Sound Menu July 29 2000 Fri

LYDIA BROWNFIELD, SOMETHING 5 — As anyone who attended the Hidden Tracks release party can attest, Lydia Brownfield (ex-Long Flat Red) has a stunning voice and great original rock songs with an arty edge. Curiously, she’s paired tonight with local alt-grunge ensemble Something 5, who are something else entirely. Echo Lounge (Nicoll)

BUFFALO NICKEL — Having avoided the local club circuit, Buffalo Nickel may not be a name Atlantans easily recognize. But the folks at Universal Records liked the group’s Jayhawks-style roots pop and Eagles-like adult contemporary enough to sign ‘em up and stick ‘em in the studio with producer Danny Kortchmar (Billy Joel, Don Henley) and guest musicians from the Wallflowers and Tom Petty’s and John Mellencamp’s bands. The resulting debut, Long Play 33 1/3, is consistently tuneful and musically solid, if a little slick and occasionally saccharine. Tonight’s rare hometown appearance is a CD release show, so say hello to Atlanta’s latest entry in the major label sweepstakes. 9 Lives Saloon (Sarig)

CAVE CATT SAMMY — These young whippersnappers from south of Austin caused quite a stir at both the Vegas and Indy Rockabilly weekenders this year. Their energetic performances captivated the crowds and proved that in spite of their youth they had the sound and style down pat. This is their first Atlanta show, so let’s give them a big Dixie welcome. Star Bar (Kelly)

DRIFTING THROUGH, SUE WILKINSON — Apparently poised on the verge of a major career breakthrough, North Carolina rock band Drifting Through have developed a polished sound that combines the CD-selling smoothness of Dave Matthews with an earthier tone that occasionally evokes Van Morrison and Creedence Clearwater. It’s an effective combination. Opener Sue Wilkinson is also well worth hearing. Smith’s Olde Bar (Nicoll)

EVE 6 — The L.A. modern rock youngsters are back with Horrorscope, the follow-up to their much-purchased ‘97 debut. To celebrate this week’s release, the trio is making the rounds of record stores, where captive audiences can purchase a brush with fame and maybe an autograph for the price of a new CD. Wherehouse Music/2099 Peachtree Road (Sarig)

FATHEAD — Depending on your tolerance for hybrid musical forms, this Philadelphia ensemble will either inspire or send you running for cover. Essentially a hip-hop/rock band, Fathead also entertains unfortunate jazz-fusion tendencies. No doubt the band’s got chops (their proclivity to slip into extended instrumental passages won’t let you forget it anytime soon), but ultimately it portends more than it delivers. Purists and those with a low jam-band tolerance should approach with caution. Brandyhouse (Robertson)

HANDS ON ATLANTA BENEFIT — Three singer/songwriters (of various stylistic persuasions) come together for this benefit for Hands on Atlanta, a non-profit, volunteer service organization. The line-up includes the Mosaic Trio (a new band featuring vocalist Gwen Hughes), the insurgent country stylings of Slim Chance and Augusta musician Steven Jackson (winner of a recent Eddie’s Attic songwriter’s shootout). It all starts at 8 p.m. and it’s 21-and-up. Eddie’s Attic (Robertson/Nicoll)

NOMENCLATURE THIRD ANNIVERSARY PARTY — From the club that brought you the Hustler, Porno XXX, Satyricon, Tron and Pussy Galore theme nights, Nomenclature’s anniversary party should be quite a throwdown, complete with complimentary cocktails and cook-out delectables, and the DJ stylings of Alex King, CIC, Ulises, Daniel Gresham, J-Luv, Dr. Fumanchu and others. Nomenclature Museum (Chen)

DH PELIGRO, SYLVAIN SYLVAIN — Punk survivors from the ’70s and ’80s unite as former Dead Kennedy DH Peligro brings his band to town. A transplanted Atlantan, former New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain and his backing back (the El-Caminos) open. Masquerade (Sarig)

ROBIN TROWER — The ex-Procol Harum guitarist’s silvery, fluid, Hendrix-drenched, psychedelic blues rock has proven to be astonishingly durable. Although he never could replace his remarkably soulful singer/bassist Jimmy Dewar, any track on Trower’s new album sounds eerily like an outtake from 1974’s high-water mark Bridge of Sighs. Although radio play, even for the old stuff, is sketchy, last year’s sold out Cotton Club gig proved Trower is more than just an aging nostalgia act. This is vibrant, shimmering, if slightly dated power trio blues-rock with enough lava-lamp guitar twists to keep it interesting. Variety Playhouse (Horowitz)

ALSO PERFORMING

9 LIVES SALOON: Buffalo Nickel CD Release Party

40 WATT CLUB: Dictatortots, SMO

513 CLUB: The Distillers, Spectremen, Soap Box Profits

ANTHONY’S-DECATUR: Swami Jam

ARCTIC CIRCLE: Tivia

BELUGA: Steve McRay, Michael Bastedo

BILLY’S: Blue Collar All Stars

BLACK REPERTORY GROUP: Apollo Night

BLIND WILLIE’S: Francine Reed

BLUE RACCOON: Open Jam hosted by Bill Sheffield

BRANDYHOUSE: Howard Shaft, Fat Head

BRIDGES: Paula Harris, Tony Valentine

CJ’S LANDING: Hank & Mike, Anitra Holley

CAJUN KITCHEN: Grateful Dead night w/Stella Blue Grass

THE CHAMBER: Club Fetish

CHECKERED PARROT: Mike Russel

CHIP’S: Jason Power

CHURCHILL GROUNDS: Latin Night w/Jerry Fields and Vecinos del Mundo

COBALT: Blue Room w/DJ J-Luv and guests spinning acid jazz and house, Decadence upstairs w/90’s club favorites

CORNEAUX’S: Lachez Les

COSMOPOLITAN: Mike Veal & Barry Thrasher

CRESCENT ROOM: DJ Caleb spinning house/hip-hop

DARK HORSE TAVERN: Ondrea, Seamless, Sono Mama

DARWIN’S: Liz Melendez

DOTTIE’S: Rare Air

EARL: Hwll Mach Four, Turniquet

ECHO LOUNGE: Lydia Brownfield, Something 5, Hundred Men Down

ECLIPSE DI LUNA: Duo Latino

EDDIE’S ATTIC: Hands on benefit w/Gwen Hughes, Slim Chance and Steven Jackson

EL PATIO: Open Mic Night w/Dave Craver

FAT MATT’S RIB SHACK: Chickenshack

FUEL: Fete w/DJs Marc-Alan Gray, Levi, Alex King and Justin

FUZZY’S: Tak Attak

JAVA HOUSE: Andy “Outfit” Irwin mentoring music workshop

KAYA: Fiesta Latina, with salsa, merengue and Latin House

KILLER CREEK : Showtyme Jazz Duo

MASQUERADE: DH Peligro and Sylvain Sylvain, also Old Wave ’80s Dance Party in Hell

MCCOLGAN’S IRISH PUB: Mike Waters

MCDUFF’S IRISH PUB: Nathan Shepherd

NOMENCLATURE: Third Anniversary Party

NORTHSIDE TAVERN: The Breeze Kings

POPPERS: Ladies Night, Steve Hawkins

RAY’S ON THE RIVER: Mina

SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFÉ: Salsa Thursdays w/World Mambo Mission

THE SHACK: Anzari

SMITH’S OLDE BAR: Drifting Through, Sue Wilkinson

SOMBER REPTILE: Dying Myth, Ground Xero

STAR BAR: Cave Catt Sammy

VARIETY PLAYHOUSE: Robin Trower, Glenn Phillips Band

WHEREHOUSE MUSIC: Eve 6

WOODEN NICKLE: Furious George