| Charlie Storer | |
| Fictional Character | |
| Supervolcano POD: Set in the future | |
| Appearance(s): | Eruption; All Fall Down; Things Fall Apart |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | United States |
| Date of Birth: | 20th century |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Professional Affiliations: | Squirt Frog and the Evolving Tadpoles |
Charlie Storer was the drummer with Squirt Frog and the Evolving Tadpoles. Like his bandmate Rob Ferguson, Charlie was more analytical than instinctive and had suggested their music fell somewhere between Frank Zappa and Al Stewart when asked. Rob wasn't convinced but he didn't have a better answer.[1]
Charlie had written the band's song "Came Along Too Late" with some tweaks from Rob's brother Marshall who had studied ancient history at UCSB.[2]
Charlie tended to hang out with Biff Thorvald, the rhythm guitarist more than with Rob or Justin Nachman, the lead singer and guitarist. The two shared motel rooms while on the road and took turns driving the band's second SUV letting Rob and Justin drive and navigate in the first one.[3] Charlie was surprisingly well read, recognizing that the issue of The New Yorker that Justin waved around in New York City's Neptune's Resort was the previous weeks. He also asked if the magazine mentioned Snakes and Ladders, a band that was their touring opening act when Justin had read out loud the Squirt Frog write-up.[4]
When the band became snowed in in Guilford, Maine after the Supervolcano eruption, the band took up residence in the Trebor Mansion Inn. Charlie thought the place should have a "H.P. Lovecraft slept here" plaque given its spooky architecture. He and Biff shared a bedroom in the tower across from the one Justin took and below the upper bedroom Rob took.[5]
One winter's day, the band met Jim Farrell, a retired professor and failed Republican candidate for congress for the Second District of Maine. Charlie recognized Farrell's satirical newsletters To the Small-Endians, having read some issues, when Dick Barber mentioned them by name. Charlie, Justin and Rob, in turn, impressed Farrell with a rousing a cappella version of "Came Along Too Late" with Charlie also drumming on his thighs and the coffee table in front of him.[6]
The following summer, the weather had improved enough for the accumulated snow to melt, allowing traffic in and out once more. Justin was the most vocal about leaving but Biff had become infatuated with Cindy at Caleb's Kitchen and was unwilling to leave. Rob and Charlie hadn't developed such attachments but both had grown to like Guilford.[7] Charlie slowly developed roots into Guilford and eventually found female companionship of his own as did Justin. Justin would occasionally make wistfully noises about hitting the road and Charlie would halfheartedly agree but everyone knew Justin didn't mean it and Squirt Frog remained in town.[8]
When Rob married Lindsey Kincaid, a local high school chemistry teacher, the fourth winter after the eruption, Charlie was one of Rob's groomsmen.[9]
Reference[]
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