1968 Conqueror of American Rock - Chapter 164



Only Noblemtl

164. NAMM Show (1)

Garage Brew.

As soon as the festival ended and the new year arrived, preparations for the NAMM Show began.

“James, as much as we prefer this place as our workspace, we can have our meetings at the office······.”

Brad picked up the cookie with his large hands.

“I hope that the instruments I develop in the future will also have the same feel as this place.”

In 1972, the Japanese music giant Roland established a company in Osaka. In 1973, Roland began producing various electronic instruments, starting with the SH-1000 synthesizer, a monumental model.

And in 1977.

Later, the Boss series was launched, a compact pedal that was used as an entry-level pedal for guitar kids and even by professional musicians. In the future, Boss continued to be a beloved effector, but as mass production began, the used prices of early models skyrocketed, and rumors began to spread that the quality was declining as OEMs were provided to developing countries.

And the golden age of boutique pedals begins.

Boutique pedals do not mean that they are made with great technology. They are just handmade effects units made by craftsmen using really good parts. Beginners may have difficulty distinguishing the difference in sound, but professional musicians and session musicians would buy these pedals no matter how expensive they were.

The music store is just a small side job for me anyway. That’s why I chose the strategy of making and selling good instruments in small quantities.

First of all, we are the first to make a compact overdrive booster pedal. It is already selling well thanks to Van Halen’s appearance in the commercial, but Nam Show is an iconic fair for musical instruments. It is important to make a good impression here.

“So this time you are exhibiting two items: a synthesizer and a booster pedal?”

“Yes, the booster pedal is named LA Metal, but I would like the developers to give it a name.”

Brad started to brainstorm with his colleagues.

After a while.

“I’ve decided.”

After finishing the meeting, Brad exhaled and smiled broadly.

“We decided on the Initium-X. Initium is Latin for ‘beginning, beginning, origin.’ Historically, the first instrument that used additive synthesis came out in 1897, and the Hammond organ came out in 1934. Then, in 1963, Robert Moog created the Moog, but it was just a bang. We were the first to create a modular keyboard that produced completely electronic sounds. That’s why we decided to use the model name Initium. As you know, X stands for the number 10. It refers to the 10 founding members of Garage Brew.”

As expected from UCLA’s talented students, it was a cool and meaningful name.

“Very good. Then Miguel can just include the logo in the final design.”

Miguel gave a slight Boy Scout salute, telling her not to worry.

Now all we have to do is put together a great performance team.

* * *

Currently, Angela is the best keyboard player in our company. No, to be exact, Angela is the only professional piano and keyboard player. So Siyoon’s joining was like a shower to our CW. The teacher who taught her piano since she was young said that she readily agreed to come to our company after seeing this parade.

“This sounds fun, but it’s so hard. It feels like my fingers are just touching the air······.”

Siyoon, who had only played the piano, was embarrassed by the soft-touch keyboard feel.

“Christine, it’s because it’s your first time. Although the way you play it may seem similar to the piano, there are many differences. If you get used to it, your hands will be less tired, and you’ll be able to play phrases that are difficult to play on the piano with ease.”

Angela was right next to me and kindly taught me about the keyboard.

“But, James, Garage Brew is really great. How can such a great sound come out of such a thin instrument?”

“They are geniuses at UCLA. Now it’s our job to make their efforts shine.”

Eddie was standing outside the practice room, leaning on a stool, looking out the window. I opened the door and showed Eddie the synthesizer I was going to submit to the Nam Show.

“Wow, that’s cool! Can I try it too?”

“of course.”

Edward Van Halen received classical education from his parents since he was young. He had excellent piano skills, but like Shiyoon, the orthodox classical music that he repeated every day was like torture to him.

Bam, bam, bam, bamppaaa, ppaaabam! Bam, ppabam!

This is a similar chord progression to the ‘Jump’ he would make in the future, although a little different.

“Hey, our Eddie is good at hitting.”

Eddie, who was more excited about Angela, even started to improvise a solo while he was at it. His ten fingers jumped around the keys in an unconventional yet free manner.

“Christine, just touch me lightly like Eddie.”

Siyoon carefully observed the shape of Eddie’s hands as he pressed the keys. Then she put her hands on the keys again. She copied the arpeggio that Eddie had played just a moment ago.

“Wow, Christine. You have a great memory. I forget everything after just one try, haha.”

Yes, that’s right.

Edward Van Halen hated sheet music and always preferred to improvise. His guitar solos, apart from the main melody, were slightly different each time he played them.

Siyoon took the theme that Eddie played and added a classical tempo to it. This was Siyoon’s unique ability that I was lusting after. It was just like watching John Lord’s solo.

“Brother James, where did you find such a great man? He’s really amazing.”

If it passes Eddie’s picky ears, it’ll definitely be well-received on Namsho too.

* * *

When I returned to my accommodation, a beautiful melody flowed from the garage. It was a familiar melody that I had definitely heard many times.

Yes, it’s Bach’s song.

I’ve played “Air on the G String” quite a bit, changing Vinnie Moore’s version of it on electric guitar to suit my style.

By the way, who is playing this song now?

I looked into the garage through the small window. Annie and Jake were sitting side by side, playing guitar. Annie was playing the main melody, and Jake was playing the backing with a happy expression.

Oh my god, Annie is hitting?

Of course, it wasn’t a difficult performance, but I never imagined that Annie could play it to this extent.

I overheard from outside in case I messed up the performance. It was a bit awkward, but it wasn’t bad. In the latter half, the two switched roles. Annie played the backing, and Jake added some flashy speed while mixing in some sweep picking.

As expected, Jake did a great job of incorporating his clean and smooth cadence into the beautiful song. I personally liked it much better than Minnie Moore’s version.

Wait, Annie is not only talented, but she also stands out as a unique female vocalist in the rock scene, which is full of men. Currently, all famous rock guitarists are men.

What if Annie showed off her electric guitar skills in Namsho?

There will definitely be chaos.

As soon as the performance was over, I opened the door and went in.

“Wow, that’s great!”

“Wow! Were you listening outside?”

I clapped my hands until they were on fire, and Annie put her guitar down awkwardly.

“When did you get so good at guitar?”

“Chee. It’s been a while since you said you’d teach me guitar, but you didn’t teach me and just wandered around the farm and pirate ship all day, so I learned from Jake in my spare time.”

“I taught it to him the way I learned from James anyway, so it’s the same as if James taught it to me, haha.”

“No, if it were James, he wouldn’t have taught me so kindly as you did.”

It’s a good thing. If I had taught them anyway, they would have fought and broken a few guitars. Learning from good Jake was a stroke of genius.

“That was Bach’s Aria on the G String that you just played, right? Do you want to play it again? This time with a delay?”

Annie sat down, obediently holding the guitar. Jake sat down facing her.

The two exchanged glances, and as Jake signaled four beats with his foot and fingered an arpeggio on Clinton, Annie played each note carefully.

At the part where the section had to fit perfectly, Jake nodded and shook his head. Annie picked with concentration, not missing Jake’s signal.

At the climax, Annie put the pickup select on the rear pickup and put in a backing with one stroke per phrase. Jake stepped on the booster and poured out a lyrical yet passionate speed. As Annie gained confidence in the easy backing, she even had the luxury of smiling at Jake.

“Perfect!”

I stood up and applauded them both again.

“Let’s play this song at Namsho!”

“Me, me······?”

Annie, who had never been nervous even in front of hundreds of thousands of people, now had an unsure look on her face.

“Yeah, this is enough for now. If Angela lays down the strings on the keyboard, it will be richer. Jake, you are a real master. You taught Annie to this extent, haha.”

“But what you’re exhibiting at this Namsho are keyboards and guitar effectors. Then, James, you should go. If I, a beginner, go, wouldn’t I just end up embarrassing myself?”

“Of course I’ll go too. The show runs for two days. I have plenty of time.”

Jake seemed to like it, and Annie didn’t seem to dislike it either.

“Then you two keep practicing this song. Okay?”

“Yeah. Well, this isn’t a performance, it’s a musical instrument exhibition. Since the song you prepared will be the main song anyway, I don’t care if you mess it up, hehe.”

You’ll definitely do well. And what if you make a few mistakes? And anyway, everyone who comes to Namsho will know that you’re a vocalist, not a guitarist.

* * *

While Annie and Jake practiced “Air on the G String” in the garage, I went back and forth between the company and Garage Brew to prepare product presentations.

Brad showed me the storyboard, saying he had learned presentation skills from his older brother, who was the head of the PR team at a cookie company. It was a method I had never thought of.

I met with Brad every day and we made presentations for the two products we were going to present. I would present the booster pedal, and Brad would present the Initium-X. We were both confident in the Q&A about the products.

Now all that’s left is a product demonstration that will wow everyone.

Annie and Jake will play beautiful, lyrical songs, and I will show off my technical prowess with two keyboardists.

Siyoon was studying electronic instruments and adapting to soft touch with the help of Angela and Hyunsang. I bought an In-N-Out Double-Double hamburger set and went to the practice room.

“Siyoon, have you become more familiar with electronic instruments?”

“Yes, bro. This instrument is really so much fun!”

“James, maybe because Shiyoon is young, the speed at which she accepts things is no joke. There were times when I was that quick-witted, too, haha.”

Electronic music was also a phenomenon.

“I bought a hamburger, so let’s eat it and take a break.”

We moved to the break room.

“Wow, this looks delicious. I’ll enjoy it!”

Siyoon took a bite of the hamburger first, feeling good.

“Siyoon, how about the soft touch keyboard now?”

“I’ve adapted. But I’m afraid that if I just play this, I’ll lose the sense of the hammer touch, so I’m practicing the piano at the same time. My older sister Angela taught me to do that.”

Angela smiled shyly.

“I think it’s because Christine studied classical music, but I also learned a lot while practicing with her.”

Angela always says things like that on purpose to please the listener.

“Oppa, then what song are we going to perform at Namsho?”

A while ago, I had given Angela and Siyoon a little bit of a heads up that two synthesizers and an electric guitar would be performing a classic song together.

“Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3.”

“······!”