Sound Menu June 16 2010

 
CL’s picks for the week’s best shows

THURS/17

CAROLINE HERRING, DEDE VOGT, CAROLINE AIKEN A trio of Decatur’s most popular female artists get together tonight for some fine songcrafting and entertainment. Herring is the new folkie darling, Aiken is the acoustic blues mama, and Vogt is the Godmother of the scene. $15-$30. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. - James Kelly

FRI/18

FAMILY FORCE FIVE Punk rock is old news to these crunk rockers. The local “Phamily” returns from an overseas tour to hit the stage again as part of the Atlanta Christian Rock Festival. With a flavor that’s been compared to Mentos and Coke, you’ll either want to dance or die. Other performers include Skillet, Canton Jones, Matthew West and more. $25-$85. 10 a.m. Stone Mountain Park. 757-476-7100. www.atlantafest.com. - Anum Mohammad

DAVID ALLAN COE Even with a slew of great songs, the 70-year-old Coe will have to answer to someone when his time comes for the hatemongering detritus he released in the ’70s. He won’t perform that crap, but what’s with the Kid Rock covers? $15-$30. 10:30 p.m. Cowboy’s, Kennesaw. 770-426-5006. www.cowboysatl.com. - JK

DJ AESTHETIC, DJ OMAC L.A.’s Das Bunker has proven to be a popular electro-industrial dance night in Atlanta in recent months. This month’s event serves as the going-away party for longtime Atlanta DJ Omac, who will be spinning with fellow scene vet Aesthetic. $10. 9 p.m. The Shelter. 678-694-7435. www.theshelteratl.com. - JW

FUTUREBIRDS, COYOTE BONES, REPTAR Athens’ Futurebirds play exultant country-folk with a sparkle in their eye. One hears echoes of Beachwood Sparks in the subtle psych undertones and the shambolic gait. The hooks gleam brightly through the rootsy twang, supple harmonies and swelling homesy warmth. $8. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. - Chris Parker

GROUPER, LYONNAIS, BRAINWORLDS Portland, Ore.’s Liz Harris is Grouper, a one-woman outfit that specializes in hazy, protracted pop that seems designed to lull the audience into a frosty trance. Her sweetly sad songwriting recalls the best of slowcore’s past: Think Mojave 3 or Sigur Ros without the calculated grandiosity. $10. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. - Gabe Vodicka

THE WOOD BROTHERS Local journeyman/guitarist Oliver and his bass playing brother Chris (on loan from Medeski, Martin and Wood) put their spin on folk, blues and pop. A recent EP of covers extends the duo’s influences, which range from traditionals to the Beatles, Hendrix and Dylan, but Oliver’s melancholy, soulful voice and Chris’ always inventive bass lines draw you into their playful yet deep originals. $15-17.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. variety-playhouse.com. - Hal Horowitz

SAT/19

4TH WARD AFRO-KLEZMER ORCHESTRA, JEFFREY BUTZER Meshing dense and compelling African rhythms with Klezmer tones, 4WAKO will perform as a nine-piece monster jazz ensemble, running through its classics and unveiling a few brand-new tunes as well. Butzer expands his one-man band thing, the Bicycle Eaters (accordion, piano, melodica, kick drum and high-hat), with a bassist and a guitarist. DJ Tim Lawrence spins at midnight. $7. 8:30 p.m. Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge. 404-974-5756. www.thehighlandinn.com. - Chad Radford

CARLO AONZO AND THE ATLANTA MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA Italian mandolin virtuoso Carlo Aonzo, increasingly visible in the USA, is known for his scholarship and passion for promoting both the instrument’s neglected history and potential musical future. Robb Smith conducts the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra. $12.00 and a canned food donation. 7:30 p.m. Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. 404-636-1418. www.atlantamandolins.com. - Mark Gresham

DJ JENNOCIDE, DJ 313 Celebrating the first anniversary of Ritual, a monthly costume dance party, Jennocide and 313 will be spinning a mix of goth, industrial and new wave favorites. And with an apocalyptic theme, Mad Max-like attire is encouraged with the dystopian dance beats. $10. 10 p.m. The Spot at 502. 404-892-2227. www.myspace.com/ritual_party. - Jonathan Williams

SILVERSUN PICKUPS As the name implies, L.A.’s Silversun Pickups wallow in a haze of layered, often distorted guitars. The quartet’s well-documented similarities to Smashing Pumpkins notwithstanding, at its best, the music floats, buzzes and stings with a throbbing rhythm section pushing wispy vocals and gauzy melodies for enough indie rock smarts to deliver a tight, intense, dream-rock experience. $30. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com. - HH

SPEAKEASY 9 Fresh off his marvelous and loyal Big Lebowski tribute album Mark it Zero, Opio, of Hieroglyphics renown, headlines the ninth installation of Speakeasy Productions. The gathering of rappers, funksters and taggers also features Clan Destined’s DT, Methuzulah and the Nice Guise, among others. $8-$10. 10 p.m. Apache Cafe. 404-876-5436. www.apachecafe.info. - GV

TUES/22

MEWITHOUTYOU, RUBIK, DAVID BAZAN Idiosyncratic Christian indie rockers mewithoutYou balance taut, churning guitar aggression with delicate campfire-folk reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel. Quirky Finnish art-popsters Rubik fashion swirling atmospheres bristling with percussion and an epic feel. Pedro the Lion songwriter David Bazan opens. $13. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. - CP

WED/23

HOLLOW STARS, BUFFALO BANGERS Former Deerhunter guitarist Colin Mee returns with a renewed Hollow Stars lineup, and a brand-new batch of experimental art-pop that’s not quite dark enough to be called goth, but crafted in the style of gothy ’80s new wave and post-punk. The Buffalo Bangers lean toward a more earthy and improvisational side of darkly-afflicted art rock. $5. 9 p.m. 529 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-228-6769. www.529atl.com. - CR