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

Benefit show at Mac’s supports DIY punk mag

Razorcake Magazine is the first and only official non-profit punk music magazine in America primarily dedicated to supporting independent music culture. The magazine was formed in 2001 and has since been a resource and authoritative voice for do-it-yourself punk culture — with help from over 120 independent volunteer writers, photographers and illustrators worldwide.

A benefit show Friday at Mac’s Bar will donate all proceeds to help support the magazine.

Performers include Frank and Earnest, The Plurals, The Playback and the punk sounds of Fisherking. While it’s distributed throughout the United States and 20 other countries, Razorcake often covers and reviews Lansing bands. A recent issue featured The Cheap Girls (a Lansing rock band) on the cover. The first 31 people through the door at Mac’s get a free copy of the new issue of Razorcake.  

Friday, Aug. 12 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all ages, $5, 5 p.m.

All-ages folk show with Sam & Jen

On Friday, (SCENE) Metrospace hosts the Lansing-based Americana sounds of Sam Corbin & Jen Sygit. Opening the show are special guests Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys, dishing up Americana with a powerful vocal style that recalls Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. 

Friday, Aug. 12 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 7 p.m.; music at 8 p.m.

Edgy Celtic, traditional Bagpipes at Lake Lansing

The Lake Lansing Community Band Shell has been hosting free outdoor concerts this summer, touching on many genres and styles. The stage is located near the tyke track and playground at Lake Lansing Park South (across from The Watershed Tavern and Grill on Marsh Road).

This Friday’s performers include the edgier sounds of Belfast Gin and the Glen Erin Pipe Band, which has a traditional sound with bagpipes and drums. Belfast Gin describes its sound as “twisted traditional.” It’s a high-energy, seven-piece Celtic group with kit drum, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, viola, tin whistle/flute and vocals.

There is free parking and, for the kids, free entry to play on a moonwalk and the giant slide. It’s suggested to bring a lawn chair and even a picnic. 

Friday, Aug. 12 @ Lake Lansing Community Band Shell, 1621 Pike Street, Haslett, all ages, FREE, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Since 1994 Calliope has been a staple in the Lansing indie-rock crowd. Mixing swirling rock guitars and spacy electronic melodies, the band blurs the line between dreamy experimental tunes and conventional rock. The band’s song “A Taste for Killing” was picked up by Coca-Cola for a commercial to run in support of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Today, the band has a revamped lineup and continues to work on new material. The band makes a somewhat rare live appearance at (SCENE) Metrospace Saturday. Opening the show is Gnome Village, a Lansing-based psych-folk band that also dabbles in country.

Also performing is Drinking Mercury, an alt-rock band led by singer/songwriter Michael Boyes; other members include GTG Records’ Tommy McCord (guitar), Timmy Rodriguez (bass) and Kevin Adams (drums). The band is getting set to release its debut full-length album Sept. 3 at Mac’s Bar.

Rounding out the roster at (SCENE) is Stargrazer, a one-man project by local artist/songwriter Peter Richards, who sings and plays bass guitar with a selection of effects pedals.  

Saturday, Aug. 13 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, all ages, doors at 7 p.m.; music at 8 p.m.

Lansing blues junkie hits LeRoy’s

Kathleen Bolthouse has been gigging around Lansing since the formation of Blues Xpress in the late ‘90s. Her latest band, The Kathleen Bolthouse Band, plays LeRoy’s Classic Bar & Grill Saturday. In 2006 Bolthouse formed The Blues Junkies; shortly afterward, the band took second place in the 2007 Capital Area Blues Society Blues Brawl. Three years later, with the release of its first album “No Way to Live,” The Blues Junkies changed its name to the Kathleen Bolthouse Band and has continued to play a mix of traditional and contemporary blues, sultry ballads, soul, swing and rock. 

Saturday, Aug. 13 @ LeRoy’s Classic Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing, 21 and over, $5, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Indie kids take over The Loft

The Loft hosts a night of local alternative acts Saturday when The Rival, Alco, Elliot Street Lunatic and The Sunset Club perform.

The Rival is a Jack White-influenced band featuring Josh Maul (lead guitars), Justin Muffett (guitar), Bobby Halick (vocals/bass) and Justin Fox (drums). The band has videos posted at www.youtube.com/TheRivalTV. 

Saturday, Aug. 13 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., 18 and over, tickets are $5 advance. Day of show: $7 for 21 and over, $8 for 18 and over. Doors at 9 p.m.