Karaoke, Cavs Party at Mr. Peabody's Pub

It's been 17 weeks I have been doing this thing.  It has been one hell of a ride thus far honestly.  I have been to multiple venues, restaurants and have seen a fair share of the local Cleveland talent out there.  I imagine in this time I have drank upwards of 150 beers and or shots in that time.  I have had some incredible food and have seen some great bands.  I got picked up by The Cleveland Independent to write some shit for them too and that was a great thing too.  I have met countless people who follow the blog or really dig what I do.  I put this small little dent in the independent Cleveland community and people are taking notice.  I have been contacted for a Cleveland Magazine article.  I have pissed off some bands, but I have made some great contacts and friends as well who are musicians, Bar owners, booking folks, artists, restaurant people and just fans of Cleveland.

I have this blog thing where I pretty much tell everyone who wants to know where I will be any given weekend night yet I still get asked what are you doing this weekend.  That honestly is pretty fucking annoying.  I do this for a reason.  It is so people will actually read the Godforsaken thing.  It just screams to me.  Hey Jason...I seriously don't read your blog.  I have alienated people a bit doing this thing but for everyone I have alienated I replaced with more interesting people in my life.  Some of my old friends dig what I am doing, some have this hidden animosity towards it, others don't get it, others are possibly jealous of it somewhat.  Why, I have no idea.  I just want to go out there and have some fun.   

My cohort in crime, Mrs. 52 Weeks of Cleveland, stopped asking "is anyone coming out?" about a month ago because after countless disappointments, no shows, and hearing shit like he'll only go to things he plans, so I said fuck it.  I'm just going out to have fun.  You want to come along for the ride please feel free.  You want to check out some great bands, and new bars?  Let's go I am down.  So I have turned folks on to people like DJ Kishka, Scoliosis Jones, Whiskey Daredevils, Schwartz Brothers, Heelsplitter, Jack Fords.  Or to bars like the Beachland, Prosperity, Bar Symon, Smedley's and the Happy Dog.  I make mistakes.  I make them all the time but thus far for 2010 me and this wonderful city are batting 1000.  I have yet to be out anywhere and shake my head and say wow that was stupid, or man that sucked.  If Cleveland were a racetrack I would be hanging in the winners circle because it seems like I have picked nonstop winners for the last 17 weeks of doing this.  

The one thing I do love about this city is the fact there is such an eclectic mix of things to do.  Polka , Rock-n-Roll , great food , great beers , good value , Americana , Bluegrass , Art , Theater .  It's all there guys.  The shopping list is pretty much covered kids.  I can find anything I am looking for within that famous "20 minutes" of wherever I might be.  I support anyone and every place I go.  I even support the bands I might have been somewhat critical on.  You are out there doing it.  You are the scene and making this entire ride of mine possible.  I respect you like you would not believe.  I want people to go out and check out the local independent bands, bars, clubs, restaurants and businesses.  If I didn't want you to succeed I wouldn't be trying stuff like this Guerrilla Barfare thing I got going on Saturday.  

Yeah, Saturday night I picked this random bar in the city of Cleveland.  It's on the outskirts of town.  It is never packed and I want to load the place for just that one night.  I want them to make some cash and show them that yes indeed the people of Cleveland actually do give a shit and they can come together to give you a night to remember.  I picked Mr. Peabody's over at 4967 Pearl Road.  I have no ties to them.  I have no hidden agenda other than to make their night.  The rub?  As great of an idea I hear this is I can't get people to go.  Maybe I am lacking the street cred or something or maybe people are afraid of karaoke.  I know there are folks playing in bands that night that can't make it out.  That is understandable.  I know the Cavs are playing that night too but what does it matter what flat screen TV you are watching it on that night?  Frankly I will be glad if they turn the sound down at the bar for the karaoke.  The commentators are either sound like idiots or assholes.  All they do is piss me off most of the time.  Who knows maybe they won't start until after the game.  

So the thing is this.  I stopped having party like things after my disastrous birthday party last year when I hired on the talents of a couple local bands to play Now That's Class and only a handful of people showed up.  Then I tried again for New Years and again that was lackluster.  I loved the folks that came out, but at the same time you ask 100 and you get 10.  It's a horrible ratio.  There are a small handful of folks that come out to a lot of the stuff I do.  I appreciate them for that.  It's always a good time.  However it seems the more important it is to me the more people show their apathy.  I'm not trying to change the world or feed starving kids here.  I am not trying to torture people either yet you would think I was asking for an organ donation.  Hey guys I want you to come out and have a good time and share in this incredible thing I got going here.  Stop acting like I am trying to pull your teeth out while I punch you in the balls.  It just bugs me is all that people are afraid to try something out of the norm.  If it sucks, you fucking leave.  It really is just that simple.  17 weeks I have been doing this, not once have I said it sucks and left.  Well...almost if you don't count that horrible U2 and Elton John bullshit at the House of Blues.  It's not about the bar, or band.  It is about the company you keep while you are there.  That being said I hope to see you out Saturday so I can feel like a rock star this time around and make this Peabody cat some cash.