Shakey Grounds (2025) Movie Script
1
Here we go!
In a world filled
with confusion that's moving
At alarming speeds
Wake up out of illusion,
you're a human
Still able to
starve and bleed
I'm here.
- Finally.
- Finally.
Really, Travis?
Are you drunk?
Yeah. Like half.
Oh, shit.
Nice of you to join us, Clint.
- You got your whiskey?
- Check.
Yeah? Got your weed?
Check.
Good, because you
forgot your bass!
Fuck. Sorry, Mel.
- Idiot.
- What?
You heard me.
Are you all drunk?
We had some drinks
while we were waiting for you.
- Just relax, Mom.
- Ah.
I'm sorry, I had
to close the shop
while I got the instruments
you guys forgot.
Come on, guys.
Take this fucking seriously!
Hey.
Hey.
We're The Cuticles.
Nah, dude. Right now,
you're just two
drunks and a drummer.
Well, this is rock
and roll, Mel.
So chill.
For the record, I
am a little drunk.
Great, that's
fucking great, Darby.
So you should know that.
Woo! Yeah!
Hell yeah!
Fuck yeah.
One sec.
What up, Rogers?
Okay. We're The Cuticles.
From Bentonville, Arkansas.
Whatever, dude.
You're fucking cool, man.
Fuck you.
Let's hit it!
One, two, three, four!
Hey
Hey
Fuck off.
Hey
What you wanna say?
What you wanna do?
What you wanna play?
Who you wanna screw?
You know to say,
it's coming true, huh?
No one ever learned shit
following the fools
- Are you good?
- Yeah. Yeah. Fuck yeah.
Come on.
You don't make my
life any easier.
You know that, right?
Yeah, well I was literally
just trying to put on a show.
Job well done, if you ask me.
Whatever, yeah.
Number nine.
Thanks.
Ooh. I'm done.
Put a little more
sauce on the sandwich.
Huh?
Okay.
- Perfect.
- How's that?
All right, babe.
Fuckin' shit, yo. What the fuck.
What's up,
hotshot? Mind if I join?
- Do I have a choice?
- No.
Cheers.
You know it is bad luck to toast
without making eye
contact, right?
You're right.
To Johnny Boy.
To Johnny Boy.
Hey, it's nice to se...
- What's up, bro? You good?
- Yeah.
Ready to do this?
I saw you cracked
your first Billboard 200.
- You must be so proud.
- Mm-hmm.
Not bad.
- Not bad at all.
- Mm.
We're going live
in three, two, one.
Welcome to the biggest show
in the country.
I'm your host, DJ EFN.
And today's guest,
you've seen him on your socials.
You heard him on the radio.
He's got the biggest
song in the country.
Johnny Boy, what's up, man?
- What's going on?
- Cool, man.
Gotta admit,
your boy looks good out there.
Number one on the charts
will do that to you.
Let me know when the label lets
you into the pop department.
I'll show you a few things.
So, Johnny, this hit you got,
"Play Your Love,"
five million streams in a week.
A national tour coming up.
How you feeling?
Hey, I'm gonna give you
a exclusive right now.
- Okay, talk to me.
- That tour ain't happening.
The tour's not happening.
- I won't be doing it.
- All right, okay, okay.
All right, well,
let's... let's get into
the thought process
of... of writing the record.
I didn't
write that, man.
Did he just say what
I think he said?
They told you I wrote it?
- What'd he just say?
- Holy shit.
Now this just got interesting.
I gotta be honest with you, bro.
I never wanted any of this.
Uh...
The label found me
on social media.
- Said I had a good look.
- Mm-hmm.
I can't sing.
Uh, it's okay, uh...
just, buddy, stop this, stop it.
It's fine, just can you stop?
Press the button.
Made some bread. Made money.
Yeah, but
all money ain't good, man.
Turn everything...
just turn all the buttons off.
Pull the cord out
if you have to.
Nick, you've got an
uncanny ability, bro.
Stop the interview.
Somebody do something.
- For fucking shit up.
- This was all a prank.
Had my boy sing a song.
Threw it up on my socials.
And it was going crazy.
Fuck.
So, that's really
what I came here for.
Let everybody know that...
Can't sing.
Don't rap.
I don't want to do this anymore.
Take care of yourself, Nick.
Fuck me.
35 years in the music industry.
I have never seen
such a shit show.
We'll figure out
a way to fix this.
Fix it?
The whole world just
witnessed a consummate breakdown
in the music industry
and you want to fix it?
If you got a way to zap
every teenager's phone
in the fucking country,
then maybe we can fix it.
- Otherwise, we're screwed, pal.
- Trust me.
I'll figure this out.
- You'll figure this out?
- Yes.
- You're fired, Nick.
- What?
Did I stutter?
- You're joking, right?
- No.
Lou, you told me to scour
the earth for the next Bieber
and I did exactly what
you told me to do.
You and I both know
you would have done
the exact same thing
looking at his numbers.
The only difference between us
is I wouldn't have got caught.
You got caught. Big difference.
Sit the fuck down.
Sit the fuck down.
Man, you know what?
Being an A&R guy
is not that hard.
Pop your phone, go
to social media,
and boom, there you are.
Metrics are there,
views in real-time,
song samples at the ready.
I mean, I don't even know
why I have an A&R department.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
Tax write-offs.
You guys are good
for a tax write-off.
You know what? Julie!
Yes, Lou?
Get security to escort Nick out.
No, it's okay, Julie.
I know where I'm going.
- You leave your parking pass.
- Fuck off, Lou.
Did he say "fuck off?"
Um, I think so.
Fuck you!
- I need some tea.
- I'm on it.
Travis here?
Yeah, don't fucking get up.
Yo, what the fuck?
Don't wake him up, bro.
- Oh my God.
- Hey!
What the fuck?
Mel?
- What the hell, dude?
- We need to talk.
Later.
Now! Get up!
Okay!
- Yo! What time is it anyway?
- Jesus Christ, Travis.
Dude, I've been texting you.
You don't check your phone?
My phone's probably dead, man.
- Give me a fucking break.
- I've gotta piss.
Nice.
You know, you guys
missed sound check again.
I'm barely hanging on to your
residency at the Shire as is.
Yeah, well, the sound
sucks in that place anyway.
Maybe if you made sound check,
it wouldn't.
Whatever.
- Yo. Too much.
- Unbelievable.
Okay, so you'd just rather spend
all of your time drinking.
Well, this OJ is kind of fire.
You know what? Fine.
Travis, drink your
fucking life away,
but when you end up like Steven,
do not expect me
to show up at your funeral.
Can you guys take
that shit someplace else?
Shut the fuck up, Layne.
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Of all the
dive bars in the world.
Jimmy!
What are you doing
downtown, man?
You don't remember texting me?
- Did I?
- Yeah.
Oh, man. I'm sorry, bro.
I'm... I'm trying to make this
day as forgettable as possible.
Uh, I don't blame you, man.
Yo, you remember
that conversation
we had a while back?
Well, I'm ready to
come back to National.
It'll be just like old times,
man, we can crush it.
Yeah. Hey, can you get my friend
a glass of water, please?
- What do you think?
- Nick, I can't, man.
- Come on, Feldman.
- No, I can't, man.
National's not gonna
touch you right now.
Honestly, no label's
gonna touch you.
Hey, man, you know
it's not personal, right?
You know I got nothing
but love for you.
But in all fairness,
I tried to warn you
before going over
to the Lou, man.
I told you that dude's a killer.
But you know what,
man? I get it.
Maybe you needed to... to spread
your wings or something.
Well, I'm done.
I'm finished, man.
I don't wanna... Well, I
I mean, you thought about
taking a vacation?
Now, why don't you
take some time off?
Where the fuck
am I gonna go right now?
I can't believe I'm
about to say this.
Um...
Look, man, I
I just bought some property
up in Arkansas, man.
It's gonna be a while
before I get up there.
It's bare.
Why don't you head
up there, man?
Did you say Arkansas?
You, uh, you got
somewhere better?
Yes, it's Arkansas.
What's wrong with Arkansas?
Why would I go
there? What the...
That's like the fucking
edge of the world, dude.
Yeah, well, hey, if I were you
the edge of the world seems like
the safest place right now.
So here, man, take this.
Come on, let's get yourself
together, man.
Wow. This is unexpected.
Are you gonna come in or
are you just gonna stand there?
Lisa. Say hi to
your Uncle Travis.
- Lisa!
- What?
Say hi, damn it.
What up?
Lisa, really?
Teenagers.
Yeah, it's all good.
She's driving me nuts.
So...
Why are you here?
I guess Mom and Dad's
wasn't available?
Yo, look at Steven.
He was a G.
Yeah.
It would have meant a lot to us,
especially Lisa,
to have you at the funeral.
Look.
You wanna crash
on my couch again?
Fine. No problem.
But the fact remains,
whether she admits it or not,
my daughter looks up to you.
So, do us both a favor.
Get your shit together.
You are not wearing
that to school.
Go change. Take off that makeup.
You suck.
Good morning, sunshine.
Do you have coffee?
No. Go get some coffee from Mel.
Mel doesn't wanna
see me right now.
Maybe you should try
kissing her ass sometime.
And while you're out,
will you stop by a thrift store
and pick up a VHS for Lisa?
What? A VHS?
Yes, Lisa has some school
project and she needs one.
Okay, well, why
don't you get it?
Because I'm busy, Travis.
And if you're gonna be
sleeping on my couch,
the least you can do
is help out around here.
Word. I need money.
You got 10 bucks?
I have five, and
I expect change.
That jacket's fire.
Lisa, let's go.
I'm changing!
This movie blows, man.
It makes no sense.
Mannequin. What are
you talking about?
This movie makes perfect sense.
A dude falling in
love with a mannequin?
Yeah, that's totally believable.
It's about as
believable as a dude
falling in love
with a blow-up doll.
Mannequin, blow-up doll?
Shit, bro, give me
a cardboard cutout
of Kim Cattrall and I'm in.
You do know she's
almost 70, right?
- I'd still hit.
- Gross.
Can I help you with anything?
No, I'm straight, just...
- Yo, Pretty in Pink.
- It's a dope movie.
And you know that we're having
a two-for-one sale today, right?
- Okay.
- Do you want
- any other recommendations?
- Yeah.
What are you into, man?
Like, Kyle's got great taste.
Oh, have you ever seen
Hunt for Red October?
- Jesus Christ.
- Yo, we're filmmakers,
so, like, we do know movies.
Word, whatever, bro.
- Yo, quick question.
- What?
Can you rate Kim Cattrall
on a scale from one to ten?
- Who?
- Kim Cattrall, like, Mannequin.
Yeah, -Sex and the City.
Y'all are trippin'.
Total Miranda.
He was nice.
Excuse me.
- What can I get you?
- Let's see.
I'll have an espresso with the
Indonesian Kopi Luwak bean.
- Nice choice.
- Thanks.
I know a few things
about coffee.
So, let me guess. L.A.?
No, no, no. No, scratch that.
Definitely New York.
Or, better yet, L.A.
by way of New York.
How can you tell?
Ironed clothes, accent.
Dickhead demeanor.
Shit. It's not bad.
- I'm Nick.
- My friends call me Mel.
So, what do you do
for a living, Nick?
Oh, work in the music industry.
- No shit.
- Yeah.
Just taking a break right now.
A&R.
- It's, uh...
- No, yeah, I know what A&R is.
Hey, uh, you should...
you should check this band out.
They're playing at
The Shire tonight.
- The Cuticles?
- Don't ask,
but they're really, really good.
What, are you,
like their manager?
No, no, I'm a stripper
and they're my best clients.
Huh?
- Hey, guys.
- Yo.
You're in a good
mood.
Hey, um...
You know what I was thinking?
No.
Are you still doing those
weekly gigs at The Shire?
The Shire?
Been a long time
since I've seen you play.
What, are you, like...
Trying to come to
a gig or something?
Yeah. Why not?
I mean...
Sure, whatever.
Keep your tits in
your shirt, though.
Shut up!
Gravity hasn't hit them yet.
Oh, my God.
What? You think your mom
doesn't know how to party?
You're O.D., yo.
She's back!
- No.
- No, we don't want her back.
Shut up.
I want a beer.
Excuse me.
You good?
All right. Hey, hey, Shire!
Let's fucking tear
this shit up, yo!
Come on! Yeah!
That's my brother.
Back against the wall
Gold teeth in his smile
Said he'll hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
We've been up and down
Since you came around
Movin' on my crown
Since you heard me out
It ain't just coincidence
I won't give in
'Cause I can't
get too surprised
When them dogs
come back to bite
They just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
Let's keep them on a leash
They just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
They bite the
hand that feeds
They just hungry dogs
Ever since you called,
I can't sleep at all
Every plan you got
sells tickets to my fall
They've seen it all,
still you stick around
Seem to be involved
every time I howl
It ain't just coincidence
I can't give in
'Cause can't get
too surprised
When them dogs
come back to bite
They just hungry...
...dogs
So let's keep
them on a leash
Yeah, they just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
They bite the
hand that feeds
They just hungry dogs
Mel! How are you?
He's killing it.
I know. What's good?
Are you having fun?
Are kidding me? I
love this place.
You can throw teenagers around,
and it's perfectly acceptable.
Okay.
Yeah, it was, like,
the best night of my life.
That was... I mean,
it... It was fantastic.
- It was all right, yo.
- Can you please stop that?
- Chill, goddamn.
- You're incredible.
Um, it was okay, it was okay.
- It was okay?
- Yeah.
Yeah, needed some whiskey,
to be honest.
I don't know,
I thought it sounded amazing.
Whatever.
Ugh, can you stop trying to be
the cool guy all the time?
Wait, I'm sorry. Did
I detect a smile?
- Nope.
- Oh, that's right, I forgot.
Rock stars don't smile.
No, we don't.
Ugh, you're so lame.
- Shut up.
- Come on.
- I wanna smoke.
- Not happening.
- It's happening.
- Nope.
Hey, Nick Stone, A&R.
Nick, Nick, wait!
- Hey! - Your friend is an
asshole, Mel.
- They'll do it.
- Yeah, well after that convo,
I'm not sure I want to.
Just let me handle Travis, okay?
I don't know.
Come on, look, he needs this,
he just doesn't see it yet.
You know rock stars,
it's early, he's hungover.
Oh, so noon is
too early for him?
No.
Would've told you to fuck off
regardless of the time.
Look, just...
just give him a chance, please?
- Fine.
- Thank you.
Oh, can you do me a favor?
- Favor?
- Yeah, ditch the suit.
What? The suit, lose it.
- Better?
- No.
Meet me tomorrow, 29th and D,
12:00 on the dot.
- Wait, where?
- You'll find me.
What the fuck is up
with these people?
Where we gonna be in
a couple of years
Face just wasting
in a bottle of beer
What are you listening to?
Word.
- You ready?
- For what?
To trade New York for Arkansas.
Here?
- This one is...
- Mm.
Damn.
Where'd you say you work again?
Pacific Records.
Oh, look at you, Mr. Big Shot.
Yeah, something like that.
This smells like weed.
It's a thrift store, dude.
Everything smells like weed.
Come on, hurry up.
Not bad.
It's missing something, though.
Here, put this on. Follow me.
I look ridiculous.
I... I would never
wear this any...
- Shut up.
- This doesn't even fit.
Oh, yeah.
Doc Martens.
- God, seriously?
- Put them on.
God.
- Man, these are...
- Fucking epic?
- Yeah.
- Hold on. Just...
I... I need a second.
It's way too tight.
Oh, man.
So, what's your story?
What, like, how
did I get out here
slinging coffee and
managing a band?
I guess that's where
I was going, yeah.
Coffee shop was my dad's.
To him, coffee
wasn't just a drink.
It was art.
- How'd he get the name?
- Shakey Grounds?
Ah, he always used to say
that no matter
how stable your life may seem
we are all just living
on shaky grounds.
You know that the name
is spelled wrong, right?
There's no "E" in shaky.
Yeah. Sign came that way.
I mean, he didn't
care, you know.
To him, the magic
was in the beans, not the sign.
That was my dad.
God, I used to love
going in to work with him.
You know, that's actually
how I met Travis.
I still remember that
little shit coming in,
all covered in dirt
with his toy guitar.
You know, he actually
taught me how to play.
- You can play?
- Yeah.
- Huh.
- I'm all right.
Used to be in the high school
version of The Cuticles,
but, uh, life happens, you know.
- Yeah.
- My dad died.
Now I'm running a coffee shop,
and I'm the closest thing
to a manager Travis has.
And a girlfriend.
What, me and Travis?
That'd never work.
Shit.
Who is it?
I'll give you one guess.
What do you want?
Can I come in?
Are you a vampire?
I guess it depends
on the night that I had.
Yo, your mom
never told me you played guitar.
We live by a don't ask,
don't tell policy in this house.
Can I sit?
Thank you.
Well, you sounded
pretty good.
Cut the shit. I suck.
I'm just saying. Yo,
let me see that thing.
Sure.
What are you doing?
- Using your pick.
- That's my lucky pick.
- Don't use that.
- Oh, okay. I won't.
Yeah, it was just a
little bit out of tune,
but should be good now.
Sick.
- Not bad.
- Yeah, whatever. I'm all right.
- It's a badass guitar, though.
- Thanks.
Well, well, well. There he is.
- How do I look?
- You look great.
I don't know. I just feel funny.
Like, I wouldn't wear this.
- Stop it. They're out back.
- Okay. All of them?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
I'll be right back.
I know.
- Really? More?
- Yeah, you try it.
You're gonna keep
going with that shit?
- You try beating this, bro.
- Goddamn, dude.
'Cause this shit's impossible.
Spend too much
time on that thing.
All right, guys.
Ready to get started?
- Yo. Oh, my God, dude.
- Look at this. Look at this.
That's so typical.
- Typical? What do you mean?
- Yes, man. This
little starter kit fit thing
you're wearing today.
You think that
makes you one of us?
You're so hip, man.
Dude, who gives
a shit? Whatever.
You got a demo?
Obviously.
We got a demo?
You got... you got...
you got the demo.
- It's on the hard drive, bro.
- Okay, look.
- Here's the deal.
- You got a hard drive?
- Hold on, hold on.
- Chill.
Guys, give me a few songs.
I'll pay for them.
When we're done,
if you don't like what you hear,
just walk away.
Come on, man.
All right.
We'll give it a shot, suit.
Since you're paying.
Let's see what you got.
- But we're not signing shit.
- Mm-mm.
I'll see you guys later.
Can I get that light?
Let's go, baby.
I'm back. I'm fucking back.
Whoo.
- You guys ready for this?
- We're here, aren't we?
All right, let me
go in first, alone.
Why?
Because I know
how to talk to these guys.
I speak their language. Come on.
Well, we'll just
post up here, then.
- I'll be right back.
- Okay.
Wow.
Anybody here?
Hello?
Hello?
- Oh!
- What the fuck do you want?
- Man, easy, easy.
- Bobby send you here?
Who's Bobby?
Don't fucking play with me, boy.
I'm not playing.
I'm just looking
for a recording studio, man.
That's it. Please, chill.
Shit.
How about that?
We're looking for new clients.
- Good looks, Ray.
- Hey, Travis.
- What's up, Ray?
- How you doing?
- Hey, Ray.
- Hi.
- Welcome to Satin Studios.
- Wow.
- Can we smoke in here?
- I don't give a shit.
Yo, they got gear, bro.
It's a Fairchild.
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
It's what the Beatles used.
- You got an SSL?
- Huh?
The board, man.
Oh, to be honest with you,
I don't even know
what's in here.
I just won this
at a poker game a week ago.
Let me guess. From Bobby?
Ding,
ding, ding. Bingo.
Bobby Satin.
I mean, he's had this place
since the disco days.
Put his whole life into it.
Normally, I wouldn't take
something like that,
but Bobby's an asshole,
and a bet's a bet, so fuck it.
You know, when we were kids,
he took my bike
in a game of rock
paper scissors.
Never gave it back, either.
I fucking loved that bike.
Wait, you had
a disco scene in Arkansas?
Something like that.
Cokeheads and
bell-bottoms, baby.
- You either dealing or
stealing. - That's pretty funny.
- Huh.
- So how much?
I think, uh,
50 an hour sound right?
And you're sure all
this stuff works?
Like I said, I don't know
shit about studios,
but, you know, if I know Bobby,
she'll work like a charm.
Ready to get started?
Whatever, suit.
Yeah, man.
Yeah!
Should be good.
Darby, make sure
your timing stays solid.
You drifted a bit
on that last take.
Clint, you were a
bit behind, too, man.
Travis, can you play
something different?
You're literally playing
the same exact thing
as what Clint's playing.
You want me to do what?
Give me the guitar.
I'll show you.
Word.
Let's see what you got, bro.
Something like this.
That's not even
how the song goes, dude.
Fine. Just do it your way.
Word.
Um...
Go.
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Say the words clearly, dude.
You sound like you're mumbling.
Let me guess, you're
a fucking singer now, too?
Just... can we go again, please?
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Better, better.
Just... just really try
to feel it this time.
Come on.
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Sounds good, man.
Just a little more
energy, and we got it.
Back against the wall
Gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Hey, Mel. What's going on?
Yo, I need a break.
Sounds good.
Whatever, Mel.
- You two getting along?
- We ain't getting nowhere.
- What's that shit?
- Oh.
This, my friend,
is called merch.
That way, we can make
a little scratch at your shows
instead of just
rocking for a bar tab.
Oh, speaking of which, I did
get us a gig at the Meteor.
- Wow.
- Not bad, huh?
I'm not wearing that shit.
Why do you have to be
such an asshole?
We've been up and down
since you came around
Moving on my crown
since you heard me out
Not bad.
- Not bad at all.
- Oh, crap. Not bad.
Yeah, when...
when did you say this came in?
Today.
So Lou doesn't
know about it yet?
Not yet.
All I do is win.
Fuck yeah. Okay.
Here's what I want you to do.
Forward me that email,
then delete that shit
from Lou's inbox.
Make sure he never sees
or hears a thing about it, yeah?
- You know I could get fired.
- Uh-uh, no, no, no, no, no.
Don't you worry about that.
While you're at it,
hit Nick up with a phone call
and tell him Lou wants a video.
Where'd you say
these guys are from?
- Arkansas.
- Arkansas?
It's Arkansas.
Oh, I know how it's pronounced.
That was a joke.
You know, you can thank
the French for three things.
Croissant, cigarettes,
and the silent...
- Silent S. - You know your
stuff.
- See you at the bar later?
- Uh, I... I don't...
That sounds like a yes.
I'll see you there.
All right, good night.
- Hello?
- Hey, Nick.
- Julie, hey, what's up?
- Lou saw the tape.
He did?
- And?
- He loved it.
Oh, that's great.
Oh, that is great.
But he wants
to see a video.
Seriously?
Lou is
never not serious.
Welcome.
What is this shit?
- It's our set, man.
- What?
- Yeah.
- What do you think?
- This?
- Yeah.
What about her?
What about boots?
It's eye candy.
Are you serious right now?
It's gonna be great,
Travis, trust me.
Yo, this is not
even my bass, guy.
Guys, wait a second.
Let me go get you your outfits.
Outfits?
That looks like that'll fit you.
What, is this
supposed to be for me?
Bro, we're not rifles
and fucking daisies.
- I'm not wearing this shit.
- No shot, man.
Okay, so what do
you want to wear?
Not this shit.
Don't blame me.
Mel picked it out.
Fuck did I do?
You didn't pick
this out, did you?
Well, uh,
this is definitely a new look.
We look like clowns, Mel.
Hey, you threw
away the T-shirts.
Whatever.
I'm, like, this close,
just so you know.
Oh, yeah?
So, uh... so it's a bad time
to ask for a selfie?
Stop.
I'm not happy.
The shit I'd do
for you, I swear.
- Fucking basement.
- Whatever.
What is this shit?
Bro.
Oh, my God.
- Let's go, man.
- All right.
Yo, stop!
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in...
- Cut!
- Um, we're the directors.
We say cut.
Travis, look like
you're having some fun, man.
- Move around.
- This is bullshit, guys.
You know this is
fucking bullshit.
- Whatever.
- All right, back to one.
Let's try this again. Come on.
- Again?
- Yeah.
A one, two, three, four.
The fuck, man?
What is she doing?
- Cut!
- Dude, we say cut.
- Yeah, come on.
- She's just a dancer, Travis.
What do you mean
she's a fucking dancer, bro?
We don't make
fucking dance music!
Have you ever listened
to our shit? Ever?
It looks great. You
guys all look great.
This is bullshit, dude.
Travis, Travis, I'm just trying
to make you go viral.
Yo, viral? Are
you fucking crazy?
We don't have a
fucking social media.
You don't know shit, dude.
Mel, I fucking told
you, Mel. You happy?
Are you fucking happy?
This is exactly
what I knew was gonna happen.
Yo, we're out. We're out. No.
Guys, it looked good.
Travis, where are you going?
Fuck off, man.
Keep your
stupid bass, bro.
Where are you guys going?
Goddammit! Fuck!
It was the fucking
stupidest shit ever!
Why the fuck would
I have done that?
- I look like a fucking idiot.
- You got that right.
How long have you been there?
Long enough.
Wait, did you start
a cover band or something?
Not now, Lisa. Goddammit.
Okay.
Yo.
Where'd your mom go?
No idea. Not my day
to keep track of her.
Oh, man.
She went out with some friends.
I don't know when
she'll be back.
Do you want me to
text her or anything?
No, don't text her.
Just tell her that if...
if she gets back before I do,
just let her know
I took her car.
And hey,
buy pizza or something.
- Hey.
- What?
You might want to change first.
Fuck. You're right.
It's cold out there.
Yup.
Is it cool?
Okay.
You drinking?
I mean, you don't have
a drink with me when I ask.
Oh, just shut the
fuck up, Travis.
What do you want?
I just
I mean, can we talk?
Is it okay if we talk or...
Hard pass.
All right, I guess we can
just sit here quietly then.
You're such a fucking asshole.
You know that?
Word.
Want to tell me
what happened to us?
Because we used to be a team.
We're a fucking team, Mel.
- Yeah?
- Yes.
We're just...
We're a fucking team.
After Steven died
it does not feel like it.
You don't mean that.
Just stop.
Maybe I do. Maybe I don't.
But right now,
after five drinks,
sure feels like I do.
Well, then give me a fucking cup
so I can catch up to
your ass.
You know, that...
that's your fucking problem.
You're always just
playing around.
And if you're not playing,
then you're wailing around
like you're super
fucking complicated
when... when in reality
you're just another
self-absorbed musician
that is a single
guitar stroke away
from blowing your
fucking brains out.
You know, you think... you think
that the world
owes you something
because of all your pain,
but let me... let me
tell you a secret.
You're not that
complicated, Travis.
You're just a fucking asshole
that treats everyone like shit,
so they don't see what
you really are, which is scared.
Wow.
I wish you knew that
it wasn't your fault
that Steven killed himself.
Please, just,
for real
don't go there.
See?
Fucking scared.
I'm not fucking scared, Mel.
You want me to fucking go there?
You know what I fucking
deal with every single day?
Tell me.
Knowing that I fucking killed
my best friend
with pills that I gave him?
I got him hooked on it?
Knowing that I fucking...
He should fucking be here
right now if it wasn't for me.
You know what kind
of fucking, like,
mental fuck that is?
No.
That shit messes you up, man.
The guilt that I feel
every fucking day
because of his fucking...
Goddammit.
You're right.
I don't know how it feels.
But I do know.
I do know
that if you didn't
give them to him
someone else would have,
and he would have
happily taken them
because Steven was fucked up.
You just have to accept that.
Please.
It's kind of hard, you know.
Yeah.
You know what?
Come on.
- Come on what?
- Come on, follow me.
- Where?
- To your car.
- Car?
- Okay.
Well, I sure as
shit ain't driving.
- Easy.
- Come on.
I'm a designated driver?
- Yeah.
- Holy shit.
I walk into the room
I've seen it all before
I walk into the room
I've seen it, I've
seen it all before
Is it just another
night, just another night
Night people
Well, you're going downtown
And you're looking
for something
That you haven't got
Well, you were
going downtown
And you're looking for
the haves and the have nots
Night, people
Yeah, night people
No.
Night, people
I'm not dancing. I
think you're wasted.
No, I'm not.
Fuck, I needed that.
- Lisa?
- Who?
Hi.
Come over here.
Who... what's...
Yo, get the fuck
out of here, guys.
- Come on.
- Bye.
- What are you doing?
- Having a good time.
Are you drinking?
Are you drinking?
Oh, my God. Um
we're gonna take you home
before your mom
commits a double homicide
and I'm fucked for
the rest of my life.
- Come on.
- Stop. Wait here.
I... I... I'm so sorry.
- I got to deal with this shit.
- It's okay.
Go easy on her.
I'll do my best.
Um, need a ride or...
Nah.
I'll Uber.
I'm sorry.
Someone's in love.
Stop it. Go.
All right, nope. Go.
Yeah. There you go.
- I'm so fucking dead.
- Hey, watch your language.
Why? Dead
people can't talk.
May as well get it out now.
I'm just fucking with you.
But real talk, couple mints,
clean pair of PJs,
you're gonna be fine.
Really?
Yes, but just don't fucking
do that shit again.
For real, Lisa.
That's how yearbook photos
become Amber Alerts.
It's like, not funny.
I hate
my yearbook photo.
Yo, actually, I hate mine, too.
- Like, all of 'em.
- Right?
What'd you think about
the music, though?
- It's cool.
- Just cool?
Yeah, it's cool.
Classic rock, whatever.
I like my music with some edge.
Dirty, rough, wild.
Kind of like your shit.
You like my shit?
Yes, I mean, at least
your shit's honest.
Hey, let's fucking go.
You have taste in
music. I knew it.
- Oh, my God.
- I knew it.
Wait, so you and Mel, though?
- Like...
- No, yeah, stop.
- No, no, no.
- I saw you guys kiss.
- What? Zoo-zoo-zoo.
- What?
- We're not going there.
- You're not gonna tell me?
Get out of the car and be quiet.
- She'll hear you.
- Oh my God, Okay.
- Hey.
- What up?
Uh, can I come in?
- Yeah.
- Cool.
Whoa, your guitar is sick.
You mean, um, your guitar.
- Wait, you're giving me this?
- Yeah.
It's kind of beat up and old,
but I feel like
you could bring it back to life.
That guitar got me through
a lot of shit when
I was your age.
I just wish I knew
how to play like you.
Hey, how about this?
How about I'll teach
you to play like me,
then in two years from now,
you teach me to play like you.
- Deal?
- Deal.
Yeah. Hey, hey, okay.
All right,
if your mom sees you hugging me,
she's definitely gonna know
you've been drinking,
so chill with that.
- Thank you.
- Yeah, of course.
You're gonna look
badass with that thing.
- You have fun, okay?
- Okay.
Yo.
What up, Suit? What's up?
- Yo, you want to make this
work? - Absolutely.
- You're in A&R, right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, so you find the deal,
we'll do the producing.
I don't want any fancy shit.
I don't want... I
don't want any notes.
That's what it is.
What do you say?
All right.
- Don't fuck this up, man.
- Yeah.
Yeah, these guys
can really sing,
I'm telling you.
Come on, man, how long
are you gonna hold that over me?
So then you got
the... Yep, loop it.
David. It's Nick.
Nick Stone.
Hello? David.
Oh, it's funky.
Yeah, and loop it.
- Down there.
- Loop it.
I like that.
Just loop
the whole thing.
No, Craig, this isn't a joke.
Lou's already got
him on his radar.
Craig. Craig.
We're coming back
to the one at the beginning?
Yeah, and
just looping it.
- Okay.
- Just looping the whole thing,
and do what he's doing on the...
Yeah, do the octave up thing.
So, you got...
If you think you could...
"If you're
thinking you might..."
Might.
"If you think
it'll look good..."
- Good.
- What'd you say?
"Hold up, hold tight.
It looks better at night."
All right,
word, cool, cool, cool.
Let's go. Let's go.
Yeah, I said Arkansas.
What's wrong with Arkansas?
You got one, two, one,
two, three, four...
If you thinking you could
If you thinking you might
If you thinking
you You could
That's right.
Then wait, hold tight.
It looks better at night
Yeah. Fuck yeah.
Yes.
- Yo!
- Yeah, dude, fire.
- That's fire.
- Bro, that was it.
Suit, Suit, Travis
needs you in the back.
Okay, just tell him
I'll be in in one second.
Okay.
What's up, man?
- Yo, that show you booked us?
- Yeah.
You gonna label people there?
I'm working on it.
But does it really matter?
I mean, we could just film it
and send it to him.
Nah, dude.
It's the shit you
gotta hear live, man.
Hi, there.
Nice
fucking suit, dude.
I know.
Uh, yeah, I was wondering
if you could tell me
where I can find the
band, The Cuticles?
- Who's asking?
- Ooh, I like this one.
She's spicy, extra picante.
Brad Goldman, Pacific Records.
Oh, shit, you work with Nick.
Well, uh, something like that.
- Uh...
- We got it.
I think so.
- You sure?
- Whatever, we'll work it out.
It's like, it's the fucking...
- Shit.
- What's the problem?
- He is.
- Me?
- Me?
- Yeah, you.
What are
you talking about?
Oh, you can't hear me?
How about now, is that better?
You don't work for
Pacific Records. Do you, Nick?
I used to work there.
- Used to?
- Yeah, I freelance now.
Oh, is that what you call it?
You know why he doesn't work
for them anymore?
Because that's the guy
behind the Johnny Boy bullshit.
Okay, hold on.
That's not entirely
true, you guys.
I sent your tape
to Lou Bernstein himself.
And who the fuck is that, bro?
The head of the label.
You sure about that, Nick?
Cause I think if you were
to call Lou Bernstein,
you'd see he had no idea
what the fuck you're
talking about.
Come on, this is not
who you want to deal with.
- Trust me.
- Trust you?
You've been saying
that a lot, dude.
Nick
have a modicum of self-respect
and take a walk
while you still can.
Mel and I have
some business to discuss.
Get lost.
Yeah, so who
the fuck are you?
Oh, just the man
to make y'all rich and famous.
How does that sound?
- It's a nice bike.
- Yeah, man.
Yeah, Mel told me
you like bikes.
I do.
Liked them since I was a kid.
Aw.
Well, enjoy it.
It's yours now.
Obviously, courtesy
of Pacific Records.
You know I ain't
signing shit, right?
I think you will.
Little advice.
In life, and
especially right now,
don't stress out
over the details.
It's my job.
Just enjoy the ride, man.
And do what you do best,
making and performing
killer fucking music.
All right, tough guy?
Yo, you label guys are funny.
Big show tonight?
Yeah.
Are you nervous?
I... I mean, no.
I'll just take a walk, you know,
clear my head, I'll be straight.
Yeah.
Take this.
Your lucky pick?
Yeah.
My dad gave it to me
when I was a little girl.
Said it would bring me luck
when he wasn't around,
but I think you might need it
more than I do right now.
Nice bike.
Let me guess, courtesy of...
Pacific Records.
Yeah.
Must come in the employee
handbook or some shit.
Yeah, some shit like that.
I'm not gonna lie, Suit.
It's a good line.
They teach you that
before or after
you sell your soul to the devil?
Before.
True.
You know what, Suit?
My buddy, Steven
that's all we ever fucking
dreamed about, man.
Our name in lights.
Girls going crazy.
Fucking short days, long nights,
all that rock star bullshit
they try to sell you on.
Then he died.
You know, none of this shit,
this means nothing to us, bro.
If we make it, cool, whatever.
If we don't make it,
that's cool, too.
It's not what it's about.
I'm just trying not to laugh,
man, because
we spent so much time
dreaming about what could be.
Fucking get here...
He's gone,
and our name is spelled wrong
on the motherfucking marquee.
You know, I could
go talk to the guy
and have it fixed, dude.
Yo, just shut up, man.
Like, do you ever listen?
This shit doesn't
fucking matter, bro.
None of this shit
fucking matters.
Spell it with a
"Q" for all I care.
That's not what this is about.
It's not The Cuticles,
bro. Not anymore.
Not without Steven.
- Chill, bro.
- Bro.
Where is he though?
- Fuck Travis.
- Hey, guys.
Anyone got eyes on Travis?
- Any minute now.
- Yeah.
Oh, geez, day one and already
missing sound checks.
Fucking rock stars, love it.
Uh, please tell me
y'all inked your John Hancock's
all over my contract?
Yeah, we're, um,
waiting on Mel for that.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
We're... we're not
waiting for Mel on that.
We need to get you guys
signed right here, right now.
Comprende, amigos?
You guys speak Spanish, right?
You wait here,
I'll be right back.
- You got something on your tie?
- Hm.
No, you don't. Fucking idiot.
Now, that guy's funny.
Like your, uh, marijuana usage.
- Drugs.
- Fuck you.
Yeah, all right.
- Darby.
- Travis is missing.
What do you mean, missing?
I don't know, man.
You're the only one I
could think to call.
Okay, um, just, uh,
let me call Layne.
He's probably over there, drunk.
Clint already tried.
I think his phone's cut again.
Look, that Brad
guy is here, too.
I don't know what to say, man.
Shit. Just stall.
Stall? What the hell
do you mean, stall?
Yes, Darby, just
stall. Smoke him out.
Tell Clint to give him
a lap dance for all I care.
Just... ...just stall.
"Just stall."
What the fuck does that mean?
Where's Travis?
I don't know, Mel.
So he hasn't been here?
He was here earlier.
Then he hopped on that
sweet new bike and took off.
Bike? What bike?
One that record dude bought him.
Move.
Okay, think, Layne. Think.
Where could he have gone?
- I honestly don't know, Mel.
- Oh, shit.
My head is slamming, dude.
You're a fucking idiot.
Hello?
No! I gotta
get out of here, dude!
- Travis!
- Fuck me!
Fucking Mel, Christ, thank God.
Yo, tell this fucker
I got a gig to get to right now.
Sorry, we still have
another X-ray to take.
No, dude! I'm not doing shit!
I got a show! Tell him, Mel.
Travis, you can't
perform like this.
Yes, I can. Just tell him.
Fuck!
How are you gonna play
guitar with a busted arm,
- you bonehead?
- Shit, ow.
- That really fucking hurts.
- I'm sorry.
I got an idea, okay?
I just... You ain't
gonna like it.
- No.
- Yes.
- No!
- Just yes.
This is nuts. You
know that, right?
Yeah.
So let's get it over with.
What the hell happened to you?
Got into a fight with a Harley,
and the Harley lost, bro.
Look. I need a favor, man.
Can't fucking play
like this tonight.
- You need a favor from me?
- Yeah, a favor.
You owe me one, Suit.
You want me to come play
with you tonight,
so you can sign with Brad,
that motherfucker.
Bro, fuck Brad, man.
If you ain't gonna do it for me,
do it for fucking Mel.
Come on.
All right.
But if Brad flips,
it's not on me.
Chill.
If he flips, let's just hope
he could stick a landing.
Come on.
You're bringing
your A-game tonight, man.
- Let's go.
- All right.
- Fuck.
- You're sitting in the back.
Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles!
Cuticles, Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles!
Thank God.
What the hell
happened to your arm, bro?
What?
What's he doing here?
The right thing for
once in his life.
All right, well,
who's gonna play the guitar now?
- This dude.
- No.
- No.
- What?
Yup.
Okay.
- No, man.
- It's good.
Yo.
Cuticles, Cuticles, Cuticles...
Yo, B?
You good?
Travis, man.
I'm in A&R.
I mean, I know
how to play the riffs and all,
but, dude, this is a lot.
Give me the guitar.
Fuck's going on here?
What?
She doesn't know
any of the songs.
Are you sure?
Yeah. Come on.
You got us this far.
I'm gonna take it from here.
She's got it.
Come on. Let's go.
Get... get your ass
out there. Let's go.
- All right.
- This is gonna be interesting.
We're fucked.
Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles, Cuticles!
Hey.
F-sharp. Keep it funky, okay?
Hey, this is rock and roll.
Let's go.
Yeah!
Yes, fuck yes.
Let's go, let's go.
Hey! All right, yo.
Let's fucking do this.
I've been at these bars,
I've been playing these clubs
And there's nowhere times
when they pay you in drugs
I can't come down to you,
give me some love
I just knew it when
you walked in the room
So what could I do,
but stay in the group
Baby girl, I'm all in,
I got nothing to lose
This ain't for the views,
ain't tryin' to be rude
But I got somethin' for you
if you're still in the mood
So what you gonna do
What you gonna do?
When I come through
When I come through
See, there's just one thing
There's just one thing
I'm asking you
I'm asking you
So tell me the truth
if you're thinking you could
If you're thinking you might
If you think it looks good
Hold tight, it looks
better at night
Hey
Better at night
It feels better at night
Better at night
All right
Hey, feels better at night
Whoo! Come here!
Uh, what you
think I'm lying?
You know I only speak truths
So what you gonna do
What you gonna do
When I come through
When I come through
See, there's just one thing
There's just one thing
I'm asking you
I'm asking you
So tell me the truth
If you're thinking you could
If you're thinking you might
If you think it looks good
If you think it looks good
Hold tight, it looks
better at night
Hey!
Better at night
Oh, yeah
It feels better at night
Yeah
Better at night
Better at night
This whiskey is shit.
Okay.
The fuck?
- We killed that shit!
- Yay!
I can't believe it. Wow.
Yo, Nick, come on, man.
- Party with us.
- Oh, dude, thank you.
We, we killed that shit.
You put up with my ass.
- I did. I did.
- Come on.
- Get in here, Suit.
- Bring it in.
Bring it in.
Hey, Darby, grab your phone out.
We gotta capture this moment.
Let's get a pic.
- Check this out. Ready?
- Get it on.
- Yeah.
- Everybody, get in!
- Cheers!
- There you go.
Hey!
- Here he goes.
- Come on.
Congratulations.
Yeah, enjoy the champagne
while you still can
cause that's all
you're gonna get.
- What?
- Yeah, unfortunately, brother,
there's no contract
if he is involved.
I'm not involved.
Seriously?
Okay, great. Um, I'm
so glad to hear that.
I guess we're back
on track, then.
Actually, he's our manager.
Travis, come on.
Dude, I appreciate that,
but you guys don't need me.
Dude, listen to him.
For once he's not lying
his Sesame
Street-looking face off.
Whoa. Hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey.
It's all good, dude.
We need you just
like you need us.
Right?
How about
Shakey Grounds Management?
That sounds pretty lit.
That does sound pretty good.
Mel's gonna keep the
trademark, though.
Dude. Fair enough. Fair enough.
Travis. You
can't be serious, dawg.
No, I'm dead serious.
That being said,
I did make a call.
- Did I hit my cue?
- Perfectly.
What's up, little man?
- Give me some love, baby.
- What's up, man?
Guys, I want to introduce you
to Jimmy Feldman
from National Records.
- Hey, National.
- Pleasure, pleasure.
What's up? What's up, man?
Feldman, what the hell
are you doing here?
Well, as you would want to know,
I came to Arkansas
to visit a good friend,
and as luck would have it,
Nick told me about
this amazing band.
I mean, it's no business
like show business, right, Brad?
You're too late, Feldman.
They already signed with me.
Mmm, is that right?
I didn't sign anything.
- No.
- Did you guys sign something?
- And there was that one... no.
- Yeah.
Dude, I gave you a
fucking Harley, bro.
Get the fuck out, douche bag.
- Hey, Lisa!
- What?
- Ooh.
- You heard the lady.
Fuck off, Brad.
Big fucking mistake, guys.
Big fucking mistake.
Can you go with Feldman?
Okay, fuck off, guys.
Good luck, you talentless hacks.
Fuck off - Bye!
Yo! With the closer, though?
- For real?
- The show was insane.
Hey, by the way
your dad was a legend.
Thank you so much.
This is amazing.
Yeah.
You...
- Hey.
- Hi.
You were, um...
You were amazing tonight.
- They are fucking.
- I knew it.
Told you.
Well, this just
became a bad rom-com.
- Shut up, Lisa.
- Sorry.
All right, well...
What do you say we, uh,
try that picture again?
Hey, will you take it this time?
Yeah, can I get one after?
Yeah, of course.
Say cheese.
Rock stars don't smile, yo.
Shut up, Travis.
Yeah, I got it.
For sure. I'm gonna hook it up.
- Okay.
- Yeah, man. Thank you.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Wait, are you the
guy that put my uncle
in a spiked leather jacket?
Yeah. It's pretty
cool, though, right?
Yeah. Really cool.
- Good night, guys.
- Good night.
- Oh!
- Love you all.
- Have a good night.
- Love you.
See? Told you it'd
be a good team.
Yeah.
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave 'em,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Love this stuff,
Hate city, come on
Near the everglades,
west of the beach
My wretched little city's
infected with heat
It's infested with freaks,
reeks of sex in the street
Filthy and synthetic,
it's decrepit and bleak
Where angelic deceit
sneaks and settles with in
The sweet soul of every woman
with a devilish grin
You can smell it in the wind
the minute you get near
Start swelling with sin
with every second spent here
The threat's clear
since tourism boomed
Superstars moving in, who
steal our women and booze
Now they pissing in a pool
We call the Atlantic Coast
Ain't the end of
the world, y'all
But, damn, it's close
So peace to my folks
Peace to my crew
Peace to all the misery
I've clearly been through
Cause now we gotta be out
To my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out
To my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
We gotta be out
Yo, we out of this
Love Hate City
Thank God for the place
where I came from
Where the women are beautiful
but unstable as they come
For the sun,
the blue of the calm seas
Thick humidity and wind
That moves through
the palm trees
Armed thieves
and corrupt pigs
Who stayed out our suburbia
and let us be just kids
That's where the love lives,
that's why we must give
A 110 percent of ourselves
Till you bump this
Ain't it some shit,
we're not blowing up
Didn't do a lot of
growing vertically
But did a lot of growing up
A lot of throwing
up in Day County
Everyday, I did
our own thing
And did it every day proudly
Peace to my folks,
peace to my crew
Peace to all the misery
I've clearly been through
'Cause now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out,
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry y'all but we out
We gotta be out
Yo, we out of this
Love Hate City
City, we gotta be out
Yo, we out
Of this Love Hate City
City, city
Love Hate City
Love Hate City,
you have done me so proudly
But now we must leave you
For you tend to doubt me
It's all for the best
and your better without me
When asked where I'm from
I'll say your name loudly
Now where you coming from?
What Love Hate City
you coming out of?
Here we go!
In a world filled
with confusion that's moving
At alarming speeds
Wake up out of illusion,
you're a human
Still able to
starve and bleed
I'm here.
- Finally.
- Finally.
Really, Travis?
Are you drunk?
Yeah. Like half.
Oh, shit.
Nice of you to join us, Clint.
- You got your whiskey?
- Check.
Yeah? Got your weed?
Check.
Good, because you
forgot your bass!
Fuck. Sorry, Mel.
- Idiot.
- What?
You heard me.
Are you all drunk?
We had some drinks
while we were waiting for you.
- Just relax, Mom.
- Ah.
I'm sorry, I had
to close the shop
while I got the instruments
you guys forgot.
Come on, guys.
Take this fucking seriously!
Hey.
Hey.
We're The Cuticles.
Nah, dude. Right now,
you're just two
drunks and a drummer.
Well, this is rock
and roll, Mel.
So chill.
For the record, I
am a little drunk.
Great, that's
fucking great, Darby.
So you should know that.
Woo! Yeah!
Hell yeah!
Fuck yeah.
One sec.
What up, Rogers?
Okay. We're The Cuticles.
From Bentonville, Arkansas.
Whatever, dude.
You're fucking cool, man.
Fuck you.
Let's hit it!
One, two, three, four!
Hey
Hey
Fuck off.
Hey
What you wanna say?
What you wanna do?
What you wanna play?
Who you wanna screw?
You know to say,
it's coming true, huh?
No one ever learned shit
following the fools
- Are you good?
- Yeah. Yeah. Fuck yeah.
Come on.
You don't make my
life any easier.
You know that, right?
Yeah, well I was literally
just trying to put on a show.
Job well done, if you ask me.
Whatever, yeah.
Number nine.
Thanks.
Ooh. I'm done.
Put a little more
sauce on the sandwich.
Huh?
Okay.
- Perfect.
- How's that?
All right, babe.
Fuckin' shit, yo. What the fuck.
What's up,
hotshot? Mind if I join?
- Do I have a choice?
- No.
Cheers.
You know it is bad luck to toast
without making eye
contact, right?
You're right.
To Johnny Boy.
To Johnny Boy.
Hey, it's nice to se...
- What's up, bro? You good?
- Yeah.
Ready to do this?
I saw you cracked
your first Billboard 200.
- You must be so proud.
- Mm-hmm.
Not bad.
- Not bad at all.
- Mm.
We're going live
in three, two, one.
Welcome to the biggest show
in the country.
I'm your host, DJ EFN.
And today's guest,
you've seen him on your socials.
You heard him on the radio.
He's got the biggest
song in the country.
Johnny Boy, what's up, man?
- What's going on?
- Cool, man.
Gotta admit,
your boy looks good out there.
Number one on the charts
will do that to you.
Let me know when the label lets
you into the pop department.
I'll show you a few things.
So, Johnny, this hit you got,
"Play Your Love,"
five million streams in a week.
A national tour coming up.
How you feeling?
Hey, I'm gonna give you
a exclusive right now.
- Okay, talk to me.
- That tour ain't happening.
The tour's not happening.
- I won't be doing it.
- All right, okay, okay.
All right, well,
let's... let's get into
the thought process
of... of writing the record.
I didn't
write that, man.
Did he just say what
I think he said?
They told you I wrote it?
- What'd he just say?
- Holy shit.
Now this just got interesting.
I gotta be honest with you, bro.
I never wanted any of this.
Uh...
The label found me
on social media.
- Said I had a good look.
- Mm-hmm.
I can't sing.
Uh, it's okay, uh...
just, buddy, stop this, stop it.
It's fine, just can you stop?
Press the button.
Made some bread. Made money.
Yeah, but
all money ain't good, man.
Turn everything...
just turn all the buttons off.
Pull the cord out
if you have to.
Nick, you've got an
uncanny ability, bro.
Stop the interview.
Somebody do something.
- For fucking shit up.
- This was all a prank.
Had my boy sing a song.
Threw it up on my socials.
And it was going crazy.
Fuck.
So, that's really
what I came here for.
Let everybody know that...
Can't sing.
Don't rap.
I don't want to do this anymore.
Take care of yourself, Nick.
Fuck me.
35 years in the music industry.
I have never seen
such a shit show.
We'll figure out
a way to fix this.
Fix it?
The whole world just
witnessed a consummate breakdown
in the music industry
and you want to fix it?
If you got a way to zap
every teenager's phone
in the fucking country,
then maybe we can fix it.
- Otherwise, we're screwed, pal.
- Trust me.
I'll figure this out.
- You'll figure this out?
- Yes.
- You're fired, Nick.
- What?
Did I stutter?
- You're joking, right?
- No.
Lou, you told me to scour
the earth for the next Bieber
and I did exactly what
you told me to do.
You and I both know
you would have done
the exact same thing
looking at his numbers.
The only difference between us
is I wouldn't have got caught.
You got caught. Big difference.
Sit the fuck down.
Sit the fuck down.
Man, you know what?
Being an A&R guy
is not that hard.
Pop your phone, go
to social media,
and boom, there you are.
Metrics are there,
views in real-time,
song samples at the ready.
I mean, I don't even know
why I have an A&R department.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
Tax write-offs.
You guys are good
for a tax write-off.
You know what? Julie!
Yes, Lou?
Get security to escort Nick out.
No, it's okay, Julie.
I know where I'm going.
- You leave your parking pass.
- Fuck off, Lou.
Did he say "fuck off?"
Um, I think so.
Fuck you!
- I need some tea.
- I'm on it.
Travis here?
Yeah, don't fucking get up.
Yo, what the fuck?
Don't wake him up, bro.
- Oh my God.
- Hey!
What the fuck?
Mel?
- What the hell, dude?
- We need to talk.
Later.
Now! Get up!
Okay!
- Yo! What time is it anyway?
- Jesus Christ, Travis.
Dude, I've been texting you.
You don't check your phone?
My phone's probably dead, man.
- Give me a fucking break.
- I've gotta piss.
Nice.
You know, you guys
missed sound check again.
I'm barely hanging on to your
residency at the Shire as is.
Yeah, well, the sound
sucks in that place anyway.
Maybe if you made sound check,
it wouldn't.
Whatever.
- Yo. Too much.
- Unbelievable.
Okay, so you'd just rather spend
all of your time drinking.
Well, this OJ is kind of fire.
You know what? Fine.
Travis, drink your
fucking life away,
but when you end up like Steven,
do not expect me
to show up at your funeral.
Can you guys take
that shit someplace else?
Shut the fuck up, Layne.
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Of all the
dive bars in the world.
Jimmy!
What are you doing
downtown, man?
You don't remember texting me?
- Did I?
- Yeah.
Oh, man. I'm sorry, bro.
I'm... I'm trying to make this
day as forgettable as possible.
Uh, I don't blame you, man.
Yo, you remember
that conversation
we had a while back?
Well, I'm ready to
come back to National.
It'll be just like old times,
man, we can crush it.
Yeah. Hey, can you get my friend
a glass of water, please?
- What do you think?
- Nick, I can't, man.
- Come on, Feldman.
- No, I can't, man.
National's not gonna
touch you right now.
Honestly, no label's
gonna touch you.
Hey, man, you know
it's not personal, right?
You know I got nothing
but love for you.
But in all fairness,
I tried to warn you
before going over
to the Lou, man.
I told you that dude's a killer.
But you know what,
man? I get it.
Maybe you needed to... to spread
your wings or something.
Well, I'm done.
I'm finished, man.
I don't wanna... Well, I
I mean, you thought about
taking a vacation?
Now, why don't you
take some time off?
Where the fuck
am I gonna go right now?
I can't believe I'm
about to say this.
Um...
Look, man, I
I just bought some property
up in Arkansas, man.
It's gonna be a while
before I get up there.
It's bare.
Why don't you head
up there, man?
Did you say Arkansas?
You, uh, you got
somewhere better?
Yes, it's Arkansas.
What's wrong with Arkansas?
Why would I go
there? What the...
That's like the fucking
edge of the world, dude.
Yeah, well, hey, if I were you
the edge of the world seems like
the safest place right now.
So here, man, take this.
Come on, let's get yourself
together, man.
Wow. This is unexpected.
Are you gonna come in or
are you just gonna stand there?
Lisa. Say hi to
your Uncle Travis.
- Lisa!
- What?
Say hi, damn it.
What up?
Lisa, really?
Teenagers.
Yeah, it's all good.
She's driving me nuts.
So...
Why are you here?
I guess Mom and Dad's
wasn't available?
Yo, look at Steven.
He was a G.
Yeah.
It would have meant a lot to us,
especially Lisa,
to have you at the funeral.
Look.
You wanna crash
on my couch again?
Fine. No problem.
But the fact remains,
whether she admits it or not,
my daughter looks up to you.
So, do us both a favor.
Get your shit together.
You are not wearing
that to school.
Go change. Take off that makeup.
You suck.
Good morning, sunshine.
Do you have coffee?
No. Go get some coffee from Mel.
Mel doesn't wanna
see me right now.
Maybe you should try
kissing her ass sometime.
And while you're out,
will you stop by a thrift store
and pick up a VHS for Lisa?
What? A VHS?
Yes, Lisa has some school
project and she needs one.
Okay, well, why
don't you get it?
Because I'm busy, Travis.
And if you're gonna be
sleeping on my couch,
the least you can do
is help out around here.
Word. I need money.
You got 10 bucks?
I have five, and
I expect change.
That jacket's fire.
Lisa, let's go.
I'm changing!
This movie blows, man.
It makes no sense.
Mannequin. What are
you talking about?
This movie makes perfect sense.
A dude falling in
love with a mannequin?
Yeah, that's totally believable.
It's about as
believable as a dude
falling in love
with a blow-up doll.
Mannequin, blow-up doll?
Shit, bro, give me
a cardboard cutout
of Kim Cattrall and I'm in.
You do know she's
almost 70, right?
- I'd still hit.
- Gross.
Can I help you with anything?
No, I'm straight, just...
- Yo, Pretty in Pink.
- It's a dope movie.
And you know that we're having
a two-for-one sale today, right?
- Okay.
- Do you want
- any other recommendations?
- Yeah.
What are you into, man?
Like, Kyle's got great taste.
Oh, have you ever seen
Hunt for Red October?
- Jesus Christ.
- Yo, we're filmmakers,
so, like, we do know movies.
Word, whatever, bro.
- Yo, quick question.
- What?
Can you rate Kim Cattrall
on a scale from one to ten?
- Who?
- Kim Cattrall, like, Mannequin.
Yeah, -Sex and the City.
Y'all are trippin'.
Total Miranda.
He was nice.
Excuse me.
- What can I get you?
- Let's see.
I'll have an espresso with the
Indonesian Kopi Luwak bean.
- Nice choice.
- Thanks.
I know a few things
about coffee.
So, let me guess. L.A.?
No, no, no. No, scratch that.
Definitely New York.
Or, better yet, L.A.
by way of New York.
How can you tell?
Ironed clothes, accent.
Dickhead demeanor.
Shit. It's not bad.
- I'm Nick.
- My friends call me Mel.
So, what do you do
for a living, Nick?
Oh, work in the music industry.
- No shit.
- Yeah.
Just taking a break right now.
A&R.
- It's, uh...
- No, yeah, I know what A&R is.
Hey, uh, you should...
you should check this band out.
They're playing at
The Shire tonight.
- The Cuticles?
- Don't ask,
but they're really, really good.
What, are you,
like their manager?
No, no, I'm a stripper
and they're my best clients.
Huh?
- Hey, guys.
- Yo.
You're in a good
mood.
Hey, um...
You know what I was thinking?
No.
Are you still doing those
weekly gigs at The Shire?
The Shire?
Been a long time
since I've seen you play.
What, are you, like...
Trying to come to
a gig or something?
Yeah. Why not?
I mean...
Sure, whatever.
Keep your tits in
your shirt, though.
Shut up!
Gravity hasn't hit them yet.
Oh, my God.
What? You think your mom
doesn't know how to party?
You're O.D., yo.
She's back!
- No.
- No, we don't want her back.
Shut up.
I want a beer.
Excuse me.
You good?
All right. Hey, hey, Shire!
Let's fucking tear
this shit up, yo!
Come on! Yeah!
That's my brother.
Back against the wall
Gold teeth in his smile
Said he'll hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
We've been up and down
Since you came around
Movin' on my crown
Since you heard me out
It ain't just coincidence
I won't give in
'Cause I can't
get too surprised
When them dogs
come back to bite
They just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
Let's keep them on a leash
They just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
They bite the
hand that feeds
They just hungry dogs
Ever since you called,
I can't sleep at all
Every plan you got
sells tickets to my fall
They've seen it all,
still you stick around
Seem to be involved
every time I howl
It ain't just coincidence
I can't give in
'Cause can't get
too surprised
When them dogs
come back to bite
They just hungry...
...dogs
So let's keep
them on a leash
Yeah, they just hungry dogs
Hungry dogs ain't loyal
They bite the
hand that feeds
They just hungry dogs
Mel! How are you?
He's killing it.
I know. What's good?
Are you having fun?
Are kidding me? I
love this place.
You can throw teenagers around,
and it's perfectly acceptable.
Okay.
Yeah, it was, like,
the best night of my life.
That was... I mean,
it... It was fantastic.
- It was all right, yo.
- Can you please stop that?
- Chill, goddamn.
- You're incredible.
Um, it was okay, it was okay.
- It was okay?
- Yeah.
Yeah, needed some whiskey,
to be honest.
I don't know,
I thought it sounded amazing.
Whatever.
Ugh, can you stop trying to be
the cool guy all the time?
Wait, I'm sorry. Did
I detect a smile?
- Nope.
- Oh, that's right, I forgot.
Rock stars don't smile.
No, we don't.
Ugh, you're so lame.
- Shut up.
- Come on.
- I wanna smoke.
- Not happening.
- It's happening.
- Nope.
Hey, Nick Stone, A&R.
Nick, Nick, wait!
- Hey! - Your friend is an
asshole, Mel.
- They'll do it.
- Yeah, well after that convo,
I'm not sure I want to.
Just let me handle Travis, okay?
I don't know.
Come on, look, he needs this,
he just doesn't see it yet.
You know rock stars,
it's early, he's hungover.
Oh, so noon is
too early for him?
No.
Would've told you to fuck off
regardless of the time.
Look, just...
just give him a chance, please?
- Fine.
- Thank you.
Oh, can you do me a favor?
- Favor?
- Yeah, ditch the suit.
What? The suit, lose it.
- Better?
- No.
Meet me tomorrow, 29th and D,
12:00 on the dot.
- Wait, where?
- You'll find me.
What the fuck is up
with these people?
Where we gonna be in
a couple of years
Face just wasting
in a bottle of beer
What are you listening to?
Word.
- You ready?
- For what?
To trade New York for Arkansas.
Here?
- This one is...
- Mm.
Damn.
Where'd you say you work again?
Pacific Records.
Oh, look at you, Mr. Big Shot.
Yeah, something like that.
This smells like weed.
It's a thrift store, dude.
Everything smells like weed.
Come on, hurry up.
Not bad.
It's missing something, though.
Here, put this on. Follow me.
I look ridiculous.
I... I would never
wear this any...
- Shut up.
- This doesn't even fit.
Oh, yeah.
Doc Martens.
- God, seriously?
- Put them on.
God.
- Man, these are...
- Fucking epic?
- Yeah.
- Hold on. Just...
I... I need a second.
It's way too tight.
Oh, man.
So, what's your story?
What, like, how
did I get out here
slinging coffee and
managing a band?
I guess that's where
I was going, yeah.
Coffee shop was my dad's.
To him, coffee
wasn't just a drink.
It was art.
- How'd he get the name?
- Shakey Grounds?
Ah, he always used to say
that no matter
how stable your life may seem
we are all just living
on shaky grounds.
You know that the name
is spelled wrong, right?
There's no "E" in shaky.
Yeah. Sign came that way.
I mean, he didn't
care, you know.
To him, the magic
was in the beans, not the sign.
That was my dad.
God, I used to love
going in to work with him.
You know, that's actually
how I met Travis.
I still remember that
little shit coming in,
all covered in dirt
with his toy guitar.
You know, he actually
taught me how to play.
- You can play?
- Yeah.
- Huh.
- I'm all right.
Used to be in the high school
version of The Cuticles,
but, uh, life happens, you know.
- Yeah.
- My dad died.
Now I'm running a coffee shop,
and I'm the closest thing
to a manager Travis has.
And a girlfriend.
What, me and Travis?
That'd never work.
Shit.
Who is it?
I'll give you one guess.
What do you want?
Can I come in?
Are you a vampire?
I guess it depends
on the night that I had.
Yo, your mom
never told me you played guitar.
We live by a don't ask,
don't tell policy in this house.
Can I sit?
Thank you.
Well, you sounded
pretty good.
Cut the shit. I suck.
I'm just saying. Yo,
let me see that thing.
Sure.
What are you doing?
- Using your pick.
- That's my lucky pick.
- Don't use that.
- Oh, okay. I won't.
Yeah, it was just a
little bit out of tune,
but should be good now.
Sick.
- Not bad.
- Yeah, whatever. I'm all right.
- It's a badass guitar, though.
- Thanks.
Well, well, well. There he is.
- How do I look?
- You look great.
I don't know. I just feel funny.
Like, I wouldn't wear this.
- Stop it. They're out back.
- Okay. All of them?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
I'll be right back.
I know.
- Really? More?
- Yeah, you try it.
You're gonna keep
going with that shit?
- You try beating this, bro.
- Goddamn, dude.
'Cause this shit's impossible.
Spend too much
time on that thing.
All right, guys.
Ready to get started?
- Yo. Oh, my God, dude.
- Look at this. Look at this.
That's so typical.
- Typical? What do you mean?
- Yes, man. This
little starter kit fit thing
you're wearing today.
You think that
makes you one of us?
You're so hip, man.
Dude, who gives
a shit? Whatever.
You got a demo?
Obviously.
We got a demo?
You got... you got...
you got the demo.
- It's on the hard drive, bro.
- Okay, look.
- Here's the deal.
- You got a hard drive?
- Hold on, hold on.
- Chill.
Guys, give me a few songs.
I'll pay for them.
When we're done,
if you don't like what you hear,
just walk away.
Come on, man.
All right.
We'll give it a shot, suit.
Since you're paying.
Let's see what you got.
- But we're not signing shit.
- Mm-mm.
I'll see you guys later.
Can I get that light?
Let's go, baby.
I'm back. I'm fucking back.
Whoo.
- You guys ready for this?
- We're here, aren't we?
All right, let me
go in first, alone.
Why?
Because I know
how to talk to these guys.
I speak their language. Come on.
Well, we'll just
post up here, then.
- I'll be right back.
- Okay.
Wow.
Anybody here?
Hello?
Hello?
- Oh!
- What the fuck do you want?
- Man, easy, easy.
- Bobby send you here?
Who's Bobby?
Don't fucking play with me, boy.
I'm not playing.
I'm just looking
for a recording studio, man.
That's it. Please, chill.
Shit.
How about that?
We're looking for new clients.
- Good looks, Ray.
- Hey, Travis.
- What's up, Ray?
- How you doing?
- Hey, Ray.
- Hi.
- Welcome to Satin Studios.
- Wow.
- Can we smoke in here?
- I don't give a shit.
Yo, they got gear, bro.
It's a Fairchild.
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
It's what the Beatles used.
- You got an SSL?
- Huh?
The board, man.
Oh, to be honest with you,
I don't even know
what's in here.
I just won this
at a poker game a week ago.
Let me guess. From Bobby?
Ding,
ding, ding. Bingo.
Bobby Satin.
I mean, he's had this place
since the disco days.
Put his whole life into it.
Normally, I wouldn't take
something like that,
but Bobby's an asshole,
and a bet's a bet, so fuck it.
You know, when we were kids,
he took my bike
in a game of rock
paper scissors.
Never gave it back, either.
I fucking loved that bike.
Wait, you had
a disco scene in Arkansas?
Something like that.
Cokeheads and
bell-bottoms, baby.
- You either dealing or
stealing. - That's pretty funny.
- Huh.
- So how much?
I think, uh,
50 an hour sound right?
And you're sure all
this stuff works?
Like I said, I don't know
shit about studios,
but, you know, if I know Bobby,
she'll work like a charm.
Ready to get started?
Whatever, suit.
Yeah, man.
Yeah!
Should be good.
Darby, make sure
your timing stays solid.
You drifted a bit
on that last take.
Clint, you were a
bit behind, too, man.
Travis, can you play
something different?
You're literally playing
the same exact thing
as what Clint's playing.
You want me to do what?
Give me the guitar.
I'll show you.
Word.
Let's see what you got, bro.
Something like this.
That's not even
how the song goes, dude.
Fine. Just do it your way.
Word.
Um...
Go.
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Say the words clearly, dude.
You sound like you're mumbling.
Let me guess, you're
a fucking singer now, too?
Just... can we go again, please?
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Better, better.
Just... just really try
to feel it this time.
Come on.
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Sounds good, man.
Just a little more
energy, and we got it.
Back against the wall
Gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in my mouth
Hey, Mel. What's going on?
Yo, I need a break.
Sounds good.
Whatever, Mel.
- You two getting along?
- We ain't getting nowhere.
- What's that shit?
- Oh.
This, my friend,
is called merch.
That way, we can make
a little scratch at your shows
instead of just
rocking for a bar tab.
Oh, speaking of which, I did
get us a gig at the Meteor.
- Wow.
- Not bad, huh?
I'm not wearing that shit.
Why do you have to be
such an asshole?
We've been up and down
since you came around
Moving on my crown
since you heard me out
Not bad.
- Not bad at all.
- Oh, crap. Not bad.
Yeah, when...
when did you say this came in?
Today.
So Lou doesn't
know about it yet?
Not yet.
All I do is win.
Fuck yeah. Okay.
Here's what I want you to do.
Forward me that email,
then delete that shit
from Lou's inbox.
Make sure he never sees
or hears a thing about it, yeah?
- You know I could get fired.
- Uh-uh, no, no, no, no, no.
Don't you worry about that.
While you're at it,
hit Nick up with a phone call
and tell him Lou wants a video.
Where'd you say
these guys are from?
- Arkansas.
- Arkansas?
It's Arkansas.
Oh, I know how it's pronounced.
That was a joke.
You know, you can thank
the French for three things.
Croissant, cigarettes,
and the silent...
- Silent S. - You know your
stuff.
- See you at the bar later?
- Uh, I... I don't...
That sounds like a yes.
I'll see you there.
All right, good night.
- Hello?
- Hey, Nick.
- Julie, hey, what's up?
- Lou saw the tape.
He did?
- And?
- He loved it.
Oh, that's great.
Oh, that is great.
But he wants
to see a video.
Seriously?
Lou is
never not serious.
Welcome.
What is this shit?
- It's our set, man.
- What?
- Yeah.
- What do you think?
- This?
- Yeah.
What about her?
What about boots?
It's eye candy.
Are you serious right now?
It's gonna be great,
Travis, trust me.
Yo, this is not
even my bass, guy.
Guys, wait a second.
Let me go get you your outfits.
Outfits?
That looks like that'll fit you.
What, is this
supposed to be for me?
Bro, we're not rifles
and fucking daisies.
- I'm not wearing this shit.
- No shot, man.
Okay, so what do
you want to wear?
Not this shit.
Don't blame me.
Mel picked it out.
Fuck did I do?
You didn't pick
this out, did you?
Well, uh,
this is definitely a new look.
We look like clowns, Mel.
Hey, you threw
away the T-shirts.
Whatever.
I'm, like, this close,
just so you know.
Oh, yeah?
So, uh... so it's a bad time
to ask for a selfie?
Stop.
I'm not happy.
The shit I'd do
for you, I swear.
- Fucking basement.
- Whatever.
What is this shit?
Bro.
Oh, my God.
- Let's go, man.
- All right.
Yo, stop!
Back against the wall,
gold teeth in his smile
Said he'd hold me down,
new pills in...
- Cut!
- Um, we're the directors.
We say cut.
Travis, look like
you're having some fun, man.
- Move around.
- This is bullshit, guys.
You know this is
fucking bullshit.
- Whatever.
- All right, back to one.
Let's try this again. Come on.
- Again?
- Yeah.
A one, two, three, four.
The fuck, man?
What is she doing?
- Cut!
- Dude, we say cut.
- Yeah, come on.
- She's just a dancer, Travis.
What do you mean
she's a fucking dancer, bro?
We don't make
fucking dance music!
Have you ever listened
to our shit? Ever?
It looks great. You
guys all look great.
This is bullshit, dude.
Travis, Travis, I'm just trying
to make you go viral.
Yo, viral? Are
you fucking crazy?
We don't have a
fucking social media.
You don't know shit, dude.
Mel, I fucking told
you, Mel. You happy?
Are you fucking happy?
This is exactly
what I knew was gonna happen.
Yo, we're out. We're out. No.
Guys, it looked good.
Travis, where are you going?
Fuck off, man.
Keep your
stupid bass, bro.
Where are you guys going?
Goddammit! Fuck!
It was the fucking
stupidest shit ever!
Why the fuck would
I have done that?
- I look like a fucking idiot.
- You got that right.
How long have you been there?
Long enough.
Wait, did you start
a cover band or something?
Not now, Lisa. Goddammit.
Okay.
Yo.
Where'd your mom go?
No idea. Not my day
to keep track of her.
Oh, man.
She went out with some friends.
I don't know when
she'll be back.
Do you want me to
text her or anything?
No, don't text her.
Just tell her that if...
if she gets back before I do,
just let her know
I took her car.
And hey,
buy pizza or something.
- Hey.
- What?
You might want to change first.
Fuck. You're right.
It's cold out there.
Yup.
Is it cool?
Okay.
You drinking?
I mean, you don't have
a drink with me when I ask.
Oh, just shut the
fuck up, Travis.
What do you want?
I just
I mean, can we talk?
Is it okay if we talk or...
Hard pass.
All right, I guess we can
just sit here quietly then.
You're such a fucking asshole.
You know that?
Word.
Want to tell me
what happened to us?
Because we used to be a team.
We're a fucking team, Mel.
- Yeah?
- Yes.
We're just...
We're a fucking team.
After Steven died
it does not feel like it.
You don't mean that.
Just stop.
Maybe I do. Maybe I don't.
But right now,
after five drinks,
sure feels like I do.
Well, then give me a fucking cup
so I can catch up to
your ass.
You know, that...
that's your fucking problem.
You're always just
playing around.
And if you're not playing,
then you're wailing around
like you're super
fucking complicated
when... when in reality
you're just another
self-absorbed musician
that is a single
guitar stroke away
from blowing your
fucking brains out.
You know, you think... you think
that the world
owes you something
because of all your pain,
but let me... let me
tell you a secret.
You're not that
complicated, Travis.
You're just a fucking asshole
that treats everyone like shit,
so they don't see what
you really are, which is scared.
Wow.
I wish you knew that
it wasn't your fault
that Steven killed himself.
Please, just,
for real
don't go there.
See?
Fucking scared.
I'm not fucking scared, Mel.
You want me to fucking go there?
You know what I fucking
deal with every single day?
Tell me.
Knowing that I fucking killed
my best friend
with pills that I gave him?
I got him hooked on it?
Knowing that I fucking...
He should fucking be here
right now if it wasn't for me.
You know what kind
of fucking, like,
mental fuck that is?
No.
That shit messes you up, man.
The guilt that I feel
every fucking day
because of his fucking...
Goddammit.
You're right.
I don't know how it feels.
But I do know.
I do know
that if you didn't
give them to him
someone else would have,
and he would have
happily taken them
because Steven was fucked up.
You just have to accept that.
Please.
It's kind of hard, you know.
Yeah.
You know what?
Come on.
- Come on what?
- Come on, follow me.
- Where?
- To your car.
- Car?
- Okay.
Well, I sure as
shit ain't driving.
- Easy.
- Come on.
I'm a designated driver?
- Yeah.
- Holy shit.
I walk into the room
I've seen it all before
I walk into the room
I've seen it, I've
seen it all before
Is it just another
night, just another night
Night people
Well, you're going downtown
And you're looking
for something
That you haven't got
Well, you were
going downtown
And you're looking for
the haves and the have nots
Night, people
Yeah, night people
No.
Night, people
I'm not dancing. I
think you're wasted.
No, I'm not.
Fuck, I needed that.
- Lisa?
- Who?
Hi.
Come over here.
Who... what's...
Yo, get the fuck
out of here, guys.
- Come on.
- Bye.
- What are you doing?
- Having a good time.
Are you drinking?
Are you drinking?
Oh, my God. Um
we're gonna take you home
before your mom
commits a double homicide
and I'm fucked for
the rest of my life.
- Come on.
- Stop. Wait here.
I... I... I'm so sorry.
- I got to deal with this shit.
- It's okay.
Go easy on her.
I'll do my best.
Um, need a ride or...
Nah.
I'll Uber.
I'm sorry.
Someone's in love.
Stop it. Go.
All right, nope. Go.
Yeah. There you go.
- I'm so fucking dead.
- Hey, watch your language.
Why? Dead
people can't talk.
May as well get it out now.
I'm just fucking with you.
But real talk, couple mints,
clean pair of PJs,
you're gonna be fine.
Really?
Yes, but just don't fucking
do that shit again.
For real, Lisa.
That's how yearbook photos
become Amber Alerts.
It's like, not funny.
I hate
my yearbook photo.
Yo, actually, I hate mine, too.
- Like, all of 'em.
- Right?
What'd you think about
the music, though?
- It's cool.
- Just cool?
Yeah, it's cool.
Classic rock, whatever.
I like my music with some edge.
Dirty, rough, wild.
Kind of like your shit.
You like my shit?
Yes, I mean, at least
your shit's honest.
Hey, let's fucking go.
You have taste in
music. I knew it.
- Oh, my God.
- I knew it.
Wait, so you and Mel, though?
- Like...
- No, yeah, stop.
- No, no, no.
- I saw you guys kiss.
- What? Zoo-zoo-zoo.
- What?
- We're not going there.
- You're not gonna tell me?
Get out of the car and be quiet.
- She'll hear you.
- Oh my God, Okay.
- Hey.
- What up?
Uh, can I come in?
- Yeah.
- Cool.
Whoa, your guitar is sick.
You mean, um, your guitar.
- Wait, you're giving me this?
- Yeah.
It's kind of beat up and old,
but I feel like
you could bring it back to life.
That guitar got me through
a lot of shit when
I was your age.
I just wish I knew
how to play like you.
Hey, how about this?
How about I'll teach
you to play like me,
then in two years from now,
you teach me to play like you.
- Deal?
- Deal.
Yeah. Hey, hey, okay.
All right,
if your mom sees you hugging me,
she's definitely gonna know
you've been drinking,
so chill with that.
- Thank you.
- Yeah, of course.
You're gonna look
badass with that thing.
- You have fun, okay?
- Okay.
Yo.
What up, Suit? What's up?
- Yo, you want to make this
work? - Absolutely.
- You're in A&R, right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, so you find the deal,
we'll do the producing.
I don't want any fancy shit.
I don't want... I
don't want any notes.
That's what it is.
What do you say?
All right.
- Don't fuck this up, man.
- Yeah.
Yeah, these guys
can really sing,
I'm telling you.
Come on, man, how long
are you gonna hold that over me?
So then you got
the... Yep, loop it.
David. It's Nick.
Nick Stone.
Hello? David.
Oh, it's funky.
Yeah, and loop it.
- Down there.
- Loop it.
I like that.
Just loop
the whole thing.
No, Craig, this isn't a joke.
Lou's already got
him on his radar.
Craig. Craig.
We're coming back
to the one at the beginning?
Yeah, and
just looping it.
- Okay.
- Just looping the whole thing,
and do what he's doing on the...
Yeah, do the octave up thing.
So, you got...
If you think you could...
"If you're
thinking you might..."
Might.
"If you think
it'll look good..."
- Good.
- What'd you say?
"Hold up, hold tight.
It looks better at night."
All right,
word, cool, cool, cool.
Let's go. Let's go.
Yeah, I said Arkansas.
What's wrong with Arkansas?
You got one, two, one,
two, three, four...
If you thinking you could
If you thinking you might
If you thinking
you You could
That's right.
Then wait, hold tight.
It looks better at night
Yeah. Fuck yeah.
Yes.
- Yo!
- Yeah, dude, fire.
- That's fire.
- Bro, that was it.
Suit, Suit, Travis
needs you in the back.
Okay, just tell him
I'll be in in one second.
Okay.
What's up, man?
- Yo, that show you booked us?
- Yeah.
You gonna label people there?
I'm working on it.
But does it really matter?
I mean, we could just film it
and send it to him.
Nah, dude.
It's the shit you
gotta hear live, man.
Hi, there.
Nice
fucking suit, dude.
I know.
Uh, yeah, I was wondering
if you could tell me
where I can find the
band, The Cuticles?
- Who's asking?
- Ooh, I like this one.
She's spicy, extra picante.
Brad Goldman, Pacific Records.
Oh, shit, you work with Nick.
Well, uh, something like that.
- Uh...
- We got it.
I think so.
- You sure?
- Whatever, we'll work it out.
It's like, it's the fucking...
- Shit.
- What's the problem?
- He is.
- Me?
- Me?
- Yeah, you.
What are
you talking about?
Oh, you can't hear me?
How about now, is that better?
You don't work for
Pacific Records. Do you, Nick?
I used to work there.
- Used to?
- Yeah, I freelance now.
Oh, is that what you call it?
You know why he doesn't work
for them anymore?
Because that's the guy
behind the Johnny Boy bullshit.
Okay, hold on.
That's not entirely
true, you guys.
I sent your tape
to Lou Bernstein himself.
And who the fuck is that, bro?
The head of the label.
You sure about that, Nick?
Cause I think if you were
to call Lou Bernstein,
you'd see he had no idea
what the fuck you're
talking about.
Come on, this is not
who you want to deal with.
- Trust me.
- Trust you?
You've been saying
that a lot, dude.
Nick
have a modicum of self-respect
and take a walk
while you still can.
Mel and I have
some business to discuss.
Get lost.
Yeah, so who
the fuck are you?
Oh, just the man
to make y'all rich and famous.
How does that sound?
- It's a nice bike.
- Yeah, man.
Yeah, Mel told me
you like bikes.
I do.
Liked them since I was a kid.
Aw.
Well, enjoy it.
It's yours now.
Obviously, courtesy
of Pacific Records.
You know I ain't
signing shit, right?
I think you will.
Little advice.
In life, and
especially right now,
don't stress out
over the details.
It's my job.
Just enjoy the ride, man.
And do what you do best,
making and performing
killer fucking music.
All right, tough guy?
Yo, you label guys are funny.
Big show tonight?
Yeah.
Are you nervous?
I... I mean, no.
I'll just take a walk, you know,
clear my head, I'll be straight.
Yeah.
Take this.
Your lucky pick?
Yeah.
My dad gave it to me
when I was a little girl.
Said it would bring me luck
when he wasn't around,
but I think you might need it
more than I do right now.
Nice bike.
Let me guess, courtesy of...
Pacific Records.
Yeah.
Must come in the employee
handbook or some shit.
Yeah, some shit like that.
I'm not gonna lie, Suit.
It's a good line.
They teach you that
before or after
you sell your soul to the devil?
Before.
True.
You know what, Suit?
My buddy, Steven
that's all we ever fucking
dreamed about, man.
Our name in lights.
Girls going crazy.
Fucking short days, long nights,
all that rock star bullshit
they try to sell you on.
Then he died.
You know, none of this shit,
this means nothing to us, bro.
If we make it, cool, whatever.
If we don't make it,
that's cool, too.
It's not what it's about.
I'm just trying not to laugh,
man, because
we spent so much time
dreaming about what could be.
Fucking get here...
He's gone,
and our name is spelled wrong
on the motherfucking marquee.
You know, I could
go talk to the guy
and have it fixed, dude.
Yo, just shut up, man.
Like, do you ever listen?
This shit doesn't
fucking matter, bro.
None of this shit
fucking matters.
Spell it with a
"Q" for all I care.
That's not what this is about.
It's not The Cuticles,
bro. Not anymore.
Not without Steven.
- Chill, bro.
- Bro.
Where is he though?
- Fuck Travis.
- Hey, guys.
Anyone got eyes on Travis?
- Any minute now.
- Yeah.
Oh, geez, day one and already
missing sound checks.
Fucking rock stars, love it.
Uh, please tell me
y'all inked your John Hancock's
all over my contract?
Yeah, we're, um,
waiting on Mel for that.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
We're... we're not
waiting for Mel on that.
We need to get you guys
signed right here, right now.
Comprende, amigos?
You guys speak Spanish, right?
You wait here,
I'll be right back.
- You got something on your tie?
- Hm.
No, you don't. Fucking idiot.
Now, that guy's funny.
Like your, uh, marijuana usage.
- Drugs.
- Fuck you.
Yeah, all right.
- Darby.
- Travis is missing.
What do you mean, missing?
I don't know, man.
You're the only one I
could think to call.
Okay, um, just, uh,
let me call Layne.
He's probably over there, drunk.
Clint already tried.
I think his phone's cut again.
Look, that Brad
guy is here, too.
I don't know what to say, man.
Shit. Just stall.
Stall? What the hell
do you mean, stall?
Yes, Darby, just
stall. Smoke him out.
Tell Clint to give him
a lap dance for all I care.
Just... ...just stall.
"Just stall."
What the fuck does that mean?
Where's Travis?
I don't know, Mel.
So he hasn't been here?
He was here earlier.
Then he hopped on that
sweet new bike and took off.
Bike? What bike?
One that record dude bought him.
Move.
Okay, think, Layne. Think.
Where could he have gone?
- I honestly don't know, Mel.
- Oh, shit.
My head is slamming, dude.
You're a fucking idiot.
Hello?
No! I gotta
get out of here, dude!
- Travis!
- Fuck me!
Fucking Mel, Christ, thank God.
Yo, tell this fucker
I got a gig to get to right now.
Sorry, we still have
another X-ray to take.
No, dude! I'm not doing shit!
I got a show! Tell him, Mel.
Travis, you can't
perform like this.
Yes, I can. Just tell him.
Fuck!
How are you gonna play
guitar with a busted arm,
- you bonehead?
- Shit, ow.
- That really fucking hurts.
- I'm sorry.
I got an idea, okay?
I just... You ain't
gonna like it.
- No.
- Yes.
- No!
- Just yes.
This is nuts. You
know that, right?
Yeah.
So let's get it over with.
What the hell happened to you?
Got into a fight with a Harley,
and the Harley lost, bro.
Look. I need a favor, man.
Can't fucking play
like this tonight.
- You need a favor from me?
- Yeah, a favor.
You owe me one, Suit.
You want me to come play
with you tonight,
so you can sign with Brad,
that motherfucker.
Bro, fuck Brad, man.
If you ain't gonna do it for me,
do it for fucking Mel.
Come on.
All right.
But if Brad flips,
it's not on me.
Chill.
If he flips, let's just hope
he could stick a landing.
Come on.
You're bringing
your A-game tonight, man.
- Let's go.
- All right.
- Fuck.
- You're sitting in the back.
Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles!
Cuticles, Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles!
Thank God.
What the hell
happened to your arm, bro?
What?
What's he doing here?
The right thing for
once in his life.
All right, well,
who's gonna play the guitar now?
- This dude.
- No.
- No.
- What?
Yup.
Okay.
- No, man.
- It's good.
Yo.
Cuticles, Cuticles, Cuticles...
Yo, B?
You good?
Travis, man.
I'm in A&R.
I mean, I know
how to play the riffs and all,
but, dude, this is a lot.
Give me the guitar.
Fuck's going on here?
What?
She doesn't know
any of the songs.
Are you sure?
Yeah. Come on.
You got us this far.
I'm gonna take it from here.
She's got it.
Come on. Let's go.
Get... get your ass
out there. Let's go.
- All right.
- This is gonna be interesting.
We're fucked.
Cuticles,
Cuticles, Cuticles, Cuticles!
Hey.
F-sharp. Keep it funky, okay?
Hey, this is rock and roll.
Let's go.
Yeah!
Yes, fuck yes.
Let's go, let's go.
Hey! All right, yo.
Let's fucking do this.
I've been at these bars,
I've been playing these clubs
And there's nowhere times
when they pay you in drugs
I can't come down to you,
give me some love
I just knew it when
you walked in the room
So what could I do,
but stay in the group
Baby girl, I'm all in,
I got nothing to lose
This ain't for the views,
ain't tryin' to be rude
But I got somethin' for you
if you're still in the mood
So what you gonna do
What you gonna do?
When I come through
When I come through
See, there's just one thing
There's just one thing
I'm asking you
I'm asking you
So tell me the truth
if you're thinking you could
If you're thinking you might
If you think it looks good
Hold tight, it looks
better at night
Hey
Better at night
It feels better at night
Better at night
All right
Hey, feels better at night
Whoo! Come here!
Uh, what you
think I'm lying?
You know I only speak truths
So what you gonna do
What you gonna do
When I come through
When I come through
See, there's just one thing
There's just one thing
I'm asking you
I'm asking you
So tell me the truth
If you're thinking you could
If you're thinking you might
If you think it looks good
If you think it looks good
Hold tight, it looks
better at night
Hey!
Better at night
Oh, yeah
It feels better at night
Yeah
Better at night
Better at night
This whiskey is shit.
Okay.
The fuck?
- We killed that shit!
- Yay!
I can't believe it. Wow.
Yo, Nick, come on, man.
- Party with us.
- Oh, dude, thank you.
We, we killed that shit.
You put up with my ass.
- I did. I did.
- Come on.
- Get in here, Suit.
- Bring it in.
Bring it in.
Hey, Darby, grab your phone out.
We gotta capture this moment.
Let's get a pic.
- Check this out. Ready?
- Get it on.
- Yeah.
- Everybody, get in!
- Cheers!
- There you go.
Hey!
- Here he goes.
- Come on.
Congratulations.
Yeah, enjoy the champagne
while you still can
cause that's all
you're gonna get.
- What?
- Yeah, unfortunately, brother,
there's no contract
if he is involved.
I'm not involved.
Seriously?
Okay, great. Um, I'm
so glad to hear that.
I guess we're back
on track, then.
Actually, he's our manager.
Travis, come on.
Dude, I appreciate that,
but you guys don't need me.
Dude, listen to him.
For once he's not lying
his Sesame
Street-looking face off.
Whoa. Hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey.
It's all good, dude.
We need you just
like you need us.
Right?
How about
Shakey Grounds Management?
That sounds pretty lit.
That does sound pretty good.
Mel's gonna keep the
trademark, though.
Dude. Fair enough. Fair enough.
Travis. You
can't be serious, dawg.
No, I'm dead serious.
That being said,
I did make a call.
- Did I hit my cue?
- Perfectly.
What's up, little man?
- Give me some love, baby.
- What's up, man?
Guys, I want to introduce you
to Jimmy Feldman
from National Records.
- Hey, National.
- Pleasure, pleasure.
What's up? What's up, man?
Feldman, what the hell
are you doing here?
Well, as you would want to know,
I came to Arkansas
to visit a good friend,
and as luck would have it,
Nick told me about
this amazing band.
I mean, it's no business
like show business, right, Brad?
You're too late, Feldman.
They already signed with me.
Mmm, is that right?
I didn't sign anything.
- No.
- Did you guys sign something?
- And there was that one... no.
- Yeah.
Dude, I gave you a
fucking Harley, bro.
Get the fuck out, douche bag.
- Hey, Lisa!
- What?
- Ooh.
- You heard the lady.
Fuck off, Brad.
Big fucking mistake, guys.
Big fucking mistake.
Can you go with Feldman?
Okay, fuck off, guys.
Good luck, you talentless hacks.
Fuck off - Bye!
Yo! With the closer, though?
- For real?
- The show was insane.
Hey, by the way
your dad was a legend.
Thank you so much.
This is amazing.
Yeah.
You...
- Hey.
- Hi.
You were, um...
You were amazing tonight.
- They are fucking.
- I knew it.
Told you.
Well, this just
became a bad rom-com.
- Shut up, Lisa.
- Sorry.
All right, well...
What do you say we, uh,
try that picture again?
Hey, will you take it this time?
Yeah, can I get one after?
Yeah, of course.
Say cheese.
Rock stars don't smile, yo.
Shut up, Travis.
Yeah, I got it.
For sure. I'm gonna hook it up.
- Okay.
- Yeah, man. Thank you.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Wait, are you the
guy that put my uncle
in a spiked leather jacket?
Yeah. It's pretty
cool, though, right?
Yeah. Really cool.
- Good night, guys.
- Good night.
- Oh!
- Love you all.
- Have a good night.
- Love you.
See? Told you it'd
be a good team.
Yeah.
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave 'em,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Love this stuff,
Hate city, come on
Near the everglades,
west of the beach
My wretched little city's
infected with heat
It's infested with freaks,
reeks of sex in the street
Filthy and synthetic,
it's decrepit and bleak
Where angelic deceit
sneaks and settles with in
The sweet soul of every woman
with a devilish grin
You can smell it in the wind
the minute you get near
Start swelling with sin
with every second spent here
The threat's clear
since tourism boomed
Superstars moving in, who
steal our women and booze
Now they pissing in a pool
We call the Atlantic Coast
Ain't the end of
the world, y'all
But, damn, it's close
So peace to my folks
Peace to my crew
Peace to all the misery
I've clearly been through
Cause now we gotta be out
To my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out
To my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
We gotta be out
Yo, we out of this
Love Hate City
Thank God for the place
where I came from
Where the women are beautiful
but unstable as they come
For the sun,
the blue of the calm seas
Thick humidity and wind
That moves through
the palm trees
Armed thieves
and corrupt pigs
Who stayed out our suburbia
and let us be just kids
That's where the love lives,
that's why we must give
A 110 percent of ourselves
Till you bump this
Ain't it some shit,
we're not blowing up
Didn't do a lot of
growing vertically
But did a lot of growing up
A lot of throwing
up in Day County
Everyday, I did
our own thing
And did it every day proudly
Peace to my folks,
peace to my crew
Peace to all the misery
I've clearly been through
'Cause now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out
Mandatory that we leave,
I'm sorry, y'all, but we out
Now we gotta be out,
to my people, peace out,
Mandatory that we leave
I'm sorry y'all but we out
We gotta be out
Yo, we out of this
Love Hate City
City, we gotta be out
Yo, we out
Of this Love Hate City
City, city
Love Hate City
Love Hate City,
you have done me so proudly
But now we must leave you
For you tend to doubt me
It's all for the best
and your better without me
When asked where I'm from
I'll say your name loudly
Now where you coming from?
What Love Hate City
you coming out of?