Twang band's guitarist talks about the Lansing scene

Anne Erickson | aerickson@lsj.com

Twang band's guitarist talks about the local scene

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 over 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.

• Show details: Honest D and The Steel Reserve, the Pantones, J3, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sun Theatre, 316 N. Bridge St., Grand Ledge, 627-2346. Tickets: $6 in advance at Elderly Instruments or $8 at the door.

Half-note: True punk rock at Mac's on Saturday

A lot of bands call themselves "punk." But only a few can really trace their roots to the classic sense of the genre: bare bones rock 'n' roll with a simply, catchy melody and a lot of energy. American Armada is one of those bands. Like any good punk band, the Pittsburgh, Pa., outfit knows how to entertain a crowd, bringing a new-school punk-rock sound and a lot of stage power. The group includes former members of the Code, and in just a year together, they've already played shows with the Gaslight Anthem, A Wilhelm Scream, Crime in Stereo and a ton more.

Bass player and vocalist Corey Cameron, guitarists and vocalists Jesse Hinderliter and Jay Walker and drummer Tyler Kweeder come to Mac's Bar Saturday for a Bermuda Mohawk Productions show. So go and get punk'd.

• Show details: American Armada, Frank and Earnest, Epic Fail, Josh David & the Dream Jeans, 5 p.m. Saturday, Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., 484-6795, $8 at the door.

Anne Erickson's column appears Thursdays in What's On. Have a band or a concert to promote? Contact her at aerickson@lsj.com or www. myspace.com/theannespace.