taigen which was super fun to watch

"So then it's a E string-" "Taigen for the last fucking time I play bass you idiot" "WELL I DONT OK GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK!"

Akemi record so many fights between them its insane. She could ruin both their careers if she wanted to

She HATES being in the spotlight and thank God Akemi and Taigen take it.

She never liked being seen and normal stands near Ringo, away from the light.

And yet people still make edits of her

First time they played was for one of Akemis friends, birthday

Taigen got drunk before hand and almost ruined everything but some how it went well

Mizu dragged his shit after

Band members

Ringo

He has special prosthetics for his drum sticks so he can easily snap them in. He uses thicker drum sticks so they fit better

His drums are a mix of things friends gave him and his first drum kit. He likes the different colors of his drums, he uses the symbols from his first kit because he likes the sound more then new symbols

Akemi

She plays a shit ton of things that her father wanted her to play, but when she was alone she learned she could sing

Her dad HATES that she's in a band that isn't basic. But Suki always supports her

She has a more higher pitch voice a bit like younger Billie Eilish but she sings like Lacey Sturm from flyleaf ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Taigen

He learned on acoustic first like mizu but he stuck to it

He started playing when he was 12 after finding his grandpa's old guitar in his garage and kept it ever since

Although he prefers acoustic, he plays electric for the band

His acoustic is this basic beaten tan colored guitar with old strings and a basic strap

His electric is this gorgeous shiny sage green color with a dark green strap

Reference ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I disappeared again guys mb

Also if you guys want a bass player! Mizu x reader just ask and we'll see what happens 👍

[ssho197]

my favourite things about xiao

i bought 2 sets of seth’s random xiao photo cards i’m excited

contents: slight slight nsfw? actually it’s not that slight but it’s not like FULL ON GRAHHHHH,, different au xiaos (modern au, idol au, high school au and also an au where he plays guitar)

i like to think about guitar player xiao, idk abt anyone else but people playing electric guitar is just so god damn attractive ESPCIALLY BASS GUITAR GOD FUCKJNG DAMMN i rlly like the way the bass sounds but i like to imagine guitar player xiao bc i wonder what those fingers could do..

i really like xiaos tattoos, this is kinda weird but if someone had xiao’s tattoo that would make them so much more attractive to me idk but i think that’s just me (i drew xiaos tattoo on one of my friends’ arm, image under the cut)

adding onto xiao’s tattoos i really like the one on his waist or lower stomach!! i feel like i’m being edged everytime i see fanart of it but they don’t show the tattoo any lower than his waist and i’m just frothing at the mouth but yea i really wanna see how low the tat goes GIGGLES SO HARD HDBDXJXJXJXJ

i like xiaos waist in general bc i really want to hold his waist if he were to hug me (or if he were to do smth else) i just like to see men small waist

i really like idol xiao but i just like to think about having the attention from the media of like, “oh my god!! who is this mysterious partner seen with the famous idol xiao??” i would like to see some angst between modern au idol xiao and his partner (aka me or aka us or aka y/n or reader)

i like to think about xiaos clothes and his shirt in game, i’ve seen so much about whether it’s a sheer shirt or if the “tattoo” on his lower waist is actually just a design on his shirt or not. i’m not sure which one i like more tbh

sometimes i think about delinquent xiao. skateboarding after school at the local abandoned skatepark, one of which we just happen to stumble across and use it as a hideout, where we meet xiao and blah blah blah whatever happens after that (idk why i associated skateboarding w delinquent xiao maybe this should be skater xiao instead)

i wanna do one more slight nsfw para but idk what to write it abt…………. i don’t want to do all the basic stuff like weiner size or fav position so imma brainstorm OK BACK right so he wouldn’t be very educated on IT right? so you’d have to be top for the first couple times before he understands it,, yes yes ik i’d rather have dom xiao too smh…..

i like xiaos quiet personality. i think i have a thing for quiet guys sometimes. i just like how they neither frown nor smile but when they smile, it’s when they’re with someone they truely care about. and i see xiao being like this. of course it’s not a huge teeth-bearing-ear-to-ear smile but more like a small chuckle or small smile that you catch out of the corner of your eye, this just makes your smile even brighter and you feel much more cheerful knowing that you’re the reason he smiled. (i really wish i had a relationship like this you don’t understand.)

[guujikaroko]

PLEASE go on about genshin characters and instruments and genres 🙏🙏 Totally agree with your Sumeru 4 headcanons! Like as much as I like kpop, I can’t see them being a kpop group

Ok, fine, just because you asked (<- really wanted to do that for a while anyway)!

Since there's so many characters, I'll only do some this round with a little explanation.

Lumine: she's a jazz clarinet! Clarinets have this airy, whimsical sound that just screams "Lumine" to me, but it's specifically in a jazz contest that it reminds me of her. Since I default to Traveler Lumine, I imagine her being a star in ascension in the jazz world, always busking and playing with other famous jazz musicians and befriending them.

Aether: a classical clarinet. I envision the twins mastering the same instrument but going off to build their music careers in different genres. Clarinet in classical music also has an airy quality to it (is the instrument's nature, after all), but the "mood" is noticeably different from a clarinet in jazz music.

Venti: he's pretty much the creator of Mondstadtian music, so he probably knows everything medieval under the sun. But he isn't one to stay complacent either, so along with classical harp, he'd also play the accordion, with is vital for European folk music! I'm sure he's proficient with a ton more instruments.

Diluc: classical violinist. Do you ever look at this man? His face screams "I hate Paganini for what he did to my fingers". Damn near a virtuoso too.

Zhongli: he's not an expert in Liyuese culture, he IS Liyuese culture. I can only give him the erhu. He had all the time in the world to master every piece of traditional music possible and I'm sure he'd be a living legend in the orchestras of today. That being said, he loves trying new things, so I bet he'd dabble on things like jazz erhu too.

Childe: he looks like an electric bass player to me. Now, what genre does he play in is the question... I'm staying with funk for now, but it's subject to change. He does look like he'd dance a lot while playing too.

Ei: she's been disconnected from her people for a LONG while, so I wouldn't be surprised if she only knows gagaku (traditional Japanese music). With that in mind, I'd choose the koto for her.

Itto: unemployment be damned, my boy can play some drums! It's so easy to imagine the whole Arataki gang getting ready to work on a taiko ensemble. But I think Itto would like to try some drum kit too.

Nahida: while the image of her holding a big-ass citar would be hilarious, I think she'd actually be a tabla player. You know what they say about percussion being the backbone of music; Nahida's reliable like that.

Wanderer: Mr. Kabuki over there could have played gagaku in the old days, but I actually think he was more of a singer instead. And, after the Sumeru Archon Quest, he could have picked up traditional forms of Indian singing too. In general, I'll always associate his musicality with theater.

Furina: also a singer. Originally an opera singer, grew tired and overwhelmed by her career and then retired. I think she's a jazz soloist these days, but she doesn't really make a career out of it anymore.

Neuvillette: a very talented cellist, but I think it's more of a pastime for him than an actual career. Otherwise, I can see him as a superb orchestra conductor.

[lexxthekapibara]

Tell me about your empires smp au

Ok so. Since no one is answering my question about Art Fight, I have time to answer. So everyone originally knew each other from elementary school, but things got a little more complicated in high school. Scott, Gem, Pearl, Sausage, Fehip, Pix, Jimi, Lizzy, Joel stayed together in the group but Kathren, Shelby AND Joey were in a small group by themselves with Kathren sometimes going to the group I mentioned earlier while Xornoth joined the popular kids. Now I want to say these kids didn't offend anyone they were just very popular don't ask me why. Then blablabla Joey liked Xornoth but he was too much of a pussy to ask him aut. Now, a few years later, they are all grown up. Gem, Fwhip, Sausage and Pearl started a band, Scott and Jimmy started a flower shop together, Lizzy and Joel are married with two kids, Pix is a doctor and Xornoth just lives a normal life too. Now Joey, Shelby and Kathren are also slowly band together but you see there is one thing. THEY ARE VERY POPULAR. They tour regularly, everyone on planet earth knows them, the point is they are very popular. Joey is the lead singer and guitarist Shelby is on drums and Kathren is the bass player. And this is how Xornoth simply lives his life and goes home to rest. You remember how I said that everyone on the planet knows about Joey Shelby and Kathren and he doesn't know about them. But that very day they were on television and that's when he found out about them. And they immediately recognized them and were delighted. They have been their biggest fan ever since. And after one tour, they went to a cafe when they saw the band resting after a long night of playing and singing. And it's great that they remember them and talk a little.In that story, they found out that Shelby and Kathren are engaged, they're still friends with Gem, Fwhip, Sausage, and Pearl, and a lot of other stuff. But that's not the point, the point is that Xornoth still likes Joey and that's become a problem now. And then it just becomes that thing like "he fell first but she fell harder" if you know what I'm talking about. Scott and Joel think it's hilarious, Lizzy gives them advice, Pix moved to another state, Gem, Fhwip, Sausage, Pearl try to set them up. Now that's Xornoths side, Joey's side is how he tries to separate his personal life from his work but it's hard because he's a star and he's going through a very difficult time while it's happening and he's under a lot of stress

[kxvbzs]

Inazuma Eleven Bad Boy Band AU (both OG and AresOri)

So I wanted to make a rock boy band (technically we do have one B4 from OG) BUT I WANTED TO INCLUDE Haizaki, Hiroto and Atsuya into the band so, I was like, ok, what if I mix both B4 and the three of them?

Now that's a lot of members for a band but like, hear me out. It CAN work out okay?

This would be their roles:

Tsunami as their main singer! The reason why I made Tsunami as their main singer is probably due to personality wise, I think he just suits it. Also voice wise, I think he can go absolutely crazy with it.

Next, Fudou as a guitarist and back-up vocals! He's definitely a guitarist, I can't see him play any other instruments but guitar. He likely started out with acoustic guitar then later on switched to electric guitar. He sometimes plays as the rhythm guitarist but other times would be lead depending on the song.

Haizaki is also a guitarist and back-up vocals! So, both Fudou and Haizaki will take turns who play rhythm and who plays lead. Whoever from the two plays rhythm will be the back-up vocal for Tsunami! (This makes it fair because rhythm is easier than lead.)

Okay, next up, Someoka as the drummer! I think he would go balls on drums, I dunno. He looks like the type to go unhinged with the drums especially if the song goes really hardcore.

Tobitaka as the keyboardist and very occassionally back-up vocals! I have a headcanon that he used to play piano at some point (has a keyboard than a piano at home because pianos are expensive asf) but got bored of playing classical so he learned other songs and were into that instead.

Hiroto as the bassist! Okay, you might think that he's probably a guitarist, yeah, I did too. But look, imagine first year middle school Hiroto wanting to get an electric guitar but saw a video of someone absolutely SHREDDING on the bass with crazy pop and slap, he then changed his mind and decided to learn bass so he can slap and pop to his heart content.

Lastly, Atsuya as the synthesizer player and I forgot to mention, sometimes he does back-up vocals! Okay, Kai, what the heck is the difference between keyboard and synthesizer? For that, it is best to watch a video on the difference because they are in fact, very much different. Okay, so, how is Atsuya the synth player here? Similar to Tobitaka, he probably learned the piano when he was younger but hated it because it's boring. So when he found out what a synthesizer was, he decided to get that and learn it, making his own sounds and songs from it. Also recreating some instrumental he likes. (I hc he likes EDM.)

So, with all these information combined, who's the song/lyric-writer? Okay, crazy shit here but it's Nagumo! He's probably a soundcloud rapper or something but enjoys writing songs and lyrics for fun (and can think of it on spot because you know, freestyle rapping.) He definitely helps the band's instrument arrangements and lyrics to an extent so, sometimes in their songs, you can see they credited Nagumo there. (Nagumo and Suzuno definitely are a duo lol but Suzuno is a vocalist instead.)

Okay last, Nishikage as their band manager! I think he suits it the most? Probably the most responsible deliquent from all of them so, it makes sense for them to have him as their manager.

Would this end up as a Idol/Band AU for the whole cast, MAYBE! Will I write a fanfic about this? ALSO MAYBE.

I brainrotted too hard for this lmfao kms. Also, I don't know what their band name would be this time but maybe something like Øverdxse is cool :P

Also, their songs would definitely mainly be metal or punk rock! But occassionally they might do some alternative rock, pop rock and synth or keyboard heavy rock songs (ballad rock even!)

This whole thing is inspired. I took inspiration from a K-rock band, Xdinary Heroes. Please listen to them, their songs suit this band so bad, you don't understand...

Anyways, THANKS FOR READING MY RAMBLING THIS FAR!!!! YOU'RE CRAZY IF YOU DID BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH ^^

[chemicallady]

I LOVE YOU TO DEATH BUT I'M DROWING

Part 1; Part 2

Couple: noah sebastian x fem!reader

Content Warning: sex, bondage/shibari content, oral sex (fem receiver), male masturbation.

Taglist: @lilhobgobbler ; @aprosiacperson

Summary:  you will find out that maybe you don't want to face the consequences of your decisions.

A/N: as always, I want to remark that I don't know Noah Sebastian and this is a 100% work of fiction! I'm not really good in writing smut, but i hope this is at least decent. I'm not into bondage or shibari so I took some time to read about. According to the math I did, this series should be 6 chapter long! Enjoy this chapter and be aware that my chat is always open to talk with you!

Enjoy

《 In Japan, the act of binding is part of the daily routine. Traditional clothes dont have zippers or buttons; the sacred areas of temples is outlined with ropes. The katana's handle is made with a ribbon tied and woven.》

It's surprising how talkative Noan can be when the topic is something he's into. Usually he'd rather spend his spare time during tour working on the next gig. Apparently, today he is more confortable in spending time with you.

He sits on the edge of the bed of the room he should share with Nicholas, but the bass player is nowhere to be found. And that's a good thing because you're undressing. Slowly, as he has asked you a couple of minutes early.

You have no idea of what is going on precisely, but Noah swore that it's not gonna be painful in any way.

《 Have you learnt how to do the knots by yourself?》 You ask, unbutton your jeans and taking them off, along with the tshirt you were wearing. He doesnt bother to answer and this is an habit of him that you can bearly tollerate. Without complaing - it'd useless with Noah- you sit next to him on the bed, only in your panties and bra. You obliged his request and chose something red and now you're noticing that is also the color of the ropes he is sliding in his hands. You can only bite your bottom lip and wait for something. Anything. But Noah seems to be hesitant, looking far from you. Immidiatly, you feel that something is off and the only way out is to open your mounth and say something stupid.

《 Do I have to sign a conctact now, Mr Grey, or we can be good with a word of mouth?》

He chuckles softly, like it's hard for him to keep the mask on and be that serious. 《 This is between us》 , he remarks, grabbing your hand on your left thigh. You squeeze it a bit, before inhale deeply. 《 No need to be so tense. We're going to start with something 'easy', today. If you are going to like it, we can continue.... another day with something rougher.》

《 So you're not gonna hang me to the ceiling like a chandeleer?》 , you pretend to be disappointed while you smile almost shyly to him. 《 Do you want me to fully undress ?》

《 No, it's not necessary.》

Someway, somehow, you feel a little relieved. Not the you feel ashamed in being naked in front of him after what you guys have already done. But the room is quiet, the light is on and bright and he can see you for real, now. Without a mirror in a dark room. He can actually see all of you and he seems pleased. You can feel his eyes caressing every exposed inch of your skin. All you want now is to put your hands on him and take away his clothes as well, but your guts are telling you it's not a good idea. He have never said something about what you're allowed to do and what you're not, but since you have no idea of what to do at all, he can take the full lead. Something is telling you that he likes it that way. Even during your rendezvous he was always in control, moving you like a doll while he was fucking you.

Honestly, you also like it this way.

《 Do I have to pick up a safe word?》

Noah rise up, asking you silently to do the same, taking his hand. 《 Do you believe you will need one?》 , he asks just a bit amused, while he's guiding you in the middle of the room. 《 All of this is based on trust, (y/n). If you don't feel okay with the game, we should stop before you get hurt.》

《 You told me it's safe, are you a liar in your own game??》. You don't want to stop. Not now that he is close to you. Not now that his eyes are hypnotizing you. You almost feel the hurge of being touch by these hands, by his lips....

There is nothing you've ever desired more.

《 I'm, sometimes. A liar.》 , he answers. 《 But I'm really serious now. You don't need a safe word because you can just ask me to stop anytime. It's not gonna be chaotic and I'm gonna turn into an animal. We can go slow or fast, as you feel confortable. 》 You nod, but he immediatly scrolls you. 《 I need you to tell me you got it.》

《 I got it, Noah 》 , you speak up. It's really weird the way he's taking the situatuon serious.

《 Turn around, then 》.

You oblige the first command and a rope fall on your chest, passing under your arm, around you till the tailbone. Another one follows and Noah is quick in braiding them around your collarbone. Your neck is free from any bond and it gives you a nice feeling. Noah works around you keeping the focus on your body for minutes and minutes while you try to stay still, switch the weight from one foot to the other with slow moves. Noah warned you: you must he patient. It takes time. The mirror of the closet gives you a peak of what is going on: the red ropes are now on your chest and back, down to your hips. Noah kneels to close the knots on your thighs and you can feel your arousal increase. The room is eletric now, but also quiet. It's the strangest mix of feeling you have ever experimented: the fascination of the unknow, the constriction of the ropes, the quiet atmosphere, the attention to details. The desire to be fucked to tears. You get what Noah was saying about the pleasure of waiting. It's running under your skin, the desire to be hold in his arms, the feeling of his dick thrusting in you.

But instead you get soft kisses on your lower belly, were the ropes meet the edge of your panties. You can't hold a moan, realising that your hands are still free. You thought, when you agree to all of this, that those will be the first to be tied up. Instead, you can run your fingers on his face softly. You fight the urgency of having more and gently, caress his face, while he looks up to you.

Since he's not complaining, you put your thumb on his lower lip, feeling the tip of his toungue touching your skin lightly.

《 you're so beautiful 》. It's just a whisper, but you cant keep this for yourself. Noah is perfect; every move he makes, every gazes, every touch. Everything is in harmony.

《 this is the first time you're having sex like this, right?》 He askes, bringing his lips on your inner thigh to caress it as well while you're shivering.

《 It's doesnt seem like we are having sex, now.》

《 ... No?》 You feel like you have said the wrong thing. 《 Move your bra to the side, then.》

You frown your forehaed for a second before doing as it asked. You try to pull your bra as much as possible to the side to free your nipples. Just a soft shade of pink colors your cheeks, but youre too pridefull to take a step back. Noah moves his hand on a couple of ropes, the ones who are drawing nice lines on your stomac and in a blink those are touching your nipples. The feeling of your sensible spot teased by red raw ropes makes you jolt.

Noah lowers his head again, placing a kiss on your core, still covered by your -now - soaked panties. You're waiting for a sassy comment from him about how wet You're already, but it didn't come. Noah guides a finger along the line of your fold, making you sight.

《 You cant keep your cool anymore, (y/n)?》 Here we go. You were waiting for him to say something. In an unfair move, he takes away from you any chance of a smart reply. Your panties slides to the side and his mounth is there now, where you have dreamt it to be everynight you were touching yourself thinking about Noah. In the second your back arched, you feel the ropes get tigher on your nipples, creating an addictive friction that makes you moan louder. Your hand run to cover your mouth while Noah is too concentrate in give you pleasure to ask you to be quiet. His eyes are pointed on your face, when his long fingers start to enter in you, searching for the right spot to give you as much pleasure as possible.

He was right, someway, this is a way to make sex. You can feel him all over your body, every inch that is touched by a rope is an extention of Noah's hands, lips, mind. Every knot is meticulously done to recreate a net that helps you to stay in place while he is working on you with that malicious tounge he has. In the moment he reaches you clit you can already feel the warmness of the orgasm agitate your guts. Your hands find their own place; one on his solid shoulder and the other in his hair, that you try so hard to not pull, but when it happens,just pays you back with a moan at the center of your core.

The room is filled with the scent of your sex overstimulated, the sound of your moans and his dancing togheter in the air and the wet of his mouth on you. It doesn't take so much for you to cum, the first time.

Noah decides that he won't let you go before you have reach the peak of pleasure other three times. Collapsed on the bed, you feel like all the strength was eradicated from your shaking body. Noah, on the top of you, is just touching himself. Your eyes never met since he started, but if you were able to put the shame aside, he has too. Your shaking arm lifts and with a caress on his cheek, you ask him to look you in the eyes while his hand gives himself pleasure.

And surprisingly, he oblige this request.

His dark, sharp eyes are glued to yours. Every moan and slight he realises make your legs to shake a bit harder and you feel like your body just turned in a bundle of uncovered nevers.

Your hand traces a rail on his jaw and neck, falling on his chest covered in sweat, under his tank top. Even if he is still fully dressed, with just is erection exposed, you find him perfect.

《 ( y/n) ....》

Your name sounds like music on his lips. He's close, you can tell by the way his body tenses. 《 Come on me, Noah.... 》 you whisper in return, lifting his tank top so you can touch his stomach and sides. Instinctively, you open your legs under him, feeling the ropes tighter on your thighs. And is probably this motion along with your skin red because of the friction that lead Noah to his orgasm. Warm withe stripes of pleasure fall on your belly before Noah decides to kneel between your legs, cleaning his hand on the sheets.

You cant take your eyes off his figure, while he reach his phone on the bed table. 《 can I...?》

His breath is still short while he asks you to be part of his collection. You don't reply immediately. 《 You're not going to show it to the others later, right?》

《 No. This is mine.》

《 Jesus Christ Noah》 you try to hide your face with your hand. 《 Don't say that unless you're going to fuck me, please.》

You surprise him and your cheeks are not the only one to flush. 《 Maybe next time...?》

It's realiving, the fact that in his mind there is a next time. 《Then take the picture.》

After he is done with the phone, he bends on you and for a second, a small second, you hope is for a kiss. But is not. He simply starts to free you from the ropes, caressing the bruises in case any has formed. Then he hands you a tissue to clean yourself.

The placid quiet now turned into an awkward silence.

You start to recollect your clothes, a bit annoyed by the sticky in your panties. You can now leave like nothing happen and face Noah every day with this awkward feeling among the two of you or you can try to do something to solve the problem in the beginning.

《 Noah, I was thinking...》 you say while sitting next to him, putting your shoes on. 《 its past dinner time and I'm hungry... do you wanna go somewhere and grab a bite?》

Two scenarios born in your mind: sassy!Noah telling you that he already eaten enough of you or shy!Noah not speaking at all.

That's the reason why you feel so surprised when Noah nods, replying you that Matt told him about a place 24/7 open nearby the hotel.

Like a perfect normal person.

So this lead to scenarios number 3: no attitude at all.

You're not preparare for this.

You're not prepared to face no consequences for your actions.

You're not prepared for him to be cold.

[the-boney-rolls]

The Great Covid Beatles Binge, Day 2: Give My Regards to Broad Street

Hoo boy, here we go!

OK so we open with a stern/bored looking Paul stuck in traffic in the rain and it looks like he's spacing out... hey, Paul, are you starting to daydream? Paul? Is this whole movie about to be a dream, Paul? Oh god

This silly little car! The computer, the carpet, the pool ball gear shift. It's giving the 80's car version of the Beatles house in Help! It's also giving hyper-masculine in a way that is, I'm sorry, not convincing.

This plot is already deeply inscrutable. Something about some missing tapes, a reformed criminal that Paul knows somehow and trusts for some reason, and some ominous business men. Something bad will happen at midnight if the tapes aren't found. OK!

Ringo looks so cool and hot! That vest over that sick as hell dragon shirt. Yes. This scene is genuinely funny, too -- Ringo spends the entirety of "Here, There and Everywhere" and "Yesterday" searching through his mountains of drum equipment looking for brushes, only to find them too late. Apparently, the reason for this scene is that Ringo just didn't want to re-record old Beatles songs!

And now we have Paul, Ringo, George Martin and Geoff Emerick all together in a scene! Makes me think about how George Harrison apparently was a little miffed Paul didn't just call him to ask for filmmaking advice since it was something he had experience with. What could have been!

“Wanderlust” is such a great song, actually, damn.

“I’m not a bad boy, really. I’m just — er, manipulated” John??

Now this is more like it! Surprise Linda in drag, hell yes!

I don't know why this scene is happening? It's a rehearsal for... something? But I'll take it. I love "Ballroom Dancing" and I love vaudeville Paul.

I'm starting to feel like Paul's grandpa in AHDN, "so far, I've been in a train and a room, and a car and a room, and a room and a room." Did Paul's experience on that set define what a movie is to him? "Ah yes, a movie must include lots of transportation from one location to another and then some musical scenes." But dear, it worked because there were jokes! And all four of you to play off each other.

I.......... what

This is Silly Love Songs, of all things!

Again, I don't know why this scene is happening in the context of the movie. Is it another rehearsal for something? A music video? Television special? Who knows, Yoko! But OK here we go, I sure am having fun! Linda is extremely into it. That slap bass kills. There's a Michael Jackson impersonator for some reason? Sure! It makes no sense but I love this man and his bizarre beautiful mind.

So now we're doing band rehearsal in some kind of barn? Or abandoned warehouse? Or something? All of the plot of this movie seems to happen in dialog in cars en route to some ambiguous musical engagement.

“Do you think we can get some heat in here or are we practicing to be Canadians?” God bless you, Ringo.

“Should we try Not Such a Bad Boy” “Do we have to?” “Yeah” Bossy Paul bosses around a Beatle, we love to see it.

Is this song about him or John? 

The French horn player coming in late to record "For No One," inexplicably in a bright red motorcycle helmet, so late that he’s preparing up until right before the solo starts. Reminds me of that story of Ringo recording Hey Jude. But it also feels very symbolic of something. There are so many odd inscrutable details in this movie, it could almost be Lynchian in someone else's hands.

“We’re running, and running out of time too” It feels meaningful but I don't know how.

Hello Mr. Darcy! Wow, can I have an entire movie that’s just this Victorian dream sequence? Can we go back in time and do a Beatles movie period piece, please??

The strings in this which are inspired by but are not quite "Eleanor Rigby" are lovely. Apparently this whole sequence is called "Eleanor's Dream," which implies that Paul is Eleanor. Make of that what you will, I suppose.

I like that Linda is a pants-wearing photographer in this period scene. Linda's gotta Linda.

This strikes me as very Evil Beatles. Again, make of that what you will.

Barbara and Linda are acting the HELL out of this going over the waterfall scene damn.

I don't know, I could screen grab this entire segment, it's amazing, it's insane.

But I can't gloss over Paul being horny for Ghost Horse Girl Linda. Incredible.

"That’s it you’re finished. What are you gonna do now?" Well ok at least this one is pretty obviously a reference to the critical reception of his career after the Beatles and again after John.

"Uncle Jim" Ok so I guess this is supposed to be his dad, but what is the point of this scene? And why the monkey? The further I get into this film the more I feel like I am looking deep into this man's psyche but through the murkiest of windows. I'm here for the weird dream symbolism, Paul, but if you're gonna go that route, again go full Lynch and get even weirder.

Just the straight up original recording of "Band on the Run" feels out of place with all these re-records. I wonder why that choice.

His car license plate is "PM 1" That's right, baby, you're number 1.

Another little cute but inconsequential day dream (presumably within the dream that is this entire movie). He looks like Roy Orbison here.

Oh ok Harry was just locked in a cupboard this whole time. So the whole "plot" was pointless. Cool cool cool.

Paul and Harry being giddy and laughing together is cute though, and it makes me wish that that relationship was fleshed out more. Who are they to each other, exactly??

Yup it was all a dream. Love it, love that for us. Thanks, Paul.

OK so this was definitely barely a movie. There could have been something here, but I'll go back to what I said above -- I wish he'd gone weirder with the whole thing! And I wish Paul himself had been weirder. The character Paul is kind of a dud, just plodding along from place to place and only coming alive when he performs. It's like that Hawaiian shirt is supposed to be a stand in for characterization. But worth it for the music video scenes and for getting a tiny glimpse into Paul's psyche.

[gooch-cancer]

Steven Meeks x (GN!) Piano Player! Reader

In which: You are a church pianist for the Welton church whose gentle melodies caught the attention of Steven Meeks.

A/N: The demon is still in me unfortunately so I'm currently writing this only a couple of hours after the first chapter. However I have band camp because I for some reason chose bass clarinet over a social life. Anyway that means I'll be too busy to add more chapters consistently, can't thank yall enough for the love on the first chapter:

Chapter 2:

That Wednesday night was all that Steven could think about. It was only about three days ,but to him it might as well have been three years. The light was dim in the dining hall as Steven scarfed down his meal, trying desperately to finish soon so he could go to chapel. His friend Neil furrowed his eyebrows at his friends odd change of behavior, "Everything alright Meeks?" he questioned before putting a spoonful of mashed potatoes in his mouth. Steven wiped his mouth and nodded furiously, "Yeah- yeah everything's fine why wouldn't it be?"

Neil just shook his head and continued eating ,but Charlie butted in, "He's got a crush..." he sung while giggling like a little schoolgirl. Steven choked on his water, his face turning red while coughing profusely. This just made Charlie laugh harder. Neil looked at the two with wide eyes, "Woah wait really? Who is it?" Steven put his hand up the other covering his mouth with a napkin.

He shook his head and cleared his throat, his face still red, "N-no one..." he choked out. Charlie shook his head and turned to Neil, "You remember that person that played piano for chapel this past Sunday?" Neil nodded his head. "Well you would've thought Meeks was seeing Helen of Troy herself the way he looked at them. Isn't that right Pitts?" He nudged Pitts with his elbow and he nodded, confirming Charlie's story.

Neil turned back to Steven, "Meeks you have to talk to them..." Steven looked at him like he'd been struck, "Are you insane?" he shook his head, "I already tried and they for sure thinks I'm just some...I don't even know," Pitts decided to pipe up in response, "Listen,if Knox can somehow get Chris,then you can get the pianist...Carpe Diem Meeks," He pointed at him with his fork to accentuate his point. Steven sighed and put his elbow on the table, resting his head on his hand. He had a dreamy far off look in his eye as he thought about you, how beautiful and graceful you were.

He put his arms back down to his side and his hands on his lap, "Perhaps you're right," he mumbled. Neil clapped his hands together, "Alright, we'll sit in the front to make sure you have a clear view and we'll get out of your hair after service so you can talk to them," Neil prattled off excitedly, he was always happy to help a friend and it certainly helped that he adored romance. The beauty and poetry that comes from such a fickle thing fascinated him. Meeks could see Todd in the corner of his eye admiring Neil whilst he spoke. Steven nodded and smiled, the first time he did since this conversation, "Yeah...yeah I will! I'll talk to them,"

Neil put his hand on Meeks's shoulder, "Good man!" Steven gave a small laugh, Neil always seemed to have that effect on people. The cafeteria was suddenly silent as Mr.Nolan stood up and cleared his throat, "Gentlemen," he called out, "Now is the time for chapel, I expect you all in that building in 5 minutes, you have been dismissed," The group shot Steven various giggles and smiles because they all knew what that meant for him. He straightened his uniform and tightened his tie, "How do I look?" he said to Charlie. Charlie chuckled, "Like the sexiest man alive,"

Steven gave him the biggest grin and sauntered out of the room and into the drafty air of outside. The group followed closely behind him, lost in their own conversations, but he couldn't hear them. He was completely absorbed by you, infatuated even. As they approached the chapel they all squeezed into the very front pew, Steven in the middle between Charlie and Neil. With almost perfect view of the piano, your piano. An almost deja vu hush fell amongst the boys as the headmaster walked in with you beside him. This time you were in more casual clothing, unlike the dressed up outfit from Sunday.

You sat onto the bench again but this time you turned toward the front pew looking straight at him. You smiled and gave him a small wave and he returned the favor. Neil gave Meeks the biggest smile as he nudged his shoulder, but he kept on looking at you a small smile on his bright red face. Mr.Nolan looked at the boys disapproval on his face as he cleared his throat, "Please...I would you like you to turn to page 478, 'Just as I Am," Steven sang lively, his eyes never leaving you as your nimble fingers pranced along the keys. The piano was an old thing, its sound echoey and there was a key broken. You somehow were able to play lovely nonetheless or maybe he was just biased.

As Mr.Nolan spoke, something about the purity of childhood, Neil leaned over and whispered in his ear, "What're you gonna tell them?" Steven looked at him, confused,"I- I have no clue," This was true. It took him so long to gather up confidence that he completely forgot about the second part, actually talking to you. Neil snickered a bit, "Compliment their eyes or their hair, things like that," Steven widened his eyes, "I can't say something like that!," Charlie leaned forward to join in, "No see you gotta ask them questions about themself, people love talking about themselves," Neil frowned for a second but nodded his head, "Charlie actually has a point here-"

Mr.Nolan interrupted, "Gentlemen!" he boomed, all three boys immediately stopped speaking and looked up at him, "Is there something you'd like to share or perhaps you'd like a couple of demerits?" You turned around and looked at them, worry etched on your face. Charlie looked up at him a smile on his face, "Of course Mr.Nolan, my good friend Neil here was just wondering what verse we were at," He looked over at you and wiggled his eyebrows. You put a hand over your mouth to keep from laughing.

Mr.Nolan sighed and shook his head, "It's 1 Corinthians 15:42, Mr.Perry next time please pay better attention," Neil shot Charlie a glare before turning back to Mr.Nolan and nodding, a 'yes sir' on his lips. You turned back to your piano and began to prepare for the next song. Besides that small hiccup, the rest of the sermon was smooth except for Steven's growing pit of despair in his stomach. As the night ended and everyone piled out, the chapel was empty save for you and Meeks. You walked over to him and smiled, sitting beside him on the pew. He looked over at you, "Hello..." his voice was timid. "Hi, you're uh Steven? Right?" you greeted, your beautiful smile never leaving your face. He nodded, "Y-yeah..."

"I heard your voice today," you said initiating the conversation, "you didn't sound bad, are you in the choir?" Steven shook his head ,"Oh um no- no. Welton doesn't have a choir," You tilted your head in confusion, "No?" He shook his head confirming your answer. You hummed in thought, "How odd...does your school not promote the arts at all?" Steven scoffed, "God no...they're obsessed with the mentality of molding young boys into men, we don't even have a band," You laughed at the thought, "Huh, no wonder they needed someone else to play piano. Though I'm sure a lot of you have talent that must be nurtured," Steven perked up at this, his confidence slowly growing, "Yeah! Me and Pitts are building a hi-fi system,"

You raised your eyebrows in surprise, "Oh, that's fascinating that's like a radio right?" He chuckled and adjusted his glasses, "Sort of but really-" He was suddenly cut off by the sound of a throat clearing. You both turned your bodies toward the source of the noise to be met by Mr.Keating. He smiled kindly at the two of you, "Mr.Meeks, I must say this is a surprise to me but you two must leave before Mr.Nolan gets back. I wouldn't want your friend here to get in trouble," He nodded towards you, "I'm sure you're lovely and I'm sorry to ask you to leave,"

You nodded and grabbed your songbook, "Yes sir I'm sorry sir," you repeated like a mantra while heading out, your face heating up from embarrassment. Mr.Keating sighed and walked back toward Steven, putting a hand on his shoulder, "'At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet', can you tell me who said that Mr.Meeks?" Steven looked up at Mr.Keating, a sad expression on his face from missing you, "That was Euripides sir," Keating nodded looking down at him with great pride on his face, "Excellent, I expect great work from you this coming Friday,"

He patted Meeks shoulder and walked out of the Chapel, whistling some old sea shanty.

[serpyserper56]

Alright here we go. This is the introduction post. Am I good at these? No. But here we go anyway.

I'm Serpy! I'm fine with all nicknames on that unless they're not absolutely terrible. I don't mind if you call me by my real name (Jacob) either.

But if you call me Jake, I will block you instantly, joke or not. I absolutely despise being called that and I will not hesitate.

Cleveland Ohio's worst! Save your jokes for later, only in Ohio, I've heard it before.

I'm 16. I'm OK with NSFW jokes and things such as, but if you go any further please warn me. I'm as depraved as you are but consent is great.

If you put a gun to my face and asked me to tell you my biggest hyperfixation, I would say The Black Keys. They're my favorite band, I love them so much, and if we talk for 2 weeks or more I will try my hardest to force them onto you. I love all music in general, aside from country music. I also hate AJR and Machine Gun Kelly. If you like them, I have no problem with you for it. But be wary that I will shit talk them whenever I can lmao. My entire music taste can be found on my last.fm

Speaking of music, I play the drums! I've been a percussionist for 7 years ongoing and I also march bass drum. It's genuinely a blast and I would highly recommend.

I do also play a lot of Splatoon! I'm not good by any means but I've been playing since the first week of Splatoon 1 and I can hold my own against most players (at least I would like to think.) Not on any teams rn but here's my sendou profile.

Object shows are cool as fuck. Tennis Ball and Pillow literally like live in my head. I'm trying to figure that out, but they do. They'll probably get their own blogs soon but I'm lazy af lmao.

I follow all of the big 4 American sports (baseball football basketball and hockey) pretty religiously. All of the teams from Cleveland ofc (or the blue jackets because we don't have a hockey team.) I know more about baseball than the other 3 combined, though, and the Guardians make me explode in every meaning of the word. I can name every single pitcher no hitter since 1978, test me!

I talk so much oh my god. They call me the Conversation Killer (they've never called me that but shhhh.) Be wary of that.

DNI if you meet basic criteria pretty much. If you bother me I'll tell you, and I expect you to do the same. I don't mind if you think I'm the most annoying person of all time, but please tell me instead of doing it behind my back lmao. I have an entire host of problems and trauma in my head that is genuinely too long for this post, but if you must know, contact me here or on my discord (serpyserper56).

Some other important links:

Here's my AO3 (BOOOOOOOOOOOOO HE WRITES FANFICTION)

Here's my Twitter where I mostly just retweet and post random memes.

That's it from me! If you're one of 6 people reading this post, I'll see you around, I suppose.

[stevesxyellowxsweater]

Home

Pairing: genderless!reader x Eddie Munson

cw: none just a cute bit of fluff for a Monday afternoon... oh and shirtless Eddie

summary: Things haven't been going well with yours and Eddie's friendship since you got your new boyfriend. But when you need him, he's there.

author notes: Very short and sweet. Wrote this for a friend a while back when she was having a bad day. It's not as detailed as I'd like but there are possibilities for rewrite or a more detailed part two

Something wasn't right. You and Eddie have been good friends since you were eleven years old. But things had changed when you started dating a bass player from another band. You hadn't noticed the look of betrayal in his eyes when you first brought ‘Ace’ (as Eddie called him), to a Corroded Coffin gig and introduced them to each other. Eddie was less than impressed by the guy who looked almost like James Hetfield of Metallica, but with shorter hair. 

You'd hardly spoken since then, though you'd been so close for so long the introduction of a boyfriend seemed to break you apart. Hellfire was awkward, he didn't wait around for you after. Corroded Coffin gigs and practices he never even bothered to tell you where they'd be. He'd pulled away and you had no real idea why, but what you were certain about was that you missed him. 

You'd spent weeks trying to quell the sadness inside you that you felt from Eddie pulling away, even started sitting at a different table at lunch to give him the space he so clearly needed. It had been almost three months, and you were hardly talking. Every day you'd wish you could talk to him, you'd look at him from across the lunch hall wishing that he'd come and give you the hug you so desperately desired.

You couldn't take it anymore, it was Thursday  night. You couldn't help but feel a rising panic of anxiety inside you, you'd been holding in the tears all day and you just needed him to hold you. To tell you it would be ok, that everything would turn out right. You knew Eddie, and you knew that he'd not push you for what was bothering you, he never did not until you were ready to talk. It was one of the things you loved most about him, he always waited until you were ready there was never any pressure.

Standing at the door to his trailer, you knocked gently. Your heart pounding heavily, you felt almost like you couldn't breathe. The door opened and you were ready to pounce, but it was Wayne so you held yourself back. Looking at him you smiled weakly. “I'm just off to work, It's good to see you though.” He said before stepping onto the trailer so you could go inside. “Eddie, visitor!” It was too late to turn back now, he knew you were here.

“I'll be right out.” There was his voice, his beautiful soothing voice. You stood, picking at your nail beds trying to calm yourself down until he stepped out of his room. Shirtless, hair wet and being dried off with a towel in his hand. “Hey…” he said gently the moment he saw you. You stared at him for a moment, it felt like the longest moment in eternity before you rushed over and buried your head in his chest.

Eddie had dropped the towel as you ran over, he held you close and kissed you on the head as he pulled you back into his life. “It's okay princess, I got you.” He whispered. “I got you.” He whispered as he squeezed you gently, not planning to let you go for the night. You closed your eyes as you took in his scent, something was so calming about it you couldn't describe it. But what you were sure of right now, was that you were home.

[badnewswhatsleft]

really interesting section from a podcast with patrick and sean o'keefe talking about the importance of harmonic structure in songwriting

choppy transcript below cut (patrick's sentences are unclosed loops with like 40% filler words ok /affectionate forgive me)

EL = Eyal Levi (host) SO = Sean O’Keefe PS =  Patrick Stump

(Story of recording harmony vocals for Knockout at 14 years old)

[00:28:50] 

PS: […] And the thing is too - for me that was like the coolest thing, because all I wanted was to have some capacity to influence the harmonic structure of music. Like, I was never - I never wanted to be the lead guitar player, I never wanted to be the star of a thing, but when I was playing drums, I didn’t get to be any… Like a bass player can change it from the root to a suspension, right, and that’s so much power that a bass player has! A drummer, you can change a lot, but you never really impact the harmony, the harmonic structure - and that was like the coolest thing for me, like someone was finally letting me do that, and I was like, “Sure, I’ll stay here all night!” I think my mom was like, “Where are you?!”

EL: Interesting. I just wanted to say, you’ve been talking about harmonic structure a lot, one of the things I wanted to talk about, just in my notes, was about melody writing, and obviously without great harmonic movement and structure and getting that right, there’s not gonna be a good melody that can come of it. So was that the goal?

PS: Oh, yeah! And it’s so funny, because - I know you know this, I know we all know this, because we all work in music and it’s like beating your head against the wall - no one even on the periphery ever gets that! It’s always like, melody melody melody, and you’re like, the melody is the least important thing, really! I mean at the end of the day, and I know that sounds ridiculous, but the melody is entirely dependent on what’s happening around it. And even what’s implied, so even if you have a - I was thinking of that Zombies song where it starts off, and it’s just a lead vocal solo - so much of what makes that vocal work, even though it’s a solo vocal, is the implied harmonics of what’s happening, what you’re being led to believe the chord structure is - is what moves it. So without the harmony, the melody means nothing to me. And that’s always one of the things that I get really frustrated with - it’s one of the reasons why I kinda quit the songwriter-for-hire thing, because when you’re in a songwriting session, you’re with somebody else, and I’m like, what are the hard things to do? I think the hardest thing is to find the lyric because, especially in pop songs, that’s the thing everyone walks away remembering. That’s the hard part really. Um, the groove? That’s, like, the other thing - there are songs, terrible songs, that have a good lyric and a good groove and everything else is awful—

EL & SO: [sounds of agreement]

PS:—that work! Very successful songs that have a great groove and a really solid lyric and garbage everything else, right? So you’re already most of the way there. But every time people would be like, melody, melody, and they start humming, or something, and I’m like, don’t do that! Don’t even be tempted to do that! Figure out the rest of it first, and then it’s like… It’s almost like writing dialogue. I read a screenwriting book one time, and they talked about like - dialogue = the fun part, do that last, because that’s the hard part, you have to earn that, kind of. When you’re working on it, you know you can write the dialogue, you have to build the story first, you have to build the - whatever - you have to build the framework of what your characters are gonna be interacting in. And that’s how I think about melody; melody is the fun part, get to that last, because if you don’t have the backbone of the song, your melody doesn’t matter at all, you know?

SO: That’s awesome.

EL: And you can just - not to trivialise great melodies, but that’s the part you can improvise, and emote, and (PS: Yeah!) get inspired over, but you’re right, without setting the stage for it, it’s nothing. And it’s the same not just with vocals, but with great guitar solos. Like that Hotel California solo (PS: Yeah!!) would not be what it is without that harmonic movement.

PS: No, no question, and I think that’s one of the things - I also think it’s a problem as a singer, with vocals, is that people don’t really tend to think of vocals as an instrument, they don’t tend to think of it in terms of what it’s doing melodically within a harmonic structure. Even I, when I started, I found myself - I was on a record with Neal Avron, who produced us after we worked with Sean; and I was in the booth for something. And there was a passing note - I can’t remember - it was just in between two notes, I had this little run. And he was like, “Well what note is that? What note are you trying to hit there?” And I’m like, “I don’t know.” And he’s like, “You should know.” [laughs] You should have a plan for every thing your voice is doing, should be a note. Even if you’re doing some sort of portamento thing, you should still know exactly where you’re starting and where you’re ending.

SO: It’s interesting how a lot of singers sometimes don’t know that. And I don’t mean it in a bad way, but like—

EL: They really don’t.

SO: Yeah, it’s interesting, sometimes if I’ll be in a studio where the singer’s having a hard time, I’ll ask, “Can you play that on the piano? Do you know that melody?” And sometimes it’ll take them a while to find it. But it’s cool, at least I’ve seen times when they do find it, and they make some connection, and it’s like, “Oh holy cow, these are just like…”

PS: No, I mean it’s a huge part of it. In fact, on Take This To Your Grave, there’s a moment - maybe it’s on Where Is Your Boy? I would love for it to be on Where Is Your Boy, ‘cause that was such a landmark song for us in recording. But, there was a harmony that I was working on, and I kept kinda singing it out, and you were like - it was a three part harmony, and my first part layered really well. But then my second part, I kept going into… This kind of rubby 7th, or something, or a unison somewhere - I can’t remember what it was. And you said, “Patrick, go figure it out in triads.”

SO: Oh really?

EL: By “rubby”, do you mean that it kinda just hit you the wrong way? Something doesn’t jive?

PS: Yeah, it was just rubbing wrong, it was just sounding wrong together, and you were like, “Go sit at the piano and figure it out in triads. What are you playing in all the vocal parts?” And I was like, “Ohh, oh, this—” It was something like that, where it was a 7th or a 9th that - when you sang it as a melody, because I was thinking of it as a lead part, when you sang it as a melody it sounded really cool against the chord structure, but with what’s already happening in the, you know… You know what it was? I do remember this, whatever it was, it created a minor 2nd in something the guitar was doing.

SO: Yeah, is that right?

PS: Yeah, so it was like, well just don’t do that.

SO: Let’s just not do that one. [laughs]

PS: Let’s just not do that. [laughs]

EL: So you said you were untrained, but obviously you’re… not untrained… Where did you pick that up?

PS: Um, just kind of watching and listening. And I have kind of studied a lot, especially since I’ve been doing the scoring thing, you kind of can’t… Even though I know a lot of guys who get away with it, just with, “Well, I wrote it in Logic and this is what the thing is.” You still - you know, you hire strings, and they have questions that—

EL: Yes, they do.

PS:—that you can’t really answer if you don’t really know what you’re talking about. So I have had to study a lot. I probably learned more about the terminology for music theory in the past three years than I did the entire time I was working on records, you know. But it’s one of those things too, where a lot of it makes sense. That’s the thing, I think, that’s scary for a lot of people about music theory, is that it sounds so strange and scary, but then you’re like, no, no no. It’s like Howard Hanson’s concept of dissonants and consonants, where it’s like, dissonants are just the ones that sound funny next to each other, that’s all it is. And sometimes you want that, sometimes you don’t, that’s all it is. And you know that implicitly, everyone knows that, even if you don’t really understand music, you know — like the Twilight Zone theme, you know that those notes are rubbing against each other. That’s the intended effect, that’s what it sounds like.

[mechazushi]

So, I've got this KafHoshi fic I'm working on and it's starting to turn into a, like, 5 + 1 scenarios kinda fic in the vaguest sense of the situation. Which means I need to come up with senarios about Hoshina falling head over heels for Kafka and I listened to Super Massive Black Hole by Muse, immediately followed by Landmines by Sum 41 and all I could think about for a day was a situation where Kafka had a "Homer learns the bass" moment in his teens and his mom or cousin or something was cleaning out an old storage container and sent him his old bass guitar.

Not to overindulge, but basically my mind wouldn't let go of the image of Kafka singing SMBH, but in his Kaiju voice, which then morphed into Iharu begging on hands and knees asking if Kafka could learn the bass line to Landmines and be the bass to his lead guitar and play the song on his birthday in front of the Third Division with him.

And THEN my brain was like....

"Ok, but a Saturday morning cartoon about A rock band getting mystical guitars that transform them into humanoid Kaijus with super powers so now they fight crime just because and they have to keep the identity a secret from the police and Dollar Store Iharu leads the team and in the first episode show starts off with the band needing a new bass player so they start tryouts and a Kafka-like character shows up and the whole team isn't impressed with him until he starts playing an absolute sick riff and they let him join and DS Iharu's dad is the band's manager and he's a shit dad but he knows about he Kaiju Guitars/private hero identity thing (Cuz' he's the one networking the media to help keep it a secret) and there's a side plot about Kafka the Bass player becoming DS Iharu'd Better Dad and Reno's there too, but he's the "No enthusiasm" Guitar seller that sold them their mystic guitars and he had no idea about what the guitars do and the team rope him in once he and the rest find out KnockOff Reno had been chosen to help the people that became bestowed with the Kaiju Guitars and now KnockOff Reno is the team's Guy-In-The-Chair and HE gets his OWN character arc and him and Dollar Store Iharu start to fall in love and then you find out that Kafka had a secret love child that he didn't know about and then spend a season off screen fighting for custody and I've given this way too much thought already but doesn't it sound REALLY COOL because I could see it becoming one of those cult classic shows that were only made to sell toys, but it became one of the few that managed to transcend beyond that..."

It's never going to happen. but I do agree with myself.

[plantsarepeopletoo]

Only Friends Music Ep1 (1/2)

The prophecy episode

I am starting a series about the music of Only Friends, because I have noticed a ton of details, which I will attempt to put into words in a organized manner.

First, I wanted talk a little about the three ways I'm seeing music being used, these terms are just what I’ve been calling it in my head.

Just background music- It’s important and creates an atmosphere, like using Disco Frog for Mew and Cheum’s chat at the bar. These I will not use unless I see a theme or something important later.

Playing with Music- It’s like body language, the music will pause, start up, move along faster or slower. It's intentionally moving with what is happening on screen.

Verbal- Music that is telling us things. It could be songs that have names that seem important or have lyrics that may or may not be in the show. If there are lyrics I will include them, but will specify if they are in OF, and where they start and stop.

Master List here, in my pinned post. These will be long and probably split up, mostly because of lyrics and Music players. First two are a little weak here. Thank you @rocketturtle4 and @shouldiusemyname for helping me edit, lyrics, ideas, and organize my thoughts.

Ep1[1/4]

Song: Unknown (Take All My Heart) Scene: Opening scene at the bar  Type: Verbal music

We start off with the music from the song Sand sings, maybe an original song? Don't know it but I don't know enough Thai songs. Only including it because it feels like it's something that will happen.

Because I know you are honest Someone like you I've never met Take it, take all of my heart It's all yours

Song: Unknown Scene: Mew bumps into Top Type: Playing with music

I like how this song is repeating a riff, jamming away, there is a slight difference when Top stops Mew when Mew tries to clean up the spill, saying “It’s Ok”

Then the song settles down again until Ray drags Mew away, and it shifts to a faster part of the song and the scene shifts to Boston and his attempted hook up. Then it settles into the pattern again while Boston and the hookup talk. (I promise, it gets better, stick with me for a few, these are weak examples.)

Song: Now we do it again by Duplex Heart Scene: Friends at hostel discussing if they can run it Type: Verbal

When the friends ask Boston if he knows a designer, he pauses and the song starts as he smiles. It continues into the next scene and fades as he walks into Nick’s IT store. There are no words in the show. But lets look at some lyrics:

Oh, you have the strangest way  Of loving someone  And it feels like it's all over  Before it has begun But when we do collide  We play no games  Don't you know that kind of love Must go down in flames Oh we should really  Leave this one alone  But it keeps coming back  Coming back, coming back Two hours on the floor  (You better wake me up, wake me up)  Band-Aid on a sore  (We gotta rip it off, rip it off)  Two lovers want more (You better shake me up, shake me up) It's such a hopeless situation  But we do it again 

It's about loving, or wanting someone, who isn’t good for you, the relationship won’t go anywhere, but still going back again. I do believe the song goes for Boston, wanting more of Top, but also a prophecy of Nick wanting more and more from Boston. 

Our two lovers, Nick and Boston, want more, it’s such a hopeless situation.

Themes(motifs?) Fire, games, things falling apart, and hopelessness.

Song: Lurking Tiger by Ava Low Scene: Boston goes to get his phone fixed at Nick’s store Type: Verbal, playing

Boston catches Nick staring at his body while he was writing Mew's number down, leans forward and asks "What is your name?" Lurking Tiger’s bass starts. When Nick says "Happy to be of service"  the lyric-

I'm waiting here for you

Also who is the hunter here, really? Boston notices Nicks stare, did Nick actually need Boston to come back another day to fix his phone? Or was that a way to get Boston's name and to see him again.

Song: Always Always by Akerman Scene: Top answers quiz question Type: Verbal

When Top answers the question right, the music starts, then lyrics start after Boston introduces Top to the friends

Be sure I can do this  All night, all night, all night I just want to stay like this  Always, always, always It's one thing to promise,  And It’s another to deliver

This is where the lyrics in the show stop Top’s side is the first 2 lines, maybe they’re both “I just want to stay like this” and the last two lines are from Mew. Or, continuing the theme of these songs being prophecy, it could be asking both of them if they can deliver on promises. Things will change, it will not be easy like this all the time.

Lyrics not in the show, continue:

Be sure I can do this  All night, all night, all night I just want to stay like this  Always, always, always It's one thing to promise,  And It’s another to deliver And you don't want it now that you got it, To hell with it, to hell with it, Oh it’s one thing to deny it,  But it’s another to be defined by it,  And you used to play with fire And you think that you can get away with it  ‘Cause you’re always in my head  Yeah you’re always in my bed  I just wanna know that it tastes  What a waste, what a waste, what a waste  I just wanna stay like this  Always, always, always  Heaven is an open door  But I wait, I just wait, I just wait  I just wanna know that it tastes  What a waste, what a waste, what a waste

"And you don't want it now that you got it" might be either of them, do either of them want what they think they want?

"And you used to play with fire, and you think you can get away with it" Mew could be playing with fire (Top, love, and sex), Or Top could be playing with fire by sleeping around with people who might be looking for more from the relationship (or going after Mew, specifically) . Or both.

“Heaven is an open door, but I wait.. I just wanna know that it tastes, what a waste” Heaven is right there, what you want is right there, but not following through and instead waiting.

Themes- Fire, wanting things to stay good, promises, lust, Heaven and hell

Song: I'd like to love you by Psüche Scene: Top goes to dance with Mew Type: Verbal

The music starts when Top takes a drink and leaves Boston, and lyrics start when Top takes Mew’s hand on the dance floor

I know how, only now  We're in this game together  Take your time, make no vow

The game is on, it might be malicious, unintentional, real, or something else, I don't know, but the game is on. Top is doing what he does, Mew letting it happen. If we look at the rest of the lyrics, not in the show:

But hold me, like you do  Hold me, like you do  Hold me, like you do  Hold me  Dream now, dream wild In the end we're only echoes  Shine bright, fight the fight  Before we part, I'd like to love you

Asking to be held, to dream, but knowing it’s not going to last.  I was taking “Before we part, I’d like to love you” as Top wanting to have a one night stand. Or it could be from either of them, knowing the relationship probably won’t last, but wanting to try anyway. Given the context of what happened right before, Top getting excited about Mew’s virginity, it might not be the second. But if we’re looking at it as a prophecy, then it might be them shining bright and falling apart.

Themes - Games, promises, love/lust, wanting to be held.

Ep1[2/4]

Song: Check for Pulse by Duplex Heart Scene: Top and Mew in Mew's Kitchen Type: Verbal

The first notes of the song start when Top downs the glass of water.  The lyrics are cut a bit, the first line "Here we go" is from the first verse and they put it at the beginning of the second, replacing it with "all the bad things" Lyrics start with Top moving in to kiss Mew. Here we go indeed. 

Here we go  Love can be All in the blind spot That we don't see Wipe the dirt  From your face  Dry your eyes  And I'll play the ace  Ride along, ride along  There's a place where you belong  Shake your ass, don't you worry  'Bout the future, 'bout the past  You will hurt the ones who love you  And they will hurt you right back Sing along, sing along  Our love is a heart attack  You better check for pulse (repeat)

I wanted to highlight the fact that it's intentional, the wording, picking out this verse, the timing. "You better check for pulse" repeats start when Top pulls himself up on top of Mew. 

Full lyrics:

Here we go Once again Four hail Marys Nine amen Don’t you worry It’s gonna be alright ‘Cause I’m the judge and jury And we be up all night You better check for pulse (repeat) All the bad things That love can be All in the blind spot That we don't see Wipe the dirt  From your face  Dry your eyes  And I'll play the ace  Ride along, ride along  There's a place where you belong  Shake your ass, don't you worry  'Bout the future, 'bout the past  You will hurt the ones who love you  And they will hurt you right back Sing along, sing along  Our love is a heart attack  You better check for pulse (repeat) If it's goodbye  Well don't be sad  Head up high  Come on wave your flag  We're all in this  Without a clue  In the madness  But what can you do?

"Love can be all in the blind spot that we don't see" Mew is ignoring Ray and Top’s tension, or choosing not to see it. He is not seeing Boston and Top’s glances at each other (thinking of a specific time in EP2, during the wakeboarding.) He’s choosing to see all the good things, only the things for his checklist. This song is going to come back to haunt us in the future.

Themes- love/lust, falling apart (love is a heart attack), Blind spot/not seeing because of love, hurting who we love, Heaven

Quick recap of Top and Mew having three songs with lyrics in them, They’ve just started their relationship

Always Always - wanting to stay like this, but "It's one thing to promise, another to deliver and now you don't want it"

I'd like to love you- Take your time, make no vow, Hold me, before we part, I'd like to love you.

Check for pulse- blind spots, You hurt the ones who love you, and they hurt you right back. Our love is a heart attack. 

These are not “Fluffy love songs”, they are warnings.

Song: I am next to you by Alight The Night Scenes: Sand and Ray in the car/Sand's bathroom Type: Verbal/ Playful

A stripped down version of I Am Next To You plays after Mew asks if Top would like ice cream and continues into the scene where Sand is trying to figure out where Ray lives. As Sand gets Ray into the house, a few lyrics are sung

It's been a long time since we had it all  It's been a while since I was your

The cut part of the lyric is "your catcher in the rye" link to post about catcher in the rye vlogbrothers/crash course videos. They're short and sweet. I'll also have it on my pinned post for this.

According to Britannica.com… In the book, the catcher in the rye is a person who saves children from falling off a cliff (A metaphor for entering adulthood). The book ends with the main character realizing he can’t save everyone.

Wikipedia says "themes of angst and alienation, and as a critique of superficiality in society. The novel also deals with complex issues of innocence, identity, belonging, loss, connection, sex, and depression."

I'm sure a few (or all) of these themes are ideas that Ray and Sand could connect with. 

But Sand is probably going to learn he can’t save everyone, or even himself. Empathy *is* a finite resource and sometimes you need to learn who to give it to.

Looking at the full lyrics-

I've always been the one to carry you home  Always been the one to catch you  All the things we've done  When everything went down  I know we are never gonna get enough  And maybe it's better to let it go  We'll never be the same  Tell me what you're going through  Won't you tell me, all the things that you do  Tell me, make your wish come true  I know that everyone is sorry next to you  And I am next to you  It's been a long time since we had it all  It's been a while since I was your catcher in the rye  And now it's gone  We don't even seem to care at all  But maybe it's better to move along  We'll always be the same  All this time I wondered, now I realize  Let me reach out to you  Tell me what you're going through  Won't you tell me, all the things that you do  Tell me, make your wish come true  I know that everyone is sorry next to you  And I am next to you  And I am next to you

Song is about taking care of someone, but that someone does not realize it and is not seeing the person standing right next to them. Pleading with someone to just tell them what’s wrong, or talk to them. Which mirrors a song Ray sings, more on that in the EP2 post. Looking at this as something that is and will happen, Sand is already saving Ray from himself, he is going to try to be Rays savior. He already can't resist the puppy dog eyes Ray gave him when he was drunk in the car at the bar. Come back to this song with Ray and Sand in future episodes.

Themes- Wanting to be seen, Talking/Communicating, Saving, things falling apart.

Song: Go Quiet by Torii Wolf Scene: Top and Mew are eating ice cream/in bed Type: Verbal/Playful

There is a soft acoustic guitar that plays until Top asks if he stay the night, there is a pause in the music while Mew says Yes, but they’re not going to do anything. Top asks “how about a cuddle” and Go Quiet starts after Mew says ok. The next scene Top and Mew are in bed, the lyrics “Come and tell me…” happen as Mew is rolling over, almost as an invitation. Which Top takes.

Come and tell me  What you need to know  We can stoke it  And make it grow come and ask me  What you want to know  And we can go from here  Our world just keeps turning  And here I am still learning 

The lyrics not in the show continue:

And here I am still learning  About  What it is that you need  What it is you’d bleed for  Longing and yearning  Deeply burning  For you  Are you staying with me  Help me feed it  Slow down Let our minds go quiet now  No sound  Let our hands do the talking now  Do You see how  This fire grows  Rapid  Nobody knows  How it started  Or where it will go  I can’t stop now  Baby no  Are you staying with me  Tell me you need it  Slow down Let our minds go quiet now  No sound  Let our hands do the talking now

First part is about talking to someone, getting to know them, and “stoking the fire”. Learning about them. As it continues into the part not said in the show, it’s about talking and learning about the other person to grow their desire, until they can let their minds go quiet and let the desire take over. Which could be very much what Mew wants. He’s asked Top if he knew him well enough to know that Mew’s apartment fit him. He wants to grow a relationship, not just have sex. On Top’s side, he needs to sleep with someone to let his mind go quiet, more in EP2.

Nobody knows  How it started  Or where it will go  I can’t stop now  Baby no  Are you staying with me  Tell me you need it 

Also this part especially "Are you staying with me or are we temporary" is like the bookstore question in the second half of ep1.

Themes: fire, growing, lust, yearning

Part 2 of Episode 1 here