The Lime Spider, once Akron's sole dedicated live-music club, is now the Lockview (207 South Main Street, downtown Akron). Concerts are off the menu, but the tavern now serves gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches, lunch and dinner dishes, and a respectable selection of beer and wine. The jukebox is still stocked with Jeff Buckley and Nick Cave — though the Cramps have been replaced with Johnny Cash.
Owner Danny Basone says the new bar will provide a haven for people who no longer want live music four nights a week.
"Akron's a decent-sized town," says Basone, who's been part of the Akron scene as a musician, soundman, and club owner since the '70s. "But I'm 45, and for a guy my age, every time I go out somewhere, I feel like I'm either with blue-hairs or with 21-year-old kids [who are] trying to get laid. Where can you go?"
The Lockview opens Monday, November 19. When warm weather returns, the rooftop patio — one of Akron nightlife's best-kept secret spots — will open again, possibly for the return of DJ Forrest Getemgump's weekly soul nights. Basone says he's "not opposed" to occasional small-scale live music shows. He wants to hire a friendly staff — Zero Defects frontman Jimi Imij is already on board — which will make the bar a destination hang.
The stage has been removed, and Basone has filled the space with tables and a column of booths. Painted in earth tones, the new room has a timeless feel inspired by recently unearthed pictures from the 1930s, when the building was called Stone's Grill.
"Anytime, day or night, you'll be able to come in and have a conversation with good music in the background," says Basone.
• Ah, Hell Yeah: The Graduate — the new Kanye West mixtape, hosted by 'Ye himself and produced by Mick Boogie, Terry Urban, and 9th Wonder — was spotlighted on MTV.com, HipHopDX.com, and West's own blog.
• Look for Amplexus in the December issue of Alternative Press, in the Unsigned Bands section. The Kent emo-metal sextet recently finished recording its full-length debut with Cole Martinez (Years of Fire, Audiblethread), who has joined the staff at Cleveland's Ante Up studios. The group plays the Underground (75 Public Square) with Bonk on Friday, December 16.
• The Suede Brothers, formerly the Black Diamonds, have finished recording their full-length debut and are planning to self-release the disc in December or January. Sample the freshly quarried classic rock at www.myspace.com/thesuedebrothers, or catch the band on Saturday, November 17, at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard).
• Cleveland Cinematheque (11141 East Boulevard) will screen My Name Is Albert Ayler on Saturday, November 17, and Sunday, November 18. Swedish filmmaker Kasper Collin will be on hand to discuss the life story of Ayler, the influential free-jazz saxophonist who was born in Cleveland. The film features rare live footage and interviews with Ayler's local relatives. Ayler's brother Don, a trumpet player and lifelong Clevelander, passed away Saturday, October 27.
• House of Blues will host the 12th Annual Tri-C High School Rock Off. The competition runs from January 11 through February 2. Register at www.cleveland.com/rockoff.
• Get Cleveland's biggest list of concert announcements a day early, every Tuesday at blogs.clevescene.com.
