An Uncanny Rockstar Experience
Live Band Karaoke:
An Uncanny Rockstar Experience
By Emily Mizen
Many karaoke enthusiasts seek to taste the rockstar moment. They go for the stage (sometimes), the lights (sometimes), the cheering crowd (sometimes) and the thumping music and the energy of band mates backing their powerful vocals… (never). Standard karaoke can’t provide the FULL rockstar moment because even with the best system, it is still just one lone singer on stage with a microphone and recorded music to back them. Some karaoke enthusiasts desire something more, something more robust in our karaoke experience. Luckily, this “something more” is available now with the sweeping sensation called LIVE BAND KARAOKE.
While some karaoke bars have begun adding live band karaoke into their mix of traditional karaoke, some other venues, formerly opposed to karaoke, have welcomed this live version and have been pleasantly surprised by the turnout and the feedback from their non-karaoke regulars. One such live band entering the karaoke world is The Uncanny Valley performing primarily in the Whatcom County area bars as well as private parties and weddings.
Dave Lyon, the Uncanny Valley’s bassist and self-proclaimed “karaoke whore,” says the band got together because they knew a bunch of songs but, “none of us really sing much so a cover band was out.” Dave says of the band’s name, “ ‘the uncanny valley’ is a term referring to something (usually computer animation) that very closely resembles a human but never quite gets there-sort of what we do with music.”
The Uncanny Valley is made up of four talented musicians with decades of experience between them, who have come together to create a fun, professional, and incredibly polished sounding band ready to back any singer who wishes to give it a try. A recent performance at Bellingham’s Chuckanut Brewery on Holly Street was in front of a packed house. The audience filled every seat and many more stood along the outside watching. The music cranked up and as singer Shelly Lyon began “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” people began craning to get a view of the band and the singer. Most didn’t even realize it was karaoke at first.
Midway through the show, the band announced to the crowd “if there’s a song you’d like to sing and we don’t have it on our list, write it down, bring it up and we will learn it by our next performance!”
With great musical skills, super sweet sound and their willingness to build their song list based on the wants and needs of their audience, The Uncanny Valley is gathering quite a following of singers and even fans who come just to appreciate the music. In fact, the show was such a success that the Chuckanut Brewery, which had never offered karaoke before, signed The Uncanny Valley for another show later this summer.
To experience your own rockstar moment, minus the stinky tour bus, just the good stuff like a hot mic and a four-man, live band to back you, head to an Uncanny Valley’s show in Bellingham.
Upcoming shows are: Friday, July 9 at the Fairhaven Pub and Martini Bar, Saturday, July 17 at the Main Street in Ferndale. If you want to book the band or check out their song list and make song requests, just search “The Uncanny Valley” on Facebook and send them a message.
