Portland Karaoke: Get to Know Your KJ | Chopsticks Express
December 15, 2008 — PDXPIPELINEBy Will Radik
If you're in Portland, you probably love karaoke.You love to put your beard, and your stunna shades on and go out to thrash a wicked air guitar solo during your rendition of Holy Diver, sloshing PBR all over the floor, and the five bandanas you're wearing.
You love squeezing together into ten person bunches so tight you can feel your best girlfriend's perineum pressing into your thigh through her American Apparel tights while you shout the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody. You love to jerk your neck so hard while banging out Pat Benetar's “Heartbreaker” that your dangly, star-shaped earrings fly across the room, nearly blinding someone and you wake up with whiplash and a whiskey hangover the next morning.
I know, because I love it, too. (I prefer Monopolowa vodka and IPA to whiskey and PBR, just in case you wanna buy me a drink. Just sayin'.) In fact, I loved it so much that I hung out at Chopsticks Express on Burnside until I started to blend in with the wood-paneling and flashing neon so well that someone decided to get me a job there. (Thanks, Jen!)
You know, a KJ. Karaoke DJ. We play your songs. We introduce you. We walk the razor's edge to get you to your appointed destination. We guide you through the night like musical angels on phosphorous clouds. And, whether you believe it, or not, we care.
Hello, I'm Will Radik, and the magnanimous and cunning Julian Chadwick has invited me to write for PDXPipeline as a “karaoke consultant“. I'll be chronicling my experiences working at Portland's premier karaoke joint (every Thursday night), as well as providing general karaoke related material, especially as it pertains to Portland.
Come on down and say “hi” Thursdays. 8:30PM – 2AM
Chopsticks Express (The Stargate Lounge)
2651 E Burnside St.
Portland, OR 97214
It's better than drinking alone in your beat-up Chevy van.
<3 ——- <3
Will Radik, as well as being a KJ at Chopsticks Express, is a visual artist, audio technician, podcaster, and serial volunteer who grew up mostly in the SF Bay Area and Chicagoland. You can find his personal blog at inyourwater.wordpress.com.
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December 15, 2008 at 13:48
what color american apparel tights do you wear, will?
December 15, 2008 at 15:50
[...] December 15, 2008 at 3:50 pm (my interesting life) (blogs, karaoke, PDX, pipeline, Portland, writing) Today I began writing for PDXPipeline. [...]
December 16, 2008 at 15:16
First things first – have you seen me singing there, because it’s like you know my karaoke wardrobe by heart.
Two – I’m so there! I had no idea you were a KJ and now I have a reason to go get shitfaced and sing Kelly Clarkson songs on Thursdays!
December 16, 2008 at 15:27
Great to have you here, Will. I can’t wait to see some of the stories about the unique nightlife of Chopsticks.
I’m also glad you are doing bar dips against David. I’m sure you can take him with 6 months or so of practice…although, you’d be the first.
December 16, 2008 at 19:11
David is full of much power and energy! I doubt I will ever beat him. Thanks for the welcome! Great to be here.
December 16, 2008 at 19:16
Always good to have a reason to get shitfaced. Do you have star-shaped dangly earrings? If you do, we can be best friends!
December 16, 2008 at 19:17
I don’t have any American Apparel tights but, if I did, they would totally be red. Or something.
December 17, 2008 at 18:02
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