Sound Menu August 08 2007

David Dobson

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THURS/9

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LADONNA SMITH/KILLICK, I AM ALL YOU CAN EAT Improv visionaries Smith and Killick come together in a collision of noise and passions that are rooted on both sides of the Mason-Dixon. Together they dive headlong into the most primitive reaches of folk music and the darkest recesses of black-metal exploration. I Am All You Can Eat is a spacey, noisy experimental jazz duo that features Roger Ruzow on trumpet and Keith Leslie on drums. $5. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — Chad Radford

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JUDI CHICAGO, CAN CAN, CINETROPE, DJ MATT MUSIC Judi Chicago headlines this sure-to-be-sassy Romance Explosion dance party with its hybrid-hyphenated blend of electro-pop-rap-techno-sexy-strut stuff. Can Can’s effusive disco punk features Mary Collins and Patrick-A. Cinetrope and former Decatur Social Club DJ Matt Music round out the evening. As a tastefully tacky teaser, be sure to wear neon green; promoters say you’ll get $1 off the door and some other goodies they claim will be worth looking fabulously fluorescent. $5. 9 p.m. 10 High. 404-873-3607. www.tenhighclub.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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ONE HAND LOVES THE OTHER, NINETYNINE, STREZO This Stickfigure Records showcase of arty and outsider pop tones brings Ninetynine all the way from Melbourne, Australia. The group features original Sleater-Kinney drummer Laura MacFarlane, and revels in a cool, ornate sound that can jump from melancholy to explosive all in the space of one layered Casio drone. Atlanta acts One Hand Loves the Other and Strezo also perform. $8. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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TOBY KEITH, MIRANDA LAMBERT, FLYNVILLE TRAIN It’s a redneck-o-rama tonight at the old fairgrounds. Keith is an enigma — a lifelong Democrat who released the first big pro-Iraq War song. He’s a honky-tonk hit machine, nevertheless. Lambert is a hard-rocking country girl who will soon be headlining her own shows. $31-$70. 7:30 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys/. — James Kelly

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FRI/10

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BRUCE ROBISON Robison grew up in the shadow of his football-star older brother Charlie, and then both went into music. But in a manifestation of the younger-child syndrome, Bruce compensated. While Charlie’s the fun-loving hellraiser, the younger Robison has settled into the thoughtful-songwriter mode, quietly producing a pair of future No. 1s (for others) off his ‘98 second album, Wrapped. Meanwhile wonderful tracks such as “Lifeline” off his latest, It Came From San Antonio, suggest he’s got more chart-toppers left. $15. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Chris Parker

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MARSHA DUPREE Atlanta-born vocal jazz stylist DuPree has made herself a name in the resort-club and local-theater/cabaret circuit. Her debut album, Sweet Soul, released last year, ranges from classic ballads to jazzy blues. The outdoor show is part of Callanwolde’s “Jazz on the Lawn” series. $15. 7:30 p.m. Callawolde Fine Arts Center. 404-872-5338. www.callanwolde.org. — Mark Gresham

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SAT/11

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BRENDA LEE A child star in the ’50s, Lee was one of the hottest acts in the business for many years. They say dynamite comes in small packages, and even at just under 5 feet, Lee is a virtual giant with one of the most powerful voices ever. Those silly young diva bitches who are all over the news these days should have a sit-down with Lee and learn a thing or 10 about “class.” $22-$55. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-249-6400. www.classicchastain.com. — JK

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KELLY RICHEY Guitar-slinging blues rockers as fiery, passionate and talented as Richey shouldn’t need to resort to the standard Clapton/Hendrix/Stevie Ray covers in concert, especially when they have an extensive catalog of rugged originals. But Richey never plays the “rock-chick” card to prove she’s got the chops to play in what is essentially an all-boys club. Even though her newest release is entirely instrumental, Richey’s expressive voice is one of her strongest assets. That, along with her burning — if admittedly derivative — leads and sturdy songwriting, makes her a triple threat who will impress even the most diehard air guitarist screaming out for “Crossroads.” $8-$12. 9 p.m. Darwin’s. 770-578-6872. www.darwinsblues.com. — Hal Horowitz

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PTERODACTYL While the phrase “Brooklyn noise-rock act” could send you racing for the exits, this trio is exceptional. The arrangements throttle and shriek, giving off heat and sparks like a satellite burning up on re-entry. Yet holding it together beneath all the incandescent roar and big muff bass distortion are insistent nodes of structure, yoked to entrancing droning intensity, shrouding expressive post-rock guitar wobble. This year’s arresting self-titled debut and their kinetic live performances herald a fine future for the trio. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CP

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THE WOGGLES The once-locally based Woggles presaged the garage-rock revival by about a decade, helping ignite hometown interest in the genre through sweaty, wildly energetic live shows that created a national buzz. The band’s new album Rock and Roll Backlash is arguably its best and most eclectic release, adding growling Brit Invasion licks and attitude to its defiantly retro table. Even 20 years down the line, you’ll seldom experience a more manic and determined bunch dedicated to spreading the mojo of the music they love. The Clutters and the Booze also appear. $10. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — HH

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SUN/12

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The ASO’s best-known for its summer free parks concerts. Bark in the Park returns to Piedmont Park, featuring a panoply of seasonal and animal-themed music, ideal for picnicking with your pet — whether dog, cat, weasel, mandrill, capybara or wallaby. So bring a friend if you have one. Metazoan maestro Jere Flint conducts. Free. 7:30 p.m. Oak Hill, Piedmont Park. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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MARIA TAYLOR Tonight’s Unplugged in the Park/Organic X evening is scheduled to include a sure-to-be mesmerizing performance from the lovely Taylor. That is, if you can hear her. A former veteran of the Athens scene, best-known for her work as half of Azure Ray and featured guest spots on a ton of indie masterpieces, Taylor’s gently hushed vocals and pastoral acoustic-guitar washes could easily become lost in the heat and humidity of the Tavern’s din of socializing. Actively pay attention to the show and you’ll be rewarded. Free. 7 p.m. Park Tavern. 404-249-0001. www.parktavern.com and www.99x.com. — LVS

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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM Who’s your Dada? San Francisco-based SGM plays edgy metal, avant-populist rock in a sepia-toned iconoclastic wrapper. It’s the group’s first return to favorite local haunt the Earl since the release of its In Glorious Times CD. The show opens with Indorphine, a garage-spawned abstract-metal band from Orlando. The band added guitarist Brett Walker back in April but then, says www.metalunderground.com, parted ways with co-founding drummer Everett Sailor. As of Aug. 3, Indorphine’s MySpace page mysteriously lists only “*****” in the skin-banging slot. $12. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — MG

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MON/13

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LAPTOP BATTLE III PRELIMINARY Once again the soft glow of LCD screens will illuminate the scene at Lenny’s as Atlanta’s most skilled beat makers and mouse clickers go head-to-head in a tournament-style dash for the laptop gold. This second round of preliminaries weeds out the suckers who don’t have the skills to move onto the finals, and ultimately square off in December’s national competition in Seattle. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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OPEN MIC MADNESS Manic Josh Rifkind is like a human can of Red Bull. Properly rested up after his recent stint as host to a surfeit of good (and sometimes bad) bands during the 500 Songs for Kids marathon, he returns to host another seemingly endless parade of talent during this six-night endurance test/competition. More than 100 hopeful acts will be judged by panels of impressive-to-dubious music-industry personnel for a shot at fame, fortune and a performance slot on the Rock Boat. The final night features a closing set from Dead Confederate and Trances Arc. See www.openmicmadness.com for specific info. $12. Mon.-Thurs., 6:30 p.m. Fri., 7 p.m. Sat., 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, NEKO CASE Wainwright is a real character, and his rather histrionic style is quite entertaining. Sometimes he’s a bit too smug, given the overall quality of the material, but he always puts on a good show. Atlanta loves Case, and her amazing vocal skills are unmatched. I really wonder if the performing order of this show is right ... $26.50-$30. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.tabernacleatl.com. — JK

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TUES/14

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THE RECEIVING END OF SIRENS, HOPESFALL As emo tries to escape the creative corner it’s painted itself into, these two acts suggest a back-alley exit. Boston’s the Receiving End of Sirens constructs undulating post-hardcore mixing prog, electronica and emo into operatic, hard-rock anthems that are more Smashing Pumpkins than Coheed and Cambria. Hopesfall also features more atmospheric texture than most of its peers, bringing reverb-rich shoe-gazer shimmer to complement its still-heavy, occasionally screaming moments. Both are celebrating the release of new albums. $12. 6:30 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. masq.com. — CP

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WED/15

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FIEND WITHOUT A FACE, CLEMENTE, WEST END MOTEL With Mastodon on break, guitarist Brent Hinds has resurrected his other group, Fiend Without a Face. Hinds’ stylistic kerrang and phantom Shriner aesthetics are a spectacle to behold. Clemente channels dark country imagery and the artful ennui of alternative rock circa R.E.M.’s Murmur. West End Motel features Hinds and Drug Wolves vocalist Tom Cheshire playing sparse and love-damaged country songs. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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THURS/16

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CAPTAIN AHAB, JUDI CHICAGO, SUITCASES Los Angeles duo Captain Ahab plays ridiculous and shirtless electro-punk, dance-party anthems with a Vocoder and a strong sense of postmodern irony. To say they get crunk is not exactly accurate — these guys get straight-up awesome. Like-minded ATLiens Judi Chicago tread a similar terrain of art, cheese and groovy anti-hipster jokes. Suitcases opens with a set of stripped-down, tribal drum blasts. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655.www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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THE EVERYBODYFIELDS, GEORGIA FIREFLIES The addition of sparse drums to the music of this Tennessee-based duo’s tender country/folk doesn’t commercialize or even beef it up significantly. Their new album, due next week, shimmers with achingly beautiful songs that recall Neil Young in his Harvest/Comes a Time mode. Gorgeous, moving and rootsy by nature, not design. The local openers, Georgia Fireflies, apparently have “old-timey” permanently etched into their résumé as they lean toward a rural, backwoods, bluegrass vibe that’s as stark and honest as it is referential of a simpler time and place. $8. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH

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PETER FRAMPTON, DOOBIE BROTHERS For those of us who remember the glory of classic ’70s guitar rock, this show should be a blast. Frampton, a frequent visitor to Atlanta, continues to play his blues-influenced brand of British rock, with all the spirit and fluidity of his groundbreaking live album, Frampton Comes Alive. The Doobies, minus moaning Michael McDonald, remain a rousing, good-time party band, retaining their core founders’ rough-hewn harmonies and the muscular crunch of their best — and least-laid-back — material. $38.50-$58.50. 7 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-233-2227. www.chastainseries.com. — LVS

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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 Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@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.