After band rehearsal at
Michiko Rehearsal Studios, located just off Times Square (what better location for a rehearsal space than right above an
Irish pub in the middle of the mayhem that is midtown NYC), I took the 3 train back to Brooklyn. Armed with my acoustic guitar, I figured it was a safe bet that I'd have the two-seater to myself for the entire ride. Not so fast, Seabass.
At 14th Street, a drummer strolled onto the train with his cymbal bag and snare. He was actively looking for an empty seat so I made some room and settled in for a crowded ride back to BK. I'd been finger-drumming on my case and as this dude settled in next to me, it seemed like he was joining along; I couldn't tell if he was drumming with me or if he was just drumming the way drummers incessantly do. Regardless, I found it hilarious that the only two musicians in the train car were seated next to one another but I didn't make any attempt at small chatter...until i pulled out a pack of gum and offered him a piece.
Next thing I know, we're doing a friendly musician meet-and-greet. After we established where our evenings were headed - while I was on my way back home, my new friend was headed out to a gig at
Hank's Saloon in Brooklyn - I asked him who he was playing with. When he responded, "
Rock Star Karaoke," I did a triple take. "Did you guys play
Bonnaroo?"
Sure enough, Rock Star Karaoke is the band we saw Friday night at Karaoke Bay at Bonnaroo. My wife, sister-in-law and buddy Marcus had just bought tickets for our annual ride on the Ferris Wheel. As we stood in line, it slowly dawned on us that a) our tickets to the ride were good at any point that weekend and b) these guy rocked. As we jumped out of line and entered into the tent, we were rewarded with the opening chords to
Radiohead's Creep. To this day, I can still remember who first introduced me to that tune. Thank you,
Beavis and Butthead.
The girl who'd chosen to sing the song was a short blonde who was wearing sunglasses (at roughly 1am) and had an "I'm too wasted to really care" attitude. At first, it seemed like this was going to be just another wonderful song ruined by karaoke version...that was until the chorus landed. You see, the Rock Star Karaoke band were intentionally playing the verse at par with the girl singing the song. Their lackadaisical attitude initial made me think they weren't very good. But all of a sudden, they got real serious, laying into the chorus with a frenzy that brought everyone in ear shot to their feet. MB, Becca, Marcus and I rushed into the middle of the dance floor, which was a series of not-so-well-supported boards of plywood, and started screaming our faces off. "Sheeeeeeee's runnin' out a-gaaaaain!" Absolutely incredible.
After giving some thought as to what we might want to sing ourselves, we quickly realized that we'd probably caught a peak moment at the venue and decided to reconvene at the Ferris Wheel- Marcus and I grabbed some simosas for the ride while the girls waited in line. On our way out of the tent, the band took a moment to introduce themselves, mentioning they were from the NYC area. Never in a million years did I think I would run into one of their band members a little over a month later.
Turns out this may not have been the first time we've seen this band. In addition to a regular Wednesday night slot at Hank's Saloon in Brooklyn, you can also catch these guys on Saturday night at
Lucky Cheng's in the LES. If you prefer a biker-bar, I recommend the former but if drag queens are more your speed, try the latter. Either way, do yourself a favor and check these guys out. I usually hate the idea of karaoke but when you've got an awesome live band backing you, how can you go wrong?