By snoadmin
When the lights go down and the disco ball lights up at Alex’s Bar on the first Saturday of each month, it could only mean one thing: 1980s karaoke night.
Wannabe singers and bar-goers in general overcrowded the bar in Long Beach on Saturday night to join a band on stage.
This was no ordinary karaoke night. Rather than following the lyrics on a monitor and grooving to prerecorded tracks, the band appropriately named Mr. Mister Miyagi provided live ‘80s music.
Simply put, each person who went on stage to sing was the lead singer of a real band for a short time.
However, things were slightly different on this particular night. The band arrived over an hour late at the bar, but at least the DJ and host for the band, Phil Acosta, spun ‘80s tracks for the disco-lit venue while the fast growing crowd anxiously waited for the event to start.
Also, there was no monitor to display the lyrics. Because of that, every singer had to settle for reading the words on paper.
Furthermore, one of the five band members, Jesse Wilder – who, according to Acosta, knew how to set up the monitor – was absent.
None of these changes seemed to matter, though. When it was time for people to write their names and song choices on the sign-up sheet, the line was ridiculously huge.
To kick off the karaoke event, the band walked on stage to the “Indiana Jones” theme song playing in the background. Acosta, who also acted as backup vocals during the event, sang the first song for the crowd: Van Halen’s “Jump.”
From then on, every person who signed up acted as lead singer for the band. The crowd sang at the top of its lungs to George Michael’s “Faith,” Billy Idol’s “White Wedding, Pt. 1,” Journey’s “Any Way You Want It,” The Police’s “Roxanne” and Guns ‘n’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” among others.
Some of the temporary lead singers had amazing vocals, while others could have used some lessons. However, to the drinking crowd they probably sounded like they were perfectly on key.
After only a few people sang, the band’s tip jar at the end of the stage was nearly overflowing. Alex’s Bar was so packed at this point that late arrivers were forced to wait and listen to the event from outside the venue before they could go in.
Saturday was just one of the many karaoke nights that Mr. Mister Miyagi has hosted thus far. According to its official website, the band members – whose stage names are Spaz, Shades, Mr. Mr. Furley, Moon Unit and Biff — have entertained crowds at bars, clubs, corporate events and weddings since 2003.
As told on the website, the five musicians have a motto that best describes their work: “You are Adam; we are the Ants. You are Siouxie; we are your Banshees. You are Madonna; we will touch you for the very first time.”
“Not once has a person left without a smile on his or her face,” the band adds on its website.
An attendee at Alex’s Bar on Saturday confirmed this claim.
“Even if you’re a bad singer, nobody cares,” Melissa Massrey, a junior at LBCC, said. “The event was so awesome.”
Perhaps the song selection makes all of the band’s karaoke events awesome. Mr. Mister Miyagi handed out copies of the list, which includes over 100 popular ‘80s songs such as Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).”
The band has not only hosted karaoke at various events, but it has also worked with Capitol Records, Cartoon Network and Surfrider Foundation, among other clients, the website says.
The best part is anyone can bring Mr. Mister Miyagi to his or her event. The band is available for hire at weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and other celebrations. Visit mrminstermiyagi.com for more information.
Those who wish to find out more about ‘80s karaoke nights at Alex’s Bar can go to alexsbar.com. Alex’s Bar is located at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
