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The Odeon Concert Club is reopening on May 1 -- nine years after its closure seemed like the final nail in the coffin for the old Flats.

(Photo by Jason E. McGinty/emcisasquare.blogspot.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The old Flats is dead. Long live the new Flats?

Not so fast. A part of the old Flats is getting a new life. The Odeon Concert Club is reopening on May 1 -- nine years after its closure seemed like the final nail in the coffin for the old Flats.

In its heyday, the 1,000-capacity East Bank club anchored Cleveland's Flats. It also played a vital role for a wide range of bands -- from up-and-comers to big-name acts.

Gregg Kelley got to see many of those bands the first time around and is working as The Odeon's new general booking manager.

"I remember seeing Nine Inch Nails, Eminem, Metallica, Marilyn Manson and my favorite band, Mushroomhead," says Kelley.

It's no surprise, then, that Mushroomhead will headline the grand reopening, but not just because they are a personal favorite. The shock-metal outfit will also provide a bridge between the past and the new version of the club, says Kelley.

"This block is rich in Cleveland music history, and it was sad when The Odeon went away," says Kelley. "I think that we will be a great addition to the new Flats. You have something amazing going on in this neighborhood, and it does keep some of its heritage."

Kelley and Odeon operations manager Angie White also work in the same capacity at Roc Bar, another club in the Flats. Both clubs are owned by Mike Tricarichi.

The Odeon closed in 2006. While some Clevelanders will look back and remember Metallica, others will wax on about the time Iggy Pop, Bjork, Weezer or Todd Rundgren played there. (Click here for a look at 15 memorable Odeon shows.)

Kelley promises to keep the booking as varied as the first time.

"Our goal is to book mainly rock, country, some metal and indie-rock," he says. "We would like The Odeon to be what it was -- a great place to see a rock show."

WJCU FM/88.7 DJ and Auburn Records founder Bill Peters attended many shows the first time around, and even booked some along the way.

"The Odeon was one of the best venues Cleveland ever had," says Peters. "Great sound, a big stage, awesome lights and excellent sight line -- it was a no-frills, big, empty club. But you came to see a show, and it always sounded and looked great."