Turn it down

Wally Pleasant at the Loft Friday, Dec. 16 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $15/$13 adv., 7 p.m.

East Lansing anti-folk songsmith Wally Pleasant became a fixture in the local music scene back in the ‘90s thanks to his sharp, humorous songbook. While adult life has slowed his output in recent years, Pleasant — now living in Charlotte with his family — has a new album in the works and still performs periodically. He takes the stage Friday for a rare show at the Loft. In his early days, Pleasant played weekly shows at Cuppa Java and was a fixture at Castellani's Market, Hobie's, WhereHouse Records and open-mic nights at the Riv. Since his debut some 25 years ago, Pleasant has penned a string of stripped-down underground classics like “Denny’s at 4 a.m.,” “Small Time Drug Dealer,” “Stupid Day Job,” “The Day Ted Nugent Killed All the Animals,” and “Dead Rock ‘n’ Roll Stars,” to name a few.

Jackpine Snag at the Avenue Cafe

Friday, Dec. 16 @ The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 18kknd, $5, 8 p.m.

The Avenue Café hosts a heavy bill Friday, featuring local bands DeverauX (melodic metal), the Jackpine Snag (heavy-blues power trio), Past Tense (thrash metal) and Tempest, a hard-rock quartet from Williamston. The Jackpine Snag, known for its noisy, blues-influenced sound, has been a fixture at rock clubs in Lansing and beyond since its formation in 2011. The band, which has released a string of 7-inch singles via the Silver Maple Kill Records imprint, comprises guitarist/vocalist Joe Hart, drummer Todd Karinen and bassist Jason Roedel. The trio’s latest release, “The Fire Tower” EP, was released digitally in June 2014, and a limited edition vinyl version followed a few months later. To sample some of the Jackpine Snag’s earsplitting sounds, visit: thejackpinesnag.bandcamp.com.

Rookie of the Year at Mac's Bar

Monday, Dec. 19 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $10/$8 adv., 5 p.m.

Rookie of the Year frontman Ryan Dunson performed a solo acoustic show over the summer at Mac’s Bar; Monday he returns with the full band. Opening the all-ages show are Fireworks For Buddah, City Under Siege and Carolina Wray. Rookie of the Year, led by indie-pop songwriter Dunson, is on a Midwest/ East Coast tour through December. The North Carolina-based outfit has seen many lineup changes since its formation in 2005, but Dunson has been a constant. Over the years, the emo-tinged outfit has released a string of albums via One Eleven Records, along with some self-released efforts. The hard work has led to some Billboard charts action and several tours, including spots on Van’s Warped Tour.