Guitarist talks about Lansing music scene
Reunion time for Honest D

Anne Erickson | NOISE

As much as he loves reminiscing about making music with Honest D and the Steel Reserve, Jeremy Rapp mostly remembers the camaraderie of his old band.

"My favorite memories aren't even playing music," declares the guitarist. "It's remembering hanging out on the way to gigs in the van and just spending time with three guys who all have an understanding and who are all friends.

"The cool thing is that I don't really miss that, because we're all still friends."

What Rapp does miss about Honest D is playing music that "helps people forget about whatever is going on in their lives."

"I think music has an important service," he said. "It helps them forget about the bad stuff happening around them, and there's a lot of crap going on right now, so I think music is as important as ever."

It will be déjà vu for Rapp when the band gets together for a special reunion show at the Sun Theatre in Grand Ledge on Saturday.

It was more than two years ago that Honest D played its last show after a 3 1/2-year career. Since then, the guys have stayed tight. Music-wise, they've dabbled in a few things. But more importantly, they've gotten on with living. Bass player Joe Bakaitis became a father. Drummer Dan Amori opened an Allstate branch in Ann Arbor. Derek "Honest D" Smith is working and taking classes at Lansing Community College. Rapp is at Michigan State University studying environmental economics and policy.

The idea of doing a reunion show was always in the back of their minds. Like a mustard seed, it grew, and this past summer the band decided to book a reunion show. To their luck, Matt Carlson from the Pantones was looking for bands to play on Saturday.

"It felt like the right time," Rapp said.

The Lansing music climate has changed a bit since the last time Honest D took the stage. As Rapp describes it, there isn't as much twang - but still a mix of strong talent.

"I think Flatfoot is the only twang band from a few years ago still playing regularly," he said. "For a while, there were a ton of twang bands here: the Ingham County Regulars, the Gentleman Callers, Honest D. And now there are still great bands in Lansing, it's just gone a different way.

"I don't think it was an intentional thing, like, 'Let's have a big twang scene,' and then a few years later, 'Let's not.' It's just a natural progression."

Rapp says Honest D might book a few more shows in the coming year. (They already have a January date at Cooper's Glen Fest in Kalamazoo.) But nothing too taxing.

"I don't think we'll be seeking out gigs like before, but as long as we're still having fun doing it and as long as the opportunity is still there, we'll get together to play shows," he said.