Altony spits while he talks and regularly drenches his drum kit in sweat and anger. He represents Jonny’s id and animalistic expression, existing to battle Lucky’s uneasy ego, and balance Isleda’s unachievably high standards. But in spite of his rabid-caged-gorilla tendencies, Al’s unleashed impatient inner child is exactly the percussive presence that Jonny and the band need to hold them down. 

The loudest and biggest instrument in the room, Altony demands space and respect as the heartbeat of band practice. The abrasive edge that Altony brings to the woodshed is the necessary drive for the band to leave consciousness and reason behind to unite over the feeling of the music that’s bigger than each of their individual instruments. Altony functions purely on instinct, and his aggressive tunnel vision fueled by musical desire that is the core of his talent. 

“I’m talkin’ over my problems with an imaginary band.

I think I’m losin’ the fuckin’ grip.”

“Losin’ it? Nah. You made different, kid. Hard to kill, hard to die.” Altony snorted half a laugh. “A weaker man would’a crumbled at meetin’ me!”

- Jonny to Altony, Book I