To most people, house parties are nothing special, just places for kids to get drunk and socialize. To others, they are a showcase for local artists, shows as opposed to parties.

"It's almost like this big secret thing," telecommunication senior Mike Pasky said.

As event coordinator at the Brown House, 404 E. Michigan Ave., Pasky said house parties are different than bar gigs.

"The point never really is to make money," he said. "The bands play for free."

Upon first entering the Brown House (so notorious for its parties that students gave it a nickname), partygoers probably wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. All the normal characteristics of a party are present - cigarette smoke, alcohol and people crowded everywhere. What makes these parties unique is that, of the hundred other places for people to drink and talk, here people have come for something more.

On a typical Saturday night at the Brown House, Pasky stands on the low stage - nearly eye to eye with the audience - to welcome everyone and announce the night's performers, local bands Ettison Clio and Know Lyfe.

There's more. Pasky announces this to be the last show of the spring semester. The crowd screams, cheers and some raise their cups in salute.

"We've known Mike since kindergarten," fisheries and wildlife senior Sara Kolesar said. "House parties are cool and Mike definitely has better music than most. It's very cool but often intense."

Packed with nearly 200 people, the small concrete basement where the show takes place is bursting at the seams. But people are friendly as they move through and apologize for bumping each other.

"It is such a tiny basement," telecommunication junior and Know Lyfe lead singer Alfonso Civile said. "It could probably hold a comfortable 50."

It is the kind of atmosphere that drives Know Lyfe, a band that says it will play anywhere, and at any house party.

"It just made us play harder," said telecommunication junior and Know Lyfe guitarist Jerred Pruneau about the crowd.

Telecommunication senior and Ettison Clio fan Justin Reynolds said he enjoys the band's house shows because of the type of people who attend.

"Clio is a breath of fresh air really," he said. "It's cool to see them in this type of environment because people here are looking for the music. Some want to get wasted, but the true fans are all here."

Unlike bars, psychology junior and Chicken Shack event coordinator David Mcamm said, house parties welcome fans of all ages.

"It's definitely not being in a bar," he said. "We can have all ages come here. A lot of bands like coming here because they feel people are actually coming to this house party to see the music and bands, whereas at the bar people are coming to get drunk."

The Chicken Shack, 170 Stoddard Ave., doesn't provide alcohol at its parties and has yet to have its parties busted by police.

"We've never had any problems," Mcamm said. "We keep things low-key. The crowds stay in the backyard, we don't distribute alcohol, bands stay in the basement and the noise gets absorbed."

The Chicken Shack has been so successful as a venue, it has hosted larger acts such as the Detroit-based The Fags and Lisabo.

Promotion for Chicken Shack shows comes from house members putting up flyers, maintaining a Web site and word of mouth. In many ways, the house serves as a grassroots campaign to give exposure to local artists.

"Places like the Chicken Shack have helped out huge touring bands and local bands," telecommunication senior and Ettison Clio guitarist Joseph Niemiec said.

Door charges for Chicken Shack shows range in price but are usually around $5. Oftentimes, especially if they had to make a special effort to appear, bands will see a cut of the money. Even if no direct payment is involved, bands benefit from the chance to sell CDs and merchandise.

"Most bands really just want to play at shows where people listen," Pasky said. "They know it's going to be packed and that they can make money off of merchandise."

House parties are often a band's first stepping stone into gaining a following, and it's hard to imagine what East Lansing's music scene would be without them. In houses where the music comes before the party, bands get a chance to really make an impression.

Niemiec, along with the other members of Ettison Clio, took first place at Saturday's Battle of the Bands at the International Center, credits much of the band's success to the fan base it built at parties.

"Our very first show was a house party," he said.

Staff writer Elysia Smith contributed to this report.