#Revolution Bar and Music Hall

[citizenhullabaloo]

The Top 5 WORST Music Venues to Travel to (in the NYC/Tri-State area)

Disclaimer: This is my personal experience since I started going to local and big shows nearly 11 years ago. This is also focused in the tri-state area surrounding New York City.

Welcome to the first edition of The Top 5 Worst Music Venues to travel to in NYC/Tri-state area. This is *MY* personal list, so please comment/email me any other ones you’ve visited if you haven’t been to any of these. The first two are basically scraping the bottom of the barrel. I’m sure I have better stories, but this is what I was able to think of at the top of my head.

#5 – Revolution Bar and Music Hall – Amityville, Long Island (Permanently Closed)

From seeing acts like Symfinity and EXM to big names like Doro and Gemini Syndrome, it was always a good time to visit this venue. The walk sucked at night though. I’m from the city, and it was too quiet for my tastes. Formerly located at 140 Merrick Rd in Amityville, it was about an hour and a half taking public transportation to this venue. It’s last on the list because I did manage to go here a bunch of times, so I was used to the trek.

#4 – Ram’s American Pub – Holbrook, Long Island (Permanently Closed)

Sad to hear this place closed (presumably because of the pandemic), but I managed to visit here once, to see my friends Bending Over Backwards play. Formerly located at 236 Union Ave in Holbrook (and getting off at Ronkonkoma LIRR Station), it’s genuinely not that bad to get to. Still, it’s nearly a two hour public transportation ride, and then walking on the edge of the non-existent sidewalk (thanks Suffolk County!), before reaching the bar. It wasn’t that bad of a walk, like I mentioned, but it’s a bit annoying when all that construction at the time, surrounding the station and road, made it longer than it needed to be. Since it’s closed now, I can’t return to give you a better score sadly 😦

#3 – The Paramount – Huntington, Long Island

I’ve seen my favorite bands play here: The Dead Deads, Silversun Pickups… It’s a great venue and one that I wish I wouldn’t have hated its location. Why the hell is it a 30+ minute walk from Huntington Station to the ACTUAL town of Huntington? Why is the central area of the location, FAR from public transportation?!?!?! The amount of times I dragged my feet through New York Ave (symbolically ironic?)… I got fed up with it from the first time I ever went to this venue. It’s already about an hour to get to the place, and now I have to waste MORE time getting to the actual venue? What a tragedy. Just move the f**king town SOUTH!!!! Be like Westbury and The Space at Westbury!!!!! Located at 370 New York Ave in Huntington.

#2 – The Chance Theater – Poughkeepsie, New York (Permanently Closed)

This one and The Paramount were a close second, but I opted to put this higher because it’s outside of the New York City area. If I’m stranded in Long Island, I know the train systems enough to get back home, or I have friends out here. Poughkeepsie and anywhere equivalent is No-Man’s Land. It’s a 2 hour Metro-North train ride, with walking through the city streets, passing through abandoned buildings just to get to the venue. If that wasn’t scary enough, I never attempted heading home back the same way – I was lucky enough to be driven back, or at least dropped off way closer to a southern station that seemed more human. It sucks that the Chance closed. I got to see Proxima Control, EXM, and a bunch of other local bands that don’t exist or I haven’t heard from in a while. I was lucky enough to fill in for bass at the Loft area of the venue! Now that it’s closed, I see no reason to ever visit Poughkeepsie ever again sadly. Located at 6 Crannell St in Poughkeepsie.

#1 – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, Long Island

The year was 2017. I wanted to see Silversun Pickups at Jones Beach, so I took the LIRR to Freeport, and attempted to catch a bus, which apparently wasn’t running. I split a cab with a guy and two ladies (the guy ended up dancing with the band during the set), and arrived to the venue. I enjoyed my show and didn’t want to stay for the headliner, Third Eye Blind. I walked across the parking lot, under a DESOLATE tunnel, and closer to the beach, where the bus stop was. I waited 2 hours. The police was nearby and came to me asking what was I waiting for. There was no bus they said. I walked BACK to the venue. Everyone had just gotten out of the show, and I had to split a taxi with EXTREMELY drunk obnoxious girls (who made fun of the cab driver for being south Asian, by the way). All in all, regardless of that experience of good and bad — Jones Beach is BY FAR, the WORST venue to get to. It’s MANDATORY to drive, unless you can magically catch the bus that apparently doesn’t run after 5pm or so. If you take public transportation like I do, you have to pay for a taxi, to and from. Lyft and Uber services didn’t work for me that year because it was “illegal” to serve Nassau and Suffolk counties (maybe they do now but I remember hearing that was the reason why 5 drivers skipped me), but I refuse to see any show at the venue if I don’t have a car ride. I wasted more money traveling to and from the show, than an actual f**king TICKET to the show. My solution? A dedicated bus/tram that drives from the two nearby LIRR stations and you pay the equivalent of a LIRR fare (the distance I mean). Because that distance from the LIRR train to the venue is IMPOSSIBLE to walk. Like, literally, there’s no sidewalks, only highway and marshes. Located at 895 Bay Pkwy in Wantagh, Long Island.

And so, to conclude…

What are your worst venues to travel to? While writing this, I just thought of another few, but I’ll save that for another edition 🙂

[valkyries-things]

MARIAN ANDERSON // SINGER

“She became the first African American woman to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She was an American singer of classical music and spirituals, and a very important figure in the struggle of black artists to overcome racial prejudice. In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution (the DAR) barred her from singing in Constitution Hall in Washington D.C, because they only allowed white artists. The then First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was furious. She resigned from the DAR and helped arrange for Anderson to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. More than 75,000 people showed up to hear.”

[wise-journey]

Exploring Tampere’s Charm: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating through Finland’s City of Dreams

Envision pristine lakes shimmering under the Northern Lights, a robust story of industrial revolution blending with cutting-edge technology, and a vivacious cityscape steeped in enchanting Nordic appeal. This is Tampere, the hidden treasure of Finland that promises an unforgettable adventure.

Picking the Right Time

Tampere, a destination for all seasons, offers a unique allure throughout the year. Winter enthusiasts should plan a visit between December and February to enjoy thrilling sports like skiing, sledding, or ice fishing. If endless daylight and milder weather are more to your liking, the months from June to August offer the perfect setting of a sunny Nordic summer.

Navigating to Tampere

Reaching Tampere is a breeze no matter where you’re coming from. Tampere’s international airport hosts flights from all corners of the globe. Those journeying from Helsinki can enjoy a relaxing, picturesque two-hour train journey that directly lands them in the heart of this thriving city.

Finding Accommodation

Tampere presents a myriad of accommodation options, suitable for all tastes and budgets. Immerse yourself in the city’s past by opting for a stay in one of the historical cotton factory hotels. For peace-seekers, idyllic lakeside cabins provide a serene retreat amidst nature's embrace.

Immersing in Tampere's Activities

Soaking up the Culture Delve into Finnish culture with a visit to the Tampere Art Museum or the Vapriikki Museum Centre, which hosts a plethora of exhibits ranging from archaeology to games and natural sciences. And don't miss a captivating performance at the iconic Tampere Theatre. Culinary Indulgence Savor the delectable local cuisine. Tantalize your taste buds with 'Mustamakkara', the city’s famous black pudding, best enjoyed at the bustling Market Hall. Complement it with a pint of locally brewed beer for a quintessential Tampere gastronomic experience. Embracing Outdoor Activities Commune with nature on a refreshing hike through Pyynikki or Pispala’s scenic landscapes, skate on a crystalline frozen lake in winter, or unwind with a traditional Finnish sauna session by the lake.

Essential Sights and Essential Tours

Marvel at architectural masterpieces like the Tampere Cathedral and the Pyynikki Observation Tower, which offer stunning views of the city. For a unique cultural dip, consider a guided tour of the Finnish Labour Museum or relive your childhood at the Moomin Museum.

Experiencing Nightlife

Tampere’s nightlife promises a perfect mix of relaxation and excitement. Unwind at the city’s wide array of bars and clubs, or groove to live music performances at Tullikamari.

Transportation in the City

Getting around Tampere is a breeze, thanks to its efficient network of buses and trams. During summer months, bicycle rentals are a popular choice. The city’s compact size also makes it a joy to explore on foot.

Retail Therapy

Shopping in Tampere offers an irresistible blend of high-street fashion stores and local boutiques. Visit Finlayson for iconic Finnish design items or the Laukontori market for local goods and farm-fresh produce.

Handling Money

Finland uses the Euro. Although credit and debit cards are widely accepted across Tampere, it's a good idea to carry a small amount of cash for local markets and smaller restaurants.

Insider Tips

To truly appreciate the magic of Tampere, take your time. Immerse yourself in the local culture, take a bite of the regional cuisine, and let yourself sway with the rhythmic pulse of the city. Tampere is a city that lingers in your heart long after your visit. Whether you're a culture vulture, nature enthusiast or a culinary explorer, Tampere promises a world of experiences catered to your interests. With its dynamic lifestyle, friendly locals, and picturesque surroundings, this Finnish gem makes for an unforgettable voyage of discovery. Read the full article

[theabstruseone]

Third spaces were such a big deal throughout history that it's become a literal meme for the fantasy genre: "You all meet in a tavern..." Then it moved to local pubs then to social clubs then to organized not-that-physically-demanding sports leagues like bowling or darts then to coffee shops and then...well...nowhere.

Third spaces are the central social hub where people would hang out and talk and tell stories and catch up on gossip and current events and talk about grievances and get angry at power structures with one another and make plans to address issues...starting to see why this feels a bit intentional and systematic? And again, it's not a recent thing. The scene in Hamilton where they're all drinking and planning the American Revolution was more or less how it happened in history. Rebellions and revolutions and unions and strikes all started with people hanging out in third spaces and talking.

Now, third spaces are a luxury for the rich. Country club memberships, yacht parties, exclusive social events like charity galas and political fundraisers, etc.

What happened? Ask yourself if you were going to go to the local bowling alley or pool hall or American Legion, how would you get there? Drive. How far would you drive? How much traffic would you face? How long would you be able to spend there considering the time to get there and get home in time to get enough sleep for work the next day? And that's assuming you even have the ability to do so with expenses like gas and parking fees and tolls and child care.

Meanwhile, the specific places are less friendly to just hanging out. Not just for the reasons mentioned above, but also because they're just no longer good places to chill. Bars play loud music, restaurants are built to turn over customers faster, bowling alleys and pool halls and the like tend to charge per person per hour instead of per game (so you can't take your time and play at a leisurely pace to spend time talking and stretch your dollar), and a LOT of locations close far too early.

Not to mention a lot of the over-commercialization of these spaces is driven by rising real estate prices. Unless you're constantly turning over tables or getting more money out of guests, it's not easy to afford the lease on a property in a good location. In my particular industry (tabletop gaming), it happened a lot in the 2010s with a lot of hobby game stores closing due to rising rent as people would just hang out and play D&D or Magic: The Gathering or Settlers of Catan all day and only make one purchase for the entire time giving over to game cafes that served food, coffee/tea, and sometimes beer/wine/liquor to squeeze more money out of people.

Sure, online communities can pick up the slack, but a lot of those aren't exactly safe spaces. Google, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, etc. can monitor everything said even in private groups and chats then sell that information. Or, as seen in a few recent cases, hand the private information over to law enforcement. Kind of hard to talk about forming a union or organizing a protest when the place you're discussing it is logging every word and handing it right over to the people you're looking to organize against.

[greensparty]

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To in October

Well it is now Fall and the 4th quarter of 2024. In addition to Rosh Hashanah (10/2-10/3), Yom Kippur (10/11-12), Columbus Day (10/14), Indigenous Peoples' Day (10/14), and Halloween (10/31) as well as the Vice Presidential Debate (10/1) here is what's on my radar this month:

Movies:

Daytime Revolution

As a Beatle fanatic I always appreciate it when a documentarian goes for the less obvious part of John Lennon's history, i.e. LennoNYC, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, John Lennon: Murder Without Trial, and Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World since Imagine: John Lennon is the single most comprehensive doc about Lennon. So this new doc about Lennon and Yoko Ono taking over for Mike Douglas's TV show in 1972 has my attention. Opening on 10/9 (Lennon's birthday).

Piece by Piece 

Morgan Neville is one of the great documentarians of our time and he's been on a roll recently after last year's Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman and this year's Steve! (Martin). Now he's back with a Pharrell Williams doc as documented by legos. What an approach! Opens 10/11.

Saturday Night

Jason Reitman, who has made many great films, takes on the very beginning of Saturday Night Live in 1975. I am a lifelong SNL fanatic and I certainly hope this biopic can live up to the bar that is set. Opens 10/11 (the anniversary of SNL's premiere).

Anora

Sean Baker has very quietly become one of the most exciting voices of indie film to emerge in the last decade with his quirky character studies about sex workers. His new one won Palm d'Or at Cannes Film Festival. Opening 10/18.

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Thom Zimny and Bruce Springsteen are becoming one of the great director/subject relationships in film! They've done performance pieces like Western Stars and Springsteen on Broadway as well as making-of fly-on-the-wall docs like Letter to You and original archival footage like The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts. Now Zimny is back with a chronicle of The Boss's 2023-2024 world tour. Premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on 10/25 (review to come).

Don't Move

Nothing like a good old clock-is-ticking-before-you-die horror flick. In addition to producer Sam Raimi, this was co-directed by Adam Schindler. Way back in the 00s I worked as a PA on the HBO specials Dane Cook: Vicious Circle and Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveShow, where Adam was one of the assistants. It's very cool to see how far he has come since then. Premieres 10/25 on Netflix.

Music:

The Smile Cutouts

One of the best albums of this year so far is easily Wall of Eyes from The Smile, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's Radiohead side project with Sons of Kemet’s Tom Skinner. Since that release in January, they have somehow found time to do a whole new album dropping on 10/4 (review to come).

The Linda Lindas No Obligation

I included The Linda Lindas' debut album Growing Up in my Best Albums of 2022. They are on a roll and recently opened for Green Day. New album drops on 10/11.

MC5 Heavy Lifting

MC5 are pretty much the architects of what became punk rock. I love their legendary live album Kick Out the Jams. Earlier this year we lost founding members Wayne Kramer and Dennis Thompson. But the good news is that just as the band is going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they recorded a studio album (their first since 1971) that is set to be released on 10/18!

The Pixies the Night the Zombies Came

The 9th studio album from The Pixies is coming at an interesting time. Just two years after their excellent album Doggerel (which I named my #4 Album of 2022 it was easily their best album since they reunited in 2004) and a few months since they parted ways with bassist Paz Lenchantin, their bassist since 2014. New bassist Emma Richardson has been touring with the group since the Spring. I for one am really looking forward to this! Album drops 10/25 (review to come).

Events:

Collectibles Extravaganza

The team that run the Northeast Comic Con are back with their Collectibles Extravaganza. I had fun at the 1-day event they did in July. This one is in Boxborough, MA on 10/5-6.

Film Festivals:

IFFBoston Fall Focus

My favorite film festival is Independent Film Festival Boston, which takes place in the Spring. IFFBoston’s mini-fest Fall Focus happens in the Fall to showcase some of the Fall festival darlings before they get released during end of the year Awards Season. This year's Fall Focus is 10/31-11/3 at the Brattle (Harvard Square, Cambridge).

[williamrehmiv]

Jazz: A Journey Through the Soul of America

Jazz, often hailed as America's greatest contribution to music, is a genre that embodies the spirit of creativity, improvisation, and cultural fusion. With its roots in the African American experience, jazz has evolved over the decades to become a global phenomenon, influencing artists and audiences around the world.

Origins and Early Development

The origins of jazz can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the era of segregation and racial discrimination in the United States. Emerging from the African American communities of New Orleans, jazz was born out of a rich cultural exchange between African rhythms, European harmonies, and American blues.

In its early days, jazz was primarily performed in the bars, brothels, and dance halls of New Orleans, where musicians would come together to improvise and experiment with new sounds and rhythms. Influential figures such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet played a crucial role in shaping the early sound of jazz, introducing innovations such as improvisation, syncopation, and the use of brass instruments.

The Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance

The 1920s marked the beginning of the Jazz Age, a period of cultural and social upheaval in America. Jazz became the soundtrack of the Roaring Twenties, with its lively rhythms and infectious melodies capturing the energy and excitement of the era.

One of the epicenters of jazz during this time was Harlem, New York, where the Harlem Renaissance flourished as a cultural movement celebrating African American art, music, and literature. Jazz clubs such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom became legendary venues where musicians and dancers showcased their talents, breaking down racial barriers and forging new forms of expression.

Innovations and Evolution

Throughout the 20th century, jazz continued to evolve and diversify, absorbing influences from around the world and incorporating elements of blues, gospel, Latin, and classical music. The bebop revolution of the 1940s, led by artists such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk, introduced complex harmonies, rapid tempos, and virtuosic improvisation to the jazz lexicon.

The 1950s and 1960s saw further experimentation and innovation in jazz, with the emergence of styles such as cool jazz, hard bop, and modal jazz. Artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Dave Brubeck pushed the boundaries of the genre, exploring new harmonic concepts, improvisational techniques, and forms of expression.

Jazz Fusion and Contemporary Trends

In the latter half of the 20th century, jazz continued to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends and technologies. The fusion movement of the 1970s, spearheaded by artists like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Weather Report, combined elements of jazz with rock, funk, and electronic music, creating a new sound that appealed to a broader audience.

In the 21st century, jazz remains a vibrant and dynamic genre, with artists from around the world continuing to push the boundaries of the form. From traditionalists like Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall to avant-garde innovators like Kamasi Washington and Esperanza Spalding, jazz continues to evolve and inspire, serving as a testament to the enduring power of creativity, improvisation, and cultural exchange.

In conclusion, jazz is more than just a musical genre; it is a reflection of the rich tapestry of American culture and history. From its humble beginnings in the streets of New Orleans to its status as a global phenomenon, jazz has transcended boundaries and brought people together through the universal language of music. As we look to the future, jazz will undoubtedly continue to evolve and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and beyond.

[travelerpavilion]

13 things to do in Manchester

Manchester is my favourite city in the UK. It’s smaller and friendlier than London or Birmingham and has more of an indie, creative vibe. There are also so many things to do in Manchester thanks to the city’s rich industrial heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and world-famous football clubs.

Here are my favourite things to do in Manchester:

1. Explore Manchester’s Northern Quarter

This creative hub is filled with independent boutiques, vintage shops, record stores, and street art. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and grab a coffee in one of the trendy cafes. Make sure you check out the street art that adorns many of the buildings. Keep an eye out for the famous works of local and international artists like Akse, Qubek, and Nomad Clan. While you’re in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, you can’t miss a shopping trip to Afflecks, an iconic indie emporium. Spread over multiple floors, Afflecks is filled with independent retailers selling everything from vintage clothing and alternative fashion to artwork, records, and quirky gifts. The Northern Quarter is brimming with unique and independent shops. Discover vintage boutiques, record stores, art galleries, design shops, and bookshops. Some popular spots include Pop Boutique, Vinyl Exchange, Oklahoma, and Magma. The Northern Quarter is also home to lots of indie cafes, bars, and restaurants. Grab a coffee at one of the many independent coffee shops like Takk or Fig + Sparrow. Indulge in delicious street food at Mackie Mayor food hall or try innovative cocktails at bars like Science & Industry or Cottonopolis. Read More : BANFF ITINERARY: 4 DAYS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES If you’re visiting on the second Sunday of the month, the Northern Quarter Market is a great place to browse local crafts, vintage clothing, artisan food, and more. Enjoy live music and soak up the lively atmosphere. If you’re around for evening drinks then you won’t be disappointed in the Northern Quarter. Enjoy live music at venues like Band on the Wall or Night & Day Café. Explore the hidden speakeasies and cocktail bars like The Fitzgerald or The Whiskey Jar. Dance the night away at clubs like YES or Soup Kitchen. For cinema, comedy and theatre lovers, catch a film at the independent cinema, HOME, which showcases a mix of arthouse, classic, and mainstream movies. Enjoy live performances at the iconic Band on the Wall or the intimate, alternative theatre, The Eagle Inn. Check out venues like The Comedy Store or Frog and Bucket for a night of laughter and entertainment. Take a break from the bustling streets and unwind in Stevenson Square or the tranquil Cutting Room Square. These public spaces offer seating areas, greenery, and a place to relax and people-watch.

2. Catch a football match

Manchester and football go hand in hand so if you’re a football fan, watch a game at Old Trafford Stadium (home of Manchester United) or the Etihad Stadium (home of Manchester City). Even if you’re not a massive football fan, it’s worth going to witness the electric atmosphere. Tickets can sometimes be hard to come by so check out GO Sport Travel for some options. 

3. Visit the Manchester Museum

Explore a diverse range of exhibits, including ancient Egyptian artefacts, natural history specimens, and interactive displays.

4. Explore the Science and Industry Museum

Learn about Manchester’s industrial revolution and scientific achievements through hands-on exhibits, vintage machinery, and interactive workshops.

5. Take a stroll in Heaton Park

This expansive park offers beautiful landscapes, woodlands, a boating lake, and various sports facilities. You can also visit the historic mansion, Heaton Hall which was built in the late 18th century for the Egerton family, who were prominent landowners in the area. Designed by architect James Wyatt, the mansion is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. You can take guided tours of Heaton Hall to learn about its history, architecture, and the Egerton family.  Look out for seasonal events and park activities while you’re there!

6. Discover the Manchester Art Gallery

Admire an extensive collection of artworks spanning centuries, including Pre-Raphaelite paintings, contemporary art, and decorative arts.

7. Visit the John Rylands Library

Marvel at the stunning Victorian Gothic architecture and explore the impressive collection of rare books and manuscripts. It feels like stepping into a Harry Potter film in here!

8. Explore Chinatown

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Manchester’s Chinatown with its traditional Chinese arch, authentic restaurants, and Chinese supermarkets. The main entrance to Manchester’s Chinatown is marked by a beautiful traditional Chinese arch, known as the Chinese Imperial Arch. It’s a great spot to take photos and serves as a symbolic gateway into the neighbourhood. Chinatown is filled with a wide variety of Chinese restaurants and eateries. You can indulge in traditional dishes such as dim sum, Peking duck, Sichuan cuisine, and more.  It’s also fun to visit Chinatown’s supermarkets and shops. You can find a range of imported goods, Asian ingredients, spices, teas, snacks, and other products. It’s a great place to shop for Asian groceries and explore the unique offerings. If you’re in Manchester for the Lunar New Year then Chinatown is the place to be. Chinatown hosts vibrant celebrations during Chinese New Year. The streets come alive with dragon and lion dances, traditional music and performances, fireworks, and street food stalls. It’s a fantastic time to experience the festive atmosphere and cultural traditions.

9. Enjoy live music

Manchester has a thriving music scene, known for its rich musical heritage. Catch a concert at iconic venues like the O2 Apollo, Manchester Arena, or Band on the Wall.

10. Go shopping

If you love shopping then Manchester will be a dream for you. Explore the high-end stores at the Trafford Centre or wander through the Arndale Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. If you prefer vintage stores and boutiques then stick to the shops I mentioned above in the Northern Quarter.

11. Explore the Manchester Cathedral

Admire the stunning architecture of this mediaeval cathedral and attend one of the regular choral performances or concerts.

12. Visit the Whitworth Art Gallery

Enjoy contemporary art exhibitions, sculpture displays, and beautiful gardens surrounding this gallery located in Whitworth Park.

13. Manchester’s nightlife

Last, but not least, is a mini guide to Manchester’s nightlife because you can’t visit Manchester without a big night out! Deansgate Locks is always a good place to start. Located near Deansgate train station, Deansgate Locks is a popular nightlife area with a variety of bars and clubs housed in converted railway arches. It offers a bustling atmosphere and is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. Manchester’s Gay Village, centred around Canal Street, is renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife. There are loads of bars and clubs with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The Northern Quarter is not only a hub for independent shops and cafes but also boasts a thriving nightlife scene. It is known for its eclectic mix of bars, live music venues, and speakeasy-style cocktail bars. If live music is your thing then head to iconic venues like the O2 Apollo and Manchester Arena as well as smaller intimate spaces like Band on the Wall and Soup Kitchen. You can catch performances by local and international artists across various genres. If you want to dance until daylight then opular clubs include Warehouse Project, Gorilla, Hidden, and the famous Hacienda nightclub (reopened as a new venue). These clubs host regular DJ sets, themed nights, and special events. The Comedy Store, Frog and Bucket, and The Comedy Store Manchester are well-known venues that offer regular shows. These are just a few of the many things you can do in Manchester. The city offers something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, culture, sports, or entertainment. Read the full article

[ledenews]

Serene Dignity: Marian Anderson’s True First Wheeling Performance

Serene Dignity: Marian Anderson’s True First Wheeling Performance “Sometimes racial prejudice is like a hair across your cheek. You can't see it, you can't find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing it because the feel of it is irritating.”-Marian Anderson Marian Anderson was one of the world's greatest contralto singers. She toured the planet as a musical ambassador, the toast of monarchs, musical heavyweights, and citizens of every race, while in her own country, she remained a second-class citizen. But did you know that before the critical incident that guaranteed her immortality, she visited "Jim Crow" Wheeling as a guest of the Blue Triangle branch of the Y.W.C.A. and Madison School? Before we get to that, let's go back to the future. To Thee We Sing - 1939 On a brisk Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, a celebrated African American Contralto vocalist named Marian Anderson stepped up to a bank of microphones just down the steps from the marble feet of Abraham Lincoln at the “Great Emancipator’s” monument in Washington, D.C. – then a segregated city. She was visibly nervous due to the large crowd. “The murmur of the vast assemblage quickened my pulse beat,” she would later write. But as her Finnish piano accompanist, Kosti Vehanen, began to play, Ms. Anderson closed her eyes and powerfully sang the first words of “My Country Tis of Thee” to an audience of 75.000 people and millions more on radio (including 10 year old Martin Luther King, Jr.). In the third line of the familiar song, she changed “I” to “we,” a small decision that amplified her beliefs in a large way. Already a world-renowned singer, Anderson had performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, and Orchestra Hall in Chicago. She’d visited Scandinavia where she met Vehanen and began a lifelong friendship with the composer Julius Christian Sibelius who wrote and rewrote songs for her. She sang at London’s Wigmore Hall and elsewhere in Europe, receiving wide acclaim while avoiding the ugly racism she encountered in her own country. When she’d returned home, she’d been hosted by Albert Einstein after she’d been refused a room at a New Jersey hotel. In fact, Anderson was only singing at the Lincoln Memorial because the Daughters of the American Revolution, citing a “white-performers only” policy, had denied an effort to have her perform at Constitution Hall. This caused First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and thousands of others to resign from the D.A.R. “I am in complete disagreement with the attitude taken in refusing Constitution Hall to a great artist,” Roosevelt wrote. “You have set an example which seems to me unfortunate, and I feel obliged to send in to you my resignation. You had an opportunity to lead in an enlightened way and it seems to me that your organization has failed.” Roosevelt also announced her views in her nationally syndicated newspaper column, thrusting the D.A.R. controversy into the national limelight. Even as the NAACP and labor unions like the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (in her autobiography, Ms. Anderson wrote about her many excursions in "Berth 13," the train car designated for African Americans) and other groups pushed back, the D.C. Board of Education refused to allow Anderson to perform in the city at a white public high school. Asked to comment on the controversy, Ms. Anderson replied: "I'm shocked to be barred from the capital of my own country after having appeared in almost every other capital of the world.” That may have been a scripted response for the press. In her 1956 autobiography, Ms. Anderson wrote about the denial of the Hall: “I was saddened, but as it is my belief that right will win I assumed that a way would be found. I had no inkling the thing would become a cause célébre…I was saddened and ashamed. I was sorry for the people who had precipitated the affair. I felt their behavior stemmed from a lack of understanding.” Finally, the Roosevelts and Walter White of the NAACP encouraged Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes to arrange the Easter concert at the Lincoln Memorial. In his introduction, Ickes said, “In this great auditorium under the sky, all of us are free. Genius, like justice, is blind. Genius draws no color lines.” Philadelphia born Marian Anderson, the granddaughter of a slave, went on to perform beautifully for 25 minutes to a mixed race audience in the Nation’s Capital during the height of the era of “Jim Crow” segregation. "I could not run away from this situation,” Anderson would later write. “If I had anything to offer, I would have to do so now.” See newsreel footage of the event. See a clip of the PBS documentary Voice of Freedom, The Lincoln Memorial Concert. Wheeling - 1932 Remarkably, the Wheeling Blue Triangle (segregated) branch of the Y.W.C.A. was able to bring Marian Anderson to town seven years prior to her world famous Lincoln Memorial performance. Ms. Anderson -- who had been barred from white music schools, honing her craft by singing at churches and Y.W.C.A. branches as a child before studying under Giuseppe Boghetti – visited Madison School’s auditorium for a January 1932 concert. It was part of the Zou Hastings Frazier Memorial series, and Anderson was accompanied by pianist William King. The Frazier series was a Y.W.C.A. girls’ scholarship fund set up by New Yorker Fred Frazier in memory of his wife, “an esteemed Wheeling woman” life member of the Y.W.C.A., and former organist and singer at Fourth Street Methodist Church (Register, 06-12-20 and 10-11-27). Once again appearing in a town where she would not have been welcome in white-owned hotels, restaurants, or stores, Ms. Anderson performed with aplomb. Proclaimed by the Intelligencer as “the most outstanding colored singer in the country, and many critics say in the world,” she had just completed her triumphant tour of Europe, including Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and London. “She possesses a contralto voice of rare, velvet quality of a remarkable range. Every song which she sang demonstrated more thoroughly the unusual powers which are hers and the splendid training she has had in America and Europe. Her program was the sort to stir her audience to an almost un-American fervor of approval, Gallic in its voiced expression of pleasure.” She sang eloquently in French, German, and Italian as appropriate, performing works by Handel, Donizetti, Mozart, Schubert, and Liszt. “She loves the old songs of her race,” the Intelligencer reported, “and there was a dramatic pride and appreciation of the talent of her people…” as she sang a number of Negro spirituals. For its part the Wheeling Register praised Ms. Anderson’s “serene dignity,” which matched “the simple naturalness of her singing manner, and she is gifted with a voice of rich, throaty timbre, impressive in its enormous range.” Ms. Anderson returned to Wheeling 27 years later in February 1959 as a guest of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, performing two sold-out shows (reportedly “the first complete sell-out for any concert in Wheeling’s musical history”-Register, 02-14-59) at the Virginia Theatre. The Register mistakenly billed it as “her first Wheeling appearance.” Constitution Hall -1943 Never bitter or angry about how she was treated in 1939, though she had every right to be, Anderson performed, at the invitation of the D.A.R., at Constitution Hall in 1943 to benefit the Red Cross during the Second World War. “I forgave the DAR many years ago,” she explained. “You lose a lot of time hating people." Sixteen years later in 1955, Anderson became the first African-American to sing with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She would go on to perform many more concerts, serve her country as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, sing as a musical ambassador for the State Department in twelve Asian cities (1957), sing at JFK’s inauguration, sing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, support the Civil Rights Movement, and earn numerous prestigious awards including Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963), National Women's Hall of Fame (1973), United Nations Peace Prize (1977), Congressional Gold Medal (1977), Kennedy Center Honors (1978), and a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1991). But, most importantly, Marian Anderson inspired and continues to inspire millions to face obstacles and injustice with grace, courage, humility, and a dignified persistence. Her early Wheeling appearance reminds us that Jim Crow segregation did not make exceptions for talent or fame. Special Thanks to Erin Rothenbuehler who actually rediscovered the early Marian Anderson visit to Wheeling and did the spade work for this article. Sources: Anderson, M. My Lord, What a Morning : an Autobiography. Viking, NY. 1956. Blue Triangle Collection. YWCA Wheeling records by Young Women's Christian Association (Wheeling, W. Va.). OCPL Archives. Archives 2015-007. Brockell G. “’She sang with her eyes closed’: The concert at the Lincoln Memorial that changed America” Washington Post. April 9, 2019 Keiler, A. Marian Anderson : A Singer’s Journey. Scribner, NY. 2000. National Park Service, Marian Anderson and Constitution Hall, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall and Memorial Parks. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/marian-anderson-and-constitution-hall.htm PBS. “Voice of Freedom.” AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: PBS Documentary. Season 33 Episode 2 | aired 12/21/21. https://www.pbs.org/video/voice-of-freedom-crx5pq/ Stamberg, S. “Denied A Stage, She Sang For A Nation.” NPR, May 21, 2019. https://www.npr.org/2014/04/09/298760473/denied-a-stage-she-sang-for-a-nation#:~:text=AquiethumblepersonAnderson,whomwewillneverknow. Wheeling Intelligencer: Friday, January 15th, 1932, pg 5; Tuesday, January 19th, 1932, pg 5; Friday, January 22nd, 1932, pg 4; Thursday, March 27th, 1958, pg 7; Monday, February 2nd, 1959, pg 15. Wheeling Register: Tues. Oct. 11, 1927; Sat., June 12, 1920; Sunday, September 14th, 1958, pg 52; Thursday, March 27th, 1958, pg 18; Sunday, February 1st, 1959, pg. 53; Saturday, February 14th, 1959, pg. 3; Thursday, February 19th, 1959, pg. 15; Monday, February 23rd, 1959, pg. 8. Zou Hastings Frazier Memorial of the Young Women's Christian Association. 1927-1953. Ohio County Public Library Archives. Archives 2010-022. Written by: Sean Duffy Read the full article

[luvjonezmusic-blog]

Come check out the new comedy show started by ABH co-host @leehtillman debuting at @showbar.pdx this Thursday! . #repost • @leehtillman Good News with Lee H Tillman is a monthly event where Portland’s funniest comedians riff on the day's headlines. Sometimes it’s geopolitics and sometimes it’s celebrity gossip but it’s always hilarious. In January we have comedians @admpasi @ronniemackaroni and @mynipsdontlie taking the stage. Ticket are $15 and $17 at the door. Link in the bio. Lee H. Tillman (@freetillman) started his comedy career in Los Angeles, CA performing around Southern California. He is now based in Portland, OR where he performs all over the Pacific Northwest. He has performed at comedy festivals all over the United States including the Burbank Comedy Festival at Flappers where he was awarded “Best of Fest”, the Omaha Comedy Festival, and the Motor City Comedy Festival. While he has a low-key delivery, please do not mistake his laid-back delivery for complacency. There are surprises at every turn. Adam Pasi is a Portland comic who pretends to be from Seattle so he can confuse his friends on social media. He's afraid of dolls, loves his mom, and in 2016 he was crowned Portland's 3rd funniest person (he won first in 2019 and 2020 but he thinks bragging about 3rd is funnier) In the words of Billy Crystal, comedy is like taking somebody by the hand, guiding them through a dark forest and right when you get to the light where they feel safe, you smack em in the face with a shovel. That’s the epitome of what Ronnie Macaroni does. Neeraj Srinivasan is a first-generation Indian-American comedian from Boise now residing in Portland. He’s a co-host of Portland’s own DOUGH and PREACH comedy shows, and has performed at venues all over the West Coast such as Helium Comedy Club, Revolution Hall, The Comedy Store, and The Hollywood Improv. Neeraj was also dubbed one of Portland Mercury’s “Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy” in addition to being featured in IFC’s “Portlandia,” Treefort Music Festival, and Pacific Crest Comedy Festival. (at Show Bar at Revolution Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7UF2yyIJt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[howwearestories]

Thursday, August 15th we photographed Joyce Manor, Saves The Day and Awakebutstillinbed at Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville, NY. The show was part of a summer U.S. tour which took the three bands throughout the Midwest and East Coast and ends this weekend in Asbury Park.

San Jose’s Awakebutstillinbed kicked off the show. Their latest release, What People Call Low Self-Esteem Is Just Seeing Yourself The Way Others See You, came out in February 2018 on Tiny Engines.

Saves the Day took the stage and played a fun set full of favorites from their 20+ year career including ‘Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots’, ‘A Drag in D Flat’, ‘Freakish’ and ‘Three Miles Down’. The New Jersey-based band released their most recent album, 9, last fall on Equal Vision Records. 

Co-headliners Joyce Manor were up next. The band, based out of California, also put out a record last fall, Million Dollars to Kill Me, on Epitaph. They played a few songs from that album including ‘Think I'm Still In Love with You’, and ‘Wildflowers’, along with other highlights from their other four releases.

Check out more photos from the show on our Facebook page here.

All photos © Andy Jimenez/How We Are 2019

[you-cant-survive-on-ideas-alone]

Yooooo, the Jeff show last night was so fantastic! Can't wait for him to come back to long island for another show

[motomamita]

Anything Like Me

Pairing: Rockstar!Eddie x Rockstar!Female!Reader

Summary: Eddie and (y/n) face off with their respective groups to see who is the best. The loser should receive a painful and pleasant punishment.

Warnings: +18, smut, degrading kink, enemies, dacryphilia, Mean!Eddie, spiting, hair pulling, slaping, cursing, alcohol use, unprotected sex, creampie, and idk.

A/N: This is the dirtiest thing I've written so far. I even got horny writing it. Enjoy!

Do not copy or translate this!

Teenage bands were very common in those days in big cities, but not in Hawkins. Most didn't last more than 3 months until something happened, fights between the members or sudden disinterest, and they ended up disbanding before achieving local recognition. The few that got any attention were groups made up of all men and only men. The only place women occupied was to be fans of them until they became the famous 'groupies'. It was a very well marked world in terms of genres, where rock and metal was the fashion dominated by men. While pop and classical music had only female exponents.

For these and more reasons, Bleach Blonde Babes was the revolution of the moment. Or at least in the small town of Hawkins. First, they were women playing instruments with the same experience and skill as boys their age. Second, their style stood out from the others. While the boys just had to grow their hair long and wear dark clothes, the girls created a whole movement with their characteristic appearance. Hair bleached to a white color; each of them with some highlights with their identifying color, unlike the vocalist who only wore it faded. heavy makeup; dark and elaborate eyeliners that complemented lipsticks in strong tones such as black or red. Although they wore dark clothes like most, she gave them her own touch by placing chains and combining it with reflective fabrics that looked wonderful with the stage lights. And finally; they were the only women who did rock, and they did it wonderfully.

They were known and approved of by the listening rock/metal public. The boys drooled and got hot for them. The girls wanted to be like them, imitating their style. Obviously outside that small world of rock, they, like the other bands, were seen as weirdos. Branded by others as satanic, dark and girls in need of attention. Despite everything the outside said about them, that was not going to stop them from achieving their dream. And that meant that just as they accumulated fans, they also made enemies.

Corroded Coffin were one of them.

Both groups were formed almost at the same time and in the same school. That made people not stop comparing them and creating a rivalry that little by little became a reality as they both grew up. They could not be seen in the school halls and, when they did, the insults and provocations were always present. Soon the same students began to choose sides, deciding to support their favorite and discredit the other. That fueled even more dislikes between the members of both groups. It was a constant war to prove who was the best band not only in the school, but also in Hawkins.

The only time where both could really show who was the best was once a year when the famous 'The Bands War' takes place in one of the bars in town. There, the few groups from Hawkins performed on a night where, taking into account the opinion of the judges and the public, the winning band of that year was named along with a good sum of money as a prize. Therefore, it was to be expected that this competitive environment would flourish with greater intensity now.

The school day was over. Most of the students had already left to go home to rest or to meet their friends at Starcourt Mall in the evening. The few that remained were for study groups and other extracurricular activities that required the use of the facilities.

(y/n) entered the small school theater carrying her heavy backpack on one side and her bicycle helmet on the other. Lisa, the guitarist; Courtney, the bassist; and Valerie, the drummer, were already there waiting for her on stage with their respective instruments.

"I'm here." She reported, vocalist, throwing her belongings on the floor next to the stage and climbing up to join the others.

"I hadn't noticed..." Valerie muttered sarcastically, getting an amused smile from Courtney who had managed to hear her.

"Why are you wearing a helmet?" Lisa asked starting to tune her guitar without taking her eyes off the newcomer.

"For security after what Hargrove did to me last week."

Like the members of Correded Coffin, the Bleach Blonde Babes girls were also victims of the 'pranks' carried out by the kings and queens of the school. Last week the victim of these pranks was (y/n). After school she rode home on her bike but was intercepted in the middle of the road by Billy Hargrove and his group of mindless apes. Billy thought it was a good idea to hit her lightly with his camaro, causing (y/n) to lose control and fall hard on the ground, taking a couple of bruises and scratches.

"Ugh! I hate that bag of steroids!" Courtney complained with a roll of her eyes. "I can't believe you almost fucked him at the New Year's Eve party, Valerie."

All eyes went to the drummer, who shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"I don't think it's any worse than fucking Eddie Munson." Lisa added amused, making everyone laugh except (y/n).

Eddie and (y/n) had a short history but it meant something to both of them in the end. Years before they both created their respective bands, they used to be friends. They met at school and soon became inseparable. They spent hours listening to music and talking about their desire to enter the world of music. All that time led to them inevitably starting to have feelings for each other. Everything would change when Eddie abruptly distanced himself from (y/n) upon learning that she had also formed her own group. After a strong fight outside of Eddie's trailer, both ended their friendship, leaving not only complete strangers but also enemies. Despite that, the ashes of their friendship had remained and the tension between them was still valid even if they tried to deny it.

"Back to the topic." Lisa spoke again. "Why are you using a bicycle in the beginning? What happened to your car?" She addressed the vocalist again

(y/n) let out a loud sigh having to relive all the unfortunate events that happened in the last weeks of her life.

"Grumpy old Jim Hopper stopped me on the road after Trevor's party and asked for my driver's license which I left at home. Plus, he smelled alcohol on my breath and saw the beer cans Courtney left in my car. ." The girl spoke quickly with weariness in her voice. "They took my car and in theory I'm grounded for 3 months."

"That sucks." Lisa commented with a disgusted expression on her face.

"She already told us the reason last week, Li!" Valerie commented with a light laugh.

"What world are you in?" Courtney asked, slinging her bass on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. The thing is, I'm focused on practicing enough and winning 'The Bands War' again this year." A smile formed on everyone's face as they recalled their victory last year.

"Let's break those idiots' asses." (y/n) looked at each of her friends, who nodded excitedly.

(y/n) grabbed the microphone and spoke into it, testing the sound and quality of it. The others settled into their places, ready to receive the signal from the vocalist.

"Lets start with 'I Disagree'." The girls nodeed.

"I disagree with the way you continue to pressure me

I disagree, everything is going how it's meant to be

I disagree with the way you continue to pressure me"

The girl walked around the stage, singing with emotion while interacting with her companions. The presentations of Bleach Blonde Babes were characterized by the energy and strength they gave off. Those who saw her play ended up dancing to the rhythm of her songs or were inoptified by them, one of two or both.

"Down, let it all burn down

Burn it to the ground

We'll be safe and sound

When it all burns down

Let it all burn down

Burn it to the ground

We'll be safe and sound

When it all burns down"

(y/n) finished singing and they were soon interrupted by a series of loud applause and wild screams. Their attention went to the door of the theater, where Eddie Munson and his group had just entered with smiles from ear to ear.

"That was... disastrous!" Eddie exclaimed slowly stopping applauding and approaching the stage. "Seriously, girls. Every day you manage to sound worse than the last." His friends laughed and shook hands knowingly.

The girls shared glances, irritated at the unexpected arrival of the boys. They were always the ones who went to look for them to make fun of them, enjoying the moment.

"What do you want, Munson?" Lisa asked picking up her guitar.

"Nothing, we just came to visit you guys. It's always a pleasure to listen to your garbage which they call 'rock'." Eddie made an exaggerated gesture with his hands as he said 'rock'.

The other boys laughed at Eddie's words, boosting their ego and infuriating the girls who had already lost the courage to keep playing.

"Don't you have something better to do?" Courtney asked looking down at them. The boys stood in front of the stage while they were still on top of it.

"A bath would do them good. Their nasty smells carry all the way back here." Added Valerie from her drums, making her friends laugh.

Eddie rolled his eyes at the comment and decided to ignore it to focus his attention on (y/n). The girl had kept silent since their arrival, mostly to avoid being tempted to argue with them. However, Eddie knew very well which buttons to press to receive a reaction from her.

"(y/n)~" Eddie called her in a sing-song tone. "Talk to me~"

The girl turned to look at them with no expression on her face and walked slowly towards the end of the stage. In one of his hands she carried a bottle of water with which she had just hydrated her throat. She took his time swallowing in water, having everyone's eyes on her. Both groups knew that those who fought with greater intensity were Eddie and (y/n), for that same reason there was a certain tension and expectation in the environment.

"Looks like you weren't happy with last year's humiliation." She spoke quietly, hiding her mocking smile. Eddie didn't take his eyes off her, feeling a little small before her. "You always come back to us, Munson. I'm sure you must have a kink about being demoted, don't you?"

The girls giggled lightly, sharing amused and knowing glances with each other. Eddie settled on his seat, crossing his arms and decorating his face with the best expression of annoyance. His friends did the same waiting for their leader to respond to said taunt but he didn't, giving rise to (y/n) attacking again.

"Wasn't the beating we gave you last year enough? Second place suits you, kids." She made a fake sad pout looking at each of the boys. "I recommend that you get used to it because this year will not be very different." She confidently warned them.

Her friends nodded their heads, enjoying the way Eddie bit her inner cheeks and clenched his fists looking for a way to vent his annoyance.

(y/n) considered the argument won until she saw the change in expression on Eddie's face. He now wore a small smirk, one eyebrow raised, and his hands moved to his hips, straightening his back to look bigger

"Anyone wins if it's almost on tits." His gaze now settled on Courtney, who last year had shown up in a skimpy top that caught everyone's attention, especially the male judges. "Or if she makes out with her bandmate." His attention shifted from Lisa to (y/n), who had also drawn attention by sharing a passionate kiss in the middle of the song. "Everyone loves whores and lesbians." he blurted out bitterly.

"Why is it so hard for you to accept that we are better? It affects your fragile masculinity so much?" This time (y/n) spoke seriously, really interested in knowing the answer.

Eddie looked at her seriously for a matter of seconds. It seemed that inside his head he was struggling to answer honestly, to open up to his real feelings and get out of that strong man attitude that he himself had created so as not to be hurt by others. Sadly, he didn't and quickly changed the subject.

"I came to tell you that starting tomorrow you will have to practice half as long as usual." Eddie began to pace around the room with his head high and his hands behind his back.

"What? And why is that?" Valerie spoke for everyone confused.

"Because you will have to give us the theater so that we can also practice." Gareth join to the conversation from above one of the seats in the place.

"Impossible, the director said..."

"The director gave us some of her time here. So now you guys have to share and stop crying like spoiled little girls!" Eddie interrupted raising his voice and startling everyone.

"It's too little time to practice. No way..." (y/n) crossed her arms and shook her head.

"I'm so sorry but life is like that sometimes!" Eddie walked up to the stage, leaning on his forearms to get close to (y/n). "Or what are you going to do about it, cutie?" He muttered darkly, staring at the girl in front of him.

She was equally or more upset than her companions. They knew that it was all a plan by them to sabotage their practices. Corroded Coffin didn't need the theater to play since they already played at Gareth's house. On the contrary, they did not have an established physical place to do it except the school theater. Such a move on their part was merely cruel and unfair.

(y/n) knew there was no way to remedy that. They must adapt or panic, and the latter was not within their options. What's more, they saw that as an invitation to give even more of themselves despite the unforeseen news. A test that they were going to overcome and that, in some way, would show Corroded Coffin that they were not going to give up so easily.

The vocalist nodded her head slowly, looking at a dead center of the theater as she brought the bottle of water to her mouth and drank without swallowing the liquid. She looked down at Eddie, admiring her with her big brown eyes that were like a puppy's looking for attention. (y/n) knelt on the ground, facing him and a few centimeters away. Their gazes did not move, each taking in the color of the eyes and the hot breath of the other. She laughed lightly without opening her mouth, already happy with the idea that had just crossed her mind. Eddie frowned in confusion and before he could react to realizing what was going to happen, (y/n) spit the water that was in her mouth seconds ago in his face. The boy's face was completely soaked, as were his bangs and part of his The Hell Fire Club shirt. Eddie kept his eyes closed for a few moments, clamping his mouth shut as the warm liquid trickled down his skin. The girls let out exaggerated laughter at what happened, congratulating (y/n) who had stood up again and grabbed the microphone again, ready to get back to practice. Some of the members of Corroded Coffin had the reflex to laugh but had to hide it to avoid being punished by Eddie, who wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt.

"I think you're going to need a bath now more than ever, Munson." (y/n) commented amused through the microphone

Eddie took a few steps back and finished wiping his face even though drops were still falling from his bangs. A simple look at his friends was enough for them to start walking towards the exit of the theater. It seemed that (y/n) had managed to get the words out of the guitarist's mouth, however he spoke again.

"I heard what happened with Hargrove the other day. It's a shame he didn't hit you harder." The words came out through his teeth, in the form of a mumbled out of the rage of the moment. "Nice bike, by the way. If I were you I'd be more careful riding the desolate roads, lest someone want to do Hargrove's job well." He threatened to walk backwards, never taking his eyes off (y/n) until he reached the door and was lost in the corridors.

The theater fell into a tense silence at Eddie's words. Various rumors were associated with him and his 'satanic group'. They knew that this was all lies and that this group was for D&D players. However, it was not to be ignored that the boy could be dark and intimidating if he wanted to.

(y/n) swallowed hard at Eddie's words. Was he capable of carrying out such a threat? She didn't know, and didn't want to find out. What I knew was that everything around 'The Bands Wars' was getting out of hand and becoming an obsession for everyone. However, she didn't care either because her thirst for success was much greater.

"Sick..." Valerie muttered breaking the silence.

The practice continued without major interruptions. At the end of their established schedule at the theater, the girls grabbed their belongings and said goodbye and then each returned to their respective homes.

(y/n) walked to where her bike was parked, or well now part of it. As soon as she saw it, she knew who the culprits were. One of the wheels was missing while the other was punctured by more than a dozen nails. The handlebars were bent forward and the pedals were gone. The icing on the cake was that what was left of the bike was now on fire.

"Fucked the shit out of me…" The girl muttered looking at the flames that were burning strongly.

Luckily for her, minutes later Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers, who had just left after their day at the school newspaper, made their presence in the parking lot. (y/n) knew them from the times they had interviewed the Bleach Blonde Babes about their musical dreams. They were nice to each other, but they weren't friends. Nancy offered to drive her home while Jonathan jumped at the opportunity to photograph the burning bike for publication the following day under the title 'Vial Bandalism'. (y/n) gladly accepted both issues, especially the mention it would have in the school newspaper; dissemination would do them good.

'The Bands War' had arrived

The bar was packed with people. The music was playing all over the place and the drinks kept coming out of the bar towards the tables. In the backstage all bands were gathered, talking or practicing despite the loud noise due to the number of people there.

Bleach Blonde Babes were already there, dressed and ready to do their best on stage. Like them, Corroded Coffin were gathered in the other corner of the room sharing jealous glances from time to time with the girls. They still did not know the order in which they were going to appear and that made everyone anxious.

(y/n) took advantage of the free minutes they had before everything started and separated to go to the bathroom to relieve themselves and check their wardrobe for the last time. She had decided to wear the same black top that Courtney had worn last year but now it was a little smaller and looked more like a bra. To that she had added a black choker that had a chain that fell around her waist where her black leather skirt began. Part of her legs were covered with fishnet stockings and high boots with studs on them. It was probably the most risky outfit she'd ever worn before. She looked sexy and sassy, ​​and she loved it.

She gave the final touches to her makeup before walking out the door and into the dark hallway. Strong hands grabbed her bare waist and pinned her against one of the brick walls. (y/n) was about to scream but she could make out the face close to her among the neon lights, too close.

"What do you want, Munson?"

She didn't try to wriggle out of the boy's grasp because she liked the contact and the way his ringed fingers touched her skin. His closeness was magnetic and intoxicating, like a rush of adrenaline. Eddie could say the same for her, relaxed now that she hadn't tried to push him away. The sexual tension increased considerably, on the one hand because of the whole environment that surrounded him and on the other because they really felt something for each other.

"I came to give you a good luck kiss." He spoke in a hoarse voice as his eyes went to the girls red lips.

(y/n) could instantly make out the smell of beer on the boy's breath. Eddie had drunk before but he wasn't completely drunk. The alcohol had given him that confidence to approach her and tell her the things that in another situation he would never have dared to do. It was just what he needed to propose his wish to her.

She couldn't help biting her lower lip in the excitement of the moment. Eddie sighed loudly at the image, feeling the warmth spread to other parts of his body.

"I thought you wanted to run me over with your car." She murmured mimicking his action and giving her attention to the boy's full lips.

Eddie laughed lightly, shaking his head as he brought his body closer to hers, leaving her with no way out. He brought one of his hands up to her neck and gave it a slight squeeze causing her to let out a low moan. A smirk formed on Eddie's face at the girl's submission and the effect it had on her.

Strangely (y/n) liked the way Eddie had it. She liked how badly he treated her at school and now in the rough and indelicate way he touched her body. She wanted to be at his mercy and used as he pleased. Maybe what she told Eddie about the kink of being demoted was more about her than him.

"So eager…" Eddie brushed his lips dangerously. (y/n) tried to get closer and kiss him but his grip on her neck prevented it. "I have other better things to do to you..."

The presenter's voice interrupted them. The contest was about to begin and their respective partners wondered where they were both.

"I have to go, there's a contest I have to win." (y/n) placed her hands on Eddie's chest and tried to push but to no avail; he was stronger.

"Are you really so sure they'll win?" he asked with amusement.

"Evidently." She answered immediately.

"Then I imagine you wouldn't mind making a little deal with me."

"I'm all ears."

"If Bleach Blonde Babes wins, you can do whatever you want to me." Eddie slowly lowered his hand from the girl's neck to the chain of her choker where he slightly tugged on it. "But if Corroded Coffin wins..."

"Deal."

Eddie smiled widely, separating from the girl until his back hit the opposite wall. They shared glances before (y/n) straightened her clothes and headed backstage, feeling Eddie's intense gaze behind her.

"Now I'm going to ask everyone for a warm welcome to the next band!" The public obeyed, eager to know who would be the next to take the stage. "Beautiful, talented and last year's winners! Please welcome the Bleach Blonde Babes!"

The applause and shouts did not wait; everyone was excited to see the performance of the champions. The girls took to the stage and took their places, waving slightly to their acquaintances in the audience and feeling the gaze of the competition.

The song they had chosen to play was different from the ones they were used to presenting in contests like this. It started out slow and ramped up to the rock/metal that everyone loved, then slowed back down to the bridge. It was a risky choice but they had nothing to lose by trying. In addition, the letter was very well accommodated to the whole situation.

(y/n) grabbed the microphone with both hands and fixed her gaze on a point in the audience, meeting those brown eyes she knew so well. Eddie gave her a half smile that she responded in the same way and then looked at her companions, who nodded their heads ready to start.

The lights dimmed and the music began to play.

"I feel her heart beating in me

Get her out of me"

Progressively the battery increased its intensity along with the guitar and bass. The public began to shake their heads, curious at the beginning of the song.

"Sorry for what I've become

Because I'm becoming someone

Your hand on my neck, you call up the press

Die for the attention"

The vocalist began to move around the stage, enjoying the music and giving her all, just like her companions. The public loved them and it was evident that they were exceeding their expectations. However, right after the chorus of the song things started to go wrong.

"You shouldn't be anything like me

You shouldn't be anything like me

You'll never be anything like me

You shouldn't be anything like me"

The sound began to fail, lowering her microphone to the maximum and making it impossible for her voice to be heard. Her companions also had problems. The strings on Lisa's guitar and Courtney's bass were out of tune, not to mention the cymbals on Valerie's drums were, too.

The girls continued with their presentation regardless of the failures until the end. Coming down from the stage, everything was chaos and annoyance among the group. Someone had sabotaged them. And that someone was about to go on stage to play with his band.

Corroded Coffin put on an excellent show, surprising everyone with the improvement compared to last year and how well everything went compared to the previous group. That is why there were no surprises when they were named as the winners of that year.

"What a shit." Lisa muttered putting away her things, ready to leave and forget that failed night.

"All I need right now is a good shot of vodka and sleep until my back is part of the mattress." Courtney spoke with the same bitterness as her friend.

"I need a good fuck. Maybe I'll call Hargrove." The friends looked at Valerie in disgust at her comment.

The backstage was almost empty by this time of night. The vast majority had already packed their things and gone home after losing to Corroded Coffin, who were still in the bar enjoying their victory.

"I'm leaving, are you coming with us?" Lisa approached (y/n) who was sitting on top of one of the many boxes backstage.

"No. I'm going to stay a while longer." She muttered looking at the ground

"Okay. We'll be waiting for you in the parking lot."

The 3 girls left, leaving (y/n) alone for a matter of seconds until the door opened again. The girl looked up to meet his again.

"You sabotaged us. It's not fair." (y/n) broke the silence without moving from her place yet.

The boy locked the door behind him, making sure no one entered the room and leaving them alone. Eddie made a small mocking pout at her.

"Really? Poor little fool, she's sad that we beat them."

Eddie began to walk slowly towards the girl without taking his eyes off her. (y/n) didn't flinch at his words or his actions. What's more, both of them had ignited something in they that was inexplicable.

"You lost, and I won." He dropped the bag of money, letting it fall to the ground under the girl's intense gaze. "The deal still stands, doesn't it little one?"

The girl looked up at his face, which was expressionless. After a few seconds, (y/n) nodded her head making Eddie laugh slightly. The weather got heavy in that room from one second to the next.

(y/n) had no idea what Eddie was going to do to her but was intrigued. She knew that she could be getting into a very dark place that he would have a hard time getting out of if she wasn't careful. However, that feeling of doing something forbidden and dangerous pushed her to want to find out.

"Kneel." (y/n) opened her mouth but was interrupted by Eddie. "Shut up, I don't want to hear you. Kneel down now." His words were severe.

(y/n) obeyed and slowly knelt in front of him with her hands in her lap. The cold ground slammed into her knees and the fishnet stockings that would leave marks on her skin the next morning. She kept her gaze on the ground until Eddie's large hand roughly grabbed her hair and forced her to look up. The girl let out a gasp that came out more like a moan of pleasure in response to the boy's indelicate action.

"Fucking bitch." Eddie muttered before hitting her on the cheek with his hand.

Tears of pain and pleasure began to form in the girl's eyes. Eddie got even more turned on by that, enjoying the position of power and control over her.

Another blow landed on the same cheek, this time with greater force than the last.

"You really thought you were going to beat me, huh?" Another hit. "Sluts like you get nothing but punishment for disrespecting me." Another hit.

"Eddie-"

"I told you to shut up. Is it so hard for you to understand that?" (y/n) shook her head as best she could, still feeling Eddie's tight grip on her scalp.

Again Eddie hit the girl's cheek again. Her skin was red and irritated from the abuse while tears kept coming out of her eyes that little by little joined the black eyeliner and fell towards her neck.

"Open."

(y/n) opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue at the command. Eddie spat on her, letting his saliva meet her mouth. The girl moaned loudly as she felt the warm fluid in her mouth, savoring the combination of beer and cigarettes in it.

"Enjoy it like the bitch you are." They both laughed lightly. "Do you like it? Tell me how much you like it." Eddie muttered, tightening his hold on her hair.

"I love it, Eddie. You taste so good!" Eddie sighed at the need in her voice.

She clenched her thighs, searching for any friction that would satisfy her needs. Her underwear was already soaked with her fluids and her core was on fire with arousal.

"So naughty!" Eddie laughed out loud hearing her and noticing what she was doing under her skirt. "I'm sure you're going to love this."

With his free hand Eddie removed his belt and pants. His boxers squeezed his erection in a tortuous way for him, so much so that he had even stained it with his pre-seminal fluid. Still holding her hair, he pulled down his boxers, releasing his huge, throbbing, needy cock.

(y/n) lost her breath for a few seconds when she saw what was in front of her. It was definitely going to hurt a lot.

"Let's see what that slutty mouth of yours can do." Eddie muttered bringing his hands to either side of her head.

She sucked in a breath before he mercilessly plunged his cock into her mouth. Her hands went to his thighs looking for some kind of support against the thrusts she was receiving. The tip of his cock pounded senselessly against the bell in her throat, generating an unbearable choking sensation. (y/n) moaned at that, sending vibrations all over Eddie's cock. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes tightly, enjoying the sensation.

"Your mouth is so wet and warm…" He groaned hoarsely. "It makes me want to leave my dick in there forever."

Saliva began to trickle down to her chin, inevitably reaching Eddie's balls. The taste of Eddie's saliva in his mouth began to mix with the taste of precum that was beginning to leak from the tip of his cock. (y/n) was able to feel the large veins on her tongue and palate, paying special attention to them with her tongue.

Eddie let out a moan of pleasure, then out of her mouth. The girl desperately gasped for air as tears continued to fall from her eyes, arousing Eddie even more.

"Keep crying, keep crying that makes me so horny." Eddie wiped away the tears with his thumb, smeared with black eyeliner. "I love to see you suffer."

With one of his hands he grabbed his hard cock and massaged himself for a few seconds without taking his eyes off her face. His free hand returned to the girl's irritated cheeks, forcing her to open her mouth and stick out her tongue. She obeyed and Eddie began to lightly tap the tip of his cock on her tongue, producing a pornographic sound.

"You're a bloody mess, little one." He whispered without taking his eyes off her attentive to all her expressions. "You deserve to taste my cum."

Without giving her time to react, Eddie put his dick back into (y/n)'s mouth. The thrusts were much more violent and fast, all with the intention of making him cum as fast as possible. His balls banged against her chin, aching and needing to release their fluid. (y/n)'s chest rose and fell from lack of air and her moans didn't stop vibrating over his length. Eddie's navel contracted and with his hands he lowered the girl's head onto him, letting his pubic hair touch her face. Eddie came into her mouth with a grunt of pleasure.

"Swallow it all." He ordered with his ragged breath.

(y/n) obeyed, swallowing every last drop of the salty white liquid. They were both silent for a few moments, catching their breath and trying to process everything that had happened. She looked up to notice that he was watching her, still agitated and with a twinkle in his black eyes.

"Eddie-"

"That's not my name". He interrupted her. "You must address me as Master, is that clear?"

"Yes, Master." She nodded her head anxiously. "Master, please. Fuck me, please." She begged bringing one of her hands up her skirt and beginning to rub her clit through the fabric of her thong.

"Is that what you want?" he asked with a smile. "You want me to fuck that little slutty pussy of yours?"

"Please please-"

Eddie grabbed her tightly by the neck, almost choking her, and threw her on the box where minutes before she had been sitting. She was out of breath and before she knew it, Eddie was already behind her ready to fuck her right there. With his back to him, she could hear him spitting on her hand and massaging his cock for a few seconds. With his other hand he moved her underwear aside and when she thought he was going to penetrate her, a loud blow startled her. (y/n) gave a strangled moan as his palm collided with her swollen clit.

"Tell me what you want!" Another hit.

"Fuck me! Please, Master, I need to feel you inside me!" She cried in need of contact

"That's how I like it." He growled massaging her clit. "I'm going to destroy this damn cunt until there's nothing left of it."

Without warning or asking for permission, Eddie roughly penetrated her until he placed his entire cock inside her. (y/n) let out a small cry as she felt her walls open at the intrusion of his cock. It was too big and having him inside her generated such a pleasurable pain that she had never felt before.

"So small and tight." He moaned without moving yet, enjoying the tight feel on his cock. "If you weren't such a slut I could swear you were a virgin."

Eddie began to move fast and deep, causing (y/n) to moan loudly at the sensation. His cock moved smoothly inside her thanks to Eddie's saliva used as a lubricant and how aroused she was. She closed her eyes, focusing on the feel and the way his cock pounded against her cervix mercilessly. Eddie took one of his hands to the choker chain and wrapped it around (y/n)'s neck. Her back arched much more and it was difficult for her to breathe but Eddie didn't care because in the end he was using her for his own pleasure.

"Master! I can't breathe!" She reported still feeling how Eddie's thrusts wouldn't stop.

He completely ignored her and tightened the chain even more, smiling at the girl's desperation. (y/n)'s vagina tightened even more around Eddie's cock, giving him another level of pleasure. Little by little, he loosened his grip; allowing the girl to catch her breath while still ramming her. The girl regained her breath and with it her orgasm began to approach.

"Are you going to cum? Are you going to cum on my fucking cock?" Eddie asked excitedly to which she responded with several nodes.

Eddie jerked out of her, letting her walls constrict in midair and her orgasm fade. (y/n) leaned her forehead against the box and cried several times at the overwhelming situation. He opened a bottle of beer that had been left over and drank some of it, cooling his throat. He then grabbed her around the waist to turn her around so they were facing each other. He didn't think much of it and spat the beer in her face, the same way she had done with him weeks ago.

"Oh no! The little bitch is going to need a nice bath after I'm done with her." Eddie scoffed admiring the look of confusion on the girl's face.

Like a rag doll, Eddie picked her up and laid her down on the box, spreading her legs apart and inserting his cock into her center again. (y/n) by that point it was a disaster. Her makeup smudged from tears and beer. Her hair messy just like her clothes. Her fishnet stockings were already destroyed as well as her thong, which was lying on the floor of the place. Pure nonsense babble came out of her mouth thanks to the sheer amount of pleasure Eddie was giving her.

"Master! Master!" She screamed frantically as the tip of Eddie's cock touched her G-spot.

"Shut. The. Fucking. Mouth." Eddie penetrated her strongly after each word, further stunning the girl who did not stop moaning. "You leave me no other damn choice."

Eddie took the bandana off his head and then placed it over (y/n)'s mouth. Shutting her up and almost drowning her with the cloth.

"Much better." He laughed wickedly and resumed his movements again.

He penetrated her hard and considering only her pleasure. (y/n)'s eyes filled with tears and Eddie took in her face and the way her breasts bounced under her black tank top. They were both hot and it showed in the way their bodies reacted to each other's touch.

The room was filled with the noise of their skins clashing with each thrust, Eddie's growls and (y/n)'s crying. Beads of sweat adorned Eddie's face, wetting his bangs and part of his tank top. The area where their bodies joined was sticky and wet from the fluids of both, especially those of (y/n). Their bodies were on fire again, burning from the ashes that had remained of their friendship years ago.

Again the orgasm of (y/n) was present, narrowing her walls and making it impossible to stop the moans through the bandana. Eddie was also close by the way his legs trembled and his thrusts began to get wilder.

"Shit, shit. I'm going to cum, I'm going to cum inside your pussy." He cursed in his broken voice.

Eddie took one of his hands to the girl's hip while the other took the bandana out of her mouth and went to her neck, squeezing it firmly. Sweet moans escaped from (y/n)'s mouth as he wrapped his hands around Eddie's wrist, feeling the cool rings on his skin.

"Here it comes, here it comes. Take it all like my little whore." He spoke desperately. "Whose cunt is this, huh? Who does this delicious cunt belong to?"

"To you, Master. My pussy is all yours!"

He came when he heard the girl's words, that being the trigger for her orgasm as well. The hot liquid invaded her interior and soon began to spill out and dirty their thighs. Eddie stayed inside her for a few seconds until he decided to get out and appreciate the glorious image in front of him.

(y/n) remained in place without moving, recovering his breath after everything that had happened. With her eyes still closed, she could feel Eddie wipe the cum off his legs with something. Opening her eyes she found him cleaning it with one of the 100 dollar bills that had been given to her as a prize. She couldn't help but laugh, infecting Eddie who shook his head slightly.

He helped her with her clothes, combing her faded hair with her fingers and wiping her face with her own bandana. Very sweet and delicate actions considering that he had been the one who left her that way. Neither said a word until it was time to leave.

"I think the two of us have a lot to talk about." Eddie looked at her now with his big, sweet brown eyes. "You know, from the past."

"Ok." She whispered, according to whatever Eddie decided.

"Come with me, I'll take you home again." He held his hand out to her, referring to his house in the trailer park.

Maybe losing that night wasn't as bad as she thought.

[zheniakirsikkalove]

NEWS! VV / NEON NOIR TOUR 2023

(Ville Valo - Heartagram)

Tickets

VV ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN AND US HEADLINE TOUR FOR 2023 General sale: April 11, 2022 (Europe) 10:00AM CET / April 15, 2022 (US) 10:00AM local time

JAN 13, 2023 Tavastia, Helsinki (FI)

FEB 14, 2023 Proxima, Warsaw (PL)

FEB 15, 2023 Kwadrat, Krakow (PL)

FEB 16, 2023 Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (CZ)

FEB 17, 2023 Huxley’s, Berlin (DE)

FEB 18, 2023 Fabrik, Hamburg (DE)

FEB 20, 2023 Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)

FEB 21, 2023 Batschkapp, Frankfurt (DE)

FEB 22, 2023 Komplex, Zurich (CH)

FEB 24, 2023 Razzmatazz, Barcelona (ES)

FEB 25, 2023 La Riviera, Madrid (ES)

FEB 26, 2023 Cineteatro Capitolio, Lisbon (PT)

FEB 27, 2023 Hard Club, Porto (PT)

MAR 02, 2023 Alcatraz, Milan (IT)

MAR 03, 2023 Backstage Werk, Munich (DE)

MAR 04, 2023 Barba Negra, Budapest (HU)

MAR 05, 2023 Arena, Vienna (AT)

MAR 07, 2023 Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette (LU)

MAR 08, 2023 LMH, Cologne (DE)

MAR 09, 2023 Le Trabendo, Paris (FR)

MAR 10, 2023 O2 Academy, Bristol (GB)

MAR 11, 2023 Rock City, Nottingham (GB)

MAR 13, 2023 Garage, Glasgow (GB)

MAR 14, 2023 O2 Ritz, Manchester (GB)

MAR 15, 2023 O2 Forum Kentish Town, London (GB)

APR 01, 2023 Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia PA (USA)

APR 02, 2023 Big Night Live, Boston MA (USA)

APR 04, 2023 Roxian Theater, Pittsburgh PA (USA)

APR 05, 2023 House of Blues, Cleveland OH (USA)

APR 06, 2023 St. Andrews Hall, Detroit MI (USA)

APR 08, 2023 Bogarts, Cincinnati OH (USA)

APR 09, 2023 House of Blues, Chicago IL (USA)

APR 11, 2023 Varsity Theater, Minneapolis MN (USA)

APR 13, 2023 Summit Music Hall, Denver CO (USA)

APR 14, 2023 The Depot, Salt Lake City UT (USA)

APR 16, 2023 Ace of Spades, Sacramento CA (USA)

APR 17, 2023 The Fillmore, San Francisco CA (USA)

APR 18, 2023 Belasco, Los Angeles CA (USA)

APR 21, 2023 House of Blues, Las Vegas NV (USA)

APR 22, 2023 House of Blues, San Diego CA (USA)

APR 23, 2023 Van Buren, Phoenix AZ (USA)

APR 25, 2023 House of Blues, Dallas TX (USA)

APR 26, 2023 Aztec Theater, San Antonio TX (USA)

APR 27, 2023 House of Blues, Houston TX (USA)

APR 28, 2023 House of Blues, New Orleans LA (USA)

APR 30, 2023 House of Blues, Orlando FL (USA)

MAY 01, 2023 Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale FL (USA)

MAY 03, 2023 Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta GA (USA)

MAY 04, 2023 Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville TN (USA)

MAY 05, 2023 Underground, Charlotte NC (USA)

MAY 07, 2023 The Fillmore, Silver Spring MD (USA)

MAY 08, 2023 Irving Plaza, New York NY (USA)

[nationalharryleague]

Valentine’s Day

Summary: Y/N receives a special candy gram on Valentine’s Day. 

Genre: Valentine’s Day Fluff with Middle School Band Teacher!Harry 

Word Count: 2.7k

A/N: Hi my valentines!!! There’s about 30 minutes left of Valentine’s Day for me and I finished this piece right in time!! Thank you to the angel herself @tbslenthusiast​ for beta reading this for me and I cant wait to hear what you all think!! More of my writing can be found in my Masterlist and I would love to hear some feedback! 

***

Valentine’s Day was never fun for you. You dreaded this day every year.

Valentine's Day in a middle school was full of teddy bears and flowers purchased by someone’s mom and having to tell 12 year olds to stop kissing in the hallway. You also knew that you would be inevitably interrogated by your students about your love life before getting any of them to listen to your lesson about the industrial revolution.

And every year, your answer stayed the same.

“It is none of your business,” you would begin with a teasing sigh. “But if you all have to know, I am happily single.”

And every year, you were met with a chorus of disappointed whines.

Your students were always desperate to wiggle their way into your personal life, a side-effect of being one of the youngest teachers in the school. You were closer in age to them than to some of your coworkers and they took advantage of that fact constantly, creating an open and honest dialogue with their favorite history teacher.

“But do you have a crush, Miss Y/L/N?” Jenna, one of your favorite students, piped up this Valentine’s Day from the front row. You couldn’t help but laugh at the way she raised her eyebrow at you from her desk, inquisitive and adorably curious.

“How about this?” you started, raising your own eyebrow to match her’s. “I’ll tell you if I have a crush, if you can tell me why the printing press was so important to the industrial revolution.”

Your heart started to drop as you watched the massive smile stretch across her face, exposing a mouth full of braces with pink rubber bands. They weren't supposed to learn about the printing press for another week.

“It made information more affordable and easier to access which bridged the information gap between the rich and the poor,” she answered like she had the textbook right in front of her. She crossed her arms triumphantly and leaned back into her seat while the class oohed and ahhed around her, knowing she had kept up her end of their deal.

You felt your cheeks heat as your classroom descended into giggles as your flustered face. “Nice job, smarty pants,” you let out with a nervous giggle.

“Remember, honesty is the best policy,” another student shouted out, pointing towards the poster on the wall of your classroom next to the world map that read the same saying.

“Okay, okay, okay,” you conceded, raising your hands in surrender to the classroom full of seventh graders. “I do have a crush.”

Your students erupted at your admission. Whos, whats, wheres, whens, and whys were thrown out by the class, but only a gentle smirk rested on your features, refusing to relinquish any more information to the children demanding it.

“You aren’t getting anything else than that!” you raised your voice to settle the rowdy classroom with a laugh. You moved from the front of the class back to your desk, listening to the gentle click of your heels on the white tile and gathering the stack of worksheets for that day’s lesson. “Now, pass these around and stop asking questions,” you playfully scolded.

“That’s not what your poster says, Miss Y/L/N,” Jenna spoke up again, pointing out another poster on your wall.

Never stop asking questions! was written in bold rainbow colors on the wall and it was now staring back at you.

You let out a chuckle and shook your head at the floor, knowing they had caught you once again. “I’m going to take down all my posters and you’re going to have to learn in a boring classroom soon.”

“We are just looking out for your love life!”

“You deserve a boyfriend!”

“Or a girlfriend!”

“Just someone who loves you!”

You smiled wide at the class full of endearing faces in front of you. They had nothing but good intentions and were sweeter than Valentine’s Day candy. You loved these kids like they were your own.

“Guys, I appreciate your concern,” you confessed. “But I promise I have it under control.”

After that, they began to settle down, eventually letting you give your lesson on the industrial revolution and scientific advancements of the period.

But you knew you had told them a lie.

You did not have it under control, at all. You were hopelessly in love with the kind man with curly hair and green eyes down the hallway in the band room and had no idea what to do about it.

Harry was one of your first friends when you were hired last year, volunteering to show you around the school and fill you in on all the workplace gossip. He had flecks of cheeky mischief in his eyes as he told you about the gym and spanish teachers��� affair and how the coffee machine was broken by one of the math teachers after a bad administrative evaluation. You had listened adoringly, like he was explaining the meaning of life, and you hadn’t been able to shake your crush since.

You brought each other coffees on the daily and were always in and out of each other’s classrooms. He always made sure you were a chaperone on his field trips and you always made sure he was one on yours. He had even convinced you to let your classes come to band practice once a month so they could play music from the time period your classes were currently studying.

He was endearing and kind and charming and so so good with all the kids. He was also incredibly sexy, which made it even more difficult to control yourself around him. You had the fattest and most uncontrollable crush on him, but he was your friend and you didn’t want to ruin that.

The ring of the bell that signified the end of the class period brought you out of your Harry induced haze, waving goodbye to your students and shouting after them to do their homework and to stop kissing in the hallways. You stood against the door frame of your classroom and watched their little awkward bodies skurry towards their next class, but your attention was soon caught by the tall man who’s chocolate curls stuck out high above the sea of middle schoolers that surrounded him.

“Good morning, love. Happy Valentine’s Day,” he smiled wide, dimples appearing like they were inviting you to poke them, as he reached your classroom and your heart fluttered at his affectionate pet name.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Harry,” you beamed back at him, hoping he and the passing students didn’t pick up on the adoration that was becoming very hard for you to hide.

“Oi, stop that,” he called over your shoulder, slight disgust showing on his face. You turned around and were met by two kids sucking face behind you. “Guys, just go to class,” he exasperatedly sighed when he was met by their shocked and embarrassed faces. Once they were gone, the two of you descended into a fit of giggles.

“They have no shame!” you laughed.

“Absolutely none!”

“Why are you over here? Not that you aren't welcome, but don’t you have a class to teach?” you teased gently as students began to gradually fill up your own classroom.

“I thought I would stop by and wish you a happy love day.” He smiled wide at you and spoke sweetly. If you weren’t reading into it too closely, you thought he might even be blushing a bit. “And it’s okay,” he waved off his class, clearing his throat and his voice returning to normal. “They’ll survive a few minutes alone. I trust them.”

“You shouldn’t,” you giggled again.

“Yeah,” he nodded with a chuckle. “I probably should get back, but I wanted to invite you to come to my classroom and get some cookies whenever you get a chance today.”

You felt your heart soar at his invitation, no matter how friendly the proposal. “I am free next period.”

“I know,” he winked, and your heart nearly jumped out of your chest. “I will see you then,” he grinned as he began to walk backwards down the hallway, maintaining eye contact for as long as he could, before spinning down the hall just as the bell rang to start the next period.

You tried your best to focus on your lesson about the renaissance with your sixth graders, but your mind kept floating back to the delightful man who had invited you for cookies. 

Had he invited all of the teachers for cookies? Or did he ask just you? Was he just being nice? Or did he actually want to see you? Had he been flirting with you?

The lesson was interrupted when there was a knock on your classroom door. You opened it up to find one of your students, Matt, dressed in a giant heart costume holding baskets full of labelled chocolate bars.

“I’m here to give out Valentine’s Day candy grams, Miss Y/L/N!” Matt exclaimed, his face barely fitting into the far too large hole cut out for his face. Every year the student council set up a candy gram fundraiser and the kid in the suit never got any less cute. You let out a chuckle as you looked down at him, opening the door further and letting him into the room.

You watched with a smile as he called out students’ names and the genuine surprise and flattery that passed over their features. Cheeks turned red and shy smiles played on their lips as they made their way to the front of the room and retrieved their candy from the giant pink heart.

You were caught off guard when you heard your own name be called. Matt held out the meticulously wrapped pink candy bar out to you as the class let out an “ooh” and your cheeks heated with embarrassment. Your cheeks heated even further as you read the label.

To: Miss Y/L/N

From: Mr. Styles

Will you be my valentine?

Your heart fluttered in your chest and you had a very hard time holding back the large and toothy grin that wanted to appear in front of your students.

“Who is it from?” one of your students asked excitedly.

“I don’t ask who your Valentines are, do I?” you teased, but held the candy bar close to your chest over your heart. You could feel your heart racing underneath your hands.

The giant pink heart standing at the front of the classroom finished distributing his candy and your class led a chorus of goodbyes as he left the room, onto the next classroom to spread some more innocent young love. You impatiently watched the clock tick down the seconds until the bell rang and released both you and your students out into the school.

And just when it felt like it might never come, the bell rang through the school and your students were off into the chaos of a passing period. You followed closely behind after you gathered your things, the candy bar slid carefully into your bag. You flowed along with the flow of children that carried you down the hallway, heart racing as Harry’s classroom came into view, your feet quickly matching it’s tempo.

Your footsteps echoed on the tile in the acoustics of the large room, your voice bouncing off the walls as you said hello. He had been tuning a guitar when you came in, his attention flashing up from the instrument in his hands to you.

“I was promised cookies,” you teased him. “They better be good.”

“I promise they are. They’re my nan’s recipe.”

“Of course they’re your nan’s recipe,” you sighed with a chuckle.

“What’s so bad about using my nan’s recipe?” he asked incredulously, grinning as he settled the guitar back into its stand and moved towards you.

“Absolutely nothing,” you sighed adoringly. “I just think it’s very sweet.”

“You haven’t even tried them yet! You can’t say they’re too sweet.”

You couldn’t hold back the giant smile that was so wide it made your cheeks hurt, chuckling at his cheesy joke. He made you feel warm when he moved closer to you, like someone had just turned up the heat in the large room.

“I meant that you were sweet, silly,” you tried to joke, but it came out genuine and soft. You bit on your lip nervously, replaying the affectionate tone in your head over and over.

“Thank you, sweetie,” he smirked softly at the pet name and you felt like you were soaring.

He was close to you now, having crossed the room and standing only a few feet away from your body. You wanted to close the space between you two, to kiss him with all your might, to tell him you would love to be his valentine. But just as you built up the courage, he stepped away towards his desk, retrieving a cookie for both of you.

The cookies were shaped into small perfect hearts with a coarse pink sugar pressed into the soft biscuit. The cookie melted in your mouth and the sugar granules crunched between your teeth. You had to hold yourself back from releasing a moan at the taste. They were dainty and delicate and you could only imagine how much time he had put into them.

But you weren’t shocked. Harry was like that. He was gentle, taking care and measured precision with everything he did. He spoke to the kids with tender care, making them feel talented and successful, and was always there to lend a helping hand whenever one of them needed it. And he spoke to you the same way.

“Harry-” you began softly, but he cut you off before you could finish.

“-Yes, I would love to.”

“What?”

“I would love to be your valentine.”

Your heart jumped in your chest, flattered heat rushing to the surface of your cheeks, but you also looked at him with a slight confusion. He had asked you to be his valentine, hadn’t he?

As you looked at him in slight shock, you noticed the small and meticulously wrapped pink candy bar that sat on his desk. Oh my god, they didn’t, you thought.

You could only imagine the confusion that fell onto Harry’s features as you moved away from him and towards his desk, picking up the candy bar and reading the writing on the wrapper.

To: Mr. Styles

From: Miss Y/L/N

Will you be my valentine?

Oh my god, they did.

“Harry,” you chuckled, looking back towards him and holding the chocolate bar up. “When did you get this?”

“I got it this morning when the kids delivered it,” he said dumbfounded. “Why?”

“Because I didn’t send this.” You walked over to your bag that you had left near the door and retrieved your own matching candy bar. “And I’m assuming you didn’t send this either?”

You handed the pink package to him and he read the label closely, eyebrows furrowing even further, then relaxing as you watched the puzzle fall together in his head as it had in yours.

“The kids sent these to us from each other, didn’t they?”

“I believe they did, Mr. Styles,” you nodded.

His cheeks turned a bright red, embarrassment flooding his features. “I’m sorry about before then,” he stammered out. You watched the panic on his face as he searched for something to say that would cover his tracks, but you cut it off when you connected your lips to his.

His lips were soft and velvety and he tasted exactly like the sweet sugar cookie he had gifted you. Your lips moved gently over each other and you slid your hands up to play with the curls that rested at the back of his neck, pulling him impossibly closer to you as his hands found their spot on your hips. You couldn’t help the smiles that fought their way into the kiss and you broke apart moments later, both flushed and flustered, small giggles leaving both of you.

“I would love to be your valentine if you would have me,” you said breathlessly as you looked up to him.

“It’s all I could ask for.”

“This is the best Valentine’s Day ever,” you said softly against his lips, already pulling him back in for more.

“We’re just like the kids in the hallway.”

“They’re not too bad. I understand it now.”

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!! REBLOGS AND FEEDBACK MEAN THE WORLD!!! :)

[doomedandstoned]

The Official Guide to the DOOMIES!

              The rumors are true...

...on April 20th, THE DOOMIES are coming!

WHAT IT IS

Doomed & Stoned and Blasko are stoked as hell to announce the first annual DOOMED & STONED AWARDS (aka The Doomies) -- the first underground heavy music awards show of its kind!

The idea of an awards show for the heavy underground has been simmering for quite a while here at Doomed & Stoned HQ, but this year all the pieces finally fell right into place to make it happen.

WHY IT MATTERS

The doom metal and stoner rock scene (two styles that have grown up together like yin & yang) has mushroomed in size, scope, and musical depth -- showing no apparent signs of stopping. It's high time we give formal recognition to the creativity, heart, and musical might of the bands, artists, and record labels that mean so much to our scene.

HOW IT WORKS

Voting members of Doomed & Stoned and the Doom Charts have narrowed the field from a list of bands, albums, artists, and record labels that left a lasting impression on us in 2020, with members given the opportunity of offering up their favorites in eight different award categories. The five most popular in each category have moved on to the next round of voting. This is where you come in. It's now your turn to choose your favs at Doomies.net.

A streaming awards show, hosted by Blasko (legendary bassist and band manager), Billy Goate (Editor in Chief, Doomed & Stoned), and John Gist (CEO, Vegas Rock Revolution) will air on 4/20, when the the winners you select will be announced!

⇝ A guide to the categories and nominees follows below.

SPONSORS

The Doomies are kindly sponsored by Revolver, Orange Amps,Pirates Press, Dunable, Saint Vitus Bar, Does It Doom, The Hard Times, Liquid Death, and Doom Charts.

Poster by Branca Studio.

☿

THE CATEGORIES

I. Best Album

Acid Mammoth - 'Under Acid Hoof'

Under Acid Hoof by Acid Mammoth

Dopelord - 'Sign of the Devil'

Sign Of The Devil by Dopelord

Elephant Tree - 'Habits'

Habits by Elephant Tree

Lowrider - 'Refractions'

Refractions by Lowrider

Psychlona - 'Venus Skytrip'

Venus Skytrip by Psychlona

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

II. Best Band

All Them Witches

Elephant Tree

King Buffalo

Lowrider

Sun Crow

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

III. Best Song

Dopelord - "World Beneath Us"

Sign Of The Devil by Dopelord

Elephant Tree - "Bird"

Habits by Elephant Tree

Lowrider - "Red River"

Refractions by Lowrider

Psychlona - "Blast Off"

Venus Skytrip by Psychlona

Witchskull - "Baphomet's Child"

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

IV. Best Cover Song

Clutch - "Fortunate Son" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Hippie Death Cult - "Fairies Wear Boots" (Black Sabbath)

Howling Giant - "Rooster" (Alice in Chains)

Khemmis - "Rainbow in the Dark" (Dio)

Mos Generator - "Son and Daughter" (Queen)

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

V. Best Album Art

Acid Mammoth - 'Under Acid Hoof' (Branco Studio)

High Priestess - 'Casting The Circle' (Jill Corbert)

King Buffalo - 'Dead Star' (Ryan T. Hancock)

Psychlona - 'Venus Skytrip' (Kyree Bjurling)

Sky Pig - 'Hell Is Inside You' (Droned Artworks)

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

VI. Best Debut Album

Hail The Void - 'Hail The Void'

Hail the Void by Hail the Void

Kryptograf - 'Kryptograf'

Kryptograf by Kryptograf

Slomosa - 'Slomosa'

Slomosa by Slomosa

Sun Crow - 'Quest For Oblivion'

Quest for Oblivion by Sun Crow

Zakk Sabbath - 'Vertigo'

Vertigo by Zakk Sabbath

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

VII. Best New Band

Big Oaf

BIG OAF by Big Oaf

Bogwife

Halls of Rebirth by Bogwife

Slomosa

Slomosa by Slomosa

Sun Crow

Quest for Oblivion by Sun Crow

The Crooked Whispers

Satanic Melodies by The Crooked Whispers

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

VIII. Best Record Label

APF Records

Heavy Psych Sounds

Magnetic Eye Records

Majestic Mountain Records

Ripple Music

⇝ vote at Doomies.net

Bringing you the music and the stories of the heavy underground, the world 'round. By the underground, for the underground, from the unholy year of 2013.