Sound Menu August 17 2005
THURS/18
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KINGS OF LEON, SECRET MACHINES, HELIO SEQUENCE This year’s Aha Shake Heartbreak further made a case for the slack-jawed Strokels and the stunning simplicity of some good ol’ Southern songwriting with heavily accented vocals. Fresh off a release of a new EP, the Secret Machines still have the heaviest drum sound in the clubs these days, and it’s the first layer of their hypnotic, swaggering psychedelia. The Helio Sequence combines the vocal nasality of Pinback (and at times Perry Farrell), the busy synths of the Dismemberment Plan, and the ambience of XTC to make a swirling sound that makes even their saddest songs sound hopeful. $25. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle.html. — Nikhil Swaminathan
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RUSSELL GUNN’S BIONIC Born in East St. Louis, Ill., trumpeter/composer Russell Gunn applies the intellectual rage, energy and spirit of hip-hop to the jazz idiom, resulting in a contemporary synthesis of styles. $7. 9 p.m. Churchill Grounds. 404-876-3030. www.churchillgrounds.com. — Mark Gresham
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(smog), DAY MARS RAY, DREW DEMAN & A HANDFUL OF SNAKES (smog) returns to Atlanta with an all new set of peculiar folk-pop ditties about love, sex, depression and death, all delivered with a dry wit and a subtle smirk. Day Mars Ray is the current incarnation of former American Dream frontman David Railey. Local country music luminary and No River City founder Drew DeMan fronts his own updated project, aptly titled A Handful of Snakes. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford
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TEEBEE, MAYHEM, MACHU, SUBCONSCIOUS “Sometimes when I’m driving ... on the road at night ... I see two headlights coming toward me. Fast. I have this sudden impulse to turn the wheel quickly, head-on into the oncoming car. I can anticipate the explosion. The sound of shattering glass. The ... flames rising out of the flowing gasoline.” — Christopher Walken, Annie Hall (1977). “The best drum ‘n’ bass licks at your heels like the Northern Lights — part bleary, mangled nights, part delirium, part dementia.” — Tony Ware, Creative Loafing (2005). $10 (ladies free). 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. www.themarkatlanta.com. — Tony Ware
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FRI/19
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AVRIL LAVIGNE Avril’s getting married, everybody! Let’s jump up and down and sing! That’s so gr8! She and that Sum 41 dude are, like, the modern-day Sid and Nancy? Only without the murder stuff going on? I think the punk princess is a prime example for teen girls everywhere. Dreams really do come true. And now she’s coming to HiFi Buys! I love that store! $27.50-$49.50. 6:30 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com. — Jamie Allen
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CHAKA KHAN W/ASO Although with the symphony along she’s sure to indulge her jazzy impulses, Khan’s powerfully sultry yet tough and booming voice is most effective on the old-school ’80s R&B hits the majority of folks are coming to hear. If we’re lucky, she’ll also include tunes from her unjustly ignored 1998 Prince-produced album. $21.36-$58.08. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.org. — Hal Horowitz
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INSTITUTE W/GAVIN ROSSDALE With Bush now officially clipped, frontman/Mr. Gwen Stefani promises a harder-edged attack with his current band. The group’s debut isn’t due until September, so you’ll have to go on faith that the new stuff, produced by Helmet’s Page
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Hamilton, can stand up with the Bush songs sure to close the show. $25. 8 p.m. Roxy Theatre. 404-249-6400. www.atlantamusicguide.com/amg/venues/the_roxy. — HH
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SAT/20
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AIROES, TENTH TO THE MOON, ABIKU, MOSEGIGANTICUS TOY PARTY Airoes unleashes a wave of electro experimentation that can manifest itself as a chaotic one-man dance party or a strange exploration of mutating sonic panoramas. It’s all a matter of progenitor Jeph Burgoon’s mood at the time. Tenth to the Moon lets loose a dark industrial dance clatter, celebrating the release of its official debut recording, Tenth to the Moon Live. Out-of-towners Abiku, Mosegiganticus and Toy Party open the show. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR
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BT Even before Harry Potter, I believed in magic thanks to “dream house” producer Brian Transeau, aka BT. I once saw him “perform” an entire set from behind a bank of synthesizers that weren’t even all plugged in correctly. Magic. Luckily, a laptop only requires one cable and from behind his, BT delivers string-sweep and synth-tweaked prog “break-step.” Also on this all-ages bill is atmospheric, anthemic electronica from Aerial, as well as complementary deep house and drum ‘n’ bass DJs including J-Luv, Kevin O, Mayhem, Hazeus and Deco. Plus a “jackin’ house” room, which just sounds naughty. $26. 7 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.ticketmaster.com. — TW
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CHICK COREA, BOBBY MCFERRIN From his early days with Miles Davis through the amazing fusion sounds of Return to Forever in the early ’70s and beyond, Corea has proven to be one of the most important keyboardists in jazz history. McFerrin is considered one of the best vocalists in the world, and as he joins forces with Corea tonight, there will be magic. And no, he won’t sing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Bummer, huh? NOT! $19-$40. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.org. — James Kelly
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I ALMOST SAW GOD IN THE METRO, ROLLING SIXTIES, THE NARRATOR Electro mod-rock act I Almost Saw God in the Metro plays a blend of art-damaged synth pop a la Gary Newman meets Interpol. The Narrator’s show has been called by one Pitchfork Media writer “The most dangerous concert I’ve ever been to.” The group revels in brash and energetic rock defiance. Like-minded locals the Rolling Sixties are also on the bill. $6. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR
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EMERSON HART, KEVN KINNEY, EDWIN MCCAIN Recently transplanted New Yorker Kinney and South Carolina’s McCain have performed together many times in the past. McCain even guests on Kinney’s Sun Tangled Angel Revival album. The two also played an open mic in Athens one night, just to try out new material. Kinney doesn’t like set lists, so expect a freewheeling evening. Oh yeah, for some reason, that Tonic guy Hart is on the bill, too. $25. 8 p.m. Roxy Theatre. 404-249-6400. www.ticketmaster.com. — Lee Valentine Smith
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THE KNITTERS, PHRANC When Dave Alvin hooked up with _ of X (John Doe, Exene and DJ Bonebrake) to make a rootsy folk record back in 1985, it was on a lark. Well, 20 years later, they are doing it again and bringing their campfire sing-along and a new album to Atlanta. Don’t expect the intensity of X, or the lyrical and emotional punch of Alvin’s solo work, but rather a night of sloppy acoustic fun by a bunch of great musicians. For more on the Knitters, see Vibes, p. 92. Lesbian folksinger Phranc comes out of the ether to open the show. $20. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — JK
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THE PLATTERS, THE COASTERS The Platters and the Coasters were two of the most successful acts in music history, selling about 153 million records between them and being quickly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Earth Angel,” “Yakety Yak,” “Only You,” “Charlie Brown” and “The Great Pretender” only scratch the surface. Of course, there is probably not a single original member in either of the current touring groups, but who cares? It’s all about the songs, baby. $25-$30. 8 p.m. Villages Amphitheater, Fayetteville. 770-461-6029. www.villagesamphitheater.com. — JK
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SEB FONTAINE Apparently, British DJ Fontaine thinks he’s got it right, judging from the changing of his mix series/residency’s original name, “Prototype,” to simply “Type.” So what is Fontaine’s “type” of music? Well, like many of his contemporaries, he is navigating the thin line between progressive and tech-house, while throwing in some of that dark and driving nu-disco. Sometimes the sound seems almost more suited for robots than rolls, but feelings of Xstasy and U4IA and other such abbreviations are so passé, now aren’t they? Rize, cyborgs, rize! Also on the bill are N:03, J-Luv and Kevin O. $15. 9 p.m. eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW
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TUES/23
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GREEN DAY, JIMMY EAT WORLD Lordy, didn’t Green Day just absolutely rock at Live 8? And how about that new single? Billy Joe’s really got a way of singing a simple, sad song that makes a grown man want to cry. Talk about range. One minute, you’re moshing, the next you’re sniffling on your lady’s shoulder. With emo (definition: emotionally charged punk rock) friends Jimmy Eat World, this promises to be a great show. $39.50-$45. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.philipsarena.com. — JA
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MANTISSA, THE JIM YOSHI PILE-UP Local electronic/acoustic pop outfit Mantissa plays lush, crisp, organic ditties that evoke everyone from New Order to Radiohead. Bay Area four-piece the Jim Yoshi Pile-Up crafts delicate indie rock that lurches from terse to timid with clunky and experimental pop fervor. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR
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WED/24
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JOE GRANSDEN Gransden is a top-notch trumpet player modeled somewhat after “cool West Coast-style” jazz great Chet Baker. Though more aggressive, he is lyrical in his improvisations. $5 cover/$5 minimum. 9 p.m. Churchill Grounds. 404-876-3030. www.churchillgrounds.com. — MG
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THURS/25
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GRACE BRAUN, SCOTT ROBERTS, WHOA NELLY The high priestess of the Dairy Queen Empire deftly blends garage rock, punk, folk and blues with well-crafted, often disturbing imagery, illuminated by brilliant flashes of sly wickedness. Like Braun, Roberts has been a fixture on the Atlanta music scene for years, as a solo act and member of Alastor. The rootsy Whoa Nelly shares the bill. $8. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS
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RUSSELL GUNN’S BIONIC See Thurs., Aug. 18. $7. 9 p.m. Churchill Grounds. 404-876-3030. www.churchillgrounds.com. — MG
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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.