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

Doomsday hits Blackened Moon

A mixed-up bill of local acts is set to perform at Blackened Moon Concert Hall this Friday.

One of those acts, Mr. Denton on Doomsday has been gigging around Lansing for years playing their brand of experimental indie metal. The band’s sound could be compared to Incubus and System of a Down; however, the band mixes it up with some funk, a mess of erratic beats and insightful lyrics.

Also on the bill is the avant-garde jazz group Moyindau, which melds Central Asian music to jazz, Kazakhstani folk music, contemporary classical, rock and improvised music. A highlight of the night will be a performance by Nick Strong, an up-and-coming Lansing-based songwriter/composer, backed by a 30-piece chamber orchestra.

Also set to perform is Chad Cecil and his Band (folk/indie from Lansing).

To hear “Nick Strong Plays the Hits,” visit nickstrong.bandcamp.com

Friday, Feb. 25 @ Blackened Moon Concert Hall, 3208 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing, $5, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Ghoulie freaks out Rum Runners

Ghoulie performs a set of grimy soul, funk and rap at Rum Runners tonight. Ghoulie is one of the many projects of Lansing musician Patrick Wenzel, who is also known for his analog, electro groups Public Pubes and Sex Ghost. In January Ghoulie released a digital EP, “Ouch! There’s a Gorilla in Your Ass,” on Madlantis Records, a local label operated by members of Lansing bands BerT and Dr. Device.

Wednesday, March 23 @ Rum Runners, 601 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 21 and over, 9 p.m.

Cee Cee Collins brings Detroit blues to Leroy’s

Motor City blues singer Cee Cee Collins is known for powerful vocals and a dynamic stage presence. This Friday she brings that swagger to Leroy’s Bar & Grill. Collins has performed around the world with Detroit’s “Queen of the Blues” Alberta Adams. Her latest album, “Don’t Mess Around,” has received high praise from numerous blues publications. Backing Collins will be award-winning drummer RJ Spangler, along with Chris Rumel (bass) and Harry Oman (guitar).

Friday, Feb. 25 @ Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing, 21 and over, 9:30 p.m., $5

World beats roll in to MSU’s campus

The Red Sea Pedestrians (from Kalamazoo) blend klezmer, Greek, gypsy, Celtic, jazz and American roots into one original sound. The group, which plays the Ten Pound Fiddle Friday, swaps instruments and creates highenergy world-beat grooves. The sound is defined by interplay between clarinet, violin, three singers and multi-instrumentalists, as well as masterful percussion. This show is held at Erickson Kiva on Michigan State University’s Campus. There is free parking in a lot next to Kiva, which is on the northwest corner of Farm Lane and Shaw Lane in East Lansing.

Friday, Feb. 25 @ Ten Pound Fiddle — Erickson Kiva, 103 Erickson Hall, East Lansing. Gate opens at 7 p.m., doors 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. show. $12 public, $10 Fiddle members, $5 students

Goth rockers Murder By Death stop in Lansing

Murder By Death, a Bloomington, Ind., four-piece, mixes rock, Americana, and alt-country. The band was formed in 2000 and is known for its unique goth sound, which includes an electric cellist. Their songs often revolve around zombies, whiskey and the Devil, creating dramatic and disturbing narratives. The band’s most recent album “Good Morning, Magpie” (Vagrant Records) scored a four-star rating from All Music Guide. Fans of The Decemberists, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Johnny Cash may want to check out this show. Opening up is Fake Problems (Floridabased indie) and Buried Beds (indie-folk from Philadelphia).

Saturday, Feb. 26 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $13 advance, $15 door, 8 p.m.

Whitey Morgan plays acoustic Pump House gig

Last year Whitey Morgan & the 78’s (from Detroit) turned the Pump House into the Best Little Honky Tonk in Michigan. This Sunday at the Pump House, music fans are invited to see a different side of Bloodshot Records’ rising star: a rare solo acoustic show. In the spirit of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck, Morgan’s melodies reflect the golden age of country songwriting.

Sunday, Feb. 27 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, all ages, 7 p.m.

AxCx screamer brings side project to Mac’s bar

Seth Edward Putnam, founder of grindcore band AxCx, is known for his fierce screaming and his shocking, offensive lyrics that often lean toward morbid humor.

His group, Full Blown AIDS, which formed in 1997, perform Wednesday, March 2 at Mac’s Bar.

Putnam has also been involved in many side projects, including doing backing vocals on Pantera’s ‘The Great Southern Trendkill’ album.

Opening the show is Upside Down Cross, Shitfucker, and Failed.

Wednesday, March 2 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, $10, 18 and over, 9 p.m

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