Boston's new House of Blues goes heavy metal

Crews are working around the clock to transform the massive multi-use complex on Lansdowne Street into Boston's House of Blues before doors open on Thursday, Feb. 19. From the outside, construction debris litters the area and the structure looks like a brick-and-metal monster of a building, replete with Coney Island-esque red, yellow and blue adornments and protruding aluminum beams.

The question: Will Boston's House of Blues be ready for its unveiling in less than two weeks?

Boston's House of Blues 100-seat restaurant is slotted to open on Thursday, Feb. 19 with executive chef Tindaro Losurdo taking the helm. He's also spearheading the grits at the HOB's 75-seat private dining area known as the Foundation Room, catering to the complex's VIP diners.

From the outside, things are shaping up slowly. Last weekend, it was a literal dead zone but the pace has picked up. This weekend, crews were spotted putting the finishing touches on the dining room. From my outsiders perspective, the decor is a notch above the rock 'n' roll kitsch weve seen at similar venues like the Hard Rock Cafe.

J. Geils Band, in a sold-out show, will come together for the first time in 10 years for the grand opening to kick of the House of Blue's otherwise youth-geared lineup of musical acts including Jesse McCartney on Friday, Feb. 27, Bloc Party on Thursday, March 19, Lady GaGa on Monday, March 30 and Katy Perry on Wednesday, April 1.

For those not in the know, Avalon (pictured above for a before-and-after reference) officially closed on Oct. 1, 2007 and was sold to the House of Blues by the Lyons Group. The former Lansdowne hot spot is currently being transformed into a live-music complex that will accommodate 2,500 including a VIP lounge and a 100-seat restaurant.

Boston faves the Dropkick Murphys will play six consecutive nights from Thursday, March 12 until Tuesday, March 17.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its album "Clarity" with a 10-city tour, Jimmy Eat World announced that they're playing on the HOB stage on Thursday, Feb. 26. Other previously announced acts set to play the soon-to-be-opened venue include B.B. King and Buddy Guy on Sunday, Feb. 22 and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Click here for the lowdown on Boston's House of Blues.

UPDATE: At least one Loaded Gun reader says the new multi-use complex on Lansdowne Street is a victim of its own success. Boston's House of Blues' velvet rope beginnings?

Photos by Sam Baltrusis