Sound Menu July 27 2005

THURS/28

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IVAN NEVILLE’S DUMPSTAPHUNK Extended members of the Neville clan, Ivan and Ian, join with other New Orleans musicians, as well as the ubiquitous Skerik, to bring the funk. The next best thing to taking a stroll down Bourbon Street, this as-yet-unrecorded collective is guaranteed to get butts wiggling in a jam-happy, funkdafied, soul-blasted groove. $18-$20. 8 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — Hal Horowitz

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ROBERT BRADLEY’S BLACKWATER SURPRISE Soul-rock is such a rare commodity that even if Bradley’s rootsy material doesn’t always connect, it’s refreshing to hear someone so committed to the genre. The singer’s tough, careening voice brings earthy gospel-styled grit to even the most pedestrian tunes. And when he meshes with a great song, sparks definitely fly. Connor Rand opens. $12. 9 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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RUMP POSSE, CONTRABAND If Hans and Franz had gone all Jane Fonda and started a band, they would be known as Rump Posse. Featuring two members of Jet by Day, the Posse brings the riffs to pump you up and make you sweat. It’s all in good aerobic rock fun until someone tears their ACL. The members of Cinemechanica open as the soundtrack to the game Contra while two of their friends beat the game without dying and without using codes. Ask them where they got the idea, and they’ll say the Hella side-project, the Advantage. $6. 8 p.m. The Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Nikhil Swaminathan

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FRI/29

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BILLY JOE SHAVER, CIGAR STORE INDIANS If there was ever a poster child for hard knocks, Billy Joe would be the top choice. In spite of a recent series of personal tragedies, the consummate Texas troubadour is propelled by his faith, and things are looking up for him. His honest and soul-searching songs are some of the most powerful ever written, and every show is a celebration of life. Local rockers Cigar Store Indians open the show. 8 p.m. $15. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — James Kelly

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I ALMOST SAW GOD IN THE METRO, FEMME FATALITY, THE FLESH BOTS After a lengthy hiatus, local electro-mod-pop trio I Almost Saw God in the Metro returns for a journey back to the future. St. Louis electronic duo Femme Fatality unleashes a frenzy of high-energy, dark pop songs and interactive live shows. The Flesh Bots open the show. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. thedrunkenunicorn.net — Chad Radford

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LYLE LOVETT You gotta love Lyle. His concerts are always a pleasure as he manipulates his Large Band through a number of configurations and rearranges his classic hits to keep them fresh and interesting. From his deadpan between-song banter to the alternately heart-wrenching and hilarious lyrics, Lovett never fails to deliver a top-quality performance. Look for local blues diva Francine Reed to belt one out. $28-$57. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.org. — JK

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ORGANIC GROOVES A tribal collective of live multi-culti musicians, DJs and producers from New York, Organic Grooves lay down that psychedelic urban swing, drawing on a sound both worldly and otherworldly without being confused with any watered-down “world music.” Call for cover price. 10 p.m. Halo Lounge. 404-962-7333. www.halolounge.com. — Tony Ware

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SAT/30

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BEN FOLDS Draining some of the power from his power pop, pianist Folds shifts into a “mature” phase on the recent ballad heavy Songs for Silverman. Still, his innocent “aw-shucks” voice has never sounded more sincere and the songs relish in Beatles-Todd Rundgren-Beach Boys-styled twists. Presumably he will boost the energy a notch for the live show. Free. 6:30 p.m. The Underground. 404-497-4777. www.underground-atlanta.com. — HH

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BRAGG JAM An all-day music and arts festival with a little somethin’ for ever-dang-body. Acts as diverse as Southern Culture on the Skids, Billy Joe Shaver, Southern Bitch, Squat, Kevn Kinney and Dodd Ferrelle converge in Macon for a day in park. All proceeds benefit the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. $25. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. 478-301-5478. www.braggjam.org. — Lee Valentine Smith

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY Has it been a year already? Every summer, Jim Stacy and his impish Star Bar elves bring a little Christmas cheer to the sweltering July schedule with his irreverent Shitty Claus routine. The badass Santa fronts Yule Log, a chestnut-roastin’ rock outfit with plenty of support from the regulars. Call for ticket prices. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — LVS

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JOHN CONLEE & GENE WATSON Back in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Conlee and Watson were two of Nashville’s top artists. The years have passed and the industry has moved on to flashier acts, but neither has lost a lick of their unique style. Conlee is best remembered for the classics “Busted” and “Rose Colored Glasses,” while Watson’s “Farewell Party” is considered one of the greatest vocal performances of all time. This is country music like it used to be. $25. 7:30 p.m. Lanierland Music Park. 770-887-7464. www.lanierland.com. — JK

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JUNKIE XL When Billy Squier released 1980’s Led Zeppelin-biting “The Big Beat,” he unwittingly contributed to new school hip-hop. And when Junkie XL started releasing albums in 1997, the Netherlands-based producer helped, along with the Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, to inject rock’s visceral elements into dance music, coincidentally named Big Beat. Facts like these make me believe Mason conspiracy theories are valid. $20. 9 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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KELLY HOGAN Former Atlanta resident and “y’alternative” chanteuse, Kelly Hogan’s croon has graced recordings by everyone from the Rock*A*Teens to the Jody Grind, Jon Wesley Harding to Tortoise. For this special early engagement Hogan returns to Atlanta for an evening of songs spanning her two-decade-long career, as well as offering up a few new ones as well. This is a non-smoking show. $8. 6 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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“NASHVILLE STAR” ON TOUR See Vibes, p. 85. 8 p.m. $15-$36. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.mablehouseamphitheatre.com.

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PELICAN, BIG BUSINESS, TORCHE Art metal outfit Pelican makes its Atlanta debut in support of The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw (Hydrahead). Hailing from Chicago, Pelican’s glacial, instrumental metal bares more in common with the epic soundscapes of Neurosis than its hometown math rock lineage. Seattle’s Big Business (ex-Karp, Tight Bros and Dead Low Tide), and Miami-based melodic stoners Torche open the show. $10-$12. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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PYLON, OHOK Recently reunited Pylon, the second in a long line of historic new wave bands from the “golden age” of Athens’ music history, headlines tonight with a set from the another early ’80s relic, the charming and insanely catchy OhOk. This show is part of the Athens Rewind celebration, an otherwise private party, and only 100 tickets will be for sale to the general public. $20. 9 p.m. 40 Watt, Athens. 706-549-7871. www.40watt.com. — LVS

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WYNONNA She was the voice of the most popular female duo in country music history, and while her shimmer has dimmed a little, there’s no doubt that Wynonna is still amazing. Musically, she seems to have drifted from what made her a household name. But tonight she will do her hits, please the crowd, and sing her butt off, as usual. $19-$40. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.org. — JK

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SUN/31

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ANGER MANAGEMENT TOUR w/ 50 Cent, G Unit, Eminem, D12, Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, Lil Scrappy, Pitbull, Stat Quo, Obie Trice and more. See Vibes, p. 90. $58.50-$83.50. 7 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com.

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JOHN HIATT, NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS Although the loose-limbed boogie and jam tendencies of the NMAS — who serve as the headliner’s band and perform their own set — would seem to be at odds with Hiatt’s tightly structured singer/songwriter tunes, the group scales back appropriately in support. Each has terrific new albums out — or due soon — and this collaboration promises to bring out the best in both. $33. 8 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Gardens. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. — HH

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LOGGINS & MESSINA Is there a more perfect fit for the Dockers and brie crowd than this reconstituted white bread duo? Kenny Loggins’ schlocky footloose career speaks for itself, but the real treat is the return of Jim Messina, who between his work with Buffalo Springfield and Poco, is one of the true architects of the country rock sound, not to mention a terrific and underrated guitarist. $33.50-58.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-233-2227. www.atlantaconcerts.com/chastain.html. — HH

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TUES/2

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KILL ME TOMORROW, DANCE DISASTER MOVEMENT GRAVY TRAIN, VIP San Diego’s Kill Me Tomorrow dismantles electro-punk with grubby and first-rate songwriting that resonates with sinister folk-art sensibilities, evoking everyone from Alien Sex Fiend to Howard Finster. Dance Disaster Movement plays clunky Kraut rock driven by power tools and cerebral stress. VIP opens. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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WED/3

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Jere Flint leads the ASO in a free outdoor “parks” concert deep in South Fulton, featuring a wide range of music — from short classical favorites to pops selections by Henry Mancini and film music from “The Cowboys,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Star Wars” by John Williams. The park is located west of Palmetto, at 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road. (Rain date: Fri., Aug. 5.) Free. 7:30 p.m. Chattahoochee Hill Conservancy Park. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

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FOREIGNER See Vibes, p. 92. $21.36-$58.08. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-233-2227. www.atlantaconcerts.com/chastain.html.

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THURS/4

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Wed., Aug. 3. Driving directions on the ASO website. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wills Park, Alpharetta. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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MARSHALL CRENSHAW Since he burst onto the scene in 1982 with “Someday, Someway,” Crenshaw has written a few hundred perfect pop songs. That he is not a household name is one of the biggest travesties of radio. He’s doing mostly solo shows this time around to save money. Schaefer Brothers open. $17.50. 8 p.m. (doors) Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — Al Kaufman

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SNOWDEN, THE CLOSE Both of these bands are making real pushes to get signed and spread their sound out of Atlanta. The dour and brooding dark rock Snowden has finally gotten a stable lineup and frontman Jordan Jeffares is ready to go global. The problem is that Atlanta isn’t where people come to find indie bands. Just ask the Close who took their swinging harmonies and start-stop textures on a three-week road trip that included a one-week stand in New York City. They’ve been plugging along at this for a while longer. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — NS

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Need directions?

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· 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 Heather Kuldell, P.O. Box 54223, Atlanta, GA 30308, or e-mail information to: heather.kuldell@creativeloafing.com. To be included in the listings only, e-mail venue and band schedules by Friday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Thursday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.