Bands playing the Brass Cat set their amps at a lower volume than they would at, say, Pearl Street Nightclub in Northampton. That’s mostly because the Brass Cat is not a rock club. Sure, bands play there. Many, in fact. But the vibe is chill (though some bands certainly rock out) and egos and bravado must be checked at the door, according to Brass Cat bartender, musician and co-owner of Night Owl Records Mark Schwaber.
“We like to keep things pretty DIY here,” writes Schwaber on www.hampmusic.com to prospective bands looking to play the Cat. “If your band needs to play late because someone can’t make it to the club until a certain time, just make sure to notify me (with at least two weeks’ time) and I’m sure we can work things out. There are no egos allowed. There is no true headliner. We’re all in this together, remember?”
Often cited as a great place to see up-and-coming bands, the Cat only allows original acts to grace its smallish back-room stage—no cover bands are allowed. Everyone in the band must be over 21, as the Cat is a bona fide bar (and each band member gets two complimentary beverages).
Upcoming Saturday shows include Valley staples The Lonesome Brothers (pictured), Angry Johnny and the Killbillies and budding acts like The Cheaters Club and Curious Buddies. For a complete list of upcoming shows, log on to hampmusic.com.
—Kendra Thurlow
