Geoff Cooper Retribution, Inc.

Retribution, Inc.

Geoff Cooper

Cemetery Dance, 2005, $30.00

ISBN: 1587671123

In Brackard's Point, New York, guitarist Ronnie leaves the band Retribution, Inc. to attend the Full Sail audio production program in Florida. His departure leaves base playing singer Chuck, and drummer Mark in need of a guitarist fast, since they are the opening act for renowned Your Kid's On Fire at an upcoming concert. Mark tries to persuade Joey to leave Chaos Theory, but he refuses. Desperate, the duo tries an open audition hoping someone in Westchester, Putnam, or Bergen Counties can strum a guitar.

Ernie the nerd looks anything but like a fierce rock band member, but he plays angry punk rock with compassionate and skill. He learns his sequence fast, and apparently has the gig, though whenever he plays his fingers bleed. However, when Joey becomes free, Mark wants to drop Ernie for the better imaged guitarist, but Chuck disagrees. Will the band break up over the selection of the third member, or will they find a compromise? Neither Chuck nor Mark is ready for the destructive path their disagreement leads them to.

RETRIBUTION, INC. is a tremendous lyrical portrayal of a local rock and roll band buckling under the stress of replacing a member that might simply end with the break-up, as egos take control of the decision process. The storyline, though only involving four individuals, runs the gamut of the five stages of group dynamics from forming (in this case re-forming), norming, storming, performing and adjourning; though that climax to the group seems overkill. Each of the four musicians is unique, bringing different skills and personalities to the band. Fans will appreciate this dark look at the competitive ego-maniacal nature of music band members, even those who are just escaping garage grunge.