To say that Farrell Taggart has his hands full is an understatement. He lives in a run-down apartment with his brothers – older Michael and younger Stephen - and works overtime on Wall Street to pay the bills. Their parents died years ago and Farrell’s still bearing the burden. Farrell’s stressful life’s a far cry from his carefree younger days as a drummer in a rising rock band with Michael.

Michael’s a far cry from who he used to be, too. When heroin joined the band, Farrell got out. But Michael’s sank deeper and deeper. Filled with lost dreams and bloated resentment for Farrell because he quit the band, Michael fills his days being a wasted waste of space.

Stephen’s finishing high school. Enamored with his brothers’ wild past, the well-to-do relatives couldn’t keep him from sharing a roach-infested tenement with his idols. He’s constantly hearing on the streets how good his brothers’ band used to be. Stephen likes trouble, too, and Farrell’s more than aware of the slippery slope that comes with the territory.

Farrell’s girlfriend, Austin, wants to make a life with him outside of his run-down neighborhood. She knows his brothers may sit in the way. Austin’s just as aware as Farrell of the festering danger of Michael’s addiction, and how it can blow up at any time. She knows too well--she was Michael’s girlfriend during the band’s heyday.

“Paradiddle” is a powerful drama that sticks to your soul as it explores themes of drug addiction, bitterness and family duty.