THE SPEANS, PIONEERS WEST, HANDS OF TOIL TO HELP REIGNITE QUINTESSENTIAL TACOMA SPOT'S LIVE ROCK >>>
Right in the thick of things on Tacoma Ave., and with an exterior motif that's enough to scare away and posers and all pretense, the Acme Grub Cage is the kind of bar that simply IS Tacoma. Rough around the edges, scary until you get close enough to appreciate it, and as blue-collar as they come - there's little mystery behind why many of Grit City's finest connect with this watering hole and hangout spot.
In what might be the good news of the week, the Volcano has recently learned live music is set return to the Acme Grub Cage Saturday, Dec. 18 with a show featuring the Speans, Pioneers West and Hands of Toil. The cover will be $3 and the action will start at 9:30 p.m., according to the Grub Cage's booker, Denise Casson, a schedule she says is sure to allow "enough time after the bands have played to celebrate (the Grub Cage's) return."
Sounds like a great idea to us.
As you may recall, the Grub Cage ceased live music when Washington's sprinkler law - requiring sprinkler systems at dance clubs and music venues to prevent Great White type disasters - went into affect a little over a year ago, on Dec. 1, 2009. This, of course, is the same sprinkler law that inspired Hell's Kitchen to move from its former Sixth Ave. location to the new digs on Pacific Ave. - allowing the club to avoid the cost of installing a sprinkler system by finding a spot that already had one.
Acme Grub Cage owner Steve Campagna says his bar initially stopped hosting live music because of fear over the sprinkler law, but has since made adjustments based on the wording of the legislation that he says allow the Grub Cage to comply. At the root of all of this is the sprinkler legislation's verbiage, which mandates any dance floor or open area larger than 350 square feet specifically intended or designed for dancing or watching performances is required to have a sprinkler system. While the Acme does have a floor area larger than 350 square feet, it's covered with unfixed tables and seating - which Campagna says allows the Acme to be in compliance based on the way other clubs and live music venues are currently dealing with the law.
The show with the Speans, Pioneers West and Hands of Toil will be the first live music event at the Acme Grub Cage since November of '09.
"I'm really excited," says Campagna. "I love the Speans."
Campagna says regulars and local music fans can expect the Acme to host about one show a month, as was the norm prior to the implementation of the sprinkler law and the musical hiatus at the bar.