Sound Menu April 22 2009

THUR/23
SCOTT MILLER, DODD FERRELLE A pair of Southern singer/songwriters share the bill. Miller has been around for years, with plenty of witty and melodic tunes. Ferrelle leaves the twang behind on his new CD, opting for a harder-rocking sound. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — James Kelly

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Donald Runnicles leads the ASO in Gustav Mahler’s vast and tragic “Symphony No. 6,” featuring a large post-Romantic orchestra that includes a sledgehammer. (“Strike any key when ready.”) Program repeats FRI/24. $16-$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

DAMIEN JURADO, LAURA GIBSON, BEN TRICKEY Jurado is a singer/songwriter from Seattle who has somehow eluded the spotlight. His songs are sharp, idiosyncratic narratives that offer episodic glimpses into the lives of characters that hit awfully close to home. Oregon songstress Gibson and Atlanta’s Trickey also perform. $10. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

FRI/24
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE GLEE CLUB The mighty, mighty men of Morehouse are one of Atlanta’s most distinguished choral ensembles and musical ambassadors of goodwill. Program features classical compositions, African choral woks, and American spirituals, led by David Morrow.    $5-$10. 7:30 p.m. All Saints’ Episcopal Church. 404-881-0835. www.allsaintsatlanta.org. — MG

SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEC AND BNOIS KING This longtime duo has been touring practically nonstop since 1987, spreading the whisky-soaked, soul/blues/rock gospel with sweaty shows featuring King’s distinctive R&B vocals slathered over Kubec’s grinding Texas guitar. Tough, gruff and dependable party fun ensues. $12. 9 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — Hal Horowitz

ATTENTION SYSTEM, SLOWEARTH, SPY FOR HIRE, THE JULIA DREAM A night of electro-rock and brooding synth-pop from four like-minded local acts. Attention System and SlowEarth employ electronica beats and driving guitars while Spy For Hire and the Julia Dream channel the Cure, the Smiths and Joy Division. DJs F1-11 and Darby Driver also play. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — Jonathan Williams

KEVIN RUDOLF, HYPER CRUSH Rudolf became a pop sensation with the hit single “Let It Rock” featuring Lil Wayne. Hyper Crush’s Day-Glo look is just as ‘80s-inspired as its new wave/hip-hop sound. Cash Cash, the Audition and Go Crash Audio open. $16. 6:30 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — JW

SAT/25
ATLANTA CHAMBER PLAYERS Rescheduled after being “snowed out” on March 1, ACP plays the graceful, witty “Serenade in D Major” by Ludwig van Beethoven, a flashy “Trio” by Francis Poulenc, and the heroic “Piano Quintet” by Erich Korngold. $25. 8:15 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

NEW MASTERSOUNDS, DJ LOGIC The U.K.’s funkiest quartet doesn’t need the vocals that somewhat clutter up its new album. But this impressive combination bill should further heat up the band’s already scorching performance if/when Logic sits in on their set. $15. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

Editor’s note: Jamie Stewart canceled his Wonderroot appearance. Updated April 24.
JAMIE STEWART, IMAGINATION HEAD, NERDKWEEN The ubiquitous Xiu Xiu frontman Stewart makes a solo appearance doing a ramshackle run through the group’s catalog. Stewart writes songs that walk a fine line between compelling emotions and extreme mellow drama. Expect a night of noisy, off-key, off-kilter laments over lost innocence and post-industrial derangement. Imagination Head and Nerdkween open. $5. 8 p.m. Wonderroot. 404-254-5955. www.wonderroot.org. — CR

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM, SHAKING RAY LEVIS An oddly compelling, wildly adventurous crew blending King Crimson and the Dresden Dolls into experimental, gothic, vaudevillian prog metal. SGM’s orchestral palette ebbs and flows through darkly hued multipassage arrangements abetted by a theatrical stage show. $10-$12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chris Parker

ELECTRIC SIX, THE LIVING THINGS, CAN CAN Lose track of them following “Danger! High Voltage”? It’s your loss, as E6 remains one of rock’s wittiest acts. Their parodic touch refashions rock tropes into kitschy, energetic paeans, while the live show’s, well, high voltage. $12. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CP

CHRIS KNIGHT, SONIA LEIGH A powerful Americana writer who blends John Prine’s folksy honesty, Steve Earle’s maverick country-rock spirit and Bruce Springsteen’s working-class heroes, Knight’s hard-bitten/luck stories epitomize what country used to be and what Nashville’s clearly not. $18. 9 p.m. Vinyl. 404-885-1365. www.vinylatlanta.com. — CP 

SUN/26
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Honestly, does the Boss still rock as hard as he did in 1976? Hell, no. His latest release is a mixed bag of great and not so great stuff, but the crowd is there for the classics. $69-$99. 7:30 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.philipsarena.com. — JK

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLAMENT FUNKADELIC Few acts more purely define a genre the way Clinton and crew define funk. They have been slamming for about 40 years, and haven’t lost a step. This will be a dancin’ and sweatin’ good time. $27.50-$30. 7:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

MON/27
TOMMY KEENE, MAGNAPOP The legendary power-pop singer/songwriter, who is also an accomplished guitarist as sideman to Robert Pollard and Paul Westerberg, makes a rare Atlanta appearance. He’s flown under the radar since his 1982 debut, but tours behind a terrific new release that hopefully will change that. $10. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH

THE KILLS, THE HORRORS, MAGIC WANDS London’s sexiest/trashiest rock and roll duo the Kills features Florida punk ex-pat singer Alison Mosshart (aka VV) and British drummer, guitarist and vocalist Hotel (Jamie Hince). Together they wield a dirty wash of noisy and heroin-chic minimalism that sullies infectious hooks with grit and a stylishly fuzzed-out pop strut. The Horrors and Magic Wand open. $15. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR