Hair I Go Again (2015) - full transcript

Heavy metal.

Heavy metal is a lifestyle.

Fill in the blank.

Heavy metal is?

Everything.

Freedom, being yourself.

Groupies, and it's
metal that's heavy.

Heavy metal...

Changed my life.

I'm Kyle.

I'm Steve.



My first concert was Rock
Super Bowl Number 10.

My first concert was Van Halen
off the Van Halen II Tour.

I have over 350 concert,
band, rock & roll

t-shirts in my collection.

Yes.

I've been Gene Simmons
before for Halloween.

Yes, the first song
I learned on guitar

was "Smoke on the Water."

Watch out for shit bombs.

And I had a skunk named Nicko
named after the drummer of Iron

Maiden.

In another life, I was a
rock and roll musician.

So you had this
band in the '80s.

Well, we were a band
called Tryxx, T-R-Y-X-X.



We wanted to open
up for Motley Crue.

That was our goal in life.

Did Tryxx ever get a taste
of the rock star lives?

Or was it just you guys
practicing some songs,

fighting with each other
for a little while,

and then drinking cheap
beer until you passed out?

We never really went anywhere.

It was really a
lot of potential.

We were just out of high school.

We just had a really cool band.

Aw, I thought it was Loverboy.

Almost like Loverboy
or something.

Loverboy.

Maybe a little bit too Loverboy.

Along the lines of Loverboy
or something like that.

You guys remind me of Loverboy.

Maybe a little Loverboy.

Kind of like a
transvestite Loverboy?

Do you remember
that band, Loverboy?

And you guys, you'd break
up, or whatever the case?

Definitely in the
long run it was just

about not wanting
the same thing.

It's almost like
we didn't really

give it the full effort that
it deserved from back then.

So you guys, you've
put the band together,

and you're going to do a gig.

And you guys are
going to get together?

Is that what's going on?

You're literally going to
take your five guys that

were in this band 25 years ago,
and you guys want to do a show?

Are we reforming a band here?

There's a lot worse ways
you could waste your time.

It depends on how
bad you want it.

I don't think you guys
got a chance in hell.

Something will just happen.

You'll force it.

Or you'll be homeless.

Or that.

Yeah.

If you really want
to do it, and if you

can convince the other guys.

But be realistic.

Don't put too much
on their plates.

They may not be able
to digest it all.

Hello?

Gordon.

Hey, what's going on, guys?

We're about to start the next
part of this process, which

is actually us getting
together at this point

and see if we can actually
create some music,

and just see what
you're thinking

and what's going on
with you at the moment.

To be honest with you,
I'm just completely not

wanting to do it.

OK.

The 80's were wild, and the
people that made that scene

were wild.

The era itself was something
that was really special.

It was electric.

Santa Monica Boulevard,
Sunset Boulevard...

It was thousands of people
walking down the streets.

The Strip was the place to
be, because of the community.

Everybody knew that The
Strip was legendary,

so everybody flocked
to those three blocks.

Tonight we have
metal on The Strip!

Yeah!

It was a party.

It was a literal 24/7 party.

The economy was booming, and
it was all about fashion.

Girls were wild.

Record companies had money,
and it was a party time.

Everybody was walking
around with big hair,

and I think it was the
volume of hair though.

It was the height.

It was just how high
you could get your hair.

So it was really a really
happy time for everyone,

not only for the economy, but
also for the music industry

and for the fans.

Cinderella.

Yeah!

Woo!

Loud guitars.

I'm going to sing at
the top of my lungs.

You're going to play
as fast as you can.

We're going to do huge
background vocals.

That's what we're going to do.

I'm like bang.

It was different.

The rules were different.

Artists and bands
were able to be

who they wanted to be and
design their own thing.

There were no rules.

A lot of money involved.

Everybody's career was
involved, and things

were going really, really well.

Just letting your
hair down, literally.

Ha.

That part of it was sobering.

Nothing else was
sobering, but that was.

The LA scene was
transferring over to Tampa,

and it was more or
less because of Julliet

and their association
with Kevin DuBrow.

I met Kevin here in Tampa,
and I played him my demo.

When he was the biggest
rock star in the world,

he picked me.

Rock
talk take a stand.

No restriction...

I remember watching those
guys and thinking wow,

wonder they get that Spandex.

Wonder where they
get their eyeliner.

We were trying to get attention.

It wasn't like we
weren't, so bring it on.

They were really the band that
brought the LA thing over,

and it lit on fire.

We had a great scene.

It was unbelievable.

It had more metal
bands per square inch

than any city in America.

There was music everywhere.

There were venues everywhere.

Tampa definitely felt
like a second home

to us if not a first
home, because it was

such an awesome rock market.

I remember back in
the day, Florida

was a great place to play.

And I wouldn't say we were
solely responsible for it,

but we kinda put
Tampa on the map,

as far as there's some
metal in this town.

On one hand on our
walls, we had pictures

of Motley Crue, and
Judas Priest, and Dokken,

and we were heavily
influenced by them

but as far as
performers, I would

say that we were probably more
influenced by the local bands

that we saw than anything else.

There was a great rock and roll
band there called Stranger,

and we used to cover
one of their songs.

It was called "Jackie's So Bad."

The classic Florida whiskey
drinking, Okeechobee River,

South Florida type of band.

We made friends, and I
think that part really

helped us step up and
be a little different,

than other bands.

I always felt that Tampa Bay,
it was great for the people.

The fans was incredible, and
there were some nice, big rock

clubs in the area.

Oh, we have The
Mark Twain, which

was the legendary Tampa Club.

ML Chasers.

Club 19.

The Power Club.

49th Street Mining Company.

The Rock-it Club.

The Rock-it Club.

The Rock-it Club?

The Rock-it Club.

The Rock-it Club, yes.

There was a lot going
on all the time,

and we were in the
middle of it all.

We could only see what we were
exposed to because of our age.

So we weren't quite at the
age of being able to go

into clubs, at least legally.

We would sneak into
a lot of the clubs,

just so we could see
these bands live.

It was a very, very rich musical
landscape that we came from.

There were great
bands playing there

that we were influenced
by; Savatage, Roxx Gang,

Julliet, Stranger.

All those guys were hitting
their heyday in Tampa

when we were starting our band.

So Kyle and I met on this very
field in the seventh grade.

It was Tuesday,
January 15, 1980.

Are you serious?

Yeah.

How do you know that?

I just remember.

This is where I guess
our friendship started.

He was like the
new kid in school.

He'd just moved into
town or something.

Apparently, I was the
first person he met.

I don't remember that.

I guess it wasn't that eventful.

It was Coach Long's PE class.

So 100 degrees in Florida, and
they're making us play soccer.

I wasn't playing soccer.

I was just standing there.

They can't make me play soccer.

I walked up, and I
said hi, and you just

went... just shook me off.

We instantly didn't
like each other.

The irony is is that
in eighth grade,

you were voted most
friendly, and you did not

demonstrate that that day.

Somehow, we became
friends after all that.

And 35 years later, here we are.

Are they brewing
the beer, or we have

to get up and serve ourselves?

Or what's going on?

You liked... oh, what
was the band's name?

Lynyrd Skynyrd?

No?

I don't know.

Then when the yearbook
photos came around

I decided to be Bruce Dickinson,
and I made it in the yearbook

as Bruce Dickinson.

Can you pinpoint when this band
started and how it started?

How our band started?

Mhm.

No.

I don't remember.

I don't remember.

Our first band together
was formed in 1984,

and we were called Convict.

That is the most
metal fucking name.

Heh.

My parents were not into
the look that I wanted

and the music I
wanted to listen to.

You liked Bon Jovi.

I know you liked Bon Jovi.

Yeah.

He thought he was Bon Jovi.

Yeah.

Permed yours.

Permed yours.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

The perms were good.

It was all about school.

It didn't matter what I
wanted to do on any level.

It was about school.

The less they supported me,
the more I wanted to do it.

It was just don't tell
me I can't do this.

My room was decorated.

There was not an inch
of wall space on my room

that you could see...
Posters, albums.

Every imaginable band was
up there on the walls.

We were already
listening to the music.

We were already
buying the records.

We were already going
to the concerts,

so what's the next logical step?

I think it would be to
form a band ourselves.

Our parents thought
we were crazy.

We didn't like
that type of music.

I didn't like that
type of music.

It was very loud.

I've saved every rehearsal
tape... everything.

We have cops knocking on
the door of our warehouse.

Shut it down now.

Oh, come on.

You guys have been
warned a few times.

Warned?

You know it's pretty late,
and these people around here

have gotta sleep.

And what's the latest time?

7 o'clock.

7 o'clock?

Our first show
was a train wreck.

It was a self-produced gig
that we did at a skating rink.

I did a two tier
Battle Of The Bands,

had too much better bands
going after each other,

and then three lesser
bands, including ourselves,

going after each other.

Remember, it was the
Battle of the Bands.

I don't remember.

It was the Battle of the Bands.

It was two divisions.

Two divisions?

There was a novice
division, which included us.

We were novice?

What the hell?

It wasn't too hard for us to
win that Battle of the Bands,

as bad as we were, because when
you pick your own competition,

that's what happens.

And that it was really
kind of what it was.

It was the very first show,
and there were jitters.

We looked cool, and the crowd
responded, because we looked

a lot better than we sounded.

The old Superskate now
Jack Joyner Heating

and Air Conditioning.

Right there is where the bra
in teeth photo was taken.

And the first show ever played.

Right here.

I wonder if Jack Joyner
would have liked it.

Well, Convict, after
a couple of shows,

started to fall apart at
the seams, number one.

So we had some
personnel changes.

What was the name of the band?

It's like Max Factor, or like...

What do I think of that name?

Moxie Men, or let's see.

The first thing I think of is
a guy that gets a prostitute.

Right?

Yeah.

There's definitely
an X in your name.

How about two?

Am I right with an X?

Yes.

I am?

You are.

Styx?

I told you.

No.

Tryxx, and I'll spell
it for you, T-R-Y-X-X.

Not so great.

I love that name.

I love the name Tryxx.

It's great, T-R-Y-X-X.
It's awesome.

You've got to think
about adding a third X.

Triple XXX.

The name of the band is Tryxx,
but it wasn't really Tryxx,

unless there were two Xs...
Or three, if you really

wanted to underline it and
do the whole triple XXX porn

thing.

I'm trying to figure
out which one you is.

Can I have this?

Is that you?

Is that you?

I can see it.

I can see it.

It's cool, the double X?

Yeah, it's cool.

Come on.

Is that you?

It sounds very '80s.

Come on.

That's you there?

It just screams of a time.

I certainly hate to rain
on anybody's parade,

but it seems a little
contrived maybe.

You probably have to
add something to it.

Good.

I like that.

Like Tryxx For Free, or Tryxx
$5, or something like that.

Again, if I got a package
that said Tryxx on it,

I'd be... I might want to
listen to it, just because I'd

be like you've got
to be kidding me.

Tryxx was Gordon on lead
guitar, Kyle as the lead singer,

myself, Steve, as the rhythm
guitarist, J.T. on bass,

and Jeff on drums.

I was trying to steer
us in a direction

of becoming a club band, where
we were doing 40 songs a night.

I think beyond that, to
become an original band.

I think the originals that
you guys did were really cool.

You guys wrote hooks.

Did we have potential to
continue to play skating rinks

and things like that?

Sure.

Potential to make a
record and go on tour?

Probably not.

For a bunch of
kids our age, we're

talking 17, 18, 19,
years old and starting

to write our own material
was saying something.

And maybe I'm the only one that
thinks that we had something,

but we did.

A little something.

No, we had something.

As an '80s hair band, I think
T-R-Y-X-X is close to some

friends of mine in Trixter.

Oh, you mean Trixter?

Now, there's another
band called Trixter.

What about Trixter?

It sounds really like Trixter.

It's kind of half
ass-ed, don't you think?

It's not finished.

It's not finished.

It explains why you gave it up.

But Tryxx is good for
an '80s hair band.

For something now?

No.

That is a very rocking
name... very rocking.

Well, you think
that will fly today?

Absolutely not.

Did you guys talk to the
other guys in the band?

Where the hell is everybody?

We still need to go and
find some of the guys.

We don't even know
where they are.

And then see if they
want to actually do it.

From Detroit, Michigan,
Mr. J.T. LeNoir.

J.T., I think him and I
got along immediately.

He was the chick
magnet of the band.

I don't remember much
about his bass playing,

to be honest with you.

I don't recall if he was
good, if he was not good.

I think he did the job.

He lightened it up a
little bit for us, I think.

He was a really nice guy.

He was a lot of fun
to hang out with.

We should go look for
him, and then if we can

find a phone number, call him.

The obvious place to
start is Facebook.

Is that him?

No.

What are you, blind or stupid?

Is that him?

Is that him?

Is that him?

What if you just use
that right there?

Shut it!

Gordon, who was our
lead guitar player,

was my roommate back in the
day, and it was because of him

that this band
really got started.

I just remember he had a
great sound to his guitar.

He was quietly pissed
off, very withdrawn,

but he was a brilliant
guitar player.

I would have probably went
for the open, no shirt man

right here, with the chest hair.

This guy right here?

Who's this?

That's Gordon.

He's our lead guitar player.

Gordon's super cute.

We are in the process
of seeking people

out and trying to best as we
can put that band together.

Right, right.

And we would very
much like to know

if you might be interested
in pursuing that road

and see what happens.

Well, the only real
issue that I have with it

is basically some mental
health issues, anxiety

and panic issues.

That would be the
thing holding me back.

I certainly wouldn't have
any problem hooking up

with you guys.

I think it would be
cool if we did it...

I don't know if it's
feasible or not,

but if we could work out maybe
some original material instead

of just playing the old...

No.

That's the idea, actually.

Yeah.

That would be cool.

As far as me being able to get
up on stage and not lose it,

that concerns me.

Well, I'll tell you what.

We plan on doing
this thing, and we

don't know how long it's
going to take to do it.

Right.

You don't know where
it's going to go.

It may not go anywhere.

Right.

Well, that's what
my question was.

It was like well, can
Jeff still play drums?

I think he's got a
pretty good career going.

I'm not really sure
what happened to J.T.

That is the... currently
where are they now file?

Yeah, exactly.

Is that him?

That's not him, but that's him.

Is this him?

That's him.

Mhm.

And his wife.

Do you want to friend him?

No.

We should call him.

We found J.T. in Michigan, but
we can't find a phone number,

so I have to pay for
his fucking phone

number, which just thrills me.

How much is that?

$1.95.

What if it's a wrong number?

Then I'm out a buck 95.

Oh, well.

The number you have
reached, 2-1-4...

If we don't get through, this
will be the fifth phone number.

The number you have
dialed is not in service.

Please check the
number and dial again.

We could friend him
on Facebook, man,

but I don't want
to chase him off.

Done.

Hello?

Hello, is this J.T., former
bass player of Tryxx?

Yeah.

How are you doing, man?

Well, we do have a
reason for our call.

What's that?

We're putting the
band back together,

and we're making
a film about it.

Are you in?

Yeah.

I'm in, but I don't know
how I'd work it out...

We'll work out the details
when we get to that point.

But right now, we're just
rounding up the guys.

Hello?

Is Jeff B. Heinz there?

This is him.

Jeff?

Boy, we tainted that guy's
high school, I think,

since he was the
youngest one in the band.

Jeff, think back to
1986, and what band

you were playing in back then.

Uhhh '86?

Arguably, the best drummer
I ever played with.

Do you remember the band?

'86 would have been...

He just had this instinct
more than anything else.

It wasn't flashy.

It wasn't a style thing.

It was instinct.

I remember the band.

Is this Steve McClure?

It sure as hell is,
and Kyle Kruger, Esq.

Oh, my lord.

What's up, man?

How are you doing, dude?

Hey, man.

I'm doing all right.

I think he was just in it for
fun, more than anything else.

Putting the band back together?

Are we going on tour?

Are you in?

I mean, if you're going
to do the whole thing

and going somewhere to
play a gig, I'll do it.

Nice.

Sweet.

All right.

That's all we
wanted to hear, man.

All right, man.

It's been great.

It's good to see you.

Yeah.

You too man, great.

You guys take it easy.

All right.

See you.

Bye.

All right.

Take care.

Talk to you, Jeff.

Good talking to you.

Thanks, guys.

Take care.

See you.

Bye bye.

Later.

He didn't even
remember the band.

I think it's impossible to
break into the music business.

I mean no one buys
records anymore.

And to do it and make a living
at it is next to impossible.

It's a coin toss.

The music business
is a coin toss.

No matter how good you are or
no matter how good you're not,

sometimes you hit it,
and sometimes you don't.

Most don't.

Have you
heard the news...

The idea of I'm going to write
some songs, date a supermodel,

and then I'm going
to get signed...

That's a pretty
iffy business model.

People don't buy CDs, man.

They don't buy CDs.

You sells 25,000 records,
and you're number one.

You're still broke,
but you're number one.

What does that get you?

You're the number one broke guy.

Nobody's making
any money anymore,

and it's only the select
few that you constantly

hear on the radio.

It's the same bands played
over and over again.

To try to break a
new artist is insane.

The music business now
is so incredibly diluted.

There's so much out there.

Back in the day, there
was a lot of people

that gambled a little bit
more and threw money around.

Today, they don't do it anymore,
and so in today's world,

the bands have to be
smarter than ever.

It's not like it
used to be where

you got a record company
that's going to give you

all this money, and put a bunch
of tons of money into you,

and make sure you get radio
play, and everything else.

There's no record
stores anymore.

It's a whole different animal.

It's tough man.

Nobody sells records.

Nobody buys CDs.

Why would you, when you
can get it for free?

Look, business is tough,
regardless of what kind it is.

But the music business
now, it's definitely

more of an uphill battle
than it's ever been.

The record companies are
down to skeleton staffs.

There's no promotion people
there working your record.

They're waiting for the band to
go out and do it on their own.

The problem right
now, the enemy I think

is just because of Pro Tools and
all these kinds of... there's so

much music out there,
and there's so much

music that's good.

And I think personally,
you're better off

being horrible because at
least something horrible,

I'm going to go whoa.

That was so bad, you've
got to hear this.

You have to get this many
downloads to make minimum wage.

Seriously, an artist doesn't
even make minimum wage.

You can make more
money at McDonald's.

So we're packing
up and heading off

to see J.T., who we
haven't seen in 25 years.

So we're going to talk
to him about what's

in the future for us, and what
his involvement is going to be,

and how we can get
things moving again.

So we're off to Flint, Michigan.

Please make sure
all carry on luggage

is completely stowed underneath
the seat in front of you.

Roll 'em up.

While we're in Detroit,
I gotta make a pit stop.

Where?

I gotta pick up a
package from a guy.

I think he's up here, on the
corner, but it won't take long.

Oh, look at those people.

Oh, that looks a little sketchy.

Let's get...

Hey.

What's up, dude?

How are you doing?

Hello.

Long time no see, man.

And I don't owe you
shit, by the way.

For the last 25 years, he
has been bitching and moaning

about you owing him $100.

And then yesterday
he had this epiphany.

Oh, wait a second.

That wasn't him.

Thanks for having us over.

Yeah, man.

Thanks for coming.

Kind of a long trip.

Has it really been 26 years?

Well, we actually broke up
in 1987, and I think it was...

And what happened?

It was March.

I really don't know
why we broke up.

We talked a lot about me and
Kyle fighting, and that was it.

I do remember going to the
warehouse, packing up my shit,

and leaving before a show.

This one's going out
to a certain person...

He knows who he is... who
screwed over a certain band,

a certain two weeks ago
before a certain show.

We never had really
good dynamics.

Because we were always
just playing covers, man.

Yeah, but we were
playing our own stuff.

Oh, there were like three
songs, and they were all shit.

They weren't shit.

Yes, they were.

Coming from somebody
who didn't write them?

Really, like I didn't write
the chorus for "Eyes Of Fire?"

Yes, I believe I did.

Oh wait, no.

The fuck I didn't.

You played three chords.

I wrote the chorus.

You did not.

I wrote the guitar
part for the chorus.

That's not the song.

It is not the song.

Yes, it is.

No, it's not.

Was it part of the song?

It's three chords, man.

Really?

Don't knock yourself out.

OK.

It's not the vocal melody.

I still wrote it.

You're acting like you
wrote that whole song,

and that's not the case.

It's called a collaboration.

Not at all.

Yes.

No.

All I do is stare - -

This song's pretty terrible too.

It had potential.

Eyes of fire.

Eyes of fire.

You know what?

For our very first song
that we ever wrote,

this wasn't too bad.

Eyes of fire.

They let you know it
was all your fault.

You're such a liar when
you never heard my call.

I would rate our talent
level, on a scale of 1 to 10,

about 2 back then.

Probably a 6.

We were awful, all of us.

Here we go.

Stare!

That was almost on key.

Can you smile?

Cheese.

Cheese.

Cheese.

Go cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger.

My family is 100 % supportive
of me, and my goals,

and my love of music.

I met my wife here.

I was a waitress.

And he was, of
course, the sound guy.

And I had a big crush on him.

Everyone went and told him,
and the rest was history.

After Gibson was born, I took
an inventory of what I was doing

and where things were going.

And although I
love what I do now,

it's not the most stable
thing in the world.

He's been here for
about 10 years now

working here, so 10 long,
miserable years with him.

Daddy's not so tight anymore.

It's in there somewhere though.

But I'm going back to school
for computer networking.

I didn't really know exactly
what area of computers

I wanted to get into.

I just knew that I wanted to get
more training in the computer

industry.

It's also an exciting
prospect to be

able to get into
something a little more

stable, a little more structured
so that I could spend more time

being the normal dad, I guess.

I just like the idea
of him getting in there

and playing more now,
picking up his bass again

instead of it just
sitting there,

because I know he enjoys it.

That's going to be the hardest
part for me is coming up

with the time between
school, work, being a dad,

spending time rehearsing songs.

It's going to be tough, but
I'm confident that I can find

the time that I need to do it.

We haven't seen Jeff since 1987.

This is really to
reunite with him

and just to get
to know him again.

And so we're going to go
there to North Carolina,

and we're going to
reintroduce this idea,

lay out the framework
of what the plan is,

and see if he isn't
willing to do that.

Are you in a band, sir?

Trying.

OK.

I thought so.

You've got the look.

All right.

Rock on.

Our job in all of
this is to talk them

into doing something
they're never going to get

an opportunity to do again.

24...

Something.

95.

Is that it?

Yeah.

Sweet.

McClure!

Jeff B. Heinz

Kruger!

What's going Kyle?

Steve man, how you doing, buddy?

Good to see you.

Been a long time.

Hello, brother.

Long time.

How y'all doing?

I'm doing good.

20 however years later?

20...

26... 27.

Do you remember how we even
all got together and where?

I wanted to say
it was just like...

And I can't remember obviously
the name of the garages

or anything like that, but
there was that garage...

Clearwater Self Storage.

Clearwater Self Storage, yes.

Was it Clearwater Self Storage?

It probably changed names.

This is where Tryxx was born.

Why are you doing that?

It's stupid.

Right now, I'm going
take this time out

to introduce you to Tryxx.

In back with me
on the drum kits,

the adolescent mad man
himself, Mr. Jeff B. Heinz.

Yeah!

We didn't know it was
being filmed at the time.

Jeff B. Heinz.

The best I ever was right there.

Sit down.

Yeah!

It was great.

It was a good show.

Everybody dressed up.

There was lights.

There was big PA, and
it was the thunder.

I thought it was fun.

I thought that we
were working hard,

and we were getting
better, and you never

know where it could have gone.

This will be the high point
of the trip, actually.

OptiStok is as a company
that I have started.

I'm an entrepreneur, and
I've been working on it

for over a year and a half.

This is the most challenging
time in my life, period.

I'm all in.

I'm all in terms of
savings, in terms of my IRA,

in terms of everything I've
ever saved in my entire life.

It's all in.

If we can make this
work, is it something

to dabble in,
something to consider?

With him in the middle
of a business that's

been a long haul and he's
coming towards the end of

whether it's really
going to happen or not,

timing couldn't be worse.

Just to be honest,
it couldn't be worse.

It's tough.

It's a very tough time
to making that work,

keeping my wife calm
somehow and happy

when she's really overwhelmed
by the situation that we're in.

You think his family would
be supportive of that?

This side of his family.

As his brother, I would
be very supportive.

I don't know.

It's a tough situation.

But like I said, I
explained to her.

I said hey, these
guys are chasing

what they want to do in life,
and they're going for it.

I respect that, and I'm going
to try to help them out.

He's never gonna do this.

Nope.

Actually, and it's not... it
has nothing to do with him.

Well, it has to
do with his time.

Dude, I don't hear that.

I hear something else.

That guy wants to
play drums, man.

I can tell you that right now.

He kept using the word,
I'll help you guys out.

What does that mean?

Because yesterday,
he was using the we.

So is like the end game
of what we're doing here

is are we going to get
together and play some gig?

Are we going to
play the Tryxx...

Is that what we're
going for here?

It went from we to I'll
support you in any way I can.

Basically, I can't
commit anything

to you, which is fine, because
the commitment part is hard

when we don't really know where
we're at and where we're going.

But dude, I don't think it's
a lack of wanting to do it.

We're all living on piano
wires, and so any discussion

of something I'm
going to do frivolous

in the future like that
just could set her off.

He didn't tell her
the whole thing.

Yeah.

He knows what we're doing.

He's holding back.

He did not tell her
what we were doing.

I was hoping, like, him
just getting back behind

that kit would spark
some interest and stuff.

The fear that he has in his
life overrides all of that.

Don't ever say I should've.

How many people get the
opportunity to go back in time

and do it again?

It really all depends
on whether or not

you love doing
what you're doing.

No should've, could have's.

Like do it, follow it, follow
you heart, you'll be good.

If you don't pursue this
dream, give it all you've got,

and have fun with
it, and enjoy it,

and it's building experience for
you, then it's all for nothing.

Of course it's a good idea.

Yeah.

You bet.

It's the most important
thing in your life.

Don't take it too seriously.

Yeah.

That's what I was thinking.

And then leave me with
a smile on your face.

You got the attitude.

You've got the hunger.

You've got the drive.

You guys will be
fine, just fine.

If you guys want to basically
put your band back together,

it should be for this
reason, and this reason only.

Make sure you're
doing it with friends,

and you're doing it for fun.

Yeah.

Fun, exactly.

Life could be a bitch if
you don't have a dream.

If you still have the passion
and the fire for the music,

you guys are still
friends, you felt

like you had something special
back then, then why not?

You have do it, because
it's in your heart.

It's in your blood.

It's what you're meant to do.

But the biggest thing
is man, don't ever

give up on your dreams
man, because if you do,

you're going to kick yourself
in the butt one day and go, god.

Why didn't I just try, at least?

Hello?

Gordon.

Hey, what's going on guys?

We would love to play
some music with you.

I am chomping at the bit.

That's what it comes down to.

It's like man, we want
to give it another shot,

and we want to do with
the original guys,

so it wouldn't be the same.

When are you going to get
the chance to do this again?

To do this?

I'm not.

It wasn't really a
great time in my life.

It's just something I'd
just rather not relive.

I just really don't want to
be involved with anything

I've done in the past.

And I was like a
fish out of water,

and I think it would be the
same thing all over again.

Gordon plays Death Metal.

He's in a band called
Never To Arise,

and they just released
their first record.

And if I do have a career
in this going, which

I don't know that I
even do, because I'm not

going to be that pretentious or
egotistical to say that I do.

But if I did, I could
see this killing it.

Where does it fall in
the priority level?

Where it has to.

Not where I'd like it.

To be honest, I'd like
to be able to give it

a much higher priority.

But realistically, I can't.

I've got other priorities now.

This is probably not going to
be on the discussion table.

I can't even discuss this
with my family right now.

I won't discuss
this with my family.

I don't want to mislead
you on anything,

or string you along on something
that my heart's just not into.

Mhm.

I can't let it inconvenience
my family at all.

I can't.

So I wish you guys all
the success in the world

and everything, and I can
understand why you're doing it,

but I just don't have that
feeling myself to do it.

Can I make it work?

No.

That's your guys' job.

It was good hanging
out with you, man.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's been great, man.

I really appreciate you guys
taking the time to fly out

for me and everything.

All right, dude.

We'll talk to you.

All right, man.

See you.

All right.

Take care, guys.

Bye bye.

Bye.

Told you.

You knew that was coming.

I saw it coming a
mile a fucking away.

All right.

Gordon says no, screw it.

I don't want to do it.

Then we're done.

No, we're not done.

That's it.

He says no, and the whole
thing is just off the table?

Who are we going to get to play?

Can't he do his metal on the
side and play with you guys

too?

Oh, he's thinking about he's
going to look bad doing it?

If I were you, if you had
that situation that somebody

was in your band and
they felt like it

was embarrassing
to be in your band,

I would take it personally.

I'd be like go.

Get.

We need somebody else.

As long as you guys
are all in, there

can't be anybody that's
like well, I don't know.

I'm on the fence.

Don't get wrapped up in the one
guy who doesn't want to do it.

If they don't want
to play like you

guys want to play,
then why do it?

If you have a
history with somebody

that's very influential,
and very artistic,

and has been a major part of
what you do, when they're gone,

there is no way to replace them.

You have to just carry on,
and you're a different band.

You're a different band
dynamic at that point.

The bottom line is if
everybody says no to it

or you can't get everybody to
agree, you've lost nothing.

You're exactly
where you're at now.

We started this
thing, and who would

have thought how difficult
it would be just to get

five guys back together again?

Everybody's got lives
to live, and everybody's

got money to make, and bills
to pay, and I get that.

But man, what if you put
yourself in a position...

This is the reason why the band
broke up in the first place.

It's the same, exact reason.

Life got in the way.

Realistically
speaking, I've come

to the realization that
this ain't going to happen,

at least the way we
want it to happen.

Steve and I have
reached the point

where we need to move
forward with something,

and if these guys, if their
heart just isn't into doing it,

and we're having to do all the
leg work to make it happen,

then we want to make
something happen

that's on a more
grand scale, and we

want to be able to
play with people

who want to play
first and foremost,

and then maybe make
something happen out of it.

So I found a local
guitar instructor,

and this guy can shred.

So I'm about to
take my first lesson

in a quarter of a century.

It's going to be interesting.

Let's just hope I
don't embarrass myself.

Pick it up.

Start playing.

Yeah.

Come on, Smoke On The
Water or something.

I mentioned that I
haven't picked up a guitar

in 20 years too, right?

So you suck right now.

But it's like riding a bike.

It's like riding a bicycle.

It's like riding a bike.

No, it is like
riding a bike though.

It's like riding a bike, man.

It's not like riding a bicycle.

I don't think I'm at pure
bottom beginner level.

Like I never picked up a guitar.

I remember some chords
and things like that,

but I might be a
little bit above that.

Whoa.

Let's do this.

All right.

Let's do this.

All right.

Are you ready to sing?

Yes.

It could serve you well
to go to a vocal coach.

That's not a bad idea.

Let's start nice and
simple, and then keep

pushing, and pushing,
and pushing out

of your comfort zone.

Feet shoulder length apart,
toes pointing straight ahead.

Shoulder length apart.

Hands out of your pockets.

Loosen up a little bit.

You've got to be loose, man.

You can't be all tight.

We're going to start
with the diaphragm.

As far as note values,
do you understand

what whole notes, half
notes, quarter notes,

stuff like that are?

It's been... no, not really.

Take a deep breath.

Now, keep the rib cage out,
but let the breath out.

Exhale while keeping
the rib cage expanding.

I forgot where I'm at already.

It's too many, isn't it?

No, that was right.

OK.

1, 2, 3, and 4.

And 4.

Extend your rib
cage a little bit.

Let some air out, and hit me
some As. A, A, A,

Aiiiiiiyyy!

A, A, A, Ayyy.

It's raspy.

It's raspy.

No air.

You have too much air coming.

Practicing, this stuff,
even the easy stuff,

getting them up as
fast as you can,

every single one, along
with the foot tapping

is going to be a huge benefit
to improving as fast as you can

in the shortest amount of time.

1, 2, and 3, 4.

1, 2, 3.

1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2, 3, 4.

A, A.

Yes.

A, A, Ayyy.

That's better already.

A, A, A, Ayyyy.

Good, good.

Nailed that one.

And when you hear something
like how did I do that

and you do it again, it's a
matter of repetitive motion,

like a guitar player
doing this, playing

the same solo every night.

You can repeat the
things that work for you

and continue to put
them in the place.

That's your ammunition.

That's your vocabulary,
your vocal vocabulary.

And everything right now
seems like you definitely

built some good foundation
into your subconscious

back in the '80s.

And it's still there,
so that's good.

So I think we're
definitely on a good path.

All right.

So it's like riding
a bike, right?

I haven't ridden
a bike in years.

What's up, man?

What's up, brother?

How are you doing?

Good man.

All right.

Good to see you.

So Steve and I have
worked really hard

over the last couple
of years and have

decided that we're going to
go ahead and move forward,

because you know what?

This is our freaking
dream, and we're not

going to hold back
because we weren't

able to accomplish the
sentimental part of what

is that we wanted to do.

Where that leaves us is
that Steve and I are left

with having to start
over in that well,

we need to put a band
together, first off.

We want to throw
that out at you first

off just to gauge the
interest, something that we

can work around schedules.

And again, it's a process.

It'll take us six months.

And the minute you said XYZ
was off the books playing live,

I'm like...

Yeah.

He's around.

Opportunity knocks.

Answer the door.

Are you there?

Let's make this work, man.

Let's do it.

Rock and Roll.

I dig you though, man.

That's why.

Right on, brother.

Cool.

Yeah.

It's going to be great.

Right on.

Pretty much I'm completely
available right now.

OK.

So whatever day is good for you.

I will work on this as
often as you want to.

I'm going to put
that in your court

only in saying that
if we can get together

on the average of at
least once a week.

Hey.

This is Tony.

Leave a message, and
I'll get back to you.

Tony, it's Kyle.

Just checking in, man.

Steve is back from
being out of town,

and we wanted to see what
your availability was

looking like, because we want
to start making some music, man.

Hey.

This is Tony.

Leave a message, and
I'll get back to you.

Hey.

This is Tony.

Leave a message, and
I'll get back to you.

There's not a fucking
person on this planet

who has any fucking
sense of urgency

or gives a fuck
what we're doing.

People who commit to doing
something and then fucking

flake, and I've fucking had it.

This is a culmination
of everybody from J.T.,

and Gordon, to all
the way up the line.

People who said yes, but
either haven't put forth

any effort or any support,
or who just plain out flaked

on us, and it's
frustrating as hell.

I realize this isn't
everybody's dream.

I get that.

But if I say I'm going to do
something, I fucking do it.

Hi there.

This message is for Kyle Kruger.

This call is from
a debt collector.

This call is from
a debt collector.

If you would please contact
this office as soon as possible.

I'm calling to notify you that
there will be two charges filed

against you in your county.

I've been out of
work for 17 months.

I've got bills to
pay, and I don't

know how I'm going to pay them.

Steve, you're
selling your house.

Yeah.

This is a huge mid-life crisis.

Well, it's a mid-life challenge.

Quit all your jobs.

Yes.

Because you're not going
to have time for the band

if you have a full time day gig.

So no, I'm just kidding.

I wouldn't give up the day job.

I wouldn't do it.

We both quit our jobs last year.

You've given up your careers?

Everything.

So is that a good idea?

No.

No.

Is this going to
be your livelihood,

or are you going to quit
your day job, or what?

Already quit the day job.

Too late for that?

Already quit the day job.

You already quit the
day... so it sounds

like it better be a good thing.

I think it's crazy in the
current financial environment

this country's in to just
up and leave your job.

It's a huge risk.

It's all about sacrifice.

You've got to sacrifice,
I mean, everything.

To pick up and stop
what you're doing.

You guys are crazy
motherfuckers, man.

I have been making money.

Not a lot, but I've been making
enough to keep gas in the car.

Selling plasma?

Yes.

How'd you know?

Are you serious?

How did you know?

You are not serious.

Well, I am.

Whoever said oh, yeah,
chase your dreams,

go for it didn't know how
fucking expensive it is.

So this is where
we're at right now.

This is where I'm at, at least.

I have a dream, and this is
the reason why I'm doing this,

and that is to record with these
guys, to make a full on record

and put it out there, and
see who freaking salutes.

Now is the time to do it,
because right around the corner

could be hip
replacement surgery.

If it's in your
heart, and you know

that there's nothing
else you want

to do more than make music,
then you should go for it.

Honestly, I'm not that excited
about playing music yet,

and I know that's due
to a lack of confidence

in my own abilities.

If you go into it scared,
I don't think it works.

Go for it.

Don't ask yourself
any questions.

There are no challenges.

Challenges are for losers.

Have you all been a
room together yet?

Hitting that first note sounds
like it's a problem right now.

How is it that... let's see.

We've known each
other since 1980.

We haven't played together
since 1986 or '87.

How is it that we've never
played any fucking music

together?

How is that?

Are we tuned the same?

It's like the old times.

You haven't played
in a while, and I

learned to play differently.

So this is going
to be interesting

for me, at least, to
see what kind of sound

we end up coming with.

I've got about 25, 26
things I'm working on.

And I haven't finished
anything, and there's a reason

for that, that I wanted to
just run some ideas by you,

see what resonated with you.

Dun, dun,
dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.

2, 3, 4.

What you really have
to concentrate on

is the music and make sure that
you like the music that you're

playing, because if you don't
like the music that you're

playing, you can't expect
anybody else to like it,

because it's not going
to be believable.

Well you're doing it
for you, and that means

what's going to
come out is going

to be the real deal,
a real product.

Yeah.

Whether it's good or not anybody
else isn't going to matter.

You guys do what
you meant to finish.

Do what you love.

Don't do what you think
people are going to love.

Do what you love.

Stay true to your heart.

Even though all of these
ideas aren't fully realized,

I feel really good about
where they're going.

I'm in a place I haven't
been in years creatively,

so I think it's just a matter
of us getting on the same page.

12, 3, 4.

You have to write great songs.

It all starts with a great song.

You have to work for it.

You have to focus
like a laser beam,

and it starts with the music.

Go to F.

Huh?

Going to go to D after F?

From an E to the G?

One more time.

Stay with the rhythm though.

God damn it!

You stopped playing in '87.

Doesn't matter, man.

I considered myself at least
holding decent rhythm back

then, so I can't even
fucking do it now.

It just takes practice.

That breaks a lot of
people, is those struggling

periods, because a lot
of people are like fuck,

this is not worth it.

Slow it down a little bit.

Yeah.

This whole process has suddenly
become really frustrating,

and it's difficult for
me to play right now.

If you believe in you,
they, meaning the public,

will believe in you.

But it's all going to start
with one individual... you.

Do it because you mean it, and
get out there, and show people

you mean it, and
they'll buy that.

My abilities back
then obviously weren't

anything to write home about.

So I'm having a tough
time of it right now.

But the problem is a lot
of guys get up there.

And they become frustrated,
because they can't play the way

that they used to play.

And then now it becomes
more of they're bummed out.

They're like fuck, I used
to throw down hard, and now,

I can't.

So it takes the fun
out of it for them,

and that leads them not
wanting to practice more.

It's just like
fuck, it's not fun.

Now you don't know where to go
from there, because we never

really got that far.

You better really want
it, because you're

going to be challenged.

You better fucking look at
yourself in the mirror and say,

do you really want this?

Because it's going
to come at you.

Well, after we interviewed
Ron Keel, we stayed in touch,

became good friends.

He invited me on stage with
him at Monsters of Rock Cruise.

And after that, he asked
me to sing on his record.

Yes, hi.

This is Ron.

Hey Ron.

It's Kyle and Steve.

Hello,
Kyle and Steve.

Welcome to Las Vegas!

I guess the idea is
to come in, and I'm

going to do some stuff with you?

I'm not
as familiar enough

with your voice, your
range, your tone.

You've got all of that
to be able to assign

you a particular part.

I'll just be there, and you
just plug me in and say hey,

can you do this?

And I'll try it.

And if I can, I can.

If I can't, then we'll
find something that works.

I certainly hope it goes a lot
better than that voice lesson

that we did a while back.

Your stomach's
going to be tight.

You're going to have
to do some crunches,

but you've got be able to...

What makes you think I
don't do crunches already?

I'm just saying.

What makes you think
I don't do crunches?

I'm not talking about
Captain Crunches.

I want him to contribute
something in a significant way

to the record.

I want something that he
can be proud of, something

that he's going to be able to
listen to and say, I did that.

I don't have to prove anything
to anybody, because I haven't

been doing this for 25 years.

So if I go in there,
and I'm moderately OK,

I'll be happy with that.

We're going to do a song
called "Long Gone Bad,"

and we're going to do
a unison lead vocal

in the chorus with Ron Keel,
Paul Shortino, and Kyle Kruger.

Long gone
bad, too far too fast.

Ain't no use living in the past.

I've already blown
every chance I had.

Long gone bad.

Just count us in like you did.

That's really cool, because
we don't know where we're at.

Ain't that the truth?

Me in between Shortino and Keel?

Are you fucking kidding me?

I've already
blown every chance I had.

Long gone bad.

Again.

It's getting better.

Long gone bad.

Long gone bad.

The melody's got to be precise.

Long gone bad too far too fast.

Ain't no use living in the past.

Let's give Kyle a shot at doing
this by himself, all right?

Long gone
bad too far too fast.

Ain't no use living... Sorry.

Already blown
every chance I had.

Don't read it.

Sell it.

I've already
blown it... god,

I keep wanting to stretch
that out for some reason.

Life is over, man.

Everything fucking sucks.

I've already blown
every chance I had!

Long gone bad.

Fuck this!

Just give him one second.

Come on.

Oh, get down.

It's the emphasis.

Oh that there that's just
the music Just music.

Really?

Drink that.

No, I'm good.

I'm good.

Ah.

I'm good, man.

Drink this!

No, it's just...
I've already

blown every chance I had.

Long gone bad.

Almost.

Long gone
bad too far, too fast.

Ain't no use living in the past.

I've already blown
every chance I had.

Long gone bad.

That sounded good.

That did sound great.

Can I hear that back
on the phones, please?

Long gone bad.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Cool.

For a song you've never heard,
and just jumping into it.

Now we're really going
to start working.

He gave me a track, and
I've been studying it,

and I came up with my own part.

And I told him about it.

He said he was cool with that.

We'll see how it works.

Evil, wicked,
mean, and nasty.

What do you got
going for me, Kyle?

What have I got?

I want to be the devil in this.

I want to be the
wicked, so the low...

Grr.

Let's play it.

Play it.

3, 4...

Evil, wicked,
mean, and nasty.

Nice.

Evil, wicked,
mean, and nasty.

I like it.

Evil, wicked,
mean, and nasty.

No, I'm really proud of Kyle.

He did a great job, and
I threw some stuff at him

that he wasn't expecting.

He threw some stuff at me
that I wasn't expecting.

That chorus, that low
third harmony that he did,

brings out the evil, and
the wicked, and the mean,

and the nasty in the song.

Other than that, it sounds nice.

How are you?

Great.

We don't talk enough.

I think we do.

I don't think we do.

I just got off the phone with
the general manager at Peavey.

According to them, they want
to give us equipment and want

to be one of our sponsors.

We've worked with Steve Blaze.

Right.

Just so you know, Stevie
Blaze endorses them.

You know that
whole tonal quality

that you're looking for,
that's it, right there.

And that'd be cool if I reach
out to him too and just be

like hey, can you
give me some pointers

as to what I'm looking
for to get the sound.

We want to make sure that
we're knowledgeable about what

it is that we're doing, and
we're coming out of left field.

And to align ourselves
with somebody

like Blaze, who
can really get us

dialed in and say this is
the direction you need to go.

Steve, hey.

It's Steve Blaze.

What's happening, man?

Hey, how are you doing?

I'm good.

What's going on with you?

Well, yeah.

I just wanted to chat with
you about the Peavey thing.

Right.

And I know you're
endorsed by them,

so I just wanted
to pick your brain

about maybe some of the
particular models and stuff

that you use and maybe
what you could recommend

to me for a sound, because
I'm pretty much still

a novice at this.

Sure.

Not a problem.

Look at this.

Acoustically, I'm using their
Composite Acoustic guitars.

They're made out
of carbon fiber.

It's an acoustic guitar that
never bends, never warps, never

sweats, and they sound amazing.

How can I get a Steve Blaze
tone, sound out of my guitar

and amp?

You must sever these hands and
have them surgically attached

to your body.

I think tone, for
a lot of players,

has a lot to do
with the individual.

I think half of the
tone is in the body.

It's in the hands.

It's in the way that we
handle our instruments.

I'm using the Triple XXX amps.

And they're warm, and
they're not too treble-y.

I don't differentiate my lead
and my heavy rhythm tone.

I use the same sound
for both, but it's

got a great clean sound too.

We feel like if we
want to play like pros,

we need to have pro equipment,
why we're having conversations

with you guys to help us get to
the next step in our process.

What is that next step?

The biggest hurdle
I see for you guys,

seriously, is that you
weren't a big band back then.

So you're coming out like
a new band, in a weird way.

You don't have a big
fan base, do you?

Or maybe if you had a name.

Maybe if people knew who the
fuck you were at one point,

then it would be a lot easier.

But you've got a
fucking rough road, bro.

You don't have the same track
record to sell the band on.

In fact, you have no
track record, do you?

When you're coming at it
from the situation where

you've had no previous
success and here you

are, a bunch of guys
at the age you are at

trying to get your toe in
that water it is so hard.

It's a lot tougher now, now that
you guys y'know, you waited too

long.

All right.

Ready?

All I want is to play
some fucking music.

The question is is can
we fucking deliver?

When the
tears are gone.

When the tears are
gone, it's time to cry.

Don't you say a word.

Just say goodbye.

I don't have a voice.

Well, I knew that.

Stop being a dick, because
I'm being dead serious.

What does that mean?

What, stop being a dick?

No.

Stop being who you are.

What does I don't
have a voice mean?

Whoaaaa.

When the... ah, fuck!

Any successful band
has a singer that

has a voice that
stands out and that

has something unique about it.

And I don't have that.

And not that I say
that I ever did,

but I'm lost in how I
approach this material.

If it's just kind
of a generic singer,

then there's too much
product out there right now.

It's too difficult for them
to identify themselves.

Good is just noise.

So I think the difference
is you have to be amazing.

You never can be good enough.

You can always be tighter.

You can always be more dynamic.

You can always have
better harmonies.

What does it mean to you?

I just want you to fucking know
it like the back of your hand.

And the only way
you could do that is

through either
repetition and have

the confidence in
what you're doing,

but having your skill set
tuned up to make it so.

Yes.

It's been a while.

It's not been easy, man.

I know it's not.

I can tell you right now,
it hasn't been easy for me,

so you need to
consider that as well.

I am.

It's not for the lack of trying.

OK.

Because I am.

I'm taking lessons.

I'm doing what I can.

All right.

So don't question
my dedication to it.

I'm trying.

If you can't nail
this song down,

you're not going to be
able to do anything else.

No, I'm being honest with
you, because if you don't

derive any confidence
from working this song out

and any motivation
from it, you're

fucked for the rest of the time.

Democracy is bull
shit in a rock band.

Every band thinks OK.

We're all going to
have an equal vote,

and blah, blah, blah, blah.

This never happens.

He thinks that I am
trying to commandeer

everything that's going on.

My dedication level is a lot
different than his, I think.

I don't have a consistent
desire to be a musician.

I plan on doing something
beyond this, if necessary.

If you're not all
on the same page,

then you're going
to be butting heads.

The only way that
something like this works

is if you push all in.

You're much more
into it, I think,

than I am and have
been all along.

I have sacrificed
so much to do this.

This has been one
of those things that

has caused me to reexamine
who I am in my life,

and I want to pursue
it to the NTH degree.

You don't share that, so
what do you get out of it?

I guess initially
it was a challenge

to see if we could do it.

That's really why I wanted
to do it, to see if we could.

Do you feel that you're still
on that same path though?

Yes?

Well, so what's the deal?

Dude, I mean, I'll
just cut to the chase.

I don't want to do this anymore.

I think that from
where we started

and where we've
ended up, it just

hasn't played out as
I would had hoped,

and I feel like
I've got everything

from my end to make it go.

And obviously, it's
not going anywhere.

Of course we're going to
ask ourselves every day,

is this worth it?

Is it worth putting
our lives on hold?

Is it worth fucking
not getting a job?

Is it worth
practicing every day?

Who knows?

I don't know.

And at one point I'm like
fuck, it's probably not.

6, 7, 8.

If somebody dropped
coin on us tomorrow

and we were slated to go in,
record in three or four weeks,

we wouldn't be able to do it.

We couldn't.

We just wouldn't
be able to do it.

And I'm not slamming you, dude.

But I just don't think that you
have the level of commitment

needed to pull this off.

I don't think we're
on the same page.

I don't think we
share the same values.

We definitely don't
have the same goal.

From the beginning, him
and I had different goals,

which was fine.

And we knew that from
the very beginning.

He wanted to say this
as far as it could,

and I wanted to take it to where
we said we were going to go,

which was get the band
together, play a gig.

And that shit didn't happen.

We derailed from
the original band.

We're in some
parallel fucking plan.

I don't even know.

I don't even know what
the fuck we're doing.

This is a major
undertaking, man.

Who fucking makes a
movie about themselves

like this, number one,
and puts themselves

in a position where
they basically

have to acquire a fucking skill
in the middle of their life?

That's insane!

And that's where we are.

So that means what,
are you just interested

in taking a break from this?

Do you just want it to end?

What are you looking to do?

I cannot continue going in this
direction of nothing happening

and living the way that I am.

I can't do it anymore.

I'm not going to say
god, I wish we would

have done this differently.

I can't change that.

What I can change is
now looking forward,

and I just don't see
this going anywhere.

I think it's a failure.

When you first start off, it's
all for one and one for all.

And eventually, just
as people, we evolve,

and you sort of find yourself.

That's part of reality in bands.

I mean here you are
now, just two of you.

It's like a marriage times 100.

You there?

Yep.

I just got evicted,
so I got to figure out

what I'm going to do.

Stare,
all I do is stare...

I've got to figure out a plan.

Oh, fuck.

I've got a little
room and storage.

Not a whole lot, but...

I'm putting my stuff
in storage while I

try to find a place to live.

Whose storage?

Steve's storage.

Even my living
situation has changed,

so there's nothing I can really
do to help him at this point.

He was either going to
be living in his car,

or I have a spare
room, and I know

if I was in the
same situation, I

would hope somebody
would offer that to me.

So yeah, Kyle's upstairs.

I can admire somebody that
takes a risk like that,

because I known that there's
things that I would love be

doing right now that I'm not.

Eyes on fire one
way windows to the world.

Car payment's past due.

They shut off my phone.

I've got a couple of interviews
working... trying to get work.

It takes some guts to sacrifice
everything to fulfill a dream.

Ashes
fall like acid rain.

I've got to be accountable.

I put myself here, but I
had a plan, and the plan,

a just hasn't reached its end.

You never heard.

You never were alarmed.

And it has me wondering if all
of this was worth it at all.

We actually had this kind
of regular fan email us

and said that they wanted
to invest in the film, which

is the first actual investor.

Money is not everything
in this life,

so to help you guys
get to your dream,

and it took a little bit
of money to get there,

and then to have lifelong
relationships, that's awesome.

It's really exciting to hear
that you guys are doing this.

And I think if you
were interviewing

our entire industry, the
guys that make guitar amps,

and sell guitars.

We all wanted to be doing
what you're doing now.

You're the first person
that's come and tried

to do this with
Peavey, and I think

it's exciting, quite frankly.

In ear monitor system.

So we should have two heads,
four straight cabinets,

two AT-200 guitars,
two acoustic guitars.

Nice.

Good stuff.

Oh, it's definitely on now.

Let's just hear that
part again coming out

of that second chorus.

Steve and I both agree that
the most important thing

that we're going to
do at this juncture

is to make a record happen.

Until you have that,
you're not going

to get anybody that's going
to want to be in your band

until they know what
kind of music are you?

Because what are you
going to tell them?

We're a rock metal band.

There's 6,000 of those.

Can't find a guitar player
or can't find a bass player?

Go hire somebody
that's good that you

like that he plays his ass off.

So what you're saying is you're
not ready to commit to our band

just yet?

Not until I hear some music.

You want to hear...

Not until I hear some music.

All right.

All right.

We have had it, as
part of our plan

for a long time, that Ron Keel
was going to produce our album.

Ron texted me last night with
the dates. he got us a studio,

and is just working on a
couple of other details,

but it looks like it's a go.

In terms of making the project,
in terms of making an album,

I will take whatever you've got,
whether it's material, music,

money, time, and
make the most of it.

Welcome to Cedar City, Utah.

Just make sure you're
very well prepared.

And if you're not, it'll
bite you in the ass.

Just make sure whatever
you're recording man, that you

can reproduce it live, because
a lot of people go to shows

and they go man,
this is not the band

that I just listened to
on the way to the concert.

Do not let the studio
intimidate you.

Go in there.

Rock and roll is not
about perfection.

Rock and roll is about flaws.

That's where some of the
great stuff comes from.

As a friend of mine
told me, have fun.

If it's not about having fun,
then it's stupid, really.

So I'm going to try to have fun.

I'm going to do the best I can.

I'm going to have fun.

Yes, I practiced.

Fuck.

I'm drunk.

If it stops being fun,
then it doesn't matter.

This is where we'll
track the drums,

and we'll be in here
with them, headphones,

tracking together as a band.

You're going to love Les,
Les Warner from The Cult

on drums for this session.

Not only has he got platinum
and gold on the wall,

he's got a platinum
heart as well.

Great groove, and
does his homework.

Always has a great attitude
and a smile, but he's fearless.

Check, check, check, done.

Talk back mic.

Talk back mic.

Let's carve this track.

"Gone Again".

Leave the space open.

1, 2...

That's all the click we need.

Wrong chord.

Sorry.

Yeah.

Quarter notes will
be kicked out.

Once we come in after
the second accent,

quarter notes on the kick.

Again.

Again, we've got to watch
the timing of the guitars.

Yeah.

I'm getting lost.

A little bit in front.

It was a little bit in front.

I'm getting lost.

That's all.

Can't get lost.

This isn't rock and
roll fantasy camp.

We're in the studio
making a master here.

This is what you guys have
staked your whole career on,

and come back, and gone through
all this sweat, and muscle,

and blood to achieve.

You guys can't
just bail on us like this!

Yeah, man.

We came in too early.

It's not your take.

It's his take!

I know, but I'm
getting lost, Ron.

If he's fucking
rocking, we don't stop!

Pick it back up!

Don't bail on us!

We're trying to get
you a take here!

I understand.

All right.

If he doesn't fuck
up, we don't stop!

And we're going to
delete that take,

and then we're going
to start again.

Here, punch in.

Play along.

We'll punch in from
one in the breakdown,

because it's all
good up to there.

It's good.

That's good.

It's good.

It's good!

Ahhh!

So I feel it.

This is the one!

If we'd rehearsed, we would
just come in and bang it out.

Yeah.

But when you're
changing things up,

it tends to sort of... it'll
take a little bit longer,

but the main thing is
is you get the results

at the end of the
day that you want.

You improve on it,
you know what I mean?

How'd it go?

We've never really been in
that type of environment,

and then we're playing with
a professional drummer.

And it just... I don't know.

I mean we got by, but it
took a long, long time.

You're the first drummer that
we've played with together

since 1987.

Really?

Yeah.

What band were you in in 1987?

I was with The Cult. Yeah.

That's what I was doing in '87.

And getting laid lots.

So what's changed since '87?

Nothing.

All right.

Well, here we are, and this
is all about the music.

The first step is laying down
these solid rhythm guitars.

You've got to play
with the drums.

Les Warner did a great job
giving us a very strong

foundation to build upon.

So play with the drums.

Have fun with it.

Don't be afraid to be
fearless, a little reckless.

But also, you've
got to be precise.

Let's do this, brother.

1, 2...

Old, my
head, it's broken.

New words barely spoken.

Nothing matters in the end.

You guys liked that.

You liked that.

I don't know.

I like it too.

You're a fucker, man.

All the
feeling is gone again.

That's money.

OK.

I think so.

Give me the untied
again, the first word,

untied... Untied.

Untied memories.

Oh, yeah.

Check that.

Give it to me one more time.

I want enunciation.

I want to make sure I
know what you're saying.

You're going to feel this.

Take it back to the inspiration
where you wrote the song.

The final scene
to play out on the screen.

I'm keeping that.

There's some great stuff there.

I'm going to give you
another shot at it.

Rewind the reel!

Let's listen to this take, then
we'll start stacking harmonies.

Shattered
reflections in the lens.

Now, you're gotta
match that lead vocal

in every possible way.

All the
feeling is gone again.

You're gonna do that again.

Indeci...

No!

All the...

Feeling...

This is some very
ambitious shit.

Keep in mind, if I'm mixing this
thing, if Tom and I are mixing

this thing tomorrow
and it doesn't work,

we're not using it.

We're burying it, all right?

A producer is really
important, because he's

taking charge of everything.

He's not going to
let anything go

way beyond what it needs to be.

If it's what you want, it's
your vision, that's cool.

Execute it for me.

We'll record it.

We're just recording it.

I'm just telling you
we've got to sing in key.

And we've got to be in the right
phrasing, and the right notes,

and the right phrasing.

I'm not dissing the parts,
but it's got to sound good.

It's got to match.

The producer is also a
fresh pair of outside ears,

because everybody in the band
is so personal to their music.

The lead vocal is great.

And now we're killing
it by stacking stuff

on top of it that's out
of time and out of key.

So sing it in time,
and sing it in key.

I wish I would have known
that before we got here,

and I would have changed it.

But it's in my head, because
that's the way that I wrote it.

If you're not willing
to kill somebody

over what you believe in,
then you're not involved,

invested in what you're
doing in the first place.

That doesn't mean
you're not wrong.

We've been here 12 hours.

I don't want to do it.

I want to do the octave now.

I don't want to go
through this anymore.

Take a breath.

Let's focus and get this done.

OK.

We can't leave here...

25 to 30 octave,
and I'm going to do

a harmony on the "stare" part
on line 30, and that's it.

That's how we're
going to play it.

No.

We're going to play it how I
say we're going to play it,

because you are paying
me to make the call.

And I understand
that, but you're

asking to do something
I obviously can't do.

I feel a record's
done when everyone

can't talk to anybody
anymore, like when you hate

each other, when there is just
if you even see each other,

you want to choke
each other to death.

That, to me, is a
sign of like, OK.

We're probably in a good spot.

Remember when.

Oh whoa Oh whoa Oh whoa Oh whoa

When the tears are
gone, it's time to cry.

Don't you say a word.

Just say goodbye to me.

Goodbye means goodbye
lasts forever.

Yeah, goodbye to me means
goodbye lasts forever.

Goodbye to me means
goodbye Lasts forever.

All the feeling is gone again.

Gone again.

Untied memories will fall again.

Fall again.

The negatives were blown up.

Now you finally must own up to...
All the feeling is gone again.

Gone again.

It's gone again.

Gone again.

Gone again.

Gone again.

Gone again.

Rewind the reel!

Come here.

Man, I'm so proud of you.

Thanks.

That was amazing.

You've come so far.

You never gave out.

I'm just proud of you.

Thanks.

Well now that we do
have a tangible product,

I think the idea is
just to get in front

of as many people as possible.

The key to getting people
to play music with us

is getting them to
listen to the music.

That's the reason why we went
into the studio on our own

was to be able to present that.

I think the
formation of the band

is going to be
dependent on that music.

This whole thing that
we've been trying

to do with the culmination
is to put together

a band to do for us,
a significant gig,

and mark it off on
the bucket list.

We're trying to put
a band together,

and so we're
basically going to go

throw the shit against the wall,
and this is a little sampler

of what we did.

This is you guys?

We went and did this, man.

This is all a sample of some
of the music we've been doing.

We want to give that to you,
and my phone number's on there.

And if you like what you hear
and you're looking for a side

project, give us a call.

OK.

Is that what this
interview just turned into?

You scrounge around
for musicians?

I think maybe you want
to listen to the music

first and say whether...

Well, it's not so
much the music.

How much money...

Do you pay?

I think for the most part,
people will like the music,

because it does have a lot of
the elements of the genre we

grew up listening to.

It definitely sounds
throwback, like '80s,

but it's very dark '80s too.

It's like Bon Scott
and Ronnie James Dio

had a love child who wants
to go out and set fire

to school buildings.

You get
away with murder,

and now I'm falling
for your crime.

Your Crime is my fave
because it's a rocker,

and it's

You went hair metal,
that was hair metal.

You guys were able to capture
that mid-'80s style metal sound

without sounding dated.

You could take that
song, and fine tune it,

and it would sound
like a radio hit.

I was really shocked.

It was pretty fucking great.

People aren't expecting
a whole lot from us, man.

And to have them be so
surprised and go wow.

He got a good
performance out of you.

I've never heard you
sound that good vocally.

Thanks, man.

Gordon surprised me with
his positive attitude,

because I don't expect a
positive attitude from Gordon.

I mean, let's face it.

I honestly thought that
was you playing the lead.

I was like well, he definitely
got pretty damn good.

It sounds like it needs a lot
of work in the songwriting

department to me.

It sounds, for lack of
a better term, generic.

I know that not everybody
is going to love what we do.

I mean, music is
really subjective.

It reaches you, or it doesn't.

If you would have gave
us a different answer

a while back of
joining up with us,

could you have seen yourself
playing stuff like this?

Uhhhhh.

OK.

So what do you want
to work on, man?

Talk to me.

Let's just go through the songs.

So Tony came back
into the picture.

Hey.

This is Tony.

Leave a message, and
I'll get back to you.

We hugged it out first off,
and I pulled him aside.

And before I could utter a
word he's like man, I'm sorry.

I had just moved to
Denver, and I just

hadn't had my life
sorted out yet.

And it's a year
later, and now I do.

Yeah, let's rock.

OK.

I have no doubt that he's going
to follow through on this.

He's excited.

I'm telling you right now.

I texted Tony this morning
to give him directions

to the rehearsal studio,
and oh, I can't make it.

The cancellation thing...
It can't happen anymore.

So once again, Tony didn't
work out, which really sucks.

Get caught up
later though, huh?

Yeah.

This thing is fucking falling
apart before it's even started,

and I don't get it.

Through all the twists and
turns that we've gone through

and the ups and downs, it's
a huge crossroads right

now of what's next.

We know what we want to be next.

We got to bring all
the pieces together,

and we've got to do a gig.

Getting that to happen has
proven harder than it sounds.

Eric, Kyle Kruger calling.

Who is this?

I just wanted to check in with
you, see if there was any news.

At the tone, please
record your message.

The guy said he was
going to call me Friday.

He's never even responded to me.

It's a done deal.

They want it to happen.

We'll make this happen.

I'm going to make this happen.

You can count us in, man.

We're going to have a gig.

It's going to happen.

We don't have a gig.

Damn it.

If you're passionate
about it, you'll always

find a way to make it work.

Money doesn't matter.

Hardships don't matter.

It's all about the journey.

If you've called me up and said
hi, we've never played before,

but we're really good, and
here's our CD, I'll say great.

Let me know when you've
been playing around

for a couple years.

Give me a call again
some other time,

because you're not going
to be able to create

a draw if you haven't played.

Chances of you guys
getting to play Dallas,

and Portland, and Denver, and
Minneapolis, and New York,

and New Jersey,
cards are massively

stacked against you that you're
not going to get to do that.

Chances of you guys getting
to go on tour in a tour bus?

Not going to happen.

Three guys at a Shoney's
on a Tuesday night acoustic

wouldn't be your dream gig.

You want to go play in Europe?

It's not going to happen.

So you're going to let us
be your opening act then?

Probably not.

No.

No.

I get asked all the time,
can we open for you guys?

I don't know them.

Have to go research the
sound, look at the band.

I haven't got time for that.

Yeah.

So that's a no then?

We're damned if we do, and
we're damned if we don't.

We don't have a
band without a gig.

We don't have a
gig without a band.

What do we do to get ourselves
prepared for when this happens?

Because I'm not looking at
it if it doesn't scenario.

I'm looking at the when it does.

Let's talk about what
do you want to do

and what we can provide.

It was the phone call
we've been waiting for.

Do you know what I'm
saying... forever.

I'd love to have you.

I love what you're doing.

I think that's awesome.

And it takes so much
courage... not just the idea,

but everything else you'd
have to do with that.

So is this going to happen?

I think so, yeah.

Oh, shit.

I guess I better practice.

It has been three weeks
since the conversation first

took place, and we've
heard nothing back.

We still have not
received a confirmation,

and we still have not
received a confirmation.

Nothing, not a word.

We haven't heard
anything from anybody.

Since I have not heard no,
and I'm still e-mailing.

It's been five weeks since
we've had any contact.

We haven't heard
back from anybody.

It ain't happening.

So I'm holding out
hope that we're somehow

going to end up on that
boat, and that we're

going to do that gig.

I've got to start working
on a Plan B, just in case.

What do you think the viability
of booking a serious gig?

Maybe an undercard.

You see that?

Sure.

Yep.

I see no reason why not.

So we have a show
with no band yet.

He's like, look.

He goes you can
bring in people, I'll

make you guys direct
support, meaning he'll

put us on right before Jake.

Its opening for Jake E. Lee.

Oh, we're in.

It's our gig, man.

So we're recruiting a band.

We're getting guys together.

We're working on
filling out that lineup.

Got a guy by the name
of Scott Parker who

has been pretty diligent about
wanting to be attached somehow.

He's a bass player.

So he went out and found
this guy, Rich Carlson who

is purported to be one
of the best drummers

in the state of Colorado.

But the name of the band...
Is there a name for a band?

So we landed on a band name.

It's called Bullet
In The Chamber.

Bullet In The Chamber.

That sounds like a
Pantera heavy band.

Yeah.

So yeah.

Bullet In The Chamber is going
to open for Jake E. Lee's Red

Dragon Cartel here in Denver.

If there's an upside to
doing this gig locally now,

Steve and I are at least going
to be able to rehearse and get

our act together.

Off to band practice.

That's a phrase I haven't
uttered in over 25 years.

So all four of us are getting
together to see how it goes.

And then if everybody's
comfortable with each other,

then we're going
to move forward,

and these guys will
be part of the lineup

that we field for this
gig with Jake E. Lee.

All right, man.

I don't think we took
that long though.

We can't go outside
for a guitar player.

We've got to find
somebody who's here.

And then we found Stu.

Killer local guitar player.

Has a great reputation
around town.

So now we have
the band together.

We've just got to
learn the songs.

2, 3, 4.

2, 3, 4.

Our challenge now is
that now that we're

getting ready to play,
we have a limited window

in which to execute this.

Since we're going to
start again, let's

identify parts
with it, all right?

And it goes eight times.

It stays on the A.

You guys are going
to all go to 3/4?

Yeah.

Trying to hang in there, man.

I'm hoping it's going to go OK.

I think with just a
couple more rehearsals,

we should be ready to go.

Think we're going
to pull it off?

We're going to have to, right?

Well, after not playing
for 25 years, let me see.

What are you going to be in for?

You have to really
dig down deep,

and you have to really
get it together,

or else you're going
to come out on stage,

and you're going to suck.

And then that's going to
be the worst thing ever.

It's going to be
complete insanity.

Nothing but insanity.

That's what they
have to do, right?

Yeah.

Wait a minute.

You've got to tap your
foot when you play.

Sure.

And bob your head
just a little bit.

Yeah.

Feel the groove.

Yeah, because you want
everybody in the audience

tapping their foot.

Oh, I'm giving them advice?

Yes, advice.

The whole thing's
advice for them.

It has nothing to do with us.

It has nothing to do with us.

See, I didn't know that.

My expectations for
this gig, the biggest

stage possible, in front
of the biggest audience,

with the biggest
PA, and the biggest

lights that we can muster.

Check, check.

1, 2, 3, check.

Is it time for lunch yet?

What time does
catering get here?

Does the food come?

Is it pizza?

Or what did we get, sandwiches?

Well, I think we want to
play in front of some people,

first and foremost.

We don't want to be at the
dive bar down the street.

That's not what this is about.

We're going to do great.

It's going to be awesome.

All right.

Some things only
happen once in life.

First things, last
things, and these things.

So please, give me a warm Denver
welcome Bullet In The Chamber!

So you
think I'm not afraid.

You think I've got it made.

And all the things you hate

mean everything to me.

Try to live inside
your world but then

nobody told me about

the feeling was so strange.

So strange.

As the light, it fades away,

and the night won't turn to day,

I hold my head down in my hands.

Why can't I see?

I don't understand.

You didn't know how far to go

You tell me nothing's wrong.

Just leave you alone.

Leave you alone!

Then you you cry me a river

while you hold my
head down under.

When the light fades away,

and the night won't turn to day,

I hold my head down in my hands.

Why can't I see?

I don't understand.

As our time, it wastes away,

and there's nothing left to say.

I hold my head down in the sand.

Why can't I breathe?

I don't understand.

Tell you
nothing's wrong.

Just leave me alone.

Two guys living their dream.

You and Steve doing your
thing, and even if it was just

for little glimmer
in the spotlight,

it was still you guys doing
it, and that's pretty bad ass.

Monsters of Rock Cruise,
how are you doing?

Woo!

My name is Kyle Kruger, and
this is my buddy, Steve McClure,

and we're making a film
called Hair I Go Again.

And basically,
it's a documentary

about us hitting that
mid-life crisis and deciding,

you know what, man?

Let's go play some music
instead of working regular jobs

and see if we can pull it off.

So here we are.

All the
feeling is gone again.

Just don't suck, man.

Yep.

Oh well god, that's the key.

Bullet In The Chamber on three.

All right, man.

1, 2, 3.

Bullet In The Chamber!

Gone Again
Rewind the reel!

Thanks, guys.

If you can take two
people and put them

as far apart on the polar
spectrum as you can get them,

that would be you and Kyle.

What's it like to finally get to
this point with your old buddy,

McClure, who you guys have been
through hell and back with?

Love him like a brother, but
ready for a long vacation.

Since we're in New Orleans, I
bought a voodoo doll in hopes

that I can get it to keep
Kyle quiet for five minutes.

So there have been
times when I'm just

like, I don't understand
how these two can possibly

have been friends this long.

I'm going to have to cut off
the sleeves though on the shirt

to make it like Kyle.

Stare, all I do

is stare.

Can't you see the
fire in my eyes?

Everynight I see your fate
so scarred and in decay.

Breathing your last breath
when smoke gets in the way.

Can't escape from my
eyes, no you cant hide.

Everywhere you
turn I'll be there.

Tell me now who's loathing most

and all I'll do...

All I'll do is stare!

Eyes on fire.

Broken windows to a soul.

Suffer the burns of a
lie again.

Eyes on fire.

Ashes fall but who's to blame?

We both conspired,

when we should have healed,

But all we did was harm.

And everywhere I turn,

there's something in the air.

I can't explain.

I need the heat
to feed the pain.

It goes on and on and on.

Eyes on fire.

Stained glass windows
save us all.

I suffered the burns of a lie,
again and again and again.

Eyes on fire.

Ashes fall lit up in flames.

I tripped the wire,

couldn't stand the pain.

And now I lay disarmed.

Eyes on fire.

Stare, all I do is stare.

Yeah.

Can't you see the fire?

Can't you see the fire?

Can't you see the fire?

Can't you see the fire?

Can't you see the
fire in my eyes?

Can't you see the
fire in my eyes?

Can't you see the fire?

Can't you see the fire?

All right ready?

We are ready.

Ahhhhh!

Shit.