Sound Menu August 30 2006

THURS/31

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AMY AND EMILY When Amy Ray and Emily Saliers play Eddie’s, it’s a big deal, and tonight and tomorrow are no exception. With a brand-new album on the way and a host of new projects, the duo is doing a two-night stand to benefit Janet McLaughlin and the Georgia Network To End Sexual Assault. The event sold out in minutes, but some patio seating may be available. Sold Out. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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BIRDMONSTER The San Francisco Bay Area has a great reputation for surly, washed-out barroom punks (think Jawbreaker and American Music Club’s Mark Eitzel). Birdmonster’s Peter Arcuni aspires to that tradition on his band’s No Midnight, a rambling collection of songs unclassifiable by genre and defined by attitude. The group is supported by Charlotte band the Sammies and local group Dust Rabbit, the latter of which sticks to an instrumentals-only diet. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Mosi Reeves

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BRUCE COCKBURN Calling Cockburn a cult figure is a bit of a misnomer; better to say his audience is very selective. One of the most prolific and socially conscious folkies of the late 20th century, his newest album delivers more of his subtle but powerful observations, this time with a heartfelt look at what’s going on in Iraq. And America. $22.50. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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SPIRIT The UK’s drum ‘n’ bass in the ’90s was the sound of pre-millennium tensions. What would the future hold? Urban warfare or poignant tone poems? Unfortunately, our future of complete-nutrition pills, fluid-recycling all-terrain fabrics and celestial harmony went the way of soy lattes and SUVs. The Y2K bug wiping out the tenuous-at-best structure of our civilization might have been preferable (at least for MY credit). Boy, are we screwed. So there’s never been a better time than the present to don your hoodie, some flood pants and enjoy some rolling bass, percolating beats, canine synths, feral strings and ominous space spooks. Locals supporting the bill include Double Nil, Sonar and Subliminal, plus Soundwave. $10; free for ladies. 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. www.themarkatlanta.com. — Tony Ware

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FRI/1

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AMY AND EMILY See Sound Menu for Thurs., Aug. 31.

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BRENDA EARLE A singer/pianist/composer with four indie CDs to her credit, Canadian-born jazzwoman Brenda Earle studied jazz piano in Toronto, then at Manhattan School of Music in New York City where she also studied with hot Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza. Earle gracefully bridges jazz and pop with vocal finesse and a blues-tinted pianistic touch. $10 cover, and $10 minimum. 8:30 p.m. Churchill Grounds. 404-894-9600. www.churchillgrounds.com.

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-- Mark Gresham

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DRAGON*CON Dragon*Con is ground zero for people-watching on Labor Day weekend. Sure, you know about the hardcore sci-fi fans who dress up and get way into the fun, but did you know that a nice selection of bands also perform at the yearly event? This year, the music schedule features the Worm Quartet, the Cogburns, Voltaire, Throwing Toasters, Mauldin Ash, the Cruxshadows and Emerald Rose. Literally something for everyone this year. $25-$85. Hyatt Regency Atlanta. 404-577-1234. www.dragoncon.com. — LVS

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JEAN-LUC PONTY Versatile, legendary French jazz violinist and composer Jean-Luc Ponty was trained as a classical violinist but was propelled into jazz by the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Back in the ’70s, Ponty pioneered the five-string electric violin and was among the first to play violin through electric guitar effects. With tracks on over 70 recordings, he’s worked with such notables as Stephane Grappelli, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Frank Zappa. $25. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-521-1786. www.variety-playhouse.com. — MG

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SAT/2

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BRENDA EARLE See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 1.

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BUSTA RHYMES, CIARA No one who raved over Busta Rhymes back in the early Nineties — remember “Case of the P.T.A.” and “The Scenario”? — could have anticipated he’d become the poster child for hip-hop’s unctuous “Stop Snitchin’” campaign. But unless those steroids went to his brain, he can still deliver an amazing live show and rip through over a decade of hits, from “What’s Next” to “I Love My Bitch.” Atlanta crunk/R&B chanteuse Ciara will lighten the evening, but methinks you best leave the kids at home for this one. $58-$63. 7 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-233-2227. www.ticketmaster.com. — MR

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DIE SLAUGHTERFEST 2006 It’s time once again for Die Slaughterhaus Records’ annual three-day Die Slaughterfest, in which Atlanta’s noisiest, gnarliest and most reckless garage and punk bands celebrate with a show of drunken folly and abandon. Day one includes performances from Bumble Beats (Austria), Kiwis, Beat Beat Beat and Carbonas. The schedule is subject to frequent and unpredictable changes. For more up-to-the-minute information, look online at www.dieslaughterhausrecords.com. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

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DRAGON*CON See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 1.

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DRIVE INVASION So much more than “More Cowbell,” Sunday headliners Blue Öyster Cult (see feature) will be honored with a special screening of Godzilla at dark, but before the movies roll, expect two days of great music on a new and vastly improved stage. Be sure to catch Rocket From the Tombs on Saturday, as well, featuring an all-star cast of characters led by David Thomas from influential Pere Ubu, Richard Lloyd of Television and Cheetah Chrome. Other acts include Southern Culture on the Skids, the Gore Gore Girls and a nice selection of local acts, including the Cogburns and Bruce Joyner and the Reconstruction. $30-$50. Noon. Starlight Six Drive-In. www.driveinvasion.com. — LVS

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ELLIS PAUL, MARSHALL CHAPMAN, TOMMY WOMACK Ellis Paul is one of the “signature” artists to play Eddie’s over the years, and he never fails to entertain with his prolific catalog of thoughtful tunes. Traveling down from Nashville tonight we have songstress Marshall Chapman and the incredibly talented Tommy Womack, bringing their rootsy alt.-twang thing to town. $15. 8:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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NEW TRINITY BAROQUE Opening its season with a “250th birthday bash,” NTB steps slightly outside of its Baroque inclinations with a program of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s popular divertimento, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” two divertimenti from the early, so-called “Salzburg Symphonies” for strings, and a dollop of contemporaneous instrumental “Church Sonatas,” conducted by Predrag Gosta. Student discounts available. $29. 8 p.m. St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. 770-638-7574. www.newtrinitybaroque.org. — MG

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SUN/3

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DIE SLAUGHTERFEST 2006 Day two of the Die Slaughterfest features performances from local acts Sids, Wet Dreams, the Spooks and the Selmanaires. Since it’s Sunday and everything has to be wrapped up by midnight, this will be an early show. Just like the night before, the schedule will be subject to frequent and unpredictable changes in the lineup. Be sure to look online at www.dieslaughterhausrecords.com for current information. $5. 8 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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DRAGON*CON See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 1.

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DRIVE INVASION See Sound Menu listing for Sat., Sept. 2.

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HOUSE IN THE PARK Kai Alce invites you to park it in Perkerson Park to grill and groove freely with the sounds of Chicago’s Glenn Underground, augmented by Michael Alan, Ramon Rawsoul, Salah Ananse, Kemit and Kai, himself. The soulful vibe will go from deep and Detroit to sweaty, sunny and Chi-Town. Go to dance like there are fire ants down your pants. Free. Noon. Perkerson Park. 404-756-1859. www.kaialce.com. — TW

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TOBY KEITH, JOE NICHOLS, RUSHLOW HARRIS, LINDSEY HAUN Toby Keith has managed to take complete control over his career, a feat artists rarely accomplish in country music. While his radio output tends to place the emphasis on silly cliché-driven tunes, at least he’s playing country music. Opener Joe Nichols has one of those sexy baritones and has been known to belt out a few honky-tonkers. $37-$61.75. 7:30 p.m. Arena at Gwinnett Center. 404-249-6400. www.gwinnettcenter.com. — JK

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MON/4

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DIE SLAUGHTERFEST 2006 The third and final evening for Die Slaughterfest 2006 features performances from Gaye Blades, Coffin Bound, Frantic and, last but not least, Atlanta’s favorite bastard rock and roll sons, the Black Lips, who bring the show to a close. Just like the previous two nights, the schedule will be subject to frequent and irrational changes. For more up-to-the-minute information, be sure to look online at www.dieslaughterhausrecords.com. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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DRAGON*CON See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 1.

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WED/6

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JAMES ZABIELA James Zabiela is proof that not all of DJ magazine’s top 100 DJs are trance-y old farts. A sonic gourmand, he blends together multiple styles of dance music into a mash of pounding bass and rippling breakbeats. His ingredients range from main floor tech-house producers like Lee Coombs to blogger favorites like Trentemøller, but his sound is his own. Call for price. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — MR

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THURS/7

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BORIS Japan isn’t just Tokyo. The Japanese have Mt. Fuji — oh, holiest of mountains — and an impressive, snowcapped mount it is. Yet you still don’t traditionally think of the Japanese as the bellowing-into-the-fjords, long-hair-blowing-in-the-wind-on-top-of-a-righteous-peak, shredding-guitar-into-the squall types. That is, until you meet you some Boris. If Sigur Rós, the Melvins, Isis and Earth had a baby — and that baby happened to teethe on wasabi root — it would be this Japanese trio. As exhibited on the band’s latest full-length blotter sheet, Pink, this isn’t ninja stealth; this is brute force. And the blown-out sludge smears of RAWK will leave YOU singing its praises from the mountaintops. A rare stateside appearance. Pearls and Brass and Zoroaster add to the orange-amped bruised blues boogie and stoner-riff fetishism. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — TW

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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, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, 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.