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

DJ Rob Perry launches ‘Co-op Fridays’ Landshark

Rob Perry is a busy Lansing-based electronic DJ. Aside from playing at various clubs across the city he’s now hosting “Co-op House Fridays,” a weekly event at The Landshark in East Lansing, which is under new management. The kickoff is Friday; the event will continue on a weekly basis after that. The night is hosted by Plug-In Productions, in association with Michigan State University Student Housing Cooperative. It’s going to feature DJs/bands/visual artists, and other forms of artistic expression. Perry, who spins “deep house,” among other genres, has become a regular at co-op house parties in East Lansing and will now bring that co-op attitude to the Landshark, along with a roster of other DJs, including Dean Cue and Beatloaf – Cue and Perry will be the resident DJs of the night. 

There is no cover charge for co-op residents and they can bring a “ 1” guest. Also, residents and their 1 guest will have a “line by-pass” as well, so no waiting in line outside to get in, no matter what time they show up. $4 for non-co-op residents.

Friday, July 15 @The Landshark Raw Bar & Grill, 101 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, 21 and over, $4, co-op residents are FREE, 1 guest. Music starts at 9 p.m.

A night of primitive rock-n-country at Mac’s Bar

Mac’s Bar hosts a roster of Lansing rockers Friday, when three acts perform some rock and country-tinged stompers. Lord Vapid, a Lansing-based one-man-band who plays a unique style of gritty rock and roll., is on the bill, as well as Chaz Brackx and the Tight Teens. Brackx is known for his minimal rockabilly that stays true to swamp rock boogie.

A last-minute addition is Veloura Caywood, a solo singer/songwriter who blends Loretta Lynn-style country with touches of raw garage-rock and catchy ’60s girl-group melodies. Her stripped-down sets usually include a handful of obscure covers, along with a bunch of original tunes.

Friday, July 15 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $5, 9 p.m.

Bob Seger-lovin’ hard rockers ramble into Uli’s

Wayland is a high-energy rock-n-roll band named after its hometown. The band is promoting its new single “Fire Down Below,” a cover of the 1976 Bob Seger tune. Fans of the Black Crowes, Journey or Buck Cherry might dig this band.

The band will perform at Uli’s Haus of Rock Friday. Also making some noise are Mansfield Park (from Detroit) and Kro-Magnon (from Canton). Discounted pre-sale tickets are available in advance at Uli’s.

Friday, July 15 @ Uli’s Haus of Rock, 4519 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing. 18 and over, $5 for pre-sale; $7 at door. 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Funky, smooth and soulful bluesman at LeRoy’s

Kerry Clark Blues Company will bring its soulful, funky blues to LeRoy’s Classic Bar & Grill Saturday. Led by the masterful guitarist/bassist Kerry Clark, a Detroit-based musician who currently plays with Larry McCray, the band  will play a set of smooth blues tunes. His band includes Lansing harmonica player Roger Gentry. Kerry performs all the instruments and vocals on his latest CD, "Soulful Moments," a collection of blues standards arranged and performed by Kerry. For more information, visit www.kerryclarkbluescompany.com.

Saturday, July 16 @ LeRoy’s Classic Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing, 21 and over, $5, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Work/Death, Loop Goat make some noise at Mac’s

Work/Death (the stage name of Scott Reber) is a Rhode Island-based one-man-electronic-noise band. Standing behind a table of effects pedals and devices and adding in periodic shouts, Reber has become an underground fixture over the past decade. He’ll perform at Mac’s July 20.

Opening the show are fellow noise makers Loop Goat (from Ann Arbor), Dylan and the Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle, Petalboat and Reber’s tourmate Lolly Gesserit (from Baltimore).

Under the Work/Death alias Reber has been blowing minds with heavily processed bass, amplified cymbals, and even scraping steel and aluminum. While Reber’s avant-garde style is hard to nail down, it usually blends musique concrète, electro-acoustic improv and composition, field recording, drone and harsh noise.

Wednesday, July 20 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $5, 9 p.m

Indie folks flock back to (SCENE)

After taking a short break from live music shows, (SCENE) Metrospace will be back in action hosting another all-ages indie-folk show on July 21. Set to take the stage are local songwriters Kyle Pentecost, Tania Hayward, Nathan Alan and Double Saginaw Familiarity.

Thursday, July 21 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 8 p.m.; music at 9 p.m.

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