Turn it down

Alternative tentacles´ Slim Cessna at Mac´s

Genuine alt-country and psychobilly fans may want to check out Slim Cessna’s Auto Club when it stops at Mac’s Bar Thursday. The Denver-based band has been churning out goth-country-punk-gospel since the early ‘90s, even releasing six acclaimed LPs on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles imprint; its latest album on the label was 2011’s “Unentitled.” The band’s sound goes from high lonesome to high-energy, but always keeps a deranged American-roots edge. Cessna has toured North America repeatedly, played with the Melvins and Biafra at Alternative Tentacles´ 25th Anniversary and shared the stage with the late Johnny Cash, Primus and Violent Femmes, to name a few. Opening the Mac’s show is Filthy Still, a Providence, R.I.-based country-punk band that records for Farmageddon Records.

Thursday, Aug. 2 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $10 advance, $12 door, 9 p.m.

Deacon Earl has got the (Delta) Blues

Each Thursday, Lansing-based blues guitarist/vocalist Deacon Earl plays a set of raw blues at the Harrison Roadhouse in East Lansing. His roots-inspired sound mirrors his heroes Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Lightnin’ Hopkins. The 29-year-old guitar slinger plays electric and acoustic guitars, bass, banjo, lap steel, harmonica, keys and the ukulele. He also mixes in country and reggae during his performances. Earl, who is also known by the aliases Ervin Boyd and Swervin´ Ervin, plays a mixture of originals and covers. He is the son of a preacher and was raised on gospel music, which eventually led him to the blues — specifically Delta blues. Aside from the live tunes, there’s also half-off nachos and $3 Coronas and Margaritas.

Thursday, Aug. 2 @ Harrison Roadhouse, 720 Michigan Ave., East Lansing, all ages, free admission, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Dark Psychosis releases ´Lord to None´

Since 1999 Dark Psychosis has been belting out raw and harsh black-thrash metal. The Lansing-based band, led by local tattoo artist Sean “Xaphan” Peters, releases “Lord to None” Friday at Mac’s Bar. Aside from his prominence in the local metal scene, Peters also operates Eclectic Art Tattoo Gallery (615 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing). Peters has been in a number of area bands, such as Summon, Masochist and Wastelander. The last Dark Psychosis album, “Obsessed By Shadows,” was released in 2004. As for the new album, Peters is self-releasing it on his Beyond Dead Pro label. Dark Psychosis also includes bassist Scott “Panthatva” Lehman and drummer Justin “Bellithiest” Henry. Opening up the show is a roster of metalheads, including Wulfhook, Coffin Witch and Halstatt. For more information, visit darkpsychosis.com.

Friday, Aug. 3 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over, $7, 9:30 p.m.

Future guitar god Tyler Bryant hits Moriarty´s

While Tyler Bryant may have been born in 1991, he’s got an old soul when it comes to shredding his Fender guitar. His band, the Nashville-based Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, has been getting much international buzz over the past three years. On Sunday he plays a free, intimate show at Moriarty’s Pub. Tyler has toured with or opened shows for the likes of Jeff Beck, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa, B.B. King, Pat Benatar, Heart, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Vince Gill. A couple of years ago Gill said this about Tyler, “To be 18 and play like this kid is the rarest of the rare; hands down, a future guitar god.” The Texas-native is featured in “Rock Prophecies,” a 2009 PBS documentary that (in part) tells of the young bluesman’s passion for blues and rock guitar. His high-energy technique and style echoes legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. Bryant’s band also includes guitarist Graham Whitford (son of Brad Whitford of Aerosmith), drummer Caleb Crosby, and bassist Noah Denney. Opening the Moriarty’s show is From Big Sur, a Dansville-based band with a ‘60s-rock sound.

Sunday, Aug. 5 @ Moriarty’s Pub, 802 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, 21 and over, FREE, 8:30 p.m.

Pump House hosts Amy Speace

Americana songwriter Amy Speace has been compared to Joan Baez and has drawn support from the likes of Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith and Guy Clark. On Sunday she performs at the Pump House. In 2006 Collins signed Speace to her Wildflower Records label, which resulted in the acclaimed “Songs for Bright Street” CD. In 2009 the Baltimore native moved to Nashville and recorded her latest release, “Land Like a Bird.” Speace is also known for her work in the holly jolly group, Decembersongs.

Sunday, Aug. 5 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, all ages, $15 suggested donation, 7 p.m.