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

(SCENE) Metrospace goes solo

On Thursday, (SCENE) Metrospace features four area solo acts: Joshua Barton, Nathan K, Nick Van Huis and Liz McDaniel. Barton is the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter of Fields of Industry, a Lansing/Ann Arbor-based folk-rock band that often leans toward shoegazing sounds. Since 1999 Barton has been self-releasing lo-fi cassettes of his original songs; his 2010 Fields’ album “Trouble House” is the best example of his current work. 

Thursday, May 26 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 8 p.m.; music at 9 p.m.

Dear Landlord pops into Mac’s

Dear Landlord is a punk rock band from Carbondale, Ill. Bordering on super-group status, the band features members of pop masterminds The Copyrights, as well as Rivethead, Houseboat and Gateway District. Dear Landlord’s brand of pop-punk is packed with epic choruses and snotty vocals. The band, set to play Mac’s Friday, has a split 7-inch with the Chinese Telephones on Recess Records, and another split (with Off With Their Heads) on No Idea Records. They also have a full-length LP/CD titled “Dream Homes” on No Idea Records.

Also set to perform is The Maladroits (from France), Fisherking (Lansing hardcore), Against the Grain and Seized up.

Friday, May 27 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages. $8 advance, 5 p.m.

Leroy’s hosts Red Hot jazz group

Ray Kamalay and his Red Hot Peppers, a throwback small-band jazz group, performs Saturday at Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill. Dancers who enjoy the two-step and swing may want to check this out. Kamalay, a Detroit native, is the singer, guitarist and group leader. He’s been playing professionally since he graduated from the University of Detroit in 1974. His work often reflects his interest in jazz, folk and Celtic music.

Saturday, May 28 @ Leroy’s Classic Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing. 21 and over, $5, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Rock and Roll Circus at Uli’s

Uli’s Haus of Rock hosts three hard-rockin’ bands Saturday: Mansfield Park, Circus Asylum and Blacklist. Circus Asylum (from Battle Creek) has been gigging around Michigan since April 2008. The band quickly befriended Pop Evil (Michigan-turned-national band) and has since opened many shows for the emerging band. In 2009 the band embarked on its first tour across the country, even playing the Whiskey a Go-Go, a historic Los Angeles rock venue. In 2010 the band began recording its debut LP “Welcome to the Carnival” with Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Trust Company). The album is set to be released this summer, with a new single, “Numb,” supporting the record. 

Saturday, May 28 @ Uli’s Haus of Rock, 4519 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing. 18 and over.  9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Ticket prices not announced. 

More metal at Blackened Moon

Blackened Moon is also stocked with a huge roster of metal for Saturday. The venue will host Summu Nura, Dagon, Flesh Eating Flesh, Inhaling the Plague, Blood of the Unborn, Seraphim Burial, The Heads of Our Enemies and more. 

Dagon is a busy Lansing metal band with a fondness for Cannibal Corpse. Since it formed in 2005, the band has blended the melody of Swedish bands like Dark Tranquility with the aggression and speed of American bands like Slayer and Suffocation, and topped it off with the shredding bravado of such ‘80s metal masters as Iron Maiden. An interesting aspect of the “ocean metal” band is that it only sings about topics related to the ocean — from pirates and shark attacks, to the mighty Kraken. 

Saturday, May 28 @ Blackened Moon Concert Hall, 3208 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing. All ages, donations at door, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Pre-Memorial Day Fest at Loft

Known for its amazing light show, Flint-based band Covert melds funk, reggae, soul and twang into a hybrid sound that’s won the band a following across the state. On Sunday, the band plays a mix of originals and covers at The Loft; dancing is encouraged. Opening acts are to be announced. This Pre-Memorial Day Fest will also feature $3.50 micro brews and Jameson, for those looking to drink a few. For more information, visit: www.CovertBand.com

Sunday, May 29 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $6 advance, 18 and over, $7 for 21 and over, $10 for 18 and over, doors 9 p.m.

Fuzzed-out sludge at Mac’s Bar

Fans of Melvins-style rock may want to check out Mac’s Bar June 1, when two sludge-rock bands hammer out some heavy stoner rock. 

Opening the show is Bert, a Lansing-based band that’s been playing in various formations since 2006. Band members Phillip Clark, Ryan Andrews and Rael Jordan, are also responsible for Lansing bands Red Teeth and Dr. Device. The band also operates its own indie label, Madlantis Records; for free MP3 downloads from the label, visit www.madlantisrecords.com.

Headlining the night is Rat Babies, a dark, bass-heavy, two-piece drum-and-bass, swamp-metal band out of Athens. Since it formed in 2005 the band, which features Mux Blank (vocals/bass) and Chodd (drums), has kept busy playing shows across the country. Rock dudes who love fuzzed-out doom-metal may want to check this out.

Wednesday, June 1 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 18 and over. $5, 9 p.m.