Defunct Local Band Profile Series: The Danger Cats

It's now time for this month's Defunct Local Band Profile! In our monthly spotlight of a local metal, hard rock, or punk band from the past (randomly selected as always), we're next heading back a decade to look at a very unique but entertaining hard rock group that definitely turned heads at many a local concert, so here's what you should know on them!

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The Danger Cats

Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Genre: Hard Rock/Punk

Lineup: (Members not in their last full lineup are in italics)

Kate "Kougar" Drew, vocals/guitar/formerly drums
Summer "Snow-Leopard" Stevens, vocals
Paula "Panther" D'Agostino, guitar/vocals
Jamie "Jaguar" VanSchooneveld, bass/vocals
"Calico" Katie Maskell, drums

(Note that both Kate and Jamie are now known by the last names Hatherley and Garside respectively due to getting married after The Danger Cats disbanded, but the band's run predated their weddings. Incidentally, they both married members of Late & Loud.)

Audio/Video: The Danger Cats did write and perform a handful of original songs like "Wanted Man" and "Sugar Mama", but never released an album of any sort despite recording at Six Two Oh in April 2015. Covers ranged from the likes of The Runaways, Blondie, and Bif Naked to AC/DC and The Black Keys, among other acts. The best modern source of Danger Cats videos is their YouTube channel, which features multiple live concert videos from their heyday, and even an interview, but fan shot videos exist elsewhere in decent quantities, and I have filmed them for our Facebook page as well. Here's The Danger Cats playing their own song "Give Me" and covering The Scorpions' "The Zoo" at The Rockstar Bar in 2014!

Info/Analysis: A rare example of an all-female rock band in the Sault Ste. Marie area, The Danger Cats formed in April 2013 and made their public debut opening for the short-lived Hydra's Teeth at The Algonquin Pub that September. Taking their stage names from various cat species/breeds and playing that up in their concert attire, The Danger Cats lineup remained stable throughout their run aside from Kate moving to vocals & guitar upon Katie joining on drums, not to mention Summer's departure for health reasons in early 2014. Fans will recall seeing the ladies open for touring bands like K-Man & The 45s, Archaics, and The Red Rails, while also opening Late & Loud's two reunion gigs, playing Rotaryfest Stage 1 in 2014, and competing at the VM Radio Battle Of The Bands semifinals in 2015. The Cats also could be seen at multiple all-local gigs, and even headlined a few solo concerts on the weekend cover circuit.

In advance of Kate's move to London, The Danger Cats announced their impending breakup in May 2015, last playing live at the Border Brawl roller derby event the following month. Gender aside, The Danger Cats impressed local audiences with their fun and lively sound, with promising originals and eclectic covers that served them well at multiple kinds of local concerts in their 2+ years together! Once Kate moved to vocals & guitar, she got into a more familiar groove that helped the band click even moreso, and everyone's skills developed well as they got more experience. It's a shame that The Danger Cats didn't last longer, but hopefully they reunite in the future if things line up properly, and R.I.P., Summer!

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I hope you guys liked this month's Defunct Local Band Profile! This series will return on or around May 10th for our second Sault Michigan profile of the year in this series, we look at local/Grand Rapids epic metal quintet (and Theatre of Night sister band) End Of Existence! Look for that next month, and for weekend concert previews on the site next! Thanks everyone!