Chicago-based hipsters “Bumpus” can’t get enough of East Lansing.

After a high-energy performance last November at Rick’s American Cafe, 224 Abbott Road, the group is returning to the venue Wednesday to hold its CD release party at 10 p.m.

East Lansing-based band “Funk Bucket” opened for “Bumpus” at the last show and will open once again tomorrow night.

Travis Chandler, bass player for “Bumpus,” said every performance is a little different.

“No two shows are the same, even from laying them out,” he said. “The satisfaction of constantly trying to generate new material and the crowd’s response is what keeps us going.”

Vocalist Rachael Yamagata said the band’s songwriting has improved since the release of their more funk-based, self-titled debut on Union Records.

“We progressed to incorporate our grooves with a complete song,” she said. “We developed our songs more in terms of experimenting with other instruments and really went into different styles with every song - but still kept the funk element.”

Bassist Matt Kurko said Rick’s specifically asked for his band, “Funk Bucket,” to come back for another performance.

“Playing with your friends, for your friends, is what we enjoyed from last time,” the second year graduate business student said. “(The band) really appreciated having a larger audience comprised of friends versus a more academic atmosphere.”

Chandler said one of the most interesting things about playing at Rick’s is getting the audience excited about what they’re listening to.

“Being able to turn the audience around and being able to get an audience not interested to get up and dance is rewarding,” he said.

The band will appear on the Mitch Albom radio show on February 2 and is going to New York in April. Their sophomore effort, entitled “Stereoscope,” is available at Amazon.com.

Cover is $3. For more information, call Rick’s American Cafe at 351-2285.