The Mantis - 257 N. Water St. - Kent, oHIo 44240 - GET DIRECTIONS

NOTE - the viewpoints on this website are not necessarily those of the Mantis Gallery
or its management and are for hystairical purposes only.

If YOUR band (or one that you love) is ever scheduled to play the Mantis,
please email us at Ohio Hystairical Musick Society so we put you on our Somethang's Happening list.

Past shows Upcoming shows at the Mantis & elsewhere E-mail the Mantis O.H.M.S.

Article about the Mantis in the Fall 2002 issue of Kent State University's Magazine, The Burr.
3/18/03 - Despite the community support received, THE MANTIS was once again closed down by Kent authorities. Sam is unable to comply with their demands, so there will be no further shows at the Mantis. This marks the end of more than a decade of original music at the Mantis.
3/14/03 - Thanx to all who helped, THE MANTIS made it. Sam got the $$ he needed and the Mantis is still in biz. Special thanx from the Mantis to the following generous souls - Bob Batian - Access Techniques (Kent), Tim Crock - Crock's Car Care (Kent), Bill Pinter - Tinker Box (Ravenna), Hooligan's Inc & Smokin' Tattoos (Kent), John at the University Inn Cafe (Kent) and all of the bands who played at the benefits as well as the fans who attended the show.

AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH PIRATECORE!
Sugar at the Mantis January 2002

"You've got to see this place to believe it. It's bring your own beer, or malt liquor, or whiskey, and use the bathroom at your own risk. But the Mantis Rocks like none other. I mean it. I can't wait....."
- Sugar, Lords of the Highway

see photos of the January 19 2002 Lords of the Highway gig with Machine Gun Mary, the Pirates and Lester

NEW! Read O.H.M.S. Interview w/ L.O.T.H.
ian over the shoulder in the mosh pit
 13 Months O' Mantis Calendar 2002-2003
"The bathroom was actually the cleanest that I have ever seen it. Yes, the Kinko’s made Socials sticker is STILL in the broken shard of mirror that rests on the back of the toilet."
- Jen Kaminsky,
in Jane Speed Review

arrgh pirates they are everywhere matey
"The Mantis looked like if you threw some outsider art in the living room of Sanford and Son and let heavy drinking crusty punks use it as a party and crash pad for a few years. The bathroom was the grossest I had ever seen. The bathroom was gross to the point that I felt unclean peeing standing up."
- Rev. Rich Macken,
in Beer Guts and Soul Patches, pt. 3

WOW, that's pretty unclean, Rev. Rich.
Ah, visions of salmon-like germs fighting their way upstream... personally, I don't go in there at all.
- the webmistress
jimi in lester jan 2002
"The Mantis is quite possibly the biggest dive in the area."
- an unnamed Kent-area reporter who would be more certain had she been to more dives
Tara stops videotaping long enough to smile for this shot with Jeffo of CD Truth

"This has got to be one of the most disgusting, run-down, shithole buildings I have ever been in. There was no heat, the walls had holes, and the place was covered with grafitti artwork -- at least where you could see anything through the pervading darkness. There was a little light provided by strings of x-mas lights and what not. And you'd be better off if I didn't tell you what the bathroom was like. Let's just say that my girlfriend preferred to go outside in the zero degree weather and piss in the parking lot. Because of all this, this place was the greatest place I've ever seen a punk show."
- Ben Lybarger, editor - Lethologica, Live Reviews 2000
JUST IN: The End of An Era???
Sad faces - closed "cause of you!" "closed cause of you!" sign on open bathroom door
"No pooping."
- Mantis management, upon the grand reopening of the bathroom, March 2002

wait, don't go yet...

New for 2004 - Pooping!

The Mantis Gallery is no more. But all is not lost. Here's the Mantis bathroom in July 2004, no longer "closed cause of you!" The notorious Mantis Gallery has been converted into a mini-museum that is designed to let you poop while viewing the exhibits. Thanks to Stained Studios, the present occupant, for their preservation efforts. Take the virtual tour below:

Mantis Gallery bathroom 2004
Mantis Gallery Bathroom now - fresh paint and a missing "Closed Cause of You" sign. Inviting! 		Mantis Gallery toilet 2004 with mosaic Poop lid
The throne. Take a seat and take in the exhibits while you poop. Be sure to B.Y.O.T P. (See empty roll on floor.)		 Mantis Gallery bathroom 2004 with vomit sign
Vomit sign. You tell me. 		Mantis Gallery 2004 altar exhibit
The Mantis Gallery altar exhibit - includes a printout of quotes from this very webpage.
   
Is this where you meant to be? Sites you might be looking for instead of this one:

...If you think the Mantis Gallery looks like it would make you lose your lunch, check out this Mantis Gallery.

...If you think the Mantis Gallery patrons look tough, check out this Mantis Gallery.

...Tired of talking about bodily functions and thinking of joining the 80's New Wave Group, Men without Hats? You're in luck! The band that created the ever famous MTV video hit Safety Dance needs you for their summer tour!

Hey, suff the webmistress sez: Shop at Discount Punk!

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O.H.M.S. Sweet home