Turn It Down

Enter a hole of noise

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To truly understand the sound of The Plurals, you must enter what singer/guitarist Tommy McCord calls the “hole of noise and pop” that is the band’s sound.

In that hole you’ll find a pile of scuffed-up Pixies CDs, a stack of used Beach Boys vinyl, and the Dischord Records punk-rock playbook.

Since the Lansing-based band released its first DIY album in 2005, McCord, along with Nicholas Richard (bass/vocals) and Hattie Danby (drums/vocals), have been sharing songwriting duties and exploring the roots of alternative rock and the vocal styling of ‘60s pop-genius Brian Wilson.

All of the band’s recordings have been released by Good Time Gang Records (GTG), a label started by the band in December 2004. Since then, the independent label has released over 30 titles; with two more on the way. A new split EP featuring The Plurals and Honah Lee (a Trenton, N.J., band) will be released at Mac’s Bar on Saturday, April 10 — along with the debut EP of another GTG band, Narc Out the Reds.

The Plurals sound on the split EP meshes well with Honah Lee, a band that also appreciates the ‘90s sound.

“Honah Lee has an early Weezer and Foo Fighters sound, with a Replacements thing going on,” McCord said.

“Their songs are about drinking and hating their jobs. The Plurals songs are more esoteric, meaning of life and bullshit — but I really can’t speak for what Hattie and Nicholas’ songs are about.”

McCord, 22, who is also working on an anthropology degree from Michigan State University, is continuously recording a variety of local bands at his home, better known as the “GTG House” recording studio. McCord also finds time to play in an assortment of other local bands — most notably The Break-Ups and Drinking Mercury.

How does McCord find time to accomplish so much? He said its teamwork and maintaining a dedicated communal of GTG artists.

“The thing I think makes GTG unique, if that is even possible, is that we’re more focused on the creative and community aspects of a label,” he explained. “We don’t only release Lansing artists, but it’s all very Lansing-centric. By working together and finding like-minded people out on the battlefield of underground music wasteland you get the opportunity to realize these albums.”

A large part of the label’s community is the house shows, hosted by McCord at the GTG House.

“They are a lot of fun because in Lansing the punks and the metal guys are good friends — they relax and have fun together here,” he said. “Then the more indie and folky kids show up too and everyone gets along. We try to have diverse bills, not just one sound or group of people. We want people to get together, drink and dance. It always goes well.”


The Plurals Narc Out the Reds

@ Mac’s Bar

2700 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing

$5, ages 18

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