At Empire Dine & Dance, Wednesdays @ 9 pm
By DAN CLARK | October 28, 2009
Since its invention in Japan in the early ’70s, karaoke has become an international pastime. It can have huge drawing power, with dozens — if not hundreds — of local would-be rock stars invading bars and clubs to take the lead on their favorite tunes. Once seen as a guilty pleasure or hokey time-waster here in the States, people now harness their inner Lady Gaga, Steve Perry, or Kenny Rogers for the entertainment of their friends and total strangers.
But for some, singing along to a canned, synthesized instrumental version of “Born To Be Wild” just isn’t enough to sate the Rock God who dwells within. That’s why the Empire has introduced Kill The Karaoke, a chance to belt out a song with Trainwreck, a real, live rock band. They’re no half-assed bar rockers, either, but a quartet of local ace musicians: Tom Hall (Surreal Vision, Portland’s stunt guitarist ne plus ultra), Dan Capaldi (Holy Boys Danger Club, ex-Cambiata), Keith Mann (John Clavette, ex-Strange Pleasure), and Brian Higgins (Lost Cause Desperados, the recently reformed Colepitz). The whole affair is presided over by The Fuge, who also hosts bingo monthly at Geno’s. As if that weren’t enough, local photographer Samuel Cousins is on hand to preserve your glory in full color.
With lyrics projected on a large screen, but without the countdowns and bouncing balls to provide you with cues, KTK requires strong familiarity with your song of choice. Only a few shows in, Trainwreck has a relatively small, yet wide-ranging, selection of songs, including Gordon Lightfoot, Motorhead, Janis Joplin, and Weezer. If something else strikes your fancy, suggest it and the band will gladly add it to their repertoire.
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