Cleveland Scene Page
An Open Mic for Everybody
Samantha Bako
Trio’s Jam
13362 Madison Ave., Lakewood, OH
Thursdays
Hosted by Matt Trahan of Kill the Hippies
Sign-ups at 9:30pm
Trio’s is a little divey gem in Lakewood, located on Madison and Chesterland. Though the bar ain’t fancy, the beer is cheap and the people are crazy, but fun. If you’re a drummer, or require drumming, you might want to bring a hi-hat. The rest of the set is present (minus a rack tom), but it’s a good challenge for any drummer to adapt to what’s there! The host provides a full PA and an additional guitar amp, which can easily accommodate bands of decent size (the most seen on stage might be close to 7 people, including guitars, drums, bass, and vocalists). Matt Trahan (of Kill the Hippies) is an incredibly fun and encouraging open mic host, and unless the list is full, things can be pretty loose with the rules. This open mic list goes by time instead of just a numbered list, and you get your full time on stage. Performers are allotted 15 minutes, straight on. Such local performers as the Woolly Bullies, Alan Madej, and William Worthington have been sighted here. It’s a great deal of fun, and the most stress-free open mic around. Just come on out and have a good time! You can find Trio’s Jam on Facebook, and Kill The Hippies at myspace.com/kthmusic.
13362 Madison Ave., Lakewood, OH
Thursdays
Hosted by Matt Trahan of Kill the Hippies
Sign-ups at 9:30pm
Trio’s is a little divey gem in Lakewood, located on Madison and Chesterland. Though the bar ain’t fancy, the beer is cheap and the people are crazy, but fun. If you’re a drummer, or require drumming, you might want to bring a hi-hat. The rest of the set is present (minus a rack tom), but it’s a good challenge for any drummer to adapt to what’s there! The host provides a full PA and an additional guitar amp, which can easily accommodate bands of decent size (the most seen on stage might be close to 7 people, including guitars, drums, bass, and vocalists). Matt Trahan (of Kill the Hippies) is an incredibly fun and encouraging open mic host, and unless the list is full, things can be pretty loose with the rules. This open mic list goes by time instead of just a numbered list, and you get your full time on stage. Performers are allotted 15 minutes, straight on. Such local performers as the Woolly Bullies, Alan Madej, and William Worthington have been sighted here. It’s a great deal of fun, and the most stress-free open mic around. Just come on out and have a good time! You can find Trio’s Jam on Facebook, and Kill The Hippies at myspace.com/kthmusic.
Root Café
15118 Detroit Rd., Lakewood OH
http://www.theroot-cafe.com/
Tuesdays
Hosted by Xe La
Sign-ups at 8pm
Xe La is a local music powerhouse, responsible for multiple open mic events in Cleveland (The Root, Kobalt) and Kent (Europe Gyro). He also performs regularly around town, both solo or with his folk-fusion-world music quintet, The Uncanny. The Root open mic definitely gets busy, so come early if you intend on signing up. The vibe of the location is welcoming and frenetic on open mic nights, where you’ll find such local favorite personalities as Jerry the poet, or Gary, singing extraordinaire. Venue owner Julie Hutchinson has created a comfortable community sanctuary in Lakewood and the music is always good. The open mic welcomes all performers, from music to poetry to comedy, and can accommodate electric or acoustic guitar, up to two performers at a time (depending on your group’s makeup). While Xe La encourages fringe elements, and offensive comedy or naughty words aren’t censored, the baristas often will be honest about your performance and you’re encouraged to remember it’s a family-friendly location. Local as well as traveling/touring musicians have appeared at this open mic, and it’s a great spot for the non-arrogant. Xe La certainly encourages everyone’s attention to the stage, but it can at times be challenging to grab the crowd’s attention, and it’s sound advice to not be a diva here. The location itself serves amazing coffee and tasty food, as well as a selective craft beer selection. Performers have 3 songs or 15 minutes, though on incredibly busy nights you may be asked to cut down to 2 songs. Xe La prefers to perform first, and often plays for around half an hour, depending on the crowd. It’s definitely worth your time to come early, both for the opportunity to sign up, and because he’s a damn good musician.
You can find more information about Xe La and the Uncanny at luvmutha.com, or on Facebook (the most reliable source for upcoming shows).
15118 Detroit Rd., Lakewood OH
http://www.theroot-cafe.com/
Tuesdays
Hosted by Xe La
Sign-ups at 8pm
Xe La is a local music powerhouse, responsible for multiple open mic events in Cleveland (The Root, Kobalt) and Kent (Europe Gyro). He also performs regularly around town, both solo or with his folk-fusion-world music quintet, The Uncanny. The Root open mic definitely gets busy, so come early if you intend on signing up. The vibe of the location is welcoming and frenetic on open mic nights, where you’ll find such local favorite personalities as Jerry the poet, or Gary, singing extraordinaire. Venue owner Julie Hutchinson has created a comfortable community sanctuary in Lakewood and the music is always good. The open mic welcomes all performers, from music to poetry to comedy, and can accommodate electric or acoustic guitar, up to two performers at a time (depending on your group’s makeup). While Xe La encourages fringe elements, and offensive comedy or naughty words aren’t censored, the baristas often will be honest about your performance and you’re encouraged to remember it’s a family-friendly location. Local as well as traveling/touring musicians have appeared at this open mic, and it’s a great spot for the non-arrogant. Xe La certainly encourages everyone’s attention to the stage, but it can at times be challenging to grab the crowd’s attention, and it’s sound advice to not be a diva here. The location itself serves amazing coffee and tasty food, as well as a selective craft beer selection. Performers have 3 songs or 15 minutes, though on incredibly busy nights you may be asked to cut down to 2 songs. Xe La prefers to perform first, and often plays for around half an hour, depending on the crowd. It’s definitely worth your time to come early, both for the opportunity to sign up, and because he’s a damn good musician.
You can find more information about Xe La and the Uncanny at luvmutha.com, or on Facebook (the most reliable source for upcoming shows).
The Roc Bar
1200 Old River Rd., Cleveland
http://rocbarcleveland.com/rocbarpress/
Thursdays
Hosted by All Power Experience and sponsored by Starvation Army Zine
Sign-ups at 9pm
The Roc Bar is a bit of an oddity. Its location on the West Bank of the flats makes it difficult to find and park near, and it’s only open Thursday-Saturday. The location itself is great, with high ceilings, a giant stage and decent sound system (depending on who’s running sound – the first few nights were great, but it’s gone a little downhill lately for performers). There’s a really nice patio for the summer months, and a great amount of space. However, it’s often incredibly cold inside, and unless you get the female bartender, you’ll probably get rude service and end up paying more for your drink. That said, the open mic hosts are fantastic. All Power Experience is an instrumental rock trio that covers songs from Mozart to Battletoads. They’re ridiculously energetic and full of enthusiasm for the performers. This open mic has been struggling, due to the location and the timing of when it began (in the harshest winter months). It’s well worth checking out, however, because very rarely will a musician have a full stage to play around on at an open mic, with a full drum kit, decent sound, provided amps (but you can bring your own if you like). Throne Gone Down of Akron, Bafflegab, 1000 Hours, and 100,000 Leagues Under My Nutsack have appeared here, in addition to local rap and hip-hop performers. Anything goes, though comedy or poetry reading probably won’t go over too well. Support this great open mic, and ask for the female bartender, she’s awesome! Performers get the standard 3 songs or 15 minutes, and All Power performs first, though depending on how many people sign up, the open mic might start later and you might get a lot more time to play.
Find out more about the Roc Bar on Facebook, or find All Power Experience at myspace.com/allpowerexperience.
1200 Old River Rd., Cleveland
http://rocbarcleveland.com/rocbarpress/
Thursdays
Hosted by All Power Experience and sponsored by Starvation Army Zine
Sign-ups at 9pm
The Roc Bar is a bit of an oddity. Its location on the West Bank of the flats makes it difficult to find and park near, and it’s only open Thursday-Saturday. The location itself is great, with high ceilings, a giant stage and decent sound system (depending on who’s running sound – the first few nights were great, but it’s gone a little downhill lately for performers). There’s a really nice patio for the summer months, and a great amount of space. However, it’s often incredibly cold inside, and unless you get the female bartender, you’ll probably get rude service and end up paying more for your drink. That said, the open mic hosts are fantastic. All Power Experience is an instrumental rock trio that covers songs from Mozart to Battletoads. They’re ridiculously energetic and full of enthusiasm for the performers. This open mic has been struggling, due to the location and the timing of when it began (in the harshest winter months). It’s well worth checking out, however, because very rarely will a musician have a full stage to play around on at an open mic, with a full drum kit, decent sound, provided amps (but you can bring your own if you like). Throne Gone Down of Akron, Bafflegab, 1000 Hours, and 100,000 Leagues Under My Nutsack have appeared here, in addition to local rap and hip-hop performers. Anything goes, though comedy or poetry reading probably won’t go over too well. Support this great open mic, and ask for the female bartender, she’s awesome! Performers get the standard 3 songs or 15 minutes, and All Power performs first, though depending on how many people sign up, the open mic might start later and you might get a lot more time to play.
Find out more about the Roc Bar on Facebook, or find All Power Experience at myspace.com/allpowerexperience.
Phoenix Coffee
http://phoenixopenmic.blogspot.com/
Mondays at Coventry Rd. (1854-A Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights)
Tuesdays at Lee Rd. (2287 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights)
Thursdays at South Euclid (4441 Mayfield Rd.)
Hosted by Charlie Mosbrook
Sign-up at 7:30
Though Charlie generally runs all his open mics the same way, each coffee shop has its own definitive vibe. The Coventry crowd tends to consist primarily of students, while the Lee Rd. venue is often populated by a young crowd and contains less studiers. South Euclid is a more community oriented spot. Charlie often demands library-like silence from his audience, so this isn’t an open mic for the casual observer or chatty Cathy. He’ll shake his cane at you menacingly if you’re too loud while performances are going on. It’s a good opportunity for performers who demand respectful, attentive audiences, though a large portion of the audience will be other open mic performers. You’re heartily encouraged to support the coffeeshop (just as with other open mic events – please support the venue by buying their products and please tip your barista or bartender!) Performers are given 3 songs or 15 minutes. Charlie often performs last, wrapping up every night’s performances with his version of “Goodnight”.
It’s a friendly and supportive atmosphere, where performers of all sorts are welcome, though the majority of performances are acoustic music. Charlie supplies a PA system for guitars and vocals, and bringing a big setup beyond instruments isn’t recommended. The coffeeshops are family-friendly, so naughty words or offensive comedy won’t be welcome. Charlie has been a long-time supporter of the local folk community, and recently released an album titled “Coverage”, consisting of songs he wrote covered by a variety of local, prolific open mic performers. You can purchase his CD at any Phoenix Coffee location, or find more information here: http://www.electricmonkeymedia.com/charliemosbrook/coverage/index.html
http://phoenixopenmic.blogspot.com/
Mondays at Coventry Rd. (1854-A Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights)
Tuesdays at Lee Rd. (2287 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights)
Thursdays at South Euclid (4441 Mayfield Rd.)
Hosted by Charlie Mosbrook
Sign-up at 7:30
Though Charlie generally runs all his open mics the same way, each coffee shop has its own definitive vibe. The Coventry crowd tends to consist primarily of students, while the Lee Rd. venue is often populated by a young crowd and contains less studiers. South Euclid is a more community oriented spot. Charlie often demands library-like silence from his audience, so this isn’t an open mic for the casual observer or chatty Cathy. He’ll shake his cane at you menacingly if you’re too loud while performances are going on. It’s a good opportunity for performers who demand respectful, attentive audiences, though a large portion of the audience will be other open mic performers. You’re heartily encouraged to support the coffeeshop (just as with other open mic events – please support the venue by buying their products and please tip your barista or bartender!) Performers are given 3 songs or 15 minutes. Charlie often performs last, wrapping up every night’s performances with his version of “Goodnight”.
It’s a friendly and supportive atmosphere, where performers of all sorts are welcome, though the majority of performances are acoustic music. Charlie supplies a PA system for guitars and vocals, and bringing a big setup beyond instruments isn’t recommended. The coffeeshops are family-friendly, so naughty words or offensive comedy won’t be welcome. Charlie has been a long-time supporter of the local folk community, and recently released an album titled “Coverage”, consisting of songs he wrote covered by a variety of local, prolific open mic performers. You can purchase his CD at any Phoenix Coffee location, or find more information here: http://www.electricmonkeymedia.com/charliemosbrook/coverage/index.html
Kobalt
2261 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Mondays
Hosted by Xe La
Sign-ups at 10pm
This is a particularly great open mic venue for full bands. The Kobalt bar has two rooms, so you can stay and listen to the music, or sit at the bar and hobnob with musicians (while still listening to the music). The bartender, Steve, is surly and awesome, and you have pinball, darts, and pool to play while you listen or wait to play. The Xe La soundsystem provides a full PA for vocals, a drum set, and a small stage area. Bringing your own amp gives you more control over your sound, but it’s certainly not necessary. This open mic is occasionally populated by such local musical acts as Bafflegab, Mark Ruppe, and Mt. Nepal Philharmonic (if you’re lucky!). If you don’t have a drummer or bass player, or if you ARE a drummer or bass player, and you’re interested in just jamming with people, you can always find someone willing to play, and they’re almost always more than full of enough talent to keep up. It’s a good exercise in stretching and flexing your musical chops with different musicians. Xe La kicks it off and warms up the mic with a half hour set before sign-ups begin, and the music lasts all night long until last call. Musicians have 15 minutes or three songs, and the illustrious host can be amazingly accommodating. It can feel a little intimidating, given the amount of talent that presents itself here, but the community is open and friendly, and everyone loves talking music.
2261 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Mondays
Hosted by Xe La
Sign-ups at 10pm
This is a particularly great open mic venue for full bands. The Kobalt bar has two rooms, so you can stay and listen to the music, or sit at the bar and hobnob with musicians (while still listening to the music). The bartender, Steve, is surly and awesome, and you have pinball, darts, and pool to play while you listen or wait to play. The Xe La soundsystem provides a full PA for vocals, a drum set, and a small stage area. Bringing your own amp gives you more control over your sound, but it’s certainly not necessary. This open mic is occasionally populated by such local musical acts as Bafflegab, Mark Ruppe, and Mt. Nepal Philharmonic (if you’re lucky!). If you don’t have a drummer or bass player, or if you ARE a drummer or bass player, and you’re interested in just jamming with people, you can always find someone willing to play, and they’re almost always more than full of enough talent to keep up. It’s a good exercise in stretching and flexing your musical chops with different musicians. Xe La kicks it off and warms up the mic with a half hour set before sign-ups begin, and the music lasts all night long until last call. Musicians have 15 minutes or three songs, and the illustrious host can be amazingly accommodating. It can feel a little intimidating, given the amount of talent that presents itself here, but the community is open and friendly, and everyone loves talking music.
