TURN IT DOWN: A survey of Lansing's musical landscape

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If there is anything consistent about Lansing rock shows, it’s theireclectic bills, with bands of various genres sharing the stage at thesame show. Below are a few shows that mix and match sounds into onenight of loud music.

Revenge of the Nerd rock

(Scene) Metrospace has steadily become a fixture in both the art and indie music scene in East Lansing - hosting nearly all genres of popular and alternative music. This Thursday, the venue will feature Ribbons, a self-proclaimed “nerd rock” band from Pittsburgh.

Opening the show is Boleyn (formerly known as Truncated Lions), an East Lansing-based indie project lead by Joe McAndrews. In his spare time McAndrews also operates his own local label, Bear Minimum Records. Also sharing the bill is Reptillian, a Kalamazoo-based post-hardcore band.

Thursday, Sept. 16 @ (Scene) Metrospace, 110 Charles Street, East Lansing. $5, all ages, 8 p.m. To hear Ribbons, visit: www.myspace.com/ribbonsmakemusic


Motor City Psychobilly

The Detroit-based punk and psychobilly sounds of the Koffin Kats will slam into Mac’s Bar this Sunday. The tattooed band has been touring the world and writing songs about drug abuse and self-loathing for over six years. Opening the show is the Sawyer Family, a band that mixes metal, punk, rockabilly, gothic and blues into one aggressive form of American music. Also on the bill is Psychosurgery, an experimental punk band from various parts of Michigan.

Sunday, Sept. 19 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. $8 advance, $10 at door, 18 , 9 p.m.


Power pop at The Loft

For those looking for happy punk, the power pop sounds of You, Me and Everyone might be worth checking out. The Baltimore-based band is set to play an all-ages show at The Loft (above Harem Urban Lounge) on Friday, Sept. 24. Now in the middle of a United States tour, the band is signed to Doghouse Records. Opening the show is the dancey-pop sound of Queens Club (Kansas City), the polished pop of Take Cover, along with Tiger! Tiger! (Atlanta garage rock) and Lansing’s own Januzzi Watchmen and The Guest Stars.

Friday, Sept. 24 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. $12 At the Door, all ages, 6 p.m. Hear more at: www.myspace.com/youmeandeveryoneweknow


Red Swan reunites at B414

Lansing’s Red Swan is reforming for a couple shows, one of which is a Turn it Down showcase at Basement 414 on Saturday, Sept. 25. After Red Swan formed in 2002, the band recorded a debut 7-inch with legendary producer Steve Albini (of Big Black, Rape Man and Shellac; he also recorded Nirvana’s “In Utero”). Last year it was listed in Spin Magazine as an essential “Pigfuck” album. The band, which broke up in 2007, has often been compared to Wisconsin’s Killdozer. Red Swan’s lyrical folklore made it a one-of-a-kind Lansing fixture. Opening the show is the newly re-formed (and synthesizer-heavy) Fun Ender and Chaz Brackx and The Tight Teens.

Saturday, Sept. 25 @ Basement 414. 414 Jay Street, Lansing (take the alley behind Nuthouse Sports bar). FREE, all ages, 8 p.m. Listen to Redswan at: www.myspace.com/redswan


Gamblers sail into Mac’s

It’s not too soon to get the Oct. 6 Riverboat Gamblers gig at Mac’s Bar on your radar screen. Since the Texas-based band started making punk rock in 1997, their fan base has grown steadily. A new album, “Underneath the Owl,” is already out, and a new EP is on the way. Opening the show is The Flatliners, along with local favorites Against the Grain. Tickets are available in advance at Mac’s Bar, Music Manor, and Flat, Black and Circular. A very limited pre-sale will be made available exclusively at FusionShows.com for $5.00.

Wednesday, Oct. 6@ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. $10, all ages, 5:30 p.m. Hear the band at: www.theriverboatgamblers.com


This show is Bananas

While Oade’s Hidden Camel is usually the spot for heavy metal, it will mellow out this Friday with Billiards Music, a Lansing-based acoustic rock group with a Sublime/ Jack Johnson vibe. Also on the bill is the The Banana Convention, a well-established Saginaw-based party band with a love for the B-52s and No Doubt. Check out a video of the band covering the Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” at their Web site. Opening the show is Bullet Punch.

Friday, Sept. 27 @ Oade’s Hidden Camel, 1210 S. Washington Ave, Lansing. 21 , 9 p.m. Visit the Banana Convention at: www.thebananaconvention.com


If your band has an upcoming show, post it at www.facebook.com/turnitdown

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