■ Last call
Samurai Duck keeps community
atmosphere with alternative music
BY NATASHA CHILINGERIAN
SENIOR PULSE REPORTER
I hadn't heard much about the
Samurai Duck before my first visit on
Saturday, other than that it's a popular
venue forlocal bandsto perform.
Upon walking in, the first impression I
had was one of grunge and heavy
metal. Small groups of pierced, band
sweatshirt-wearing, unkempt people
mingled throughout the bar. On stage,
a group of young male musicians pre
pared for their noisy, screaming metal
act. An outdoor patio, surrounded by
a tall black wall, carried the stench of
cigarettes and the sounds of rowdy
voices. While the guests there
seemed to feel right at home, the bar
didn't match my taste at all.
Samurai Duckbegan asjusta
Japanese restaurant, which still exists
next door to the bar. The owner, Misako
Poole, bought the bar space and
opened Gilligan's Tiki Lounge, which
she then converted to the
Samurai Duck bar in 2000 with
the addition of regular live
music. Several employees
said the scene atthe venue
today revolves around the music. Most
live- and DJ-produced tunes are metal
and industrial, but Samurai Duckfea
tures hip-hop on Sundays and a bit of
rock and punk. Guests can participate
in karaoke everyTuesdayat9 p.m.
"We've tried to keep it a full music
venue," former employee Beau Brad
ford said. "The crowd follows the
show and the music, but we have lots
of regulars."
Bradford and several current em
ployees stressed the feeling of a com
munity at Samurai Duck. Manager
Tim Bobosky | Photographer
South Eugene High School students Josha Chapman, left, andTeren
Baker, perform "Bet on the Brat" by the Ramones at Samurai Duck
on Saturday night.They have been playing withTay and Jay Cowman
from Sheldon High School for about four months as Pirate Radio.
and booking agent Stephanie Osburn
said the venue is a happy place with
minimal problems.
"It's like your local Cheers," Os
burn said. "Everybody knows every
If you enjoy dark, noisy metal music and an
alternative scene, then this is the bar for you.
body, and we have a collective group
of styles and genres."
Bartender Robert Poole, Misako
Poole's son, is working at Samurai
Duck to help out his family and said
the venue evokes a family feeling
of its own.
"It's pretty friendly; everybody
has a mutual respectfor each
other," he said.
Bradford said the bar has no official
drink menu, but bartenders can make
basically anything, and they even
cater their drinks for certain people.
Osburn said every employee has a
drink named after him or her. Os
burn's, "The Stephanie," consists of
about 10 different kinds of liquor in a
little cup. During happy hour from
4 p.m. to 9 p.m., inexpensive
beer and well drinks are
available, including $1 Pab
st. The restaurants full
menu is also available in the bar, and
favorites include Bulgogi chicken,
sushi and American dishes, the most
popular being deep-fried pizza.
"It's a heart attack in a basket," Os
burn said of the pizza.
If you enjoy dark, noisy metal music
and an alternative scene, then this is
the barforyou. But if your typical fun
night involves hopping between Ren
nie's and Taylor's, I would recommend
staying away. Samurai Duck is at
980 Oak St.
natchilingerian@dailyemerald.com
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