Local talent shows off at E Street Pub
By Gabriel Middaugh
The hosts were tapping on a microphone, saying “check-check, one, two, check-check,” and situating the hand-drums, when the first big crowd walked into the “E” Street Pub.
By the time the guitars were going through the soundcheck process, locals were laughing at each other’s jokes, games were being played, the bartender was welcoming newcomers, and the pub was full of smiling faces.
The “regulars” who attend every week were easy to hear as they introduced themselves to newcomers. “E” Street is a local favorite for a variety of live music acts.
For Shola Oni, it is a place “where everybody knows your name. It’s always nice to be surrounded by familiar faces while listening to good music.”
This venue holds one of the few “Acoustic Open Mic” nights in town every Thursday night. Bringing instruments is encouraged, however, to the hosts, coming to listen, play, or both, is more important. Every 20 or 30 minutes, the host calls into the microphone: “If you play music … let me know, and we’ll get you up here!”
This venue is only for those who are at least 21 years of age, but many of their events are free.
Every Tuesday night from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. there is an electric open mic session, while an acoustic open mic session takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays. This gives Earlham students and anyone else in Richmond a place to play and hear music for free, twice a week.
Other nights of the week are usually booked with bands from the area, with the occasional out-of-state group. Last week, the bartender mentioned two popular bands that perform there a lot to a group of guests.
One of these bands plays Guns N’ Roses songs, and the other is called “Speak of the Devil” (an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band). Classic rock is generally what gets booked at “E” Street yet other styles are promoted throughout the week.
Last Thursday, Jan. 28, the weather was cold and there were still 30 or 40 people at E Street for the acoustic open mic.
A number of songs were covered, like “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones, and “Friend of the Devil,” written by the Grateful Dead. Some original tunes were played, and there were hours full of improvisation between different drummers, guitarists, and vocalists.
Most of the people in the pub were between 21 and 30 years old, but there were locals up to the age of 50 or 55 playing music and having long discussions about drum technique and musical inspiration. A lot of younger people there said they went to Ivy Tech, and others have graduated within the last few years.
One thing that everyone had in common was that they came to “E” Street Pub every Thursday to play music with each other.
Michael Badger, a regular at the pub, said, “It’s the only place I like to go for music in Richmond. I really love the environment.”
The beginning of the open mic nights are generally slower, until after the first half hour when more people start showing up. Nonetheless, musicians appreciate it when crowds come earlier so that the music lasts all night and more artists get to play with one another.
In addition to the music, there are a other things to do at “E” Street while waiting for the open mic to kick off. “E” Street is home to a pool table, a small bowling lane, and, as regular musician Rob Abrams said, “They have wi-fi, too!”
Earlham College has a number of on-campus activities, art shows, Student Activities Board events, speakers, game nights, dances, and other things to do each week. Sometimes, however, students want to find something to do off Earlham’s grounds. “E” Street, for students who are 21 years or older, is less than two miles away from campus and has free admission to two of its most popular events, twice a week.
For more information on “E” Street Pub, or upcoming events, visit http://www.myspace.com/estreetpubrocks.
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