To Glenn Willis and many like-minded musicians, the definition of a music venue is pretty broad.

While the lead singer for Kalamazoo's Glennerd and the Bastard Few has rocked established venues such as The Strutt and Old Dog Tavern, he's also a big fan of the more unconventional venues. The 29-year-old gets just as much of a thrill playing on a porch, which he did when promoting the band during its infancy.

"It is fun, because it humbles you and lets you be on a more personal level," Willis said about alternative venues. "I love it a lot. I am not a rock star or U2. I am a broken, jacked-up dude with problems just like everyone else. It is cool to talk to people about real stuff and be honest."

To bands with a similar mindset, West Michigan is chock full of potential venues. Area Hot Topic clothing stores host scaled-down, evening shows on the weekdays where bands play for free, but are allowed to sell merchandise. Willis and his band have hit the Hot Topic in River Town Crossings in Grandville.

Grand Rapids vintage clothing shop Coat Of Many Colors (1052 Wealthy Street Southeast), offers small-scale shows as well. Plus, the timeless art of renting out VFW and AMVETS halls is always an option.

"Venues, you make money, so you can make merch and such," Willis explained. "It is a different crowd at both, so I think it is smart to do both. I just like to drink, party and being surrounded by friends and music, so I prefer both."

The DIY scene seems to be a bit stronger in Kalamazoo as professional venues have struggled to keep their doors open. Sean Hartman is one of the unofficial ring leaders of the alternative venue scene. The front man of noise rock band Rotten Wood Moon runs a venue in his house, dubbed the No Fun House. Hartman also works at the Corner Record Shop (1710 West Main Street), which hosts shows roughly two times a week. He created ditkalamazoo.blogspot.com to update fans on shows off the scene's beaten path.

"There is nothing like the feeling of a really successful basement show," Hartman said. "To have 50 or 60 people crammed into your basement, everyone is into it, everyone is completely in the moment. You're just standing there and thinking 'This is why I'm a part of the music scene'."

Hartman did admit, there is one positive about playing at actual venues.

"The positive side of playing there, is not getting busted by the cops," he laughed.