For many men, their strongest experiences of brotherly love — and of belonging — occur during their younger years. It’s often when, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with male peers, they strive as one unit toward a common goal, toiling in the trenches and overcoming setbacks. This is typical in the military and on sports teams. Another powerful venue for what the Greeks called philia, or affectionate platonic love, is the rock band.
How many of us know men with fond memories from their twenties about creating music alongside Freddie, Tim, and Dave? For many males, their rock band days are a sacred journey of hustling, heartache, creativity, and accomplishment. The memories last our whole lives.
‘My soul brother, Adam’
Port Townsend musician Andy Fischer-Price wrote his latest song, “Brothers”, for his former bandmate Adam, whom he calls his “soul brother”. The two belonged to the Los Angeles-based indie rock band Smoky Knights, which broke up in 2019 after six years together. (The song “Brothers” is dedicated to the other two members of Smoky Knights too.)
Andy Fischer-Price is a talented singer, songwriter, bassist, and guitarist. He grew up singing for the Northwest Boychoir and for Seattle’s Vocalpoint group before moving to L.A. at age 17. His father is Scott Fischer, a mountain guide who perished on Mount Everest during the events recounted in Jon Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air.
Below are the lyrics of the song “Brothers”. The complete video of Fischer-Price performing the song is in this Instagram post.
“Brothers” by Andy Fischer-Price
I’ll be your friend in 25 years / the road split off / but it doesn’t end here /
Though time may come between us / and with it, some space /
They could never take / those good years away / no they could never take those good years away
All the late nights playing / for all the late night crowds /
The carnival of voices / that came out of our mouths /
The epileptic laughter / that bonded our souls /
Tells me I’ll be your friend / when I’m 65 years old / I know I’ll be your friend / when I’m 65 years old
Ah it was good / it was better than it could have been /
Nah, we didn’t make it / but we hit something / deeper than money and fame / my brothers you remain / Thank god that never changed / like so many things did /
I’ll be your friend in 25 years / the road split off / but it doesn’t end here /
Though time may come between us / and with it, some space /
They could never take / those good years away / no they could never take / those good years away