Turn it down

From a humble beginning in a Royal Oak basement in 2009, indie-pop band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., led by Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein, has risen to become a national act, including a performance on “Conan.” The band’s 33-city headlining tour stops Friday at The Loft. For the record, the band has no ties to the NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr.; they picked the name as a joke and never looked back, though the band has asserted they sent the racecar star a sample of their music along with a letter assuring him they were not making fun of him. Opening the allages show at The Loft is Michigan indie-folk band Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers.

The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $15 adv., 7 p.m., all ages

The Spragues at (SCENE) - Sat. Feb 8th

The Spragues, fronted by local songwriter Jerry Sprague, releases their new album, “Summer State of Mind,” Saturday at (SCENE) Metrospace. Sprague’s band includes his grandsons Isaac Sprague (guitar), Gabe Sprague (bass) and Samuel Sprague (drums). The band formed three years ago performing mostly covers, but over the past seven months has transitioned into an originals band, playing a polished brand of power pop. “(Think) Gin Blossoms and Goo Goo Dolls with a bit of Elvis Costello thrown in,” Jerry Sprague said. He first picked up a bass in 1965 and by 1976 he was gigging with his father’s band, The Royal Jesters. Throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, he fronted the alt-rock band Jerry & The Juveniles with his sons serving as the rhythm section.

(SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing. $5, 7 p.m., all ages.

Then Menzingers at Mac´s Bar - Wed. Feb 12

The Menzingers headline an all-ages show Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Mac’s Bar. The Pennsylvania-based pop-punk outfit includes Greg Barnett (guitar/vocals), Tom May (guitar/vocals), Eric Keen (bass) and drummer Joe Godino. Fans of Hot Water Music or Against Me! might want to check out this show. Opening are Minneapolisbased rockers Off With Their Heads and Colorado punk outfit Elway. After a string of indie releases, The Menzingers debuted on Epitaph Records in 2012 with the “On the Impossible Past” LP; both Absolutepunk.net and Punknews.org named it Album Of The Year. The band tours relentlessly and is known for its hooky, singalong choruses and rowdy live shows, earning spots on shows with The Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag and Rise Against.

Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $15, 7 p.m., all ages.