Dear oh dear... Here we go with the not being able to let criticisms from total strangers slide!! Grow up peoples! I'm not usually an advocate of 'ignore it and it will go away' but on forums I think the rule does most definitely apply. For those of you who still can't read between the lines, I don't mean the person will go away, I mean 'the issue' you had a problem with will.

Narly Strumpet... So far, I haven't found anything you've said particularly offensive so I say keep on keeping on.

Karaoke singer vs the Cover band singer...
Karaoke singers have a screen with words and no control over the music with perhaps the exception of key change.
Cover bands generally don't have a screen (and yes James, I do recall posts - prior to the new site launch - about the professionals using the tele-prompters / autocues for their songs on stage unbeknownst to their audiences) and unlike the karaoke singer, have lots of control over the music. They can feel free to speed up, slow down, extend the song, have the arrangement of music changed, improvise to their heart's content, etc, etc.
As for the stigma attached to karaoke, that's simply from those who've never seen good entertainers at karaoke - and after more than 10 years singing around the karaoke traps of Sydney as well as on the central coast of NSW and in Queensland, I can tell you first hand there are plenty of great entertainers to be found. Some are old hands at the entertainment industry, others are just out there for fun like the majority, some are next generation hopefuls, some have no idea of their potential or no desire to be anything other than a karaoke punter as far as singing goes - and yes, some are just show offs or people with delusions of grandeur (big fish in small pond syndrome).
I've seen lousy bands and I've seen lousy karaoke singers (not the norm; LOUSY). With bands though, it is worse as they are EXPECTED to entertain unlike the karaoke mob, who are expected to fall over no sooner have they made it onto the stage, waste time and basically murder a song, so I tend to feel far MORE miffed at bands who stuff up than at the karaoke punters who do.

Villawood Hotel...
I have been there but that was a couple of years ago now so it may have changed.
The hosts had an impressive song list and ran the show quite well and did their best to keep the generally friendly crowd in the mood in a relaxed manner.
However, there were tell tale signs of violence at the place such as huge indentations in the walls next to the entrance as you walked in. Indentations most likely from bodies having been hurled into the walls that is. Person I was there with actually claimed to have been responsible for at least one of those indentations by hurling someone into it at the previous week's karaoke and that the joint had been a big hang out for some of the rougher elements of society.
However, there was no trouble with the karaoke whatever this particular night of any sort. Smallish room and the mic sound was a little muffled but still okay.
So, whilst the info I COULD read given by the venue critic was limited (as I am a 'cheapskate SWD' currently), it did not seem too far fetched.
As I said though, my visit was 2 years ago and thus may very well be out of date now. I put it here rather than in the feedback box for the place for that reason.
I should point out that the hosts are very nice people and the crowd I witnessed were likewise. Friendly bunch just out for the night.
Can't comment on the food - or even the drinks (think I was on a health kick at that time) - so I'll leave that to those of you willing to visit the place. Hey! It's got pool tables so it can't be all bad...

Good luck tonight at the Chelsea Hotel, Chatswood to the relevant people!!
Would love to attend but am stuck at work as usual. All the best!!

I've heard tell of a $50,000 singing comp in Parramatta. Seriously reconsidering my comp chaser retirement for THAT one! Mind you, I'm thinking perhaps it ain't karaoke in which case, I'd still be retired from the karaoke comp game, right?...

David...
Nice having the ability to read the latest posts after your own preview. Good call!

Music Addict...
'- improvising if the BEER is so inclined' Say what, man???

Submitted by Johnny B on 20-09-2005

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