Sound Menu January 07 2009
Wed/7
THIS PIANO PLAYS ITSELF, SOUND ON FILM, CHANTICLEER FOX These three bands bridge the various gray areas between sparkling pop, scenic musical architecture and mild emotions, touching on everything from the Beach Boys to Explosions in the Sky. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford
Thu/8
JEFF HOLMES The frontman from one of Nashville’s most popular bands, the Floating Men, presents his “No Clocks, No Calendars” rock opera in its entirety tonight. Will it be as good as “Tommy”? I doubt it, but it could be interesting. $12-$60. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — James Kelly
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Gil Shaham is guest violin soloist for the formidable “Violin Concerto” of Johannes Brahms. Also on tap is Sergei Prokofiev’s popular and modernist “Symphony No. 5.” Roberto Abbado conducts. Program repeats Friday and Saturday. $18-$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham
SAT/10
THE SOULPHONICS, RUBY VELLE, HARVEY SCALES “East Atlanta Soul Party” says it all. Veteran soul man Scales sits in for a few numbers with Velle, and the Soulphonics also perform. DJs Brandon Blue Eyes, Boss Jonezy, Gran Lusso, Jackie-O and Tim Lawrence spin soul tracks before, in between and after the bands. $5. 10 p.m. Graveyard Tavern. 404-622-8686. www.graveyardtavern.com. — CR
KINGSIZED ELVIS BIRTHDAY BASH Almost bigger, brasher and more exaggerated than the King of Rock and Roll himself, this annual shindig gets more elaborate each year. Mike Geier and his Kingsized band’s Vegas/burlesque extravaganza is glitzy, loud, brassy and appropriately over the top fun. $22.50-$25. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-223-1100. www.variety-playhouse.com. — Hal Horowitz
MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES Ex-Eddie’s employee, now relocated to Nashville, Jones has a lovely tenor voice, somewhat similar to that of like-minded singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith. He wraps it around expansive folk-rock that doesn’t overstate its lyrically poetic roots. His new album perfectly captures this wide-screen yet intimate approach. $12. 9:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — HH
RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS Despite its ridiculous name, Florida’s RJA crafted a hit with the anti-misogynistic “Face Down,” a hooky pop-punk ditty that pushed the band’s otherwise standard-issue debut into gold status. Expect a preview of new music from a soon to be released sophomore disc. $15. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — HH
DONNA HUGHES One of the few female bandleaders in traditional bluegrass, Hughes is a stellar songwriter with the onstage confidence of an old-time picker. She will fit right in at Everett’s — no likker, no guns, no cussin’. $15 donation. 8 p.m. Everett’s Music Barn. 770-945-5628. www.everettbrothers.com. — JK
ALL THE SAINTS, THE BALKANS All the Saints build a massive wall of overdriven noise, pop and Southern gothic tones that are big, elegant and hallucinogenic. The Balkans play a perky and primitive punk and pop hybrid that’s built from equal parts shoe-gazer textures and surf-rock energy. $5. 10 p.m. 529. 404-228-6769. — CR
SUN/11
ATLANTA CHAMBER PLAYERS Guest soprano Arietha Lockhart performs “Shepherd on the Rock” by Franz Schubert in an all-Romantic program that includes Beethoven’s “String Trio in G Major” and the “Piano Quartet in C Minor” by Brahms. $10-$20. 3 p.m. Kellett Chapel, Peachtree Presbyterian Church. 770-242-2227. www.mindspring.com/~acplayers. — MG
TUE/13
HELEN KIM AND ROBERT HENRY Violinist Kim and pianist Henry perform “Sonata, Op. 134” by Gabriel Faure and “Sonata in D Minor, Op. 108” by Johannes Brahms, concluding with a popular virtuoso violin showpiece, “Carmen Fantasy,” by Pablo de Sarasate. Free. 8 p.m. Kennesaw State University. 770-423-6650. www.kennesaw.edu/arts. — MG
WED/14
TOM RUSH One of the original singer/songwriters of the early ’60s, Rush has been a big influence on so many others. A true legend, his work is ageless and powerful. Rumor has it some new material is on the way. $25-$125. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK
Check out our website at atlanta.creativeloafing.com. Click the Music category for a full selection of Soundboard events. CL online provides the address, a map and directions from your location.
Bands/performers/venues wishing to be included in Sound Menu’s noted-acts boxes may send recordings, press material and schedules two weeks in advance to Creative Loafing c/o Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@creativeloafing.com. To be included in the listings only, e-mail venue and band schedules by Thursday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Wednesday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.