John Boilard and Michael Swiatlowski have booked over 200 concerts in their hometown of Palmer, but they are not your usual booking agents. For one, they don't make money on the shows they organize; currently, all door money is split between the venue and the bands, and they've been known to accept canned goods for their local food pantry in lieu of a cover charge.

Perhaps most unusual, however, is their choice of venues, which Swiatlowski calls "non-traditional." For example, when his grandmother owned a vacant storefront, he started booking live music shows there; he called this venue "The Old Store." When the storefront sold in 2001, he moved his venue to a shed in Boilard's backyard and named it "The Shed." Other shows have been held outdoors and in garages and public halls.

More recently, they have been holding shows at Diamond Junction Bowling Lanes in downtown Palmer and plan to host one show per month.

When asked what type of music they want to attract, Swiatlowski says, "It's hard to pin down just what type of music we host. I suppose a band would need some type of punk/DIY mentality to want to play [at our venue], but we've hosted everyone from folksy singer/songwriters to the most bizarre noise performers."

They always include local bands in their lineups—Costume, featuring Andy and Jason Ribidenero, is pictured above—but past touring bands have included punk band Fugazi, noise-rockers Parts and Labor, and electro-pop band Hawnay Troof. Saturday's show features three local Palmer bands: Ms. 45, (we are) Steve Moskal, and De Osos.

Ms. 45, (we are) Steve Moskal, De Osos, Aug. 22, 8 p.m., $7, Diamond Junction Bowling Lanes, 1446 North Main St., Palmer, (413) 231-4098 www.theoldstore.org.