Phantasy Theater

The Phantasy Entertainment Complex was a staple in the Cleveland music scene since the early 1980s.^[1] The Phantasy helped launch nationally recognized bands Anne E. DeChant, Devo, Exotic Birds, Filter, Lucky Pierre, the Adults, The Pagans, Stabbing Westward, and was the debut location for Nine Inch Nails.^[2][3][4] It was also a stopover for other major acts like Iggy Pop, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pogues, The Psychedelic Furs, the Ramones and Psychic TV and has hosted reunion shows for bands including Lestat, among others.^[5]

The Phantasy Entertainment Complex, consisting of the Phantasy Nite Club, The Chamber, Symposium, and Phantasy Theater, first opened in 1918 when it was known as the Homestead Theater. The theater played movies until 1979 and at one point was referred to as the Detroit Theater. Between the years 1976-1977 it was called The Last Picture Show. In the eighties, the theater was renamed the Phantasy, with a focus on alternative, goth and industrial rock groups.

John De Frasia purchased the complex in 1965 when he opened a restaurant inside called Piccadilly Square. After seeing the 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty, De Frasia built a pirate ship inside the restaurant, which was converted to a music club in 1973.^[6] One side of the ship is used as a DJ booth, while the second half is a sound stage. The walls of the complex contains early new wave posters and stickers from most bands that have appeared at the complex since its opening.

Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett performed at the Phantasy Theater in 1987 a day before their film premiere of Light of Day.^[7]

Dentro del mismo complejo, el club de baile The Chamber abrió sus puertas en 1996 ^{[ 8 ]} bajo la dirección conjunta de DJ Cable y Michele De Frasia, y desde entonces se convirtió en el refugio local de las subculturas alternativa, gótica e industrial. Entre los artistas notables que frecuentaban The Chamber y que eran de la zona se encontraban Andy Kubiszewski , Marilyn Manson , Kevin McMahon , Larry Szyms y Textbeak .

En 2009, el complejo fue investigado por investigadores paranormales que afirmaron haber capturado audio de espíritus. ^{[ 9 ]}

En 2010, un incendio arrasó el complejo. ^{[ 10 ]}

En 2015, la familia De Frasia anunció que el complejo Phantasy Nite Club estaba a la venta. ^{[ 11 ] [ 12 ]} Un acuerdo para vender el local fracasó en el último minuto en 2018. ^{[ 13 ]} A junio de 2020, los planes para que Phantasy se convirtiera en un centro comunitario LGBTQ y un complejo de entretenimiento estaban cerca de completarse. ^{[ 14 ]} El 8 de julio de 2020 ^{[ 15 ]} la propiedad se transfirió a West 117 Development Phantasy LLC como parte del complejo Studio West 117. ^{[ 16 ]}

• Lista de locales de música

• Phantasy Cleveland en Wayback Machine (archivado el 18 de diciembre de 2021)