In Cedar Rapids, the performance venue located above the Chrome Horse Slophouse & Saloon at 1202 Third St. SE in the New Bohemia Main Street District is synonymous with great music and good times.

Now known as Third Street Saloon, the space has had several owners and names throughout the years, including 3rd St. Live, Pyramid Club, Shades, Spotlights, and from 1992 to 1997 — Big Dogs. The stage has hosted many big name bands like Overkill, Testament, Pro Pain, Prong, Great White, LA Guns, Morbid Angel, Genetortures, Entombed, Gwar, Edgar Winters, BLS, Warrant, Kix, Disturbed, Six Feet Under, Clutch, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Fight, Danzig, Yngwie Malmsteen, Motorhead, Bullet Boys, Ronnie James Dio, Slipknot, Quiet Riot, Godsmack, Faster Pussycat, Candlebox, Asphalt Ballet, Slaughter, Judas Priest and Motley Crue.

On Friday, Blitzcreek and Insidious Ink will bring a piece of Cedar Rapids rock history back to life, with a Big Dogs reunion of sorts. Six bands will be rock the stage, including local groups Violent Intent, Cur and Armored Angel and Des Moines-based Brutal Republic. Several members of these bands were regulars at Big Dogs in the early to mid-’90s and played in bands there as well.

“I loved playing at Big Dogs,” says Jamie Lopata of Armored Angel says. “I think about how the band scene used to be and how fortunate we were to have such a big venue to play for a lot of people. I had the opportunity to play with some great legendary bands and meet some really cool people. The Big Dogs reunion will be awesome, especially playing on that stage again. This is going to be a fun event with a lot of talented bands and I am honored to play there again.”

The details

• Big Dog Reunion Concert
• Third Street Saloon, 1202 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids
• 6 p.m. Friday (11/2)
• $10 in advance at Jules Bar, Insidious Ink, Skinworthy Tattoo and Neon Dragon Tattoo or $15 at the door.
• Vendors and a raffle benefiting Last Hope Animal Rescue

Royal Bliss, who has toured with bands such as Buckcherry, Candlebox, Chevelle, Kid Rock and Papa Roach, is looking forward to the concert.

“Cedar Rapids has always been a town that we look forward to coming to,” says Dwayne Crawford, bass/backing vocals for Royal Bliss. “The people are kind, the shows are great, and we have a lot of friends in the area. It’s almost like a reunion every time we’re there. We look forward to seeing some familiar faces and hope to see some new ones too.”

They are currently promoting their latest album “Waiting Out the Storm.”

The band Isaac James, writing for its third album, was eager to join the lineup.

“It will be awesome to play the stage that was graced by so many great acts,” says Gil Cole, Isaac James’ lead guitarist. “We always enjoying playing with Royal Bliss, so this show is bound to be a blast for all that come out. It is also an incredible honor to be part of such a cool reunion show of this venue.”

“We could have held a three-day festival with all the interest from bands wanting to play this show, but, unfortunately, we have to keep it to one night,” says Jennifer Taylor of Blitzcreek, who helped organize the concert with husband and bandmate B.J. Taylor.