Pete Droge Screenplay
Archived
BACKSTAGE, ABRAVANEL HALL - SUPER DARK
OLIVER GOODNESS, contributing SLUG Magazine writer, stands off to the side while PETE DROGE and band hits center stage. The lights rock onto these twenty-something musicians as the crowd awaits their fine tunes. Pete hits them with music. Pete, mid-twenties, portrays the image of your everyday cool friend you long to chill with.
OLIVER (VOICE OVER)
Backstage at Abravanel Hall, May 15th. Pete Droge opened for Ben Harper to a crunchy crowd I smiled to see, reminding me of my Dead/Phish touring days. They loved him. I enjoyed his contemporary Dylan-esque approach to songwriting. After laying some riffs down for a fellow guitar player’s tape (that friend just happened to play for Pearl Jam), Pete was discovered by Producer Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine) and immediately signed to American Records back in 1993. He made his debut with Necktie Second in 1994. Today, two albums later, Pete promotes his newest album Spacey and Shakin.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE BACKSTAGE DOOR NIGHT
Oliver and Pete hang out wrapping about Pete’s first night with Ben Harper.
PETE DROGE
I’ve been a big fan of Ben’s for a while.
OLIVER
How did you get hooked up with this gig?
PETE DROGE
Well, we have the same producer. Our manager got it together.
OLIVER
Last spring, your band toured with G.Love and Special Sauce in Europe.
PETE DROGE
That’s correct. Those guys are great.
The roadies start plowing out the back door with rather large boxy cases of massive rock concert type equipment. Oliver and Pete step to the side. A photographer flashes a couple of photos of them.
FLASH TO WHITE
INT. BACKSTAGE, ABRAVANEL HALL – SUPER DARK
Pete Drage finishes, his EYES ON THE CEILING, and breaks into a speech promoting a sale of t-shirts, records and stickers. The crowd goes wild for the stickers. BAM. They kick out Ghost Song.
EXT. OUTSIDE BACKSTAGE DOOR NIGHT
Kerry, their newly hired guitar tuner guy, directs the roadies for proper under the bus storage of equipment. Oliver and Pete continue their conversation.
OLIVER
When you started playing guitar in high school, who influenced your style the most?
PETE DROGE
Definitely Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Neil Young along with other favorites such as the Stooges and Black Sabbath. Recently, I’ve been drawing on the Troggs and the Kinks.
OLIVER
What’s your process for songwriting?
PETE DROGE
I usually start off in my home studio, laying down tracks. It really varies in order as far as coming up with the guitar, lyrics or other beats. Sometimes, I’ll start with the drums, moving into a tribal approach.
OLIVER
Very cool.
PETE DROGE
Is this almost over? Ben’s about to start playing.
OLIVER
Ahhh, yeah sure.
INT. AISLE — ILLUMINATED WITH FLASHING LIGHTS
BEN HARPER sits on stage like a musical shaman whipping out his tribute to Jimi Hendrix with “Voodoo Child”.
Oliver and Pete sway to the beautiful sounds blooming from Ben’s guitar laying horizontal on his lap. The crowd spiritually hugs each other.
OLIVER (VOICE OVER)
Well, there you have it. Pete Drage. If you dig a solid guitar and cool lyrics, catch him in the local music stores with Spacey and Shakin.
FADE OUT
Read more from the SLUG archives:
Clutch
Crass Dismissed: June 1998
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