Green Hill? Hugo felt that this name sounded very familiar, but he was certain he had never met the man before him. A square and serious face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, wearing a pair of black rectangular glasses, neat light brown short hair, looking to be in his mid to late thirties, carrying a strong scholarly aura. Dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans, with a kind and amiable smile—if one were to say he was a researcher or a PhD student, it would not be questioned at all.
"Super Al (Super AL)!" Pedro, however, called out in delight, clearly recognizing the man. Hugo immediately noticed that even the aloof Neil was casting respectful eyes toward Green, which made it easy for Hugo to connect the dots: Green must be a well-known figure in the underground rock circle, which was why both Pedro and Neil knew him, just like Fokin earlier. And this man was called Super Al… Super Al? Al's Bar?
Suddenly, Hugo recalled that Alfonso had told him today that the owner of Al's Bar was named Green Hill! Everything was immediately explained.
Green was clearly a rock music enthusiast. His Al's Bar had become the gathering place of the underground rock scene, providing these bands chasing their rock dreams with a stage to display themselves. And it seemed this support had lasted for more than just a year or two. With the accumulation over the long term, naturally the people of the rock circle had respect for Green. Although Green had never truly given substantial sponsorship to any one band, Al's Bar had become the rallying point for insiders. This feat alone was enough to earn Pedro's and Neil's admiration. Hugo's as well, naturally.
Looking at Green again, Hugo once more understood what it meant that people cannot be judged by appearances. He had heard rumors that Green had ties to smuggling… private… arms—of course such gossip was never reliable. Yet even as a successful businessman, Green did not look the part of a businessman at all, rather more like a refined scholar.
"Yes, I am Green Hill, also known as Super Al," Green confirmed with a nod. "Just now I saw your wonderful performance, and I wanted to get to know you all, so here I am."
A smile lingered constantly on Green's face. Not only was it friendly and courteous, but there was also a hint of passion hidden deep in his eyes. It was clear to see—he truly was a genuine rock enthusiast. Not out of business calculation, nor for commercial gain, but purely out of enthusiasm, Al's Bar had supported underground rock selflessly for so long.
"Rock Night is about to begin. But if you want to get a good spot from here, it won't be so easy. Why don't you come with me through the back door first, to secure an advantageous position—how about it?" In Green's eyes sparkled the light of a child, something rather unexpected. Perhaps in the face of one's own passions, people always find it easy to shed disguises and reveal their truest selves.
Pedro immediately grew excited, while Hugo was somewhat hesitant. He did not think this was a good idea. Unexpectedly, Neil also glanced at him, with a trace of unease in his eyes. Hugo knew that he and Neil were thinking about the same thing, so he spoke up: "Isn't the very essence of Rock Night that no matter which corner you stand in, you can join in the carnival together? Whether it's the front row by the stage or outside the bar, it doesn't seem all that important."
It was not that Hugo was being pretentious about not wanting to take the back door. If this were a ballet performance or an opera, then being able to enter through the back and get good seats—why not? But this was not highbrow art, it was rock, a carnival for the masses. Everyone enjoying it together was the main point. The waiting in line, the pressing crowds, the deafening sound, the sea of people—these were all part of the party. Of course, being in the first row to watch was important, but if one missed that chance, going with the flow and enjoying it all was what mattered most.
Hugo's words were actually quite tactful, but Green understood immediately. He couldn't help but laugh, generously saying, "My mistake." That was rather unlike the nickname "Super Al." Hugo had thought Green would be a decisive and ruthless overlord type, but now he seemed utterly full of warmth. Was this the real Green, or was it the power of Rock Night? "Then, you don't mind if I join this carnival together with you?"
From Green's attire, it was clear he truly intended to join in with everyone else to enjoy the night. If he had planned to watch the performance from on high in a VIP lounge, then there was no need for him to come out personally. Even if he wanted to meet Hugo, he could simply have sent out two bodyguards with an invitation, and then wait for Hugo to come forward flattered. But Green hadn't done that. He personally joined the line of people, and even when he suggested using the back door, it was a proposal to claim the very front row together. From these details, one could glimpse some threads of Green's character.
"Of course, of course," Hugo replied repeatedly. "If you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to extend the invitation myself. Because I was thinking—after the performance ends, I wonder if you could introduce me to Green Day, The Cranberries? I really, really like them."
"You like their music too?" Green's smile instantly bloomed. "I thought you weren't all that familiar with these bands."
"Are you kidding? Of course I know them!" These words came from Hugo, but they made Pedro and Neil look at him in surprise. Only then did Hugo realize his thinking was still a little ahead of its time.
The Cranberries, this alternative rock band from Ireland, under the lead of their soul figure Dolores O'Riordan, created countless musical miracles. Together with U2 and Enya, they were hailed as the vanguard leading Irish music onto the world stage. Dolores's unique vocalization injected a distinctive charm into the band, becoming the model for many female singers, such as Faye Wong.
The Cranberries were formed in the late 1980s, but their first album would not officially be released until 1993. In the first half of this year, The Cranberries released their debut single "Dreams." The reviews from critics were overwhelmingly positive, but the charts did not respond. In such a situation—praised yet not selling—they had no choice but to follow other bands on tour, relying on their solid strength in live performances to accumulate more listeners. Only then could the release of the album be carried out smoothly.
This time, The Cranberries accepted the invitation to Rock Night as a test of the waters for the American music market. Even people like Pedro and Neil, who were familiar with the underground rock scene, did not know much about the situation across the Atlantic. After all, this was a "closed-off" era without the internet.
By comparison, the Green Day band, which rose out of the underground punk circle in Northern California, was much more familiar. Green Day was also formed in the late 1980s, and in 1991 they released their first album, unfortunately it failed to make a splash. This January they released their second album Kerplunk, and this album caused quite a response in the underground rock scene, thereby attracting considerable attention for Green Day.
It was heard that Green Day had signed with a record label not long ago, which also meant that Green Day had already blown the horn to march toward the mainstream market.
Pedro and Neil both knew Green Day, but as for the Cranberries they could be said to know nothing at all, so when Hugo actually marked his passionate love for both bands, it naturally aroused their suspicion.
Hugo had no choice but to hurriedly say, "Excellent music knows no borders, right? I had already listened to their music before, and for today's meeting I have been looking forward to it for a long time."
Although Neil still wanted to ask Hugo how he had gotten hold of the Cranberries' music, clearly this was not a good place for conversation now, and Green did not continue to pursue it either. He opened his mouth and said, "Yes, absolutely. I also have been looking forward to today's live performance for a long time." Only then did Neil pull back his attention, and curiously asked, "What style is the Cranberries' music?"
"You should pay attention to the lead singer Dolores, her voice is truly amazing, and her singing style is even more unique…" Hugo said with great excitement. These bands were once posters on the guitar case of the band Death Or Glory, untouchable idols, but now Hugo could listen to their performance live, and might even have a chance to meet them up close. This kind of excitement could only be felt by true rock lovers.
The surging crowd slowly converged toward the entrance of Al's Bar, the space that could hold three hundred people was very quickly squeezed full. Hugo did not even have time to pay attention to the decoration of the bar, the first performing guest was the recently rising-to-fame Green Day.
Although Billie Joe Armstrong already had a baby face, at this moment when he appeared less than ten yards away from Hugo, he was still a twenty-year-old youth. That vigorous energy, flamboyant confidence, and immature smile bloomed wantonly on that face tender enough to drip water. Most of the music they performed was something Hugo had not heard before, because Green Day's first two albums had both been independently released through the California local independent label Lookout!, only circulating in the underground rock circle. It was extremely difficult to even find audio sources, let alone original tapes.
At this time Green Day's music was still somewhat raw, but one could already see the prototype of their future. The retro quality of classic 1970s punk music, the smooth melodies that were simple and catchy, the straightforward and rough lyrics, all vented out in each note. Although Hugo had never heard these pieces before, it did not stop him from thoroughly enjoying such music and such an atmosphere.
Hugo quickly sank completely into madness, he temporarily cast aside everything, including the fact that he had already traveled through time to 1992, and entered fully into the world of music, as if he were not Hugo Lancaster but still Chen Hugo. This kind of hearty pleasure made Hugo's brain completely blank, only reaching the purest extreme.
"Pa"—what sound was that? Was it the sound of a belt snapping? Why did the waistband of his jeans seem a bit loose? It should… not be, right?
....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: Reincarnated as Yan(40 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu