PUB 181; GRESHAM, OR
Karaoke at Pub 181

By Kurt "Swingcat" Johnson

It's a sportsbar through and through - pool tables, darts, hi-def TV monitors, continuous sports programming and karaoke four nights a week. That's Gresham, Oregon's Pub 181.

Located at the corner of SE 181st and Division Street, Pub 181 is one of the premier karaoke nightspots in Metro Portland's East Multnomah County.

Pub 181 offers a complete entertainment line-up including live bands for those wanting live entertainment or for those wanting to be the live entertainment! Add in plenty of video poker, slots, lottery and there's something to keep everyone happy. With a multi-level layout, there's a roomy dance floor, a stage up above, plus a full bar and pool area below.

The karaoke Host is DJ Hooter every Tuesday through Thursday. DJ Hooter gets the crowd into it, gets 'em up and singing. Mix in a healthy selection of dance tunes between singers and the action is non-stop. The place is usually packed by 9:30pm so you can always count on a good crowd. DJ Hooter has been doing his thing at Pub 181 for almost four years. His system consists of a CAVS system along with individual karaoke discs totaling almost 15,000 songs to select from. The flavor is decidedly modern rock with not too much older stuff. The sound system is JBL speakers with Mackie mixing gear.

When he's not spinning disks, DJ Hooter is busy performing with his band Autumn Blue, a dance and rock band that gigs regularly around Portland and has opened for the national touring band, Big Dume, when they visited Pub 181. They will be appearing in February on a multi-band show at Portland's Roseland Theatre.

DJ Hooter explains his approach to karaoke at Pub 181, "My biggest specialty is that I pick songs for people and just call them up and they sing them. They don't even look them up. I get them up and try to involve them. A lot of these people can't really sing so I'm picking songs that might embarrass them a bit. But it gives them more courage the next time. I'm rude, but they love it. I guess that makes me more real. I just pull everybody up whether they're good or bad, I make them all fit". And fits them all in he does!

If you're ever in Portland, drop into Pub 181 one night and check out DJ Hooter or catch an Autumn Blue show - either way, you're guaranteed a good time!

Rockin' It!

DJ Hooter