EDGE EIGHT:

A Cozy Concert Amidst the Records

Agnieszka Spieszny

Step into The Record Lounge above one of East Lansing’s busiest intersections and you walk into what looks like a high school indie band’s fantasy room. Records, old stickers, album covers and posters both new and old cover the walls, counter and every shelf in the little square room barely big enough to fit 20 people and the band that’s playing for them. Yet, that’s about as many people as The Record Lounge fit Monday, Feb. 16 for an acoustic, in-store show.

This was only the record store’s third show, which is surprising considering the store opened more than a year ago in January 2008. Heather Frarey, the owner of The Record Lounge, didn’t come up with the idea to play in-store concerts until her store’s first anniversary show at Small Planet last January, where part of Monday’s line-up performed.

“I just thought it’d bring people up here. It would also, kind of promote music around Lansing. There’s not a lot of venues around here anymore,” Frarey said.

The atmosphere was cozy and many people just came to see their friends play. Monday’s show was the biggest the store has seen yet according to Aaron Simmons, a friend of one of the acts. The line-up included: Andy Reed, *** (star star star), Irwin Vega, and Truncated Lions.

Andy Reed, with his backup guitarist and vocalist, Kevin Spear, loosened up the crowd with their opener. Although Reed is a solo-artist from the Bay City area, he performs live sets with Spear since last year. The two met five years ago when Spear walked into a music store looking for a guitar teacher.

“It’s fun to play in front of people who are actually listening. It’s not just my mother and my sister, everybody’s actually listening. This is cool,” Spear said.

*** are as unusual as their name. On stage they vocalized to the melody of their guitars and made animal and nature noises while swaying to their own tunes. The band played so well off each other that people couldn’t help whispering to the person next to them, “Wow, I actually really like this.”

The boys of *** got together in the summer of 2007 and have been experimenting with sounds, noises, melodies on electric and acoustic guitars since. With luck, you’ll see this band perform at one of the numerous shows they do around East Lansing in the future.

Irwin Vega was somewhat of the awaited act, with many supporters who came to see them play only to depart soon after they were done, much to the misfortune of the last act. Monday was their first night appearing at The Record Lounge, although they’re used to playing the local scene, having appeared in Mac’s bar, co-op shows, and even opening for Electric Six at Small Planet. Although today’s line up didn’t assemble until October of last year, they’re hoping for success in the future.

“I definitely want to make a living out of it, that’s the plan… It’s not really a project, this is my life,” said guitarist and lead vocalist, Ryan Waters.

Wrapping up the show was Joe McAndrew of Truncated Lions, his current solo project. On his latest CD, he incorporates acoustic and electric guitar, drums, bass, and cello; all recorded in his basement. Why the name “Truncated Lions,” you ask? It was all inspired by dramatic footage of a decapitated lion’s head in Africa on a National Geographic program. His first thought (and exact words) when he saw the footage: “Huh, that’s a severely truncated lion.”

You won’t find any CDs in this store, and you won’t even be able to get in Mondays during regular business hours, as it only opens up in the evening those days. Entrance is always free and you’re encouraged to bring a friend! The vibe is chill, the decorations are authentic, and the owners enjoy the shows more than regular business hours. Frarey likes that the shows bring in people who wouldn’t otherwise know her record store is even up here. “Yeah, we’re just kind of another place for bands to play, people to hang out, and it’s free.”

The acoustic shows will take place every Monday night at 7:00 PM. The Record Lounge is located upstairs at 210 Abbot Rd, Suite 18.

If you liked any of the acts from Monday’s show, or if you missed it and would like to check out the bands anyway, here are their myspaces or record labels:

Andy Reed (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=59002193)
Irwin Vega (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=154936901)
Truncated Lions (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=378607847)
*** (http://rackandruinrecords.com/artists/ringostar.php).

Question? Comments? E-mail Lauren Montemurri at montemur@msu.edu

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