Come to Freddy’s Bar & Backroom on the third Wednesday of each month for our Humans Against Music karaoke spectacular. H.A.M. karaoke is your chance to dredge up your favorite A.M. memories and more — and win shockingly mediocre prizes. No teleprompter at this one — the lyrics are on paper, and your cue is Mr. Tokyo Rosenberg, giving you meaningful gazes and occasional sign language accompaniment.   

“Destroying music one song at a time is not our goal — it’s only coincidental.” 

Occasional grand prize: Krakus Canned Ham — three pounds of porcine glory packed in a protective aspic layer!
Our song selection exceeds 1,000 voiceless tracks, and we add more each month. Ask for a copy of our song catalog. Requests for songs we don’t already have are welcome anytime. New songs will be added to our catalog in the month after the request is received.

3rd Wed Monthly

Fred PLAYED ON HITS SUCH AS “HOT PANTS”, “PAPA DON’T TAKE NO MESS” AND “MAKE IT FUNKY (PART 1),” ALONG WITH JB INSTRUMENTALS LIKE “PASS THE PEAS”, “GIVE ME SOME MORE.”

Thomas grew up in the US state of Georgia. He moved to New York City in 1965 and co-founded his own band with guitarist Hearlon “Cheese” Martin. He was the bassist as well as the lead vocalist of the group. He said: “I did my own thing, which is to keep a nice bottom in the pocket. I never bothered with any fancy stuff because I always did the singing in my bands, and you can’t be fancy and sing”.^[2][3]

In 1971 James Brown saw the band at Smalls Paradise club in Harlem. Brown was in search of new musicians for his own band. He did an impromptu performance with the band and decided to hire the whole group.^[2][3] Thomas said his band used to cover Brown’s songs and that joining Brown was a smooth transition for them. He recorded on Brown’s releases during 1970s.^[2] The first album titled Hot Pants was in 1971.^[4] He also recorded on releases by The J.B.’s.^[5] Many of these recordings were later sampled in hip hop music, such as “Pass the Peas“, “Gimme Some More“, and “Escape-ism“.^[6]

Thomas performed with Brown for more than thirty years, longer than other bassists in that position. He recorded on several R&B number one hits such as “Hot Pants“, “Make It Funky“, and “Papa Don’t Take No Mess“.^[2] In a 2005 interview he expressed satisfaction with his work, stating: “I’ve been involved in one of the biggest, most legendary acts in the world. It’s gone on for a long time – 33 years, on and off – and I feel good about the musicians I’ve played with”.^[2]

After Brown’s death in 2006, Thomas transitioned back to fronting his own group and collaborating with various bands.

This free show has been in Brooklyn for over a decade and still brings the laughs. Hosted by Calvin S. Cato and created by Pat O’Shea, it combines performances from seasoned comics and up-and-coming local acts. Head to the backroom at Freddy’s Bar, and enjoy some free candy with the sweet stand-up gigs.’ ~ AM New York.

Solid stand-up comedy from veterans that have been seen on BET, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and all your favorite late night shows as well as hilarious up-and-comers from around New York City. `

Featuring, Binky Griptite, Freddy  Deboe (Freddy @ Freddy’s,) Noe Socha, Mara Kaye, Judson Neilson, Lee Taylor & more!