A Look back at Small Planet

With local music venues still being shuttered due to the pandemic, it’s a harsh reminder of what the Lansing area once had. The Loft, Mac’s Bar, the Green Door—and various other spots—not only host area bands, but also beloved touring acts from all genres.

This rich history of music, of course, goes back decades. It all started back in the ’60s and ’70s with hippie-filled rooms like Grandmother’s, The Dells, The Stables, among countless others. Digging back into their event calendars, you’ll find a laundry list of certified music legends who entertained right here in our city.

That tradition continued on through the 1980s and ’90s, notably thanks to Small Planet. Along with Rick’s American Café, The Silver Dollar and other campus watering holes, Small Planet was a room that offered stage space to fledgling Mid-Michigan bands — like The Shivers and Beatosonics — during the alternative rock boom. For 26 years, the rock venue also booked up-and-coming names, like Kid Rock and Weezer, to only name a couple. Almost nightly, live music could be heard resonating out its doors into downtown East Lansing, which then comprised other beloved spots like Bilbo’s Pizza and Wherehouse Records.

While it was first started in 1974, by owners Vaughan and Lana Schneider, it really hit its stride in the early ’90s after its 1991 move from 225 Ann St. in East Lansing to its M.A.C. location. The busy calendar was stacked with Lansing regulars like Wally Pleasant, Groove Spoon, Assembly Required, Mustard Plug, The Holy Cows, Apollo 9, Big Blue Couch, The dt’s, Born Naked, Botfly, The Hannibals, Knee Deep Shag, Material Issue and The Verve Pipe, among many others.

Bigger-name tours by Southern Culture on the Skids, Big Country and Jonathan Richman would also stop in for an intimate performance. In short, it was a place to hear live, original music in the heart of East Lansing. That’s something that’s diminished over the years.

In a 2016 City Pulse interview, Wally Pleasant recalled that thriving ’90s scene, which of course extended well beyond Small Planet.

“I’d play everything from the Small Planet to the East Lansing Art Festival,” Pleasant said. “Prior to 1992, I played at Castellani's Market, Hobie's on Trowbridge, Wherehouse Records, Erickson Kiva and the MSU Union. I also hosted an open-mic night at The Riv. My weekly shows at Cuppa Java usually drew between 30 and 60 people,” he added. “Many times, they were high school kids who weren't old enough to get into other venues.”

In 2000, after a East Lansing development deal caused Small Planet to be demolished to make room for retail and apartments, the owners left with an $830,000 payout and many memories. Aside from loud music, comedy nights, film screenings and countless benefit events were held at the venue. Back in August 2000, as the closing approached, Vaughn Schneider told LSJ reporter Ricardo Cooney, “It feels like a death in the family. I thought I would be here for another 10 years anyway.”

Nearly a decade after its initial closing, Small Planet returned in 2009, but only briefly. Perhaps its location way out at 16800 Chandler Road was the cause of its quick demise. Still, that last incarnation of The Small Planet hosted wild shows by The Electric Six and a legendary performance from Dinosaur Jr. I still remember that April 2009 day when I ran into Lou Barlow, Dinosaur Jr.’s bassist, up the street from the venue at Eastwood Towne Center. Hopefully one day soon, when it’s the right time, we’ll once again be running into touring bands in Lansing.