Turn it Down: A survey of Lansing’s musical landscape

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(Information on Frost Fest has been revised from the print edition.)

Internet buzz band Atomic Tom plays Frost Fest

Beat the winter blues with live music and a heated beer tent at Frost Fest 2011 in downtown Lansing Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. The event features live music from Atomic Tom, Elliot Street Lunatic and Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers.

Atomic Tom is a Brooklyn-based band that created a buzz on YouTube after they performed their single "Take Me Out" live using four iPhones on a New York City subway. The fictional premise of the video is that the bands instruments have been stolen and they were forced to improvise, using their iPhones. The bands first national album, “The Moment,” was released last summer.

Frost Fest will offer microbrews from Michigan Brewing Co., ice games and a euchre tournament.

Entry into the beer tent is $12 in advance and $15 at the door and includes a Frost Fest mug and one drink. Entry fee per team is $60, which includes entry into the beer tent, your Frost Fest mug and one drink per team member. Visit www.frostfest.org for complete details.

Saturday, Feb. 19 @ Frost Fest 2011, S. Washington Square and Adado Riverfront Park, along the 200 block of S. Washington Square, 6 p.m. to midnight

Lost World String Band reunites

Bluegrass veterans The Lost World String Band will play a reunion show Friday at the Ten Pound Fiddle. The band, which was featured multiple times on "A Prairie Home Companion," features an array of talented players, including Frank Youngman, Gerald Ross, Dave Ross and

Paul Winder. In its heyday, the band toured the Midwest and East Coast playing old-timey blues, jug-band, Cajun and swing. The group has performed with legends like Bonnie Raitt, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Brownie McGhee and Doc Watson.

Friday, Feb. 18 @ Ten Pound Fiddle — Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove St., East Lansing, all ages. Gate opens at 7 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. show. $15 general admission; $12 for Fiddle members; $5 for students. www.tenpoundfiddle.org

Free all-ages shows at B414

Basement 414 hosts two free, all-ages shows this weekend. Friday features the underground sounds of Big Walt, Tweech Izown, Daily Life, Jesus Crisis, Barack Glock and The New Pizazz. Then, at a separate show on Saturday, local rockers Mr. Denton on Doomsday, Elliot Street Lunatic, Pearl Snap Western Brown, and Walden Pond will play some loud music. B414 is a local art gallery and music venue located at the end of the Jay St. alley, behind the Nuthouse Sports Grill.

Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19 @ Basement 414, 414 E. Michigan Ave., both shows are FREE and all ages, 8 p.m.

Jazz at Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill

Organissimo, an organ-based jazz trio, has been gigging around Lansing for over 10 years. The trio, which is set to play this Saturday at Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill, has stayed focused on incorporating elements of funk, gospel, blues, progressive rock, and fusion into a solid foundation of jazz. Music lovers who enjoy deep grooves and tight ensemble interplay may want to check it out. Also, blues, soul and jazz fans may want to keep up to date with Leroy’s event calendar: The venue hosts live music every weekend.

Saturday, Feb. 19 @ Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing, 21 and over, 9:30 p.m., $5

Ska legends celebrate 30th Anniversary at Mac’s

Formed in 1981 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Toasters has since played over 5,000 gigs across the world. The band’s 30th anniversary tour stops in Lansing Monday at Mac’s Bar for an all-ages show. While the third-wave ska band was initially influenced by classic acts like the Specials, it has since garnered a huge following of its own. Clear Channel Radio recently named the band one of CBGBs’ 20 core bands.

Opening the show at Mac’s are Clear Blue Ska, Take a Hint, Ailat and Shark Week.

Monday, Feb. 21 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., $10 advance, $12 door, all ages, 6 p.m.

Sunset Club lights up The Loft

For a night of indie rock, stop by The Loft next Wednesday. Set to take the stage is the Sunset Club, a Lansing band led by vocalist Jory Stultz, who also plays keys and the accordion. Fans of Muse may dig its sound. Sharing the bill is Vinacious, an electronic indie pop band from Mason, and Circuit Tree.

To hear The Sunset Club visit www.thesunsetclub.bandcamp.com

Wednesday, Feb. 23 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., $8 for 18 and over, $6 for 21 and over, Doors 9 p.m.

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

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