05060 - Randolph, Vt.
Nathan Brown is a seventh-grade student at Randolph Union High School, which also includes a junior high. He spends weekday afternoons at the Boys and Girls Club in Randolph. The following is an edited interview.
When I'm playing Rock Band, I sometimes imagine myself on stage, but when I imagine stuff I just screw up. The other kids are better on guitar than me, so they make me play the drums. I like to sing sometimes, but I'm a bad singer.
Doing the drums isn't really much of an experience for me, but I really do like the guitar. I'm not in any band or anything, I've just started practicing.
I have my own guitar at home, but just a regular one, so I'm saving up for an electric guitar. I've been looking online, and I probably want a Gibson or a Yamaha.
I don't know how long it will take to save up enough money. I've been selling my baby ducks and selling pumpkins. I make lots of money doing that. I've got about $130 now, but I need at least $200.
I don't know what my future is going to be like. Sometimes I try to write songs or want to form a band so I can be rich and famous.
I've only written two songs, and they're not really good. I played them for my big brother, Wolfie, who's a really cool guy. He says, "Good!" and gives me the thumbs-up, but I can tell he doesn't mean it. He says it like he doesn't want to say they're no good.
I have this wide-open field by my house. I can't see it from my bedroom, but I can just walk right down there. Sometimes when I'm daydreaming I pretend KISS is playing in that field. There's a huge crowd of people and I'm right up front. They're playing Hotter than Hell, Detroit Rock City and Rock 'n' Roll All Nite. I'd stand in front of the speaker and let it blow my ears right out.
If I could put the face paint on, that would be awesome. Then I'd hop on stage and do a guitar solo and surf the crowd with my KISS make-up on. I'd think, "I can't believe KISS is playing in my field." I'd feel like, "Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening." I'd definitely invite Wolfie. He'd hop on a plane from Florida and fly right here. We'd go together. We wouldn't have to pay for tickets or anything, we'd just walk right in.
At the end maybe I could get their autograph. Lots of people would know me then.
Listen to Nathan Brown playing drums to Black Sabbath and talking about his dreams of visiting the KISS mansion.