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A survey of Lansing's musical landscape

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Black Flag at The Avenue Cafe - Wednesday, June 18.

Iconic hardcore punk band Black Flag plays its only Michigan date, at the Avenue Café on June 18. The band’s lineup features only one original member, guitarist Greg Ginn, who’s also been peculiarly playing a theremin on recent dates, to the chagrin some fans. Black Flag’s current roster is Ginn, Mike Vallely (vocals), Tyler Smith (bass) and drummer Brandon Pertzborn. Prior to fronting the band, Vallely made a name in the pro-skateboarding world; later he dabbled in pro wrestling and hockey. Since 1981, Black Flag has released seven studio albums and two live albums, all on Ginn’s influential independent label, SST Records. Local rock ‘n’ roll bands the Plurals and Cinema Cinema open the show.

The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 7 p.m., all ages, $25, $22 adv., Wednesday, June 18.



Reel Big Fish at The Loft - Friday, June 13.

Southern California poppy ska-punk legends Reel Big Fish hit it big in 1996 during the third wave of ska with its “Turn the Radio Off” LP, a certified gold album. The disc produced “Sell Out,” an anthemic, horn heavy hit single that cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Alternative chart. The band headlines an all-ages show Friday at the Loft; opening are Survay Says! and This Magnificent. Reel Big Fish has gone through many lineup changes, with the only original member being vocalist/guitarist Aaron Barrett. In 2006, Reel Big Fish was dropped from its longtime label, Jive Records. The band has since operated as an independent act on Rock Ridge Records and has released three full-length albums, the latest being 2012’s “Candy Coated Fury.”

The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $20, $18 adv., 7 p.m., Friday, June 13.



Small Parks at Mac´s - Saturday, June 14

Since it formed in early 2013, Small Parks has honed a signature brand of emo-inspired punk. The Lansingbased indie band, which headlines Saturday at Mac’s Bar, is Danny Petrilli (bass/vocals), James Radick (vocals/ guitar), Matthew Restorff (drums) and guitarist Josh Talo. The group’s bio says it crafts “songs about the struggles of feeling out of place and without direction in your mid-twenties.” Small Parks just wrapped up its first tour, a two-week jaunt across the Midwest, East Coast and Montreal. This summer the band plans to write music for its first full-length album. The band has released two EPs: “Meet Me in the Congo” and “Retracting.” Opening the show are Little American Champ, The Fever Haze, Take One Car and Man Mountain.

Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 18 , $7, 9 p.m., Saturday, June 14


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