Around 6 p.m., employees at Crowbar, State College's newest nightclub, were still putting the finishing touches on the club's lighting and sound system.

Although these last minute touches were being finalized at a time when the club was supposed to be conducting its grand opening, an all-ages dance party, the mood among those gathered was rather calm. Everyone, including Thad Eisenhower, general manager of Crowbar, was very excited.

Only a month ago, the 420 E. College Ave. address of the bar was known as Tatoo, a staple of the State College night scene which opened in June 1993. A dance club specializing in R & B and techno music, Tatoo closed its doors due to a decrease in attendance a few weeks ago.

Since that time, Dante's Incorporated -- which owned Tatoo along with The Deli, the three Hi-Way Pizzas, two Mario and Luigis and the Saloon -- has been busy renovating the club, in turn creating Crowbar, which Eisenhower describes as a place to see genuine rock performers.

"One thing that people have to know is that Tatoo is gone," Eisenhower said while reclining in a used sofa that makes up the new downstairs lounge. "Crowbar has been designed to bring to State College what I think is missing, which is a live music venue, bringing in local as well as national acts."

Supporting his pledge, Eisenhower and company have lined up a week full of rockin' acts, including The Badlees, Echolyn and Back in Black, an AC/DC tribute band. An all-ages show will kick things off tonight, featuring local sensation Samuel opening for the soulful sounds of college fav's Velvet Crush.

Dean Taormina, Samuel's bassist, believes Crowbar will serve a useful purpose in developing what is a rather dry music scene in State College.

"Until now, there's really been nowhere for bands who take the time to write original music to play in State College," Taormina said. "It sounds like a good place to play, knowing that they're bringing in more bands."

Upon walking into Crowbar, the former Tatoo regular may see a number of differences, although the biggest seems to be the punkish attitude Eisenhower has brought to the club. The black metallic walls are covered with posters of alternative superstars, among those are Babes in Toyland, Henry Rollins and Mudhoney. The new downstairs lounge contains numerous televisions, used furniture and lamps made from mannequins, creating a rather comfortable setting amid the music blaring out from the club's 18,000-watt system.

"The first thing I did when I got here was get rid of everything that looked like Tatoo," Eisenhower said. "I think Tatoo was a little ahead of it's time for State College. It just didn't fill the void for live music that this town needs."

Around 7 p.m., just as Martha Quinn's Neutrogena commercial was coming over the club's televisions, the music kicked in, giving the attendees who filed in a decent musical mix, ranging from R.E.M.'s "Orange Crush" to Hole's "Miss World."

Patron Sean Ryan (junior-non-degree) said Crowbar was a definite improvement over Tatoo, citing the club's insistance on live music.

"A little variety in State College never hurt," Ryan said.

A smile came over Eisenhower's face as he watched the happenings around him while Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" enjoyed a rotation.

"I want Crowbar to be a place where people are able to come at any time to kickback and relax," Eisenhower said.