In one fell swoop (all right, seriously, it was probably more like a hundred little stressed-out swoops, but the mechanics aren’t very dramatic), Java Junction went from being a funky, artist-friendly coffee shop out on Drew Street to being not only a full-fledged live-music room with a capacity of more than 500 (and a full menu, to boot), but also the center of the Bay area’s jam-band universe. Where? Why, in the old, beloved Club More building on Franklin, that’s where. Beer, wine, open mics, spoken word events, and bands of all stripes have a (sort of) new home in Clearwater — one that just celebrated its first anniversary a couple weeks back, and expects to celebrate many more. 705 Franklin St., Clearwater, 727-799-1100.
This article appears in Sep 14-20, 2005.