We ran backstage and had another group hug with lots of laughter, the relief making us all giddy. We had no idea if things would be better or worse on Team Dan, but at least we were still on the show for another week.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Monday morning we took a shuttle to our new recording studio, which was a bit too far to conveniently walk to. This studio was a big, boxy concrete building, with tiny slits for windows and no other distinguishing features. They sure didn’t like to advertise these places. Inside, the lobby was sparse except for modern white furniture and a display of all the awards Dan’s band Loaded River had won—Grammys, MTV Awards, and many others I didn’t recognize. Along the wall were photos of the band, plus shots of Dan and his husband, who was the drummer in another grunge band.

There were three other bands already there: a folk band with a bazillion people in it, a Christian heavy metal band, and a reggae band. They all gave us the side-eye when we entered. I got it—we were the new kids, the outsiders, taking the spot of someone else on their team. Even though the show liked to pretend there was camaraderie between team members, the truth was, we were competing against each other. With each episode, one band went home from every team, so in a way these people were more a threat to us than anyone else on the show. Until the final episode anyway.

“Tough crowd,” Jared muttered while we sat on the last remaining couch.

A camera crew was already set up around the room, and Steve, that producer from our recording session with the giant watch and expensive suits, supervised everything from the side. It still creeped me out that everything we said or did here could be aired on the show.

Dan arrived and handed out our schedules himself. “Everyone welcome our newest team members, Villain Complex.” The other bands grunted or let out a weak hello. One older woman with dreadlocks from the reggae band gave us a warm smile, but she was the only one. “Make sure you check your schedule for the week,” Dan continued. “You’ll notice you have a lot more interviews and all that crap, so don’t miss those or the producers will be on my ass. The live shows start next Monday, and each week has a theme. This first one is ‘Sick of It All,’ whatever that means, so start thinking about your song choice.”

“He lets us pick the song?” I whispered to the guys. I thought the mentors always chose.

“Remember for the live shows, it’s all about appealing to the audience at home,” Dan said. “If you have any problems, let me know. I’m going to meet with Villain Complex now, and I’ll see the rest of you in rehearsal tomorrow.”