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

Canadian Celtic punk rockers skate into B414

Basement 414, a.k.a. B414. will host a roster of punk and acoustic rockers Thursday.

Headlining the night of free underground music is Farler’s Fury. The Montreal-based band has been gigging across Canada and the Midwestern part of the United States since it formed in 2003. The guys specialize in playing Celtic-style skate punk (complete with bagpipes). For those into Drop Kick Murphys and Real McKenzies, this show might be worth checking out. 

Psychedelic-folkie Jeremy Cronk (of East Lansing) will play a solo set of tripped-out songs and instrumentals, while Ellis Q. Mason rips through a solo set of energetic acoustic songs. Mason is heavily influenced by old blues, as well as Paul Westerberg and Neutral Milk Hotel. He plays what he calls “folk punk” and cut his teeth at the now-defunct Magdalena’s Teahouse. Since then he’s become a regular at various open-mics in Lansing. Over the past two years he’s also been busking around town, playing for free on the streets of East Lansing.

Also set to perform is Lansing songwriter Kyle Nelson Pentecost.

Thursday, June 30 @ Basement 414, 414 E. Michigan Ave., FREE, all ages, 8 p.m.

Green Door hosts ’H-Bomb Bash’ 

Local bands, including Big Willy, Jen Sygit, Bad Gravy and The Lash will perform a benefit concert Thursday at The Green Door for Green Door bartender Hannah Loncharich, who experienced a close call on May 29 after a gusty wind knocked a large tree limb through her roof. The incident left her with minor injuries (she is fully recovered) and some unexpected hospital bills.

“It crashed through the roof and the ceiling crashed down on me while I was (sitting) on the couch,” Loncharich said. “I don’t have health insurance and have to pay some emergency room bills. (The Green Door) generously offered to host a benefit for me to help me pay for the medical stuff.  Mostly, we are celebrating how lucky I was to have survived with minimal injury.”

The cover is a $5 donation that goes directly to help cover Loncharich’s medical bills. Also, there will be a featured “H-Bomb” beverage, the proceeds of which the Green Door will also donate to the cause.

Thursday, June 30 @ Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, 21 and over, $5 donation, 8 p.m. 

Archeology headlines fundraiser with neo-folk sounds 

Portland-based indie-folk band Archeology headlines a night of modern folk tunes at Mac’s Bar Friday. The band has a rootsy, harmony-heavy sound that fans of Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses may want to check out.

The band features guitarist Zach Dilday, a Lansing native who played in local indie bands Ambush of Tigers and The Hallows. All proceeds of this show go to the Literacy Foundation of Kenya.

Also making some noise will be Gun Lake, an Ann Arbor-based indie folk band that was formed in early 2010 by folky-pop songwriter Mark Fain, whose songwriting can be heard on the band’s debut album, “Balfour,” which was released in March. Fans of Chris Bathgate or Frontier Ruckus might dig them.

Also taking the stage will be Sunset Club, Dizzy Dearest, The Plug Ugly, Skinny Black & Sloan Kettering and Bridegroom.

Friday, July 1 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $8, 7 p.m.

Okemos coffee shop serves up espresso, live music

Coffee and Friends opened a year ago in Okemos’ Central Park Place plaza. It immediately began hosting free weekly acoustic shows every Friday and Saturday night, primarily featuring Michigan songwriters.

On Friday, the coffee shop will feature Greg Robertson’s WAKE, a local singer/songwriter who performs a generous mix of his original compositions, along with unique acoustic arrangements of folk rock and classic rock standards. For booking and show information, visit www.coffeeandfriendscafe.com.

Friday, July 1 @ Coffee and Friends, 5100 Marsh Road, Okemos (in Central Park Place), 7 p.m.

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