Doors 6:30 / Show 7:30

$12 General Admission

The Moat Rats with special guests Norside Organ Trio 

The Moat Rats are a multi-genre musical group from Pittsburgh, PA. Each song is a unique blend of sounds taken from each members’ musical influences, while planting roots in jam band and pop music. They are known for their high-energy live performances and close knit fanbase.

The group began as a collective of 10+ rotating musicians performing covers in bars/venues in the East Pittsburgh area. In 2017, the collective disbanded and settled into a 5-piece ensemble, Karli Blotzer (lead vocals), Liam Kress (vocals/keyboard), Brad Lang (guitar), Haley Held (bass guitar), James Held (drums). Together, they began focusing their efforts on writing original music. On December 31, 2018 they released their debut EP Sunday Gravy. Shortly after the release they welcomed permanent members Justin Benzino (saxophone) and Dylan Davey (guitar) reviving the big band energy they had always envisioned. In fall of 2019, Haley said farewell to The Moat Rats and passed the bass to Daniel Rouse at the release show of single “Fool’s Gold” held at The Thunderbird Café and Music Hall featuring local Pittsburgh favorites Abstract Theory, The Telephone Line and Sierra Sellers. In 2020, The Moat Rats released their debut full-length album, Year of the Rat, and are currently hard at work creating new tunes to be released throughout the summer of 2022.

With elements of blues, jazz, funk and rock & roll, Norside is out to honor the great American tradition of the organ trio sound while forging their own creative space in the music. Guitarist Glenn Strother defends the band’s sound as “Rust Belt Funk”, a phrase that gives homage to their Western PA roots. The band has seen great success in their short time together, playing packed shows at local venues around the greater Pittsburgh region.