Mission: Man Band, Episode 3—Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, SONG!
Are those really the words?
Previously on Mission: Man Band—the guys all moved into Chris’s house in Orlando and told us what has been going on in their lives. Bryan, the recovering alcoholic, got trashed at a party and that concerned the guys who confronted him. They met their new producer (named Bryan, so we call him Producer here so we don’t get him mixed up with Bryan Abrams) and found out they have to perform in 3 days.
We start out this week with the guys hanging around in the kitchen and then being called to the studio by Producer to hear their new song’s demo. Chris is worried about the fact they haven’t even sung together and figured out parts and they were performing in three days. Producer plays the song for the guys and they all jam to it. Bryan sings along and dances, which gets the guys worried. Jeff thinks the song is an instant hit. They all agree that it’s going to be a smash record. Chris seems pretty down, and he admits that he could tell Bryan had been drinking even after they all talked to him. Rich was upset because Bryan is their lead singer and he may ruin the whole project.
Chris takes Bryan outside and confronts him again. He tries to deny it, but Chris keeps calling him on it. He says it’s not going to happen again, and Chris reminds him he’s killing himself and he’s been drunk half the time he’s been in the house. He says he understands, and Chris tells him he owes Rich and Jeff an apology for being drunk. Meanwhile, Jeff and Rich are in the kitchen and are amazed he isn’t even trying to chew gum to hide his alcoholic breath. They don’t know what to do. Chris tells Bryan they will get rid of all the liquor in the house and Bryan doesn’t want him to compromise his fun, but Chris insists. Bryan wants them to take him seriously because he wants the group to succeed really badly. He’s only drinking because he’s scared. Chris tells Bryan to throw the last bottle of Jack Daniels in the lake. Bryan says he’s figuring out that the guys really do care about this project. He says he’s a middle aged guy with some issues, but he wants to make it work.
The next day, Chris says he thinks they dealt with Bryan’s drinking. Bryan says he’s feeling good and since he was drunk on camera, he thinks it will be his last time. He goes jogging with Kristia and a hooded and sunglasses wearing Chris says he’s looking good and that it was important to him to get in shape. Bryan says he’s got a ways to go, but he can do it.
Later, the guys have to decide on a name for their group. Rich says “Stereotype” and Bryan likes it, so they put it up on the white board. Jeff says there are some horrible names on the board and they just kept getting worse. Bryan wants “Bowl of Fish” and Rich says that’s the worst name ever.
Producer comes to the studio and Jeff says it’s a cool, fun, easy song. The guys all head into the booth and they all mess up a lot and do a lot of retakes. Producer says it was obvious they were all nervous, but after awhile they got it down.
They all head in for a photoshoot and they all say they hate photoshoots. Bryan is nervous because of his weight. Miss Kate introduces them to the stylist and the photographer. The stylist has a Fran Drescher type voice and gets really shrill and excited when Chris likes his jacket. She wants Jeff to wear the tight shirt because he’s muscular and has stuff to fit Bryan and lets out this horrible Nanny laugh. Jeff says she was cool but her laugh was bizarre, but consistent throughout the day. He tells her that her laugh is out of control. They each try to mimic her laugh and it’s Hil. Air. Eee. Us. (thanks, Christina!) Rich says she’s a beautiful girl, but an awful laugh.
The photographer wants them to relax and have fun, but remember to breathe. He yells the typical “work it” that accompanies all photoshoots. They start grabbing their crotches and goofing off. Rich says now that they are older and more mature, they want to stay away from typical boy band poses. Bryan laughs as Rich and Chris hit the boy band pose for a picture. Rich says it’s almost impossible for him to look good so soon after his stem cell transplant. Chris has no idea what the “superlook” is that the photographer kept yelling about. Jeff says he doesn’t have a superlook and he doesn’t work it. Miss Kate interjects and starts placing the guys. Chris says she definitely knows her stuff. Bryan is amazed that they all agreed on one shot.
Back at the house, they are back to the white board with the names, and this time Miss Kate and Producer are helping them out. Miss Kate immediately knocks out the more pessimistic names like “15 Minutes” and “Last Call”. She says that most of the names on the board reflected their insecurities and their past instead of looking forward to their futures. Chris decides Duran Duran is a good name. I’m sure Duran Duran thinks so, too. Bryan says to just cross off the whole board. They get down to three names and finally all agree on Sureshot. Rich says it may not be flashy, but it fits their situation. Bryan didn’t think they would agree for weeks or years on a name. He thinks if they all give 102% (why that extra 2%? I have no idea) it will be a Sureshot that they will get back to where they want to be.
They all head to the studio to hear their newly mixed track and think it sounds great. Chris doesn’t want to get booed in his hometown when they have to perform the song at the halftime of a Magic game the next day. Bryan is overwhelmed at the speed of everything. Rich thinks it’s completely unrealistic. He just wants to be able to remember the lyrics and hear himself over the boos.
After Miss Kate leaves, Jeff asks how everyone else felt about her announcement that they have to perform at a Magic game. No one is too excited about it. Bryan would rather be writing and recording music and Jeff goes on the record saying he doesn’t want to do it. Chris suggests he talks to Miss Kate about it. He says he will and Chris points out that this is the type of stuff they have to stand up for themselves about. Jeff says they aren’t ready for it.
The night before the halftime show, the guys practice in front of Miss Kate. Rich says he’s going to have an anxiety attack if he keep thinking about it. Jeff tells Miss Kate they aren’t ready and they feel like they’re being set up. He thinks it’s a terrible idea. Miss Kate says they can’t back out now because it will look bad that they backed out. Jeff tells her BoBo the Gorilla will take their place doing somersaults. Miss Kate wants to hear their concerns and Chris says they feel like there is a lot of stuff going against them. Rich is worried about the morale of the group. He doesn’t want it to make them feel like they suck. Miss Kate doesn’t want them to limit their audience because it could be wrong. She says it’s a great opportunity and that if they don’t do the show, there will be hell to pay. Chris says if they bomb, then Miss Kate takes the blame.
Jeff and Rich are talking about puking before the show. Rich is talking about his weird OCD rituals before shows. Jeff says he is really nervous and Rich is still shaky on the lyrics and wants it to be automatic. He goes off by himself to pound the lyrics in his head. They practice more and Rich still doesn’t know the lyrics. Bryan is happy that Producer is going to DJ their show. Miss Kate tells them that they look like they’ve been performing together for years, but the guys start picking apart what they each did wrong. Chris says opportunities are important and they don’t want to blow it. Miss Kate says she’s proud of them and they won’t get booed. Jeff says he’ll put his trust in Miss Kate.
They get to the arena 3 hours before the show and go to the court to practice. Jeff said the sound check was hard in an arena. Rich forgot his words again and he gets really rattled.
Next time, they perform at the game and get some seriously loud boos. Producer doesn’t want to be a part of that type of group and they blame Miss Kate and decide to fire her.
Need more Man Band? Check out Heather’s interviews with the Sureshot guys at WatchingVH1.com.
|
The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
| Poster |
Thread |
| GatsbyGirl |
Posted: 2007/8/19 22:02 Updated: 2007/8/19 22:02 |
Writer   Joined: 2005/1/12 From: Long Island, NY Posts: 1858 |
 Heeheee The title of your column is so dead on! I agree with everything you've said here. I'm happy I finally got to watch an episode and now I'm more in love with Jeff than ever. For no reason other than his good looks of course.
|
|
|
|
| Poster |
Thread |
| hautumncs |
Posted: 2007/8/20 19:56 Updated: 2007/8/20 19:56 |
Writer  Joined: 2006/3/27 From: Iowa Posts: 826 |
Re: Heeheee Sureshot just posted their single "The Story of My Life" over on their MySpace page (sorry, GG, I know you hate MySpace). Go take a listen! It's hot  http://www.myspace.com/sureshotband |
|
|
|
|
|
|
