Real Rock Stars are Born

Last night was the first public performance of “Parallel Reflections”, a three piece band of 16 year olds. My son, Maxx, is the bass player. This group of kids has been friends since their elementary school days and they love one another like siblings born to different mothers.

The show was at a restaurant not far from where we live. The occasion was the 40th birthday party of Justin’s (the drummer) mom, Angie. She and her husband Rob allow the band to practice every weekend in their garage which is conveniently located miles from our house and mercifully out of earshot. The performance was the kids’ way of thanking her for her kindness and an opportunity for them to get over the hump of playing live for a real audience.

Parallel Reflections does all original material. They do not waste their time on covers. Being just another bar-band is not in the picture for them. The band writes all the music together in that chilly garage working out the riffs and rhythms as a group. The lyrics are primarily written by Jessie (she plays lead guitar and sings).

A couple of months ago the band laid down a few tracks in a studio essentially recording an “EP”. The songs are good and it is obvious to anyone who has an ear for lyrics they have something to say. Are they a mature group with polished numbers and catchy pop-hooks? Of course, not: they are just little kids. But they have potential.

Anyway, last night was the big show. I was a bit nervous, I don’t mind saying. Maxx is not the kind of kid who likes the spotlight and I thought he’d be having some pretty major stage-fright. Joy and I were thrilled he allowed us to go to the party and see the performance.

And, let me tell you, they brought the shit. These kids, kids I used to drive to and from soccer practice a few short years ago, played their songs to an audience of 50 or 60 adults like they’d been doing it for decades. The songs were tight, the energy was high and the crowd loved it.

Naturally, I was all over the place taking pictures and whooping and hollerin’ like a half-drunk Idiot. I’m quite sure I embarrassed myself in front of a room full of strangers, but the kids didn’t seem to mind. They know me and know how much I love them all, even the 2 that aren’t mine. I was so completely blown away and so utterly proud I couldn’t contain myself.

It was one of the greatest nights of my life. Joy and I are beside ourselves with pride and completely dumbfounded with the idea that, while we weren’t really paying attention, our boy found a passion and, with his closest friends, worked and created and worked some more so they could realize their collective vision.

I’m not spending a bunch of time getting all word-smithy on this piece; this one's not about me and how cleverly I can write words on a computer. This is about Jessie and Justin and Maxx.

You did yourselves proud.


from left to right: Maxx, Justin and Jessie

Rock on