"The idea is that you can transcend the bar and be anyplace in the world," says new owner Cathryn Sunday, who bought Capsule from Madison Village maven Chris Andrews (of Chris' Warped Records fame).
During the day, Capsule will offer wireless internet service and broadcast internet radio over its sound system. During happy hour, live and archived John Peel BBC broadcasts will be aired. DJs and mp3Js will play a wide variety of rock. The menu, once heavy on comfort foods, now veers toward mid-priced vegan/ vegetarian fare. The club's trademark sleek decor, which recalls the Korova Milkbar from A Clockwork Orange, remains unchanged.
"We do something that most clubs don't do," says Sunday, a former WRUW DJ who made a name for herself on the '90s national and regional rave circuits as DJ Sista Spinsta and recently returned to Cleveland. "We play a variety of genres. It's a place where people can hang out at all day long with their friends and have a great time and listen to great music."
· Anthrax recorded its show at the Odeon on December 7 for inclusion on a live CD/DVD. Tentatively titled Metallum Maximus Aeternus (that's Latin for "maximum metal forever") and slated for release on the Nuclear Blast label, the album will feature classic Anthrax material performed by latter-day frontman John Bush.
· A Very Cleveland Christmas: Two of the area's notable voices have teamed up for a new take on a holiday classic. Singer-songwriter Connor O'Brien and Jaded Era frontwoman Kira Leyden have recorded a version of the song "Carol of the Bells" to benefit the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Free samples are available from the websites www.HolidayTune.com and www.JadedEra.com, and the single will be available in area record stores.
Roots rockers Cats on Holiday have also recorded a new holiday song, "It's Christmas Day." Packaged as a combination CD-single Christmas card, the tight piece of pop recalls a youth's breathless anticipation of a mother lode of presents.
· Rap documentary HipHopBattle.com: Detroit vs. Cleveland will premiere Thursday, December 18, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The battle was filmed Sunday at Detroit's Magic Stick. In a rematch of a Clevo-Motor City duel that was filmed last year at the Grog Shop, the competition pitted a local team that included veteran underground-battle champion Drastic, Roc the Mic champ Supaman, and Spitboxing champion Li'l Chico against Detroit MCs, including Nina da Pimp and Killa Khan.
The screening is an invite-only affair, but Spy Bar will host an after-party that's open to the public.
