Lee Rea Is Wheeling The Off Ramp Into Town After A One-Year Absence

The Off Ramp is pulling a Parker's.

Over the years, Parker's has gone through a number of name changes (The Aquarius, Charlie Mac's) but it has always returned to its best-known tag: Parker's.

The infamous Off Ramp, 109 Eastlake Ave., Seattle, became the Sub Zero Cafe a year ago, but now it's officially returned to its better-known moniker. And it isn't just a return to the name, it's the return of owner Lee Rea.

Rea is a big man with a Santa Claus beard in bib overalls. Since 1986, he's owned the Off Ramp, which has been a music outlet of one genre or another since it was built 100 years ago. During his tenure it became one of the most important venues in what was to become Seattle's emergence as a modern music mecca. Every major and minor musical act that, for good or ill, was lumped into Seattle's grunge scene played the Off Ramp, beginning with the then baby band Soundgarden. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, Green River, The Fastbacks, anybody who was anyone, performed there, just as such artists as Janis Joplin, and Herbie Hancock had in earlier years. In the burgeoning '90s, it saw the best, and some of the worst, of the Seattle music community's triumphs and excesses.

For Rea, it was home. A Seattle resident since the mid-1950s and a longtime player in the automobile business, he more or less drifted into the music business when he bought the club. But it quickly became his full-time haunt.

"I've got my home back," he said over the weekend. "I was away from it for a year and, you know, I missed it." Rea, who is a young 70, said he had to ask himself whether he really wanted to sign on for another 10 years. "But I've been on a bubble," he said happily. "I missed the kids, the 21- to 29-year-olds. And now it's 21- to 39-year-olds. We have old fans coming back, and the new ones keep coming in."

The club has already begun running ads heralding the return of the "Hash After The Bash" feed - cheap carbo loading to take in before hitting the streets - and a Happy Hour with the designated time of "?".

"We're just winging things like that at this point. Whatever happens," he chuckled.

Rea has gathered a new crew around him, including partner Rick English and his son, Tom. "My philosophy is that if I could sing, cook and tend bar I would. I wouldn't need any of you guys. Look at all the money I'd make!" he said, laughing again. "But the fact is I can't, so I'm very fortunate to have the people I've found."

As the Sub Zero Cafe, the music of choice had become primarily hard rock and metal. Rea sees a return to more alt rock, and perhaps even more fanciful choices, Wednesday through Saturday nights. The Dudley Manlove Quartet, sleazy lounge lizards that they are, play tomorrow along with jazzsters Rockin' Teenage Combo. The more rootsy Medicine Wheel and Dodi - featuring political activist and Seattle scenster Archie O'Conner - are part of the Saturday play list. The harder rocking Madness Action tops tonight's bill. The Off Ramp bar and cafe are open daily 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

"You know lately I'd be walking down Broadway and the kids stop me and give me a hug and tell me they're glad we're back," Rea enthused. "So we're excited. I think this is going to work.

"Besides, I told you how old I am. I've had all the whiskey I'll ever have, don't smoke anymore or fool around very much, so what's left for me?"

Running a night club?

"Well, no," he replied, "I was thinking cheesecake."

The Off Ramp also has new numbers. For general information try 206-652-9900. For booking info it's 206-652-9800. Ask for Eric.

ELSEWHERE: The Queen Anne Coffee House, 1625 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle, is now Relitivity. The cozy, Beat-flavored cafe/gallery/live music venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, beer, wine and espresso and features jazz Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights, all-ages poetry readings Thursdays and open mike with the Terriers Friday nights (21 and older after 9 p.m.). 206-281-1931.