It was beginning to look a lot like chaos on Saturday night at El Rio, a large happening venue and bar off Mission Street in San Francisco.

The Amazing Embarrassonics Human Karaoke Machine, a three-piece instrumental band, took to the stage before a cheering crowd of over 50 somewhat tipsy, late-twenty-somethings who were eager, if not determined, to experience about five minutes of fame while singing their hearts out on stage. And sing their hearts out they did.

After battling for slots on a sign-up board and scrambling to grab song lists comprised of over 450 songs that the Amazing Embarrassonics can play on cue, vocalists took to the stage to emulate everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to Britney Spears.

The band plays songs by everyone from 2-Pac and Dr. Dre to Hanson and Kiss is made more impressive by the fact that each band member switches from playing bass to drums to guitar after every song.

"They're a great band of extremely talented musicians," said Frank Gallagher, who books Saturday night shows at El Rio.

The atmosphere the band creates gives audience members an opportunity to get noticed and cheered for. Many audience members went all out, wearing fancy gowns, crowns, and sashes. Others brought roses to give to other singers after their performances.

"Singing with the band is so much fun, (because) they make you feel like you're a rock star," said audience member Heather Archibald, who has taken the stage with the group at past shows.
"Singing with them is really different than just plain karaoke,” said Karen Whitehouse, who helped start the show with “Crazy On You” by Heart. “I was really nervous.”
Some audience members watched in awe and admiration of those brave enough to join the Embarrassonics.

"I've seen them before and I was like, 'No way can I do this,'" said Rachel Levin of San Francisco. "Maybe I will tonight, but I don’t know."

For those who are nervous, the band does everything in their power to make them feel at ease by truly including them in the group. They themselves admit to having nervous moments.

"There are times when we'll be unsure about a song, although I'm actually surprised at how rarely that happens," said 37-year-old band member Lev Delaney.

They don't have practices and the songs are easy to memorize, he said.

The San Francisco-based band, which consists of Delaney, Jim Galbraith and Greg Foot, has been performing together for 10 years. They said the reason they are doing it is to have fun and entertain audiences.

“It started out as more of an idea than a plan,” said Delaney, who specializes in playing the drums. “We thought it (would) be fun to do it once or twice but now we play for clubs and private events.”

Delaney added that he believes the band will stay together for a long time because they lack the problems that most bands encounter.

"We don't meet up for practice (and) we don't have a singer. There are no reasons for problems," he said.

The band usually performs three-hour sets the second Saturday of each month at El Rio, along with shorter shows for corporate events and weddings.

Their next show will be at El Rio on June 11. The band can be contacted for show bookings at www.embarrassonic.com.