“Will that work?” asked Lil’ D.

“It will work,” I said adamantly defending my plan.

“No reason why it shouldn’t,” said Billy. “Parts like that can easily be reproduced on other instruments. Playing the opening on the bass in place of a piano will certainly work.”

“You’ve never steered us wrong before, said Siren reassuringly. “And I think there might be something to this theory of yours,” said Siren.

“And seeing how the Sopranos series finale ended the way it did I think people might actually enjoy hearing the entire song for once,” added Lil’ D.

“So it’s unanimous than?” asked Billy.

“Yes,” I answered. “Plan b, Don’t Stop Believing.”

Now I just hope Nucular Power doesn’t decide to play that. Oh and if they do, so help me God, I might have to cap an ass. That didn’t sound right, and that was only thinking it. Man I’m white.

Thankfully when Misfit Biscuit finished what I suppose was the closing solo to Stairway to Heaven, Nucular Power took the stage and began playing the opening solo to Free Bird. Oh come on, Free Bird? That’s just redneck Stairway to Heaven. So cliché, plus no one heckled them into playing it, so it already lost some of its appeal for me right there. Oh, here comes the legendary solo, yes, “solo.” Fun fact here kids, the solo at the end of Free Bird is actually three separate guitar parts, and should be played by three separate guitarists, with a lone guitarist and a bassist sort of filling in for the rhythm guitar it just seems a little off, whatever, A for effort. Wait what am I saying they’re the competition, the enemy. F--!

Free Bird has flown, and the stage was slowly being cleared of nucular waste. It was our time to shine. We took our time with the set up. We wanted everything to be perfect. Finished with the set up I took up my bass and centered myself as I prepared for the unfamiliar task of leading off a song. I was ready, reflecting back on it I think I always was ready. There was no more waiting now, I grasped of my bass tight, found my fingering on the fret board and began the performance I’ve been waiting to let out since that fateful day last October.

Ever since that day at the pub, when the idea for this song first came up I must have played out the scenario out dozens of time in my head. We don’t have a pianist, that’s fine I’ll just play to piano part on my bass, after all that idea’s what started this entire thing in the first place.

Eighteen seconds in. I’ve repeated the opening riff twice, this is where the lyrics start, and right on cue Siren begins to sing.

Fourteen seconds later, thirty two seconds in. I’ve repeated the opening riff two more times. Siren has finished the first verse. Now the guitarist plays a single lone note. Then, as if he’s been playing the song all his life, Billy plays the exact note that I heard in my mind hundreds of times.

Sixteen seconds later, forty eight seconds in. I’ve repeated the riff twice more. Siren has finished the second verse and Billy plays one more lone note before he breaks into the rapid fire flourish of notes.

Sixteen seconds later, sixty four seconds in. I’ve play the opening riff two more times and Billy ends his flourish of notes with a power chord, further heightened with the crash of Lil’ D’s symbols. A moment later I begin the next wave of the opening riff as Siren starts the third verse.

Fourteen seconds later, seventy eight seconds in I’ve played the opening riff, you guessed it, two more times. Siren is finishing the third verse and Lil’ D begins to play the drum section that leads into the core of the song.

Four seconds later, eighty two seconds in. For the first time we’re all playing together as one. Lil’ D continues to play the drums now having led into the heart of the song. Billy resumes playing the guitar. Siren begins fourth verse, and I finish off the last cycle of the opening riff and begin to play the actual bass part.

Eighty two seconds, eleven cues all perfectly timed, you’d never guess this was the first time we’ve played this song together.

Don’t Stop Believing really is a unique song. Yeah it does use the I, V, vi, IV chord pattern that every song ever seems to use, but it’s unique for other things, like it’s opening, which if you paid attention to the last few paragraph you are now well versed in. Also it’s unique in that there’s no chorus until three minutes, twenty seconds in. This is also the first time the name of the song is actually sung. Yet despite it’s odd verse and chorus set up Don’t Stop Believing is still an excellent audience participation song. Siren was the one up on stage, but she was far from being the only one singing.

Ordinarily once the chorus starts it just repeats itself a few times and then the song ends by fading out, but this is a live performance, and you can’t fade out this level of rock. Luckily Siren knew just what to do. After the third time the chorus finished Siren’s front man senses must have begin tingling as she told the crowd before the fourth wave of the chorus, “One more time, and I want to hear everyone sing!”

Well like Siren said we played it one more time and it was so damn loud I swear the entire fucking block was singing along this time. It was by far the biggest reaction to any song I’ve ever played before. At that moment I couldn’t care less about any competition. Win or lose I’d be playing with this band forever. Of course winning would still be wicked awesome.

The moment was over, the applause had passed and now we waited backstage for the votes to be tallied. Ordinarily at the end of a gig we’d be bouncing off the walls, energized by our performance high, especially after getting a crowd reaction like that, but now we all waited in nervous, silent anticipation. Then there was a knock at the door, too soon for it to be the results, wonder who it could be? I opened the door to see a familiar friendly face.

“That was one hell of a performance,” said Jimmy. “That theory certainly was on target.”

“I see this theory of yours is more well known than I thought,” said Lil’ D.

“Yes ma’am,” replied Jimmy. “He’s had that theory for years. Glad to see him finally have the chance to prove it.”

“Not to say he hasn’t tried before,” replied Billy. “Wonder if any of the former members of Valefor were in the crowd? Let them know what could have been.”

“Yeah, well who knows, don’t really care,” I said to Billy. “What’s past is passed, I didn’t have us play that song to spite anyone. I had us play it because I thought it would be our best shot at winning this thing. And maybe just a little out of spite.”

“Whatever the reason it was a good choice,” said Siren.

“Yeah, like Siren said before, you’ve never steered us wrong before,” said Lil’ D.

“Well he didn’t steer you wrong this time,” said Jimmy. “The word on you guys is buzzing. The audience may have final say at who wins, but you guys are the hands down favorites among all of us running the contest,” said Jimmy, extremely reassuringly “And if by some strange coincidence you guys don’t win, you’ve impressed the club owners so much you’ll always have gigs here in Boston.”

“Thanks Jimmy,” I said. “Glad to hear that.”

“And thank you for sponsoring us for this event,” added Siren.

“Hey don’t mention it,” Jimmy said humbly. “Ol’ Jimmy wouldn’t steer you wrong either. Anyway I should be getting back now. Vote will be in any minute now, best of luck.” And with that he was gone, but as he left so did the nervous feelings that clouded the room. He was right, win or lose this was a pivotal turning point for Bleve 186. Things can only get better from here. Still winning would be fucking awesome. There was then a knock at the door. Time to find out.

We all gathered off stage and listened as the emcee talked to the crowd. He then called out Omega and a stagehand waved Omega to run on stage to a cheering crowd. Moments later the emcee called out Misfit Biscuit and the same stagehand waved them on stage. I see we’re going out in the order of our encores, makes sense. During that though Nucular Power was called and waved up on stage. He it comes we’re next.

“And last, but not least,” began the emcee. “Welcome back to the stage Bleve 186!” We were then waved on stage and we eagerly run on stage to an eruption of applause.

“Alright!” said the emcee, waving an envelope in his hand. “Time to announce the winners!” He then opened the envelope and began to read. In fourth place, winners of the “Thanks for Being Here” award, Misfit Biscuit!” Misfit Biscuit then stood center stage and received a generous applause. I say generous seeing that they were the band the crowd liked the least after all, and seeing as fourth place came with no cash prize this applause was all they were getting as far as prizes went.

“Next, in third place,” called out the emcee. “Winning the, “Hey, at Least You Got Your Entry Fee Back” award, Omega!” Omega now took center stage. They received slightly more applause than Misfit Biscuit, but hey, like the emcee said at least they got their entry fee back.

“Okay,” called out the emcee, starting his next little gimmick. “Bet you guys want to know who won now?” The crowd then cheered in approval. “Well you’re going to have to wait a minute. Before we announce the winners let’s remind Nucular Power and Bleve 186 what they’ve been competing for. Bring it out!” Oh and did they ever bring it out.

Never really noticed the giant sliding metal door on the wall opposite the stage, but apparently they have one, but I digress. The afore mentioned giant ass door slid open and the crowd made room as one of the staffers carefully drove in the most wicked awesome van I have ever seen. Not only was it a fully restored 1974 Volkswagen mini bus, it was a fully restored 1974 Volkswagen mini bus with a kickass paintjob! Pearlescent black base coat with badass airbrushed flames from the hood, wrapping around the side panels. And it had wheels that broke the fucking laws of physics. The van wasn’t moving, but the hubcaps were still spinning! I want that van.

“Alright, you’ve all seen the prize, now let’s see the winner!” called out the emcee. He then took out one last envelope and I swear to the Gods of Rock, he opened that thing as slowly as he possibly could, though his reality show host-esque manner did give me one last time to think this all through in my head. Now, we played four modestly rocking songs during our initial set. Can’t really speak for the crowd, but I think we did all right, and I hope they appreciate us sparing them the eighties bubble gum pop that is We Got the Beat. Now Nucular Power, well I have no clue what they played, my bad, wasn’t paying attention. Their encore though, I did pay attention to that. They played Free Bird, not the best version considering their lack of guitarists, but I have to admit it was still pretty good, and never underestimate the power of Free Bird. No, no, can’t think that. Must have faith in the theory, it’s my theory after all. Come on theory!

“And now I proudly announce that in the very first Battle of the Vans, Nucular Power is the winner … … …” Oh what the fuck dramatic pause, guy just said Nucular Power won, just get on with it! “… Of all the losers! Which means the winners of the grand prize, Bleve 186!” Damn you emcee and your reality host mind games, I’d kick you square in the nuts if I wasn’t to busy experiencing the feeling of pure euphoria. We won! Before I knew it Siren and I were in a celebratory embrace, then Lil’ D hit us with one of those running, jump and hug numbers, almost knocking us over, then Billy joined the celebration and soon the four of us were jumping, hugging, high fiving, and screaming like overly excited little school kids.

In the middle of our jumping the sponsors of the event came on stage and congratulated the other bands, handing Omega and Nucular Power envelopes I assume contained their prize money. They then made their way towards us and we momentarily broke our celebration.

“Bleve 186, you guys put on one hell of a performance tonight,” said Kathy. “On behalf of the Establishment and all our other sponsors I’d like to present you with a check for eight thousand dollars.” Eight thousand dollars, good God, I’ve never a seen a check for that much before. Hell only a quarter of that is mine, and still its more money than I ever had. “And of course,” she added jingling a set of keys. “These keys are now yours.” She handed me the keys and I raised them triumphantly in the air. “Now,” she said. “Before you all take the van out for a spin, why don’t play us just one more song.”

I bet you can guess the word that instantly came out of my mouth, “Sure, why the hell not.”