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

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Hang with the Gallows at Mac’s Bar

Lansing’s own Goddamn Gallows is a band of relentless road warriors, touring for large portions of each year. This tattooed band of renegades mixes crust, psychobilly, rockabilly, country, bluegrass and punk rock into one aggressive form of American music. The band, which plays Mac’s Bar Thursday, features Mikey Classic (guitar/vocals), Fishgutzzz (stand-up bass), Baby Genius (drums), Avery (washboard/accordion), and Jayke (mandolin/banjo).

Opening the show is Downtown Brown, The Arkhmas, CBJ, and Matt Wixon.

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

Doomed sound of Wolvserpent creeps into Lansing 

Wolvserpent (formerly known as Pussy Gutt) is known for eerie melodies, complete with a violin, animal skulls, candlelight and monstrous riffs. The unnerving, Boise-based duo plays Mac’s Bar Saturday, along with A Story of Rats, Hordes and Ozenza.

Wolvserpent, featuring Blake Green (guitar) and Brittany McConnell (drums/violin), create droning and ominous sounds devoid of any poppy elements. The band is known for blistering through live sets with Melvins-style heaviness at insufferably high volumes, while also mixing in grim, funereal dirges. 

A Story of Rats is the solo work of Seattle musician Garek J. Druss. It’s experimental, minimal and ambient. Booming tones are created with synthesizers and field recordings. Druss is also currently involved with other projects like Dull Knife, Tecumseh and Ear Venom.

The Friction Records band Ozenza has been churning out Queens of the Stone Age-style rock since it formed in Grand Rapids in 2004.

The local band on the bill is the demented experimental sounds of Hordes, “Lansing’s most detached band.” Fans of Throbbing Gristle and Earth may want to check them out. Founding members Alex Hudson (guitar/vocals) and Jon Howard (bass) create improvised, droning soundscapes. Howard and Hudson started the band in 2007 after Rattling Wall Collective (Howard’s previous experimental band) dissolved. Since then, Hordes has released a stack of lo-fi CD-Rs, and have a proper debut LP in the works. 

Saturday, June 11 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $10, 9 p.m.

Out of town bands roll into East Lansing

A live, all-ages show at (SCENE) Metrospace on Friday, features 10 Miles of Blue, with special guest Ghost in the Attic. Based in Atlanta, 10 Miles of Blue is a seven-member pop-rock band with a liking for John Mayer and Paramore. Ghost in the Attic is an indie band from Akron, Ohio, that takes its influences from the likes of Seether and U2. Fans of popular modern rock should check out this show. 

Friday, June 10 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.

Spitzer Space Telescope teaches DIY printing 

Artist/folk singer Dan McDonald, a.k.a. Spitzer Space Telescope, is teaching a workshop at Old Town’s Bottega that should be helpful for working bands, designers, and artists of all styles.

Anyone interested in self-promotional materials (t-shirts, posters, etc.) is welcome, regardless of age or skill level. McDonald teaches the necessary techniques and supplies needed to self-create items for a merchandise table, and everyone leaves with a t-shirt, poster and paper prints.

The cost is $50, supplies included. To RSVP, e-mail dan@danmacdonaldstudios.org. 

Sunday, June 12 @ The Bottega, 708 E. Grand River Ave. Suite D, Old Town Lansing, all ages. $50, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Concert Series starts with Sygit and Corbin

The city of East Lansing opens its outdoor Summer Concert Series Friday with local Americana favorites Jen Sygit and Sam Corbin.

All concerts are free and take place at Fountain Square on the corner of Albert and M.A.C. Avenues. On Saturday, Flatfoot, a Lansing twang-rock band, performs amped-up American roots music.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. If it rains, the concert will be canceled. The series, as a whole, runs from June 10 to August 6. 

Friday, June 10: Jen Sygit and Sam Corbin Saturday, June 11: Flatfoot @ Corner of Albert and M.A.C. Avenue, East Lansing, FREE, all ages, 7 p.m.

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