Sound Menu November 14 2001 Fri
BLUESTRING, CARBON LEAF — Athens good-vibers Bluestring grasp at both the distinctive sax and fiddle interplay of the Dave Matthews Band and the funky rhythmic bass twist of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, but never quite reach the level of invention of either act. Still, their result is an appealing hybrid of styles that has its own moments of greatness. Carbon Leaf, a Celtic-influenced roots-rock band from Virginia, opens. Brandyhouse (Hutchinson/Sarig)
JUNIOR BROWN, JAMES MATHUS & HIS KNOCKDOWN SOCIETY — The deep-voiced Brown long has been a critical favorite for his honest, Ernest Tubb-style western swing imbued with rockabilly, surf, jazz and even Hawaiian sounds. With the new Mixed Bag, his trademark guit-steel (the Frankenstein instrument he invented) gets a workout on tunes like “Catfish and Collard Greens,” the spy-fantasy “Cagey Bea” and a rollicking cover of “Guitar Man.” Opening, Squirrel Nut Zippers headman James Mathus brings his more blues-and-boogie-oriented side project, the Knockdown Society. Their second album, National Antiseptic, came out last month. Variety Playhouse (Ruggiero/Sarig)
CIRQUE DU CABARET 2 — Local cabaret singer/pianist Robert Ray kicks off the sequel to his “Cirque du Cabaret” show with a three-night run. Songs by Elton John and a variety of show tunes make up the bulk of the performance, with a gospel medley and patriotic tribute adding some soul and topical sparks. Libby’s Cabaret (Sarig)
GIRLS ON TOP II — Iris Promotions, who provide Atlanta with the weekly locals-heavy ESP101 parties, present a night of drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop, hard house, 2-step and progressive house from female DJs, including Jordana, Debbie D., Shortee and B:Roc. Downstairs, Silver, Shadrauch, MC Knctrnl, Sikora and D-Lemma hold it down. The Church (Ware)
HOT AUGUST KNIGHTS, CRACKED ACTOR, YUM YUM TREE — Hot August Knights, talented and dedicated in their admiration of singer/songwriter Neil Diamond, take their name from his overblown live album Hot August Night. It’s weird that a Neil Diamond tribute band can headline Smith’s on a weekend, but not nearly as weird as a Dave Matthews Cover Band selling out the Variety. Cracked Actor play their own brand of fizzy alternative pop. The Yum Yum Tree, led by honey-voiced bassist Andy Gish, make their Smith’s debut tonight with an opening set of candy-coated delights. Get there early and ask Gish for some of her free candy cigarettes. Smith’s Olde Bar (Smith)
LEMONPEELER — Sugary melodies held in place by a country-flavored pop jangle, Boston’s Lemonpeeler tears away at rock ‘n’ roll’s protective coating, revealing a simple, succulent essence. You can’t help but feel invited to choke on its bittersweet and vulnerable pulp. Lenny’s (Hutchinson)
MR. C — Who knew? The man who gained prominence by rapping thinly veiled references to taking E with British acid-house stars the Shamen ends up an influential underground DJ. Strange but true: Mr. C is a leader in the tech-house movement, which combines the fiercely repetitive, stabile, almost sterile sound of techno with the fiery, emotional dance floor-friendly aspects of house. Martin Fry and local house leader Keiran also spin. eleven50 (Ware)
IVAN MORAVEC — Another chance to hear keyboard greatness comes our way when legendary pianist (and Atlanta favorite) Ivan Moravec performs in recital. Heavily featured is one of the composers he tackles best, Chopin, with a performance of all 24 preludes and the Ballade in F Minor, Op. 52. Also included will be Debussy and Janacek. Spivey Hall (Brown)
WILLIAM RANSOM — Ransom continues Emory’s eight-part series of Beethoven concerts, in which a rotating cast of pianists tackles four of the composer’s 32 piano sonatas. Ransom performs the sonatas numbered 25, 21, 30 and 23. Performing Arts Studio/Emory (Sarig)
THANKSGIVING ROCK FEAST — A variety of local music-related companies have put together this first seasonal event to benefit the Sullivan Center, which helps families in need. The lineup of prominent local modern-rock acts includes DoubleDrive, Brand New Immortals, Minus, Another Man Down, the Enigmatics, The Yard, King Lear Jet, Sanctified and Lotustarr. Attendees also are entered to win various rock memorabilia. Hard Rock Cafe (Sarig)
WOGGLES, WONTONS, KABOCHACK — The Woggles, Atlanta’s reigning champions of Fleshtones-style retro-rock, headline a wild triple bill with a distinctly Far Eastern flavor. In the middle of the program are the Wontons, a Chinese fire drill of pyrotechnic garage-stomp, who draw as much inspiration from Iggy and the Stooges as they do from firecrackers and flashpots. Equally entertaining is the opener, Kabochack, an all-girl trio from Japan whose cookin’ new CD is titled The King of Pumpkins. Star Bar (Nicoll)
WRAS BENEFIT — This latest fund-raiser for Georgia State’s much-loved indie-music beacon features an appropriately diverse bill. Rising rap duo Minamina Goodsong, Latin alt-rock group Diestra and rock acts Crybaby and Dropsonic lend a hand to 88.5 FM. Echo Lounge (Sarig)
ANDALUZ: Ruda
ANTHONY’S-DECATUR:
Frankies Blues Mission
APACHE CAFE: Bernard Linette Interactive Sextet w/Russell Gunn, Veronica Tate, Gary Motley
BAYOU:: The Blast
BILLY’S: Brian Wiltsey
BILTMORE BALLROOMS: Georgia Trust Preservation Ball with Mose Davis Trio, League of Decency
BLIND WILLIE’S: Houserocker Johnson & the Shadows
BLUE RACCOON: Johnny Knox
BRANDYHOUSE: Bluestring, Carbon Leaf
BREAKERS-JONESBORO: Nillah, Mary Prankster
BRIDGES: The Sharp Four
BUFFALO’S-PLEASANT HILL: Karaoke
CAJUN KITCHEN: Sana Blues Band
CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE KING: Atlanta Baroque Orchestra
THE CHAMBER: Alabaster - progressive hits
CHECKERED PARROT: Fyre & Rain
CHIP’S-WINDER: Sean Costello
THE CHURCH: Girls on Top II
CHURCHILL GROUNDS JAZZ CAFE: Russell Bryant
CJ’S LANDING: Rev 7, Chain Poets, YG Band
C.K.’S GRILLED PIZZA: CK’s Jazz Combo
CLUB RARITY: DJ Das Wright
CLUB VENUS: DJ Gary B.
COTTON CLUB: Left Front Tire, Favorite, Tilden’s Faith, Annapolis Red
COWBOYS: Chris Cagle
DADDY D’Z: Kindle Williams Sr.
DARK HORSE TAVERN: Eden, Acres, Merry’s Eyes
DEUX PLEX: Apologetic Friday
THE EARL: Sweep the Leg Johnny, Rizzudo, Remuxers
EARTHLINK LIVE: Jennifer Knapp
ECHO LOUNGE: WRAS Benefit: Crybaby, Minamina Goodsong, Dropsonic, Diestra
ECLIPSE DI LUNA: Kim Rushing Band Jazz Quartet
EDDIE’S ATTIC: Richard Bicknell, Denice Franke, A Few Degrees
ELEVEN50: Mr. C
EMORY PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO: William Ranson plays Beethoven Sonatas
FAT MATT’S RIB SHACK: Ralph Ellis and friends
FLANIGAN’S: Cosmic Gypsies
FUNNY FARM: Mark Anthony
FUZZY’S: Motor City Josh
GEORGIA THEATRE-ATHENS: Keller Williams
THE GRAPE AT VININGS: Scott Thompson
HARD ROCK CAFE: Thanksgiving Rock Feast with DoubleDrive, Brand New Immortals, Minus, Another Man Down, the Enigmatics, The Yard, King Lear Jet, Sanctified, Lotustarr
HARRIS & JACK’S: Jabari Jazz Group
JACKALS-LILBURN: Pullman Porters
JAKE’S ROADHOUSE: Deep Blue Sun
KAYA: Northern Exposure with V-103’s Frank Ski, DJ Kemit, Buddy and J-Nice playing house and hip-hop plus soul/funk
KAZOO’S: Band X
LAST GREAT WATERING HOLE: Anthym
LAZY DOG TAVERN-LILBURN: Red Lea Band
LENNY’S: Lemonpeeler
LIBBY’S CABARET: Robert Ray’s Cirque Du Cabaret 2
THE LIVING ROOM: Garage, House, Guest DJ’s
LUBY’S: Battle of the Bands
MARY’S: Music videos with DJ Jigsaw
MASQUERADE: Jadabloom, Lasting Value, Chronic MD, Kindlespine
MCCOLGAN’S PUB: Live Music
MURPHY’S LAW: Alien
9 LIVES SALOON: Novocaine, One 30 Edge, Package, Silence
NOMENCLATURE MUSEUM: SoCo Audio Fridays - DJs Michael Scott and Marcos Pieras
NORTHSIDE TAVERN: Sammy Blue BandTHE OFFICE-NORCROSS: Uncle Don’s Bullet-Proof Blues Band OLDE PECULIAR PUBLIC HOUSE: Ron Cooley and Hard Times
PECKERHEAD BREWERY: Eric Austin
PIPERS PUB: Last Band Standing
PLAYERS: JT Alessi and friends, The Strange
THE POETRY PLANET: Dinner and a Movie
QUEEN OF SHEEBA: Live jazz
RAY’S ON THE RIVER: Waveform with Doc Samuels, Larry Jackson, Tom Woodruff
RED CHAIR THEATRE: Bedroom Farce
RED LIGHT CAFE: Dance of Gypsies
SCROOGE’S: Trick Stew
SMITH’S OLDE BAR: The Yum Yum Tree, Hot August Nights, Cracked Actor
SOMBER REPTILE: Neon Monk, 15th Summer, Zen Circus, Soultrap
SPIKE’S BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA: Traci Wynn Trio
SPIVEY HALL: Ivan Moravec
SPORTSTIME BAR & GRILL: Live Music
STAR BAR-L5P: The Woggles, The Wontons, Kabochack
SWEET DEVIL MOON: Mauricio Manuza
SWEET MELISSA’S-DECATUR: The Plug Uglies
TASTY WORLD-ATHENS: Octa P.U. and the Dangerous Dopesmokers, Annaray, Hayride
TEN27: DJ Drama and J-Sun
THREE DOLLAR CAFE-SNELLVILLE: Live Music
UGLY MUG PUB: Live Music
VARIETY PLAYHOUSE: Junior Brown, James Mathus and His Knockdown Society
THE VAULT: Retro Wave with DJ Caz10
VELVET ROOM: Spoiled Rotten, DJ Keri
WHISKER’S TAVERN-DUNWOODY: New Educators
WILD WING CAFE: Flux Capacitor
WOODEN NICKEL: Hung Jury
YA YA’S CAJUN CUISINE: Kate and the Retreads