Somewhere along the way - I made a really long intro with samples from 80’s television themes, 90’s video games, and 2000’s movie lines. And, y’all know how intros are supposed to work: The stage is dark and the band sets up while it [the intro] is playing… Well, Danny had this idea that it would be particularly lengthy and maybe even annoyingly long… you know - to where people would kinda be getting annoyed that the band is not playing yet - then the lights would come on and we would hit a few dramatically long closing notes in ‘dropped d.’ Hold them… wait for it… wait for it… chug, chug, thhuuuunnnn… still holding those notes… and then thank everyone for coming… and then turn the lights back out… and then walk off stage.
Of course, after a few minutes of silence, a few people leaving, and possibly getting the crowd all worked up, maybe even a few ‘boo’s’ - the band would start playing one of our most recognizable songs… It was mad-genius and I was glad to oblige! We never did perform a show exactly as such…
So, I missed a few of our first gigs and my intro was shunned by the other band mates… I thought I was all but still in the band… Or, rather - I thought I was not good enough to be in the band… And, one day - they were about to take the stage at the Blessing Community Center… and, Danny said - dude? Why aren’t you ready? I was like - dude, I am not in the band… And, he said those words that have forever shaped my life - and my picture of who Danny Alvarado truly is: Cannan - you will always be in my band! Hurry up and go get the intro, man!"
I cried a little that day and rushed home to get my intro… I don’t even remember if we used it that night or not… I am pretty sure that we did. But, we just started jamming as soon as it was over... not the dramatic ending before the beginning stick as he had planned. However, that would be the running joke between us for the rest of his life… Danny would remind me and everyone else that, "Cannan is in the band!" Every once in a while I would say something stupid or make him ‘a little mad’ and he would say, “Cannan is out of the band!” But, it would not take long and Danny would soon defend my honor or come to my rescue. He was the only band-member that would quite regularly assert, “Cannan is in the band,” even after the band had semi-dissolved.
So, Matt made that beautiful post last week that I am sure most of you read. If not, check Danny’s Facebook feed. I will also be posting it soon on the website. Anyway - in the post, Matt pointed out Danny’s genius in word-smith-ery. I concur - after all, how do you think we ended up with the name Knife in Pok?
Let me interject - I work the night shift - and that day - just like today - I had worked all night and I was really sleepy. So, I did not appreciate that jam session like I should have... I wish I could go back to that moment... I wish I would have made him stop playing! And instead, I should have taken him to my mom's house where I could have recorded that epic session. That was just a few months ago - and that was the last time we ever jammed.
Aside from that, he always talked me up and made me feel like I was 'WINNING at life." He would tell me how great my life was... and how he wanted to be just like me. He made me feel like I was his hero and he was gonna clean up his act soon and follow my path. I did not believe him and I knew he was just being nice. But, he always made me feel welcomed and loved. He always made me feel like I was part of something. He always reassured me that, "I was in the band!" He was a text or a phone call away at all times... admittedly, he was harder to get a hold of in recent months... but, he was ready to help, ready to jam, ready to go on an adventure, ready to be a rock star and ready to get paid!
For now, I am out of time - I gotta get back to work. So, I must say bye for now but rest assured if Yehovah allows: I have several more anecdotes to share; I will be posting more of his artwork and music as it becomes available.
