Karoake

Santiago High freshman Tracy Tran clenches the microphone with her right hand and stares intently at the small television monitor a few feet above. A video is playing out the Good Life, Miami style: a limousine drives past white high-rises, a cigarette-smoking executive in a glitzy club looks despondent, his stylish lady friend stands behind him at the bar. The couple's pantomime hails out of a B-movie with all the forced expression of emotion.

Santiago High freshman Tracy Tran clenches the microphone with her right hand and stares intently at the small television monitor a few feet above. A video is playing out the Good Life, Miami style: a limousine drives past white high-rises, a cigarette-smoking executive in a glitzy club looks despondent, his stylish lady friend stands behind him at the bar. The couple's pantomime hails out of a B-movie with all the forced expression of emotion.

Feel like singing the blues away? Or serenading a lover? All with orchestral backup provided, and best of all, in the privacy of your own taxi? Call a karaoke cab. Karaoke is a Japanese term meaning "empty orchestra." The taxis are equipped with special sound systems--a recording that provides the musical accompaniment and a microphone for the customer to fill in the vocal part. The systems are popular in bars in South Korea, Japan and some other places, and have been seen in a few taxis in Japan and Taiwan.

Feel like singing the blues away? Or serenading a lover? All with orchestral backup provided, and best of all, in the privacy of your own taxi? Call a karaoke cab. Karaoke is a Japanese term meaning "empty orchestra." The taxis are equipped with special sound systems--a recording that provides the musical accompaniment and a microphone for the customer to fill in the vocal part. The systems are popular in bars in South Korea, Japan and some other places, and have been seen in a few taxis in Japan and Taiwan.

What is it about too many cocktails that make even the most shy want to belt out a glass-shattering rendition of "The Greatest Love of All?" Karaoke is an indelible part of night life, a lowest common denominator and bonding exercise for businessmen, college students and even, say, Sean Penn at a beachside bar. Which is precisely what's going on at Rande Gerber's Malibu spot, Café Habana. Situated in the Malibu Lumber Yard, the eatery is well appointed with wood accents and some palm shrubbery for privacy.

ATTENTION: This is the rock 'n' roll lineup for the week. If you're into country, try Crazy Bull in Camarillo, Port Royal in Oxnard, the Ban-Dar or the Chaparral Club in Ventura--or try Bakersfield. For jazz, try Primo Bistro in Camarillo, the Bombay in Ventura or SoHO in Santa Barbara. For karoake, try your shower and give us all a break. For Top 40 brain death cover music, who cares? TONIGHT *Manzanart (Beach Shack, 500 Anacapa St.

What's In A Name Department: Not much has changed in the east county. If you want to rock, there's Cheers, Cheers and, uh, Cheers. A few other places have cover bands or the dreaded DJs, but who cares about them? In Ventura, the Bermuda Triangle has threatened to go to a seven night per week schedule. They gonged the Thursday karoake night, which is a step in the right direction.

Some bands seem to be on that Endless Tour--you know, the one that started in 1967? Other bands seem to fade before they really get started. The Mudheads, in January, put out about the best local tape ever; then played twice and broke up. The Mud has turned to dust and the divorce is final--front man Bill Coffey moved to Portland. Unless the other four guys want to do a karoake thing, no more Mud.

It's more fun than a wedding reception, and here's the best part: No one has to get married. It's the ultimate Santa Barbara party--the Wedding Band. Actually, with years of experience, its name is growing, along with its repertoire; now it's the World Famous Wedding Band. Whatever you call it, it's a dance-a-thon that's transacted every Tuesday night at the Beach Shack. If you get to the Beach Shack a bit early, say 9 p.m., the price is right.