Turn it down

Green Door calls the doctor

Back in September, Root Doctor released “Joy,” a new album of soulful blues tunes. For area blues lovers who haven’t heard any of the new tunes yet, the band plays Friday at the Green Door. “Joy” is all original material; lead vocalist Freddie Cunningham considers it a “labor of love.” One song includes Freddie’s brother, Tim, sister Vanessa Sanders, granddaughter Kaela Cunningham and local songstress Lisa Smith.

Many veteran local musicians make guest appearances on the CD, including Andy Wilson, Chad Bement, Dave Matchette, Jen Sygit and Glenn Brown. The group includes James Williams (bass) Mike Skory (keyboards), Bill Malone (guitar) and Bobby Gardner (drums). On stage the band plays a diverse mix of classic R&B, funk, traditional blues, jazz and originals. Root Doctor’s previous CD, “Change Our Ways,” was nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the WC Handy Awards) for Soul/Blues Album of the Year in 2007. Visit www.rootdoctorband.com.

Friday, Jan. 20 @Green Door, Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, 21 and over.

Toledo punks pop into Lansing

Pop-punk band Citizen headlines a night of high-energy indie rock Friday at Mac’s Bar. Citizen, based in Toledo, features Ryland Oehlers (guitar), Eric Hamm (bass) and Mike Armstrong (drums).

The event, hosted by Fusion Shows, also features Call It Quits, Quicksand Swimclub and Fisherking.

Pre-sale tickets are available locally at Flat Black and Circular, Music Manor, Mac’s Bar and online at www.fusionshows.com.

Friday, Jan. 20 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all ages. $8 advance, $10 day of, 5:30 p.m.

´Old-time music duets´ at The Fiddle

The Ten Pound Fiddle hosts a night of “Old-Time Music Duets” Friday at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Ann & Phil Case and Cathy Barton & Dave Para are performing. 

These two Midwest-based duos play a variety of American folk music using acoustic guitars, an occasional banjo, mandolin and fiddle. The old-fashioned sounds are accompanied with blended voices singing songs centered on family, faith and relationships. 

Friday, Jan. 20 @ Ten Pound Fiddle — Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove Street East Lansing. Public $15, members $12, students $5. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. www.tenpoundfiddle.org.

Local hip-hop duo at Mac´s

The Green Skeem is an East Lansing-based hip-hop/electronic duo fronted by Danny Wiseman (a.k.a. Daggler) and Courtney Rodgers (a.k.a. QTheBars). They play Friday at Mac’s Bar.

The Green Skeem have been at it for over two years, drawing influences from a wide spectrum of genres, even classic rock. Green Skeem plans to release a new album, “Old Souls,” in early February. 

Also performing at Mac’s are The Specktators, Ajax Stacks, and INoV8. For more information, visit www.greenskeem.com.

Friday, Jan. 20 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $7, 9:30 p.m.

Punk-rock snafu at B414

Basement 414 has been booking a variety of free punk shows recently, mainly due to Scumpunch! Productions, a new booking company (led by local musician Leanne Sabolish) that hosts shows at the venue/art gallery. On Saturday, B414 hosts four loud and fast punk bands from across Michigan: SNAFU (from Detroit), 40oz of Spite (from Grand Rapids), Taozins (from Howell) and Banned & Burned, a hardcore-punk band from Lansing that has a new EP coming soon. 

Saturday, Jan, 21 @ Basement 414, 414 E. Michigan Ave. (Jay St. alley), Lansing, FREE, all ages, 7 p.m.

Americana rock at Sir Pizza

The Aimcriers brings their signature folk-rock and distinct brand of Americana music to the Grand Café Sir Pizza in Old Town Saturday. This is the first time in three years the Grand Ledge band has played in Old Town. The musicians have been working on a debut album, due out sometime in 2012. The Aimcriers are Johnny Aimcrier (guitars, vocals), Andy Aimcrier (guitars, vocals) and Danny Aimcrier (drums, percussion, vocals). For more information, visit www.facebook.com/theaimcriers.

Saturday, Jan, 21 @ Grand Café Sir Pizza, 201 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, 8 p.m. to midnight.

Unconventional percussion music at (SCENE)

“Tala Rasa: An Evening of Percussion Music” happens Saturday at (SCENE) Metrospace. The concert features music from the newly formed percussion group. Tala Rasa consists of Brendan Betyn, James Beauton, Gwendolyn Burgett-Thrasher and Steve Wulff. While the musicians do collaborate, the first half of the concert will have three solo pieces and a duet piece. Tala Rasa uses “found” or “discovered” instruments, such as clay flower pots, steel pipes and wooden slats, along with traditional percussion instruments.

Saturday, Jan. 21 @ (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, $3 students, all ages, doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.