Black Shepherd is back to rock Hoquiam’s faces and make their heads bang. And this time, it’ll be at the newest venue in town, La Catrina Night club.

This time, they’re playing with a band called Mike Pierce Project.

Justin Kautzman, singer and guitarist for Black Shepherd, is anticipating the night to be a fun one at the old Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall in Hoquiam — 220 5th St.

“We’re all very excited for this show,” Kautzman said days before his band of hard rock mixed with punk and blues, plus a trumpet, performs at La Catrina. “Playing new places is fun.”

Ben Landis spoke for Mike Pierce Project.

“We are super excited to be playing with Black Shepherd,” Landis said. “I’ve played shows with them and know Justin from other bands I was in.”

Thoughts on the venue

Kautzman was at a recent concert at La Catrina, where LUCK, Division Street and The Bad N The Ugly played. So, he’s been there, seen the sights and heard the sound quality.

“The last couple shows I went to had great sound,” Kautzman said. “I’m excited to get on stage and hear what that sounds like, too.”

The large space — 4,000 square feet, according to the club — allows for more than just people who want to dance, headbang or sing their butts off. The club has a few pool tables to the left of the stage and dance floor, a few tables for sitting on each side, and a bar at the back right of the establishment. It’s laid out right, according to Kautzman.

“There is so much room for activities,” Kautzman said. “But it doesn’t feel like a big, empty space.”

John Kaczmarczyk, who was at the same show, added a few thoughts about the venue too.

“I liked the unfinished feel of the place,” Kaczmarczyk said. “It reminded me of places (where) I watched bands when I lived in Seattle during the ‘90s.”

Kaczmarczyk liked how he could see the band from all locations inside the club. He said the sound was “pretty decent.”

“The space seemed to carry it without being echoey or muddy,” Kaczmarczyk said.

But what’s probably the most important thing to La Catrina? Repeat customers.

“I had a good time and will go back,” Kaczmarczyk said. “I liked the feel of the place. The temperature may be low for some, so dress appropriately, or just get to headbanging.”

How did La Catrina start?

“So La Catrina started with my dad (Emigdio Renteria),” said Amalia Stanton. “Actually he wanted to have a place in the area where people could come and have a good time and enjoy live music.”

In the six months the club’s been open, La Catrina has hosted 10 shows. And more are on the way.

“We have lots of shows coming up,” Amalia said. “Our goal is to bring a mix of everything into the club. As of now, (on) Friday nights, we have American bands and (on) Saturday nights, we have Hispanic bands. Our next event is this Friday, the 22nd (starting at 8 p.m.), a band called Black Shepherd, with an opening band called Mike Pierce Project.”

What should concert attendees expect Friday?

“Black Shepherd is just three goofballs with loud guitars playing music we like,” Kautzman said. “We have a good time playing rock-n-roll and hope you will come have a good time, too. MPP is coming to have a good time.”

According to Landis, Mike Pierce Project’s members are “really chill people, some of the most fun” he’s met in a while.

“They are a ton of fun to work with and we are very excited about the new venue, La Catrina,” Landis said. “I haven’t played there yet, but I visited the spot. Special thanks to Jordan Wasmund and Rarefaction Records for reaching out to me about playing here.”

To hear what Mike Pierce Project sounds like, head to their YouTube channel, which has the same name.

Friday, March 22

6 to 10 p.m. — Johnny the Capo & the Bad Boys — Fraternal Order of Eagles 4197 — 676 Ocean Shores Blvd., NW

7 to 10 p.m. — Dogger Live —Buster’s Bar & Grill — 406 S. Boone St., in Aberdeen

Saturday, March 23

8 p.m. — Anti-Hero, A Lien Nation, Dustin Adair — Messy Jessy’s Bar and Grill — 212 S. I St., in Aberdeen

8 to 11:55 p.m. — Dogger Live — ShuJack’s Bar & Grill — 326 W. Main St., in Elma

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Justin Kautzman, singer and guitarist for Black Shepherd, performed live at The Loading Dock last summer. The trio, with Mike Johnson on drums and Steven Markham on trumpet and bass, will play Friday night at La Catrina Night Club — 220 5th St., in Hoquiam.