The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features
TheBest2011-1000x50

Kill The Karaoke, featuring Trainwreck

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.
Related: PHX @ SXSW!, The Big Hurt: Dialing up Billboard’s Ringtones Chart, Lissie | Catching a Tiger, More more >
  Topics: New England Music News , Celebrity News, Entertainment, Music Stars,  More more >
| More
Add Comment
HTML Prohibited

 Friends' Activity   Popular   Most Viewed 
[ 02/06 ]   Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company  @ Institute of Contemporary Art
[ 02/06 ]   Boston Lyric Opera  @ Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts
[ 02/06 ]   Teatro Lirico d'Europa  @ Cutler Majestic Theatre
ARTICLES BY DAN CLARK
Share this entry with Delicious

 See all articles by: DAN CLARK

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2011 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group