Turn it down: A survey of Lansing's musical landscape

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Metro Bowl is back with ‘Friday Night Blues’

From the 1960s through the 1980s, Metro Bowl was a Lansing hotspot for not only bowling and drinks but also live music. In the past three years the complex, which is under new management, has hosted “Tejano Saturday” and recently launched “Friday Night Blues,” a weekly live blues show inside The Metro, the club portion of the complex.

On Friday, Metro Bowl features Stan Budzynski & Third Degree. Aside from live music, the complex is newly remodeled and has 40 new full synthetic bowling lanes.

Friday, March 18 @ Metro Bowl — The Metro, 5141 South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Lansing, 18 and over, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., $5

Saturday night Jazz hosts Diego Rivera

Saxophonist Diego Rivera has performed throughout North America, Russia and Japan. On Saturday, Rivera will play at Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill as a part of its “Saturday Night Jazz Series.” Aside from performing concerts, since 2001 Rivera has been an instructor of jazz saxophone and improvisation at Michigan State University.

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

A nervous yet exciting show at Pump House

Michigan-based folk duo Nervous But Excited is made up of songwriters Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver, a mandolin, a violin, a ukulele, a few harmonicas and dead-on harmony. The duo plays the Pump House Sunday, and has shared stages with folks like Ani Difranco, Iron and Wine and Utah Phillips. Opening the show is Mike Vial. All proceeds support the artists.

Sunday, March 20 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, $10 suggested donation, 7 p.m.


Bluegrass jam at Woldumar Nature Center

The Mid-Michigan Bluegrass Association will host live pickin’ from Kari Anne and Lost Creek, Sound Check, the Luke Lenhart Band and more at Woldumar Nature Center on Sunday. Showgoers are invited to just listen; musicians are welcome to bring an instrument and play along during the open jam. All proceeds support the nature center.

Sunday, March 20 @ Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road, Lansing, Suggested donation of $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.


New grunge and blues hybrid rocks Mac’s

The Jackpine Snag, a new band featuring members of defunct Lansing bands MK Ultra Culkin and The Chairmen, plays Mac’s Bar March 23. The band describes its sound as “heavy blues grunge rock.” Also making some noise will be Antilogical, Nocturnal Aviators in Action, and People Grinding Axes.

Wednesday, March 23 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $5, 18 and over, 9 p.m.


Four indie folk acts play (SCENE)

Steven Leaf, a Chicago-based indie-folk artist, plays (SCENE) Metrospace March 24. Leaf ’s latest album, “We Are Ghosts,” is available now at www.stevenleaf.com. Sharing the stage will be the acoustic-indie sounds of Liz McDaniel, Nathan Alan and K. Nelson.

Thursday, March 24 @ (SCENE) Metrospace,110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 8 p.m.; music at 9 p.m.


Rockers still tap into nu-metal

Taproot, a four-piece hard-rock band that formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, performs at The Loft March 25. The band first started to gain momentum toward the end of the nu-metal phase, even scoring a national hit, “Poem,” in 2002. After bouncing around a few labels, Taproot recently signed with Victory Records and released “Plea the Fifth” last May. Opening the show are Silent Lapse and Bloodletting.

Friday, March 25 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over, $15 advance, $17 door, 8 p.m.


Oz comes to Grand Ledge

Echoes of Pink Floyd, a Lansing-area tribute band, brings its laser light show to Grand Ledge High School Auditorium March 26. This show will be a “Dark Side of the Moon” special, in which the band plays the album in its entirety, while syncing it up with the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz." The band will also play a few choice hits off other Floyd albums.

Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 day of show) and $20 for 18 and under. Tickets are available online at www. starrickets.com, at the customer service desk of all Meijer stores, or by calling (800) 585-3737.

Saturday, March 26 @ Grand Ledge High School Auditorium, 820 Spring St., Grand Ledge, all ages.


Those Poor Bastards mix Goth and country

Mac’s Bar is set to host a rustic country and rockabilly show March 28. Headlining the show is Those Poor Bastards, an old-timey, raw country band known for its gloomy (and sometimes) frantic vocals. Hank Williams III calls them “the best country gothic I’ve heard yet.”

Also taking the stage are Rachel Brooke and Lansing favorites The Goddamn Gallows. The Gallows’ debut album “Life of Sin” became available on iTunes last month.

Monday, March 28 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $10, 18 and over, 9 p.m.


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

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