The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
A NEW ENDEAVOR
Public official’s pastime in ’90s rock band provides outlet
Ken Filipiak is the picture of professionalism on the job.
Although most of his work as Mentor city manager is behind the scenes, residents can see his public side bimonthly at City Council meetings — broadcast on the Mentor Channel – or at various city functions.
Now there’s another way to catch him in the act. Literally.
The 51-year-old father of two likes to rock.
He was lead singer of a few bands during and after his days at Georgetown University — and they had quite a following — but he largely set aside that part of him soon after beginning his professional career.
Then, in June, he rejoined one of his old bands for a class reunion.
His family, which had only heard about his past performances, loved it and encouraged him to get back in the game.
So when he saw an ad on Craiglist for a lead singer and learned it was a good fit, he took the plunge. Now he fronts ’90s grunge/alternative cover band Static State of Mind, which has done some shows at area venues.
“I told my wife, ‘I’m 50 years old. If I’m ever going to do this again, (I’d better do it now),’ ” he said. “It’s something that I’d like my
Some people play golf, some people play music. Quite frankly, it’s a nice stress-reliever...” — Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak
family to see me do because, in my early 20s, it was important to me and something they just knew that their dad did back before he was ancient.”
Filipiak appears to be just as at home delivering the lyrics of Green Day’s “Basket Case” at Tequila Jaxx in Mentor-on-theLake as he does the State of the City address at LaMalfa. Slightly different attire, though.
“The job I have here is a serious one,” he said. “Obviously, after my family, it’s the No. 1 priority in my life. … Some people play golf, some people play music. Quite frankly, it’s a nice stress-reliever.
“It’s different now, too. It’s just fun. We’re not going to be making records or anything. I think it all reminds us of when we were younger.”
It’s a big commitment to be sure. His bandmates
all have full-time jobs and usually only one day a week to work on the 40 to 50 songs needed to provide for multiple sets.
Although some people express surprise at his new endeavor, none question his work ethic.
“I think it’s great that during the day he can manage a city of 50,000 and at night ‘let his hair down’ in a band,” Councilman at large Ray Kirchner said. “And he’s very good at it.”
Filipiak is a bit shy when it comes to sharing about his side gig, perhaps out of concern that it might create a distraction from his civic duties. But it became public knowledge after Councilman at large Scott Marn congratulated him during a recent council meeting.
“Ken and I have a love for rock ’n’ roll,” Marn said. “We have been working on improving the summer concert series and the amphitheater for a couple of years now. I hope Ken will be able to play
at it this summer when it is completed. I just wish I could sing like him. Oh well, I can always be his roadie.”
Filipiak may be the most high-profile local public official seriously pursuing music, but he is far from the only one. Others include Willoughby Councilman Bob Fiala, a bass player; Willoughby Mayor Dave Anderson, a guitarist; and Lake County Emergency Management Agency Director Larry Green, who plays guitar and sings in a rock/country band.
While Filipiak already spends countless hours on his “day” job, wife Beverly is squarely behind his decision to start singing again.
“Anything he decides he’s going to do, he can do it,” she said. “We’ve been together 20 years and I’m still amazed by Ken every day.”
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