JB's Down Under
| JB’s Down Under | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Address | 244 N. Water Street |
| Opened | 1990s |
| Closed | c. 1999–2000 |
| Capacity | {{{capacity}}} |
| Primary genres | {{{genre}}} |
| Owner(s) | {{{owner}}} |
| Operator | {{{operator}}} |
| Website | {{{website}}} |
★ Ohio Venue Verified ★
Verified by the OHMS Archive Foundation.
JB’s Down Under was a live music venue located in Kent, Ohio. Active primarily during the 1990s, the venue operated as a basement club on North Water Street and was known for hosting local, regional, and touring acts across alternative, rock, punk, and metal genres. It is remembered as an important underground venue in the Northeast Ohio music scene, particularly within the Kent State University area.
History
JB’s Down Under operated in a below-street-level space at 244 North Water Street in downtown Kent. During its run in the 1990s, the venue became known for its intimate setting and loud performances, attracting college crowds and underground touring bands.
By the late 1990s, the venue ceased operating under the JB’s Down Under name. The space later housed other music venues and clubs, including Fat Jimmy’s and JB’s Concert Club, before eventually closing as a dedicated live music venue.
Music and Events
- Live performances by rock, alternative, punk, metal, and indie bands
- Frequent stop for regional and touring underground acts
- Popular venue among Kent State University students and Northeast Ohio audiences
Legacy
JB’s Down Under continues to be referenced in band histories, archived setlists, and local music discussions. Many artists list performances at the venue as part of their early touring histories, and it remains a notable entry in Ohio’s live music archive.
Gigography
- 1986 06 29 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with Hyper as Hell
- 1986 09 06 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with Starvation Army, Lose This Planet, Payback, City as a Ghost, Drinkin’ Dog, Bastard Town, Tarantula, New Way to Burn
- 1986 09 20 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with MDC
- 1986 10 22 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with Agnostic Front (Cause for Alarm Tour)
- 1986 10 25 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with Starvation Army
- 1986 12 23 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with SNFU
- 1987 01 11 – at JB’s Down Under, Kent, Ohio with SNFU
- 1987 02 28 - with Ice Cream Blisters and The Diffi-Cult