Devil’s Music

Chapter 11: Band Practice

The Doors

The Doors, an American rock band active from 1965 to the early 1970s, was a monumental group that blended psychedelia, blues, jazz, and hard rock. Led by Jim Morrison, the band came to an end in 1971 when Morrison, at the age of 27, passed away from a heart attack in Paris. However, his haunting yet powerful voice and Ray Manzarek's electronic organ playing remain legendary to this day.

A deep bluesy guitar riff filled the air.

Geon stood in front of the microphone, eyes closed, channeling Morrison's melancholic yet profound low tones.

"Well, I've been down so Goddamn long," he sang.

"That it looks like up to me," completing the verse.

Except for Jooyong, who had heard Geon sing before, everyone else was left speechless.

Hogan, playing the bass guitar, stopped, his hand frozen on the strings, staring in astonishment at Geon. Seong-gyu, though trembling, continued playing without pause. However, Ju-hee's reaction was more intense. Wide-eyed, mouth agape, unable to close it or even realize saliva dribbled, she sat in shock. The club members sitting on makeshift chairs were left baffled, fidgeting in uncertainty.

"C'mon and let the poor boy be," Geon sang the chorus.

Geon, finishing the chorus, opened his eyes, smiling at the stunned faces around him. The eerie atmosphere, saturated with Geon's bluesy voice, dissipated like morning mist in a vibrant rehearsal room.

As the music stopped, the room fell silent, but no one dared to speak.

Expecting this reaction, Jooyong chuckled.

Suddenly, the rehearsal room door creaked open.

A man in his thirties, looking shocked, burst in.

"Hey!! Just now!! Was that you guys playing?"

The man who entered was Intae, the owner of the rehearsal space.

Since high school, Intae had been in bands and later worked a regular job. Eventually, disillusioned with corporate life, he opened this rehearsal space, occasionally jamming with friends and running the place as a business.

Weekends often saw the rehearsal space fully booked, but on weekdays like today, only about six teams used the rooms. Sitting behind the counter, absentmindedly strumming a guitar, Intae had chuckled at the sound of The Doors' intro coming from the room.

"High school bands finding it tough to cover this. But handling Morrison's vocals?"

As the initial lyrics flowed from Geon's mouth, Intae's amused expression turned to utter shock.

"I-I can't believe this!!!"

Intae abruptly stood up, pressing his ear against the door gap.

Inside the room, Geon was still singing, and Intae's eyes widened with increasing disbelief. Unable to contain himself any longer, Intae burst into the room.

With amazed eyes scanning the band members, he approached Geon standing in front of the mic.

"Was that you? Singing just now?"

Geon, taken aback, nodded slightly.

Grabbing Geon's shoulders firmly, Intae exclaimed, "Awesome! In four years of running this rehearsal space, I've never seen someone sing like you! You guys! My treat tonight, let's grab dinner after practice!"

The band members cheered.

While the rehearsal space wasn't overly expensive, for students like them, the cost still burdened their pockets, often leading them to eat cup noodles to stave off hunger after practice.

As Intae left the rehearsal room, he kept his gaze fixed on Geon and said, "Especially you, you better come. I won't survive if you don't show up, got it?"

Geon, still dazed and bewildered, faintly nodded his head.

It wasn't until later that the fan club members were the first to regain their senses. From their excited cheers, they noticed Geon scratching his head, bewildered, before Ju-hee's scolding brought them back to reality, followed by the band members.

Resuming practice, Geon sang one more song before calling it a day.

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