Pitters Cafe and Lounge is known for its live music and also is known as a nightly hangout spot for college students and members of the Cape Girardeau community.
Before it was Pitters, it was known as The Mud House, which was an establishment in Cape Girardeau for 10 years. Owner and promoter JJ Seabaugh came up with the idea of Pitters from a prior music venue located on the upper level of Pitters.
"We officially became Pitters July 2010," Seabaugh said. "I had a music venue upstairs called The Enchanted Forest, so that's been an operation. We've been a music venue here off and on through the Mississippi Mud house, another name, probably about 10 years."
Since its establishment, the owner has made sure that all types of music are welcomed.
"We don't limit ourselves to genres," Seabaugh said. "We do reggae, jam bands, we do a lot of metal, rock and DJs. Everything from dubstep to bounce, just a little bit of everything."
One of the most well-known performers at Pitters was Afro Man. Afro Man performed at Pitters on March 28, and his most popular song is "Because I Got High."
"We have a mixture," Seabaugh said. "Afro Man was here two weeks ago. He's been here twice now. Tons of national touring bands, I'd say we have more touring bands, probably because we have local support on those. I'd say every week we have five bands coming through touring throughout the U.S."
According to Seabaugh, performers are chosen based on the size of fan base a musician or band may have. Because of his experience with bands, Seabaugh has developed an ear for what he likes and what others will enjoy as well.
Mikey Gordon is working with Muck Sticky and is the promoter of the upcoming concert at Pitters. Gordon calls himself the ringmaster of the promotion company Gonzo Circus.
"Well, Cape Girardeau is a great place to do business -- JJ, Pitters, the whole family down there -- they're great to work with," Gordon said. "It's close here to my hometown in St. Louis. It's far enough away, and it's also a college town. So we're bringing all sorts of events to Cape Girardeau.
"It just makes sense to me. We've [Gonzo Circus] brought Afroman there a couple of times, we're also bringing pro wrestler Sabu there May 9. So we'll bring a strong campaign and a good marketing platform because Cape Girardeau needs a strong music venue, and Pitters is the spot."
Muck Sticky's Facebook page describes him as the king of fun. According to Pitters Cafe and Lounge's Facebook page, Sticky has an international fan base that is known as "the tribe." His music is described as being a feel-good style with a message to "be yourself."
"He's [Sticky] a little eccentric, something you're not going to see everyday," Gordon said. "He caters to all types of audiences. He put out a kid's album, for instance. He caters to the counterculture, the undergrounds.
"Counterculture can be anything associated with the underground, it's something kind of off the grid a little bit. Something you're not going to hear, you know, on MTV."
Seabaugh feels that Sticky's character will entertain the audience at the concert.
"He [Sticky] looks like a party guy. I have a feeling he's going to have a lot of energy," Seabaugh said. "I'm sure he's going to be very entertaining. It's his personality and overall character that he's pulling off."
Pitters currently is taking steps to turn the business from a nightly hangout spot to a place where college students and the community can also come during the day to enjoy games and food.
"We're sort of working on that," Seabaugh said. "We're turning this into an arcade, so we'll be Pitters Arcade. So we'll open this up during the day and cater pizza and different foods. We're going to try to push this on campus and offer Wi-Fi and a place where they can come and hang out during the day, between classes."
The Muck Sticky concert takes place Friday at Pitters, which is located at 811 Broadway. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. It is for mature audiences ages 18 and up.
Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Hempies located at 111 N. Main St. For more information call Hempies at 573-335-0006.
