Sound Menu August 22 2007

CL’s picks for the week’s best shows

THURS/23

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DALE WATSON, CIGAR STORE INDIANS This sympathetic bill combines the opener’s rootsy rockabilly and Stonesy rocking with Watson’s classic country, honky-tonk and what he calls “Ameripolitan.” Both stubbornly follow dusty musical paths that keep them off the radio and under the radar, but have managed to find welcoming audiences on their own terms. Watson’s husky baritone falls between the outlaw rumblings of Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, two role models who likewise never kowtowed to record-biz pressure while blazing their own idiosyncratic trails. $15. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — Hal Horowitz

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FRI/24

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JAGGERY, ENVIE, GHOSTS PROJECT Brooklyn-based chamber-pop outfit Jaggery plays lovely and spectral art-goth ditties that fuse gentle melodies and jazzy arrangements with pianist/vocalist Mali Sastri’s plaintive yowl. Envie crafts speedy and melancholy tunes where punk jitters resonate gracefully through the strings of harp-driven pop songs. The Ghosts Project is an atmospheric improv ensemble that combines classical music, folk, dub and various other worldly influences. $7. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — Chad Radford

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THE LIZARDMEN, EL CAPITAN AND THEE SCALLYWAGS, SHANGHAI GESTURE The Lizardmen mine the Little Steven radio show playlist, offering a mannered take on mod ’60s pop songs so obscure, you’d think they wrote ‘em themselves. El Capitan and his scurvy mates pillage the treasure of salty surf instrumentals. Shanghai’s gesticulating veterans Ray Dafrico (Nightporters) and Katy Graves (Catfight!) dig deep into delightfully shambling Stones and Faces territory, with a surprisingly fresh take on that oft-visited formula. $8. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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MAREA ALTA Originally from Tampa, Fla., when it had hits in foreign radio markets such as Caracas, Venezuela, in the 1980s (and where it still retains a strong fan base), this spicy Latin jazz group now makes Atlanta its home, playing bright original charts in a smooth, tropical-beachfront style. Blankets and picnic baskets are a must for this open-air concert on the lawn. $15. 7:30 p.m. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. 404-872-5338. www.callanwolde.org. — Mark Gresham

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NEW MONSOON All eyes were recently on San Francisco for the Summer of Love’s 40th anniversary. Rather than fighting the Deadheads at a Phil Lesh or Bob Weir show, wear your patchouli in more intimate club confines with the Bay Area’s New Monsoon. This quintet’s jammy vibe has been honed through five albums, and even though the band’s old-world-beat approach has been largely abandoned, the rootsy sound from these second-generation hippies still floats and stings like in the good old days. Dr. Louis Sullivan also appears. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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SAT/25

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CENTRO-MATIC Centro-Matic sounds hazy like the heat off the highways of its Texas home in the summer. The loping tunes wobble and weave with a ramshackle grace, while singer/guitarist Will Johnson’s folksy croon stumbles over the ragged edges, recalling the offhand charm of Guided by Voices’ Robert Pollard. Their shambling, shimmying amble is spiked with distortion and cut with hope, producing a lovable, fucked-up allure reminiscent of the Replacements’ Let It Be. $8. 9 p.m. The Hummingbird. 478-741-9130. www.hummingbirdstageandtaproom.com. — Chris Parker

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DEF LEPPARD, STYX, FOREIGNER It’s an air-guitar hard-rockapalooza as these three crusty ’80s relics re-create the soundtrack that most of the audience likely first got laid to. Only guitarist Mick Jones remains from Foreigner, but both Styx and Leppard have most of the same musicians from the songs that hit the youngsters in their libidos. The bands still work up a sweat, the lights, sound and pyrotechnics are better than ever, and everybody will get their money’s worth rolling down memory lane. $30.50-$75. 7 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys. — HH

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THE OLD CEREMONY What began as a cabaret/chamber-pop fascination brought on by a new set of songs led singer/songwriter Django Haskins to create a new band. A literate pop songsmith in the mold of Elvis Costello, Haskins’ songs seemed to demand a nice piece group that soon took on a life of its own. The result is nicely understated pop with a crisp, dramatic air not out of step with Costello’s collaboration with Burt Bacharach, keyed by James Wallace’s wonderful piano. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — CP

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PAT BENATAR, NEIL GIRALDO, LENNON Diminutive Benatar, the powerhouse ’80s hit-making vocalist and darling of early MTV and Creem Magazine, continues to captivate, with a lively stage show and solid backing from her creative and life partner Giraldo. Their current summerized tour is heavy on the familiar tunes, due to the recent release of Pat Benatar Greatest Hits, a great primer for vocalists that — in this “American Idol”-obsessed den of overwrought melisma — shows how to rock loud and strong without ever overmodulating. Opener Lennon is equal parts Tori and Alanis with a Southern-bred take on unbridled angst and mood emancipation. $15-$45. 8 p.m. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. 770-819-7765. themhba.com. — LVS

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RALEIGH RINGERS Unique among handbell ensembles and known nationally through PBS broadcasts of their DVD, One Winter Evening at Meymandi, the Raleigh Ringers from North Carolina play everything from Stravinsky’s “Firebird” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” Music you’d think impossible on handbells, such as “Flight of the Bumblebee,” and even new twists on rock songs such as Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” are on their newest album, Going to Extremes. (Weird, huh?) David M. Harris directs. $10 suggested donation. 7 p.m. Dunwoody United Methodist Church. 770-394-0675. www.dunwoodyumc.org. — MG

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RORY BLOCK & THE STRAIGHTWAY MINISTRIES GOSPEL CHOIR, DIRECTED BY ROBERT JOHNSON III While so many artists have simply repackaged the gold from the legacy of blues legend Robert Johnson, Block has actually found his blood relatives and brought them on the road with her. This will be a historic night of blues and gospel music straight from the source, a rare experience for those who believe. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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SNOWDEN, PSYCHIC HEARTS, ATLAS SOUND In honor of Lenny’s one-year anniversary at its new and improved location, Snowden and Psychic Hearts wield their respective brands of bleak and bittersweet rock tones with full intentions of getting the party started. Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox joins the lineup with an unpredictable solo set, appearing under the Atlas Sound moniker. DJs Treasure Fingers, Preston Craig and Meagatron will also be on hand. $10. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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TOTALLY TITTIES BREAST CANCER BENEFIT All proceeds from this breast-cancer research benefit will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast-cancer research. Acts on deck who are down for the cause include Anna Kramer, Brass Castle, Beat Beat Beat, Blake Rainey and His Demons, the Coathangers, Elevado and Judi Chicago. Tom Cheshire of the All Night Drug Prowling Wolves/West End Motel plays host. $10. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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SUN/26

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ALAN JACKSON, BROOKS & DUNN, JAKE OWEN It’s a night of double top-bill superstars as Newnan’s own Jackson and Brooks & Dunn, the most awarded country duet in history, share the stage. You can expect all the radio hits tonight, as both acts will be playing to their devoted followers. Newcomer Owen gets to play to the early drinkers. $34.75-$74.75. 7 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-443-5090. www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys. — JK

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WED/29

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BONEY JAMES, MUSIQ SOULCHILD Tonight, the smooth, sensual music emanating from Chastain’s tolerably air-conditioned stage should add even more steam to the already humid air that permeates the lush venue. James, the emotive urban-jazz saxophonist, still riding high on his recent Shine album, shares the night with Soulchild, the master of Luvanmusiq, as the most recent of his series of unusual album titles demonstrates. A combined one-two punch that should invite hearts and bodies into an earthy carnival of delights. Bring the wine and the charm; these guys will do the rest. $28-$72. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.com. — LVS

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THE DOLLYROTS, THE LUCHAGORS, ADAM AND THE PINX The ‘Rots’ new album, Because I’m Awesome, finds witty Kelly Ogden, Luis Cabezas (guitar) and Chris Black (drums) on Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, and pushing their basic pop-punk sound a bit harder than on Eat My Heart Out, their fizzy 2004 debut on Lookout. The tighter approach must be working, because a number of media outlets, including television shows and even Radio Disney, have picked up on the new music from this scrappy little L.A.-via-Florida band. The Luchagors and Adam and the Pinx share the night. $7. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — LVS

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LUCERO This Memphis, Tenn., combo has come a long way. Beginning with a traditional country sound the former punks offered as a middle finger to their stale peers, they’ve evolved through a variety of alt-country iterations from roots rock (2003’s That Much Further West) to gritty barroom bluster (2005’s Nobody’s Darlings) to the soul-inflected Memphis country of last year’s Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers. Recently joined by keyboardist Rick Steff (Cat Power, Twilight Singers), the band’s transformed into a soulful, gritty act reminiscent of Marah and Springsteen, keyed to frontman Ben Nichols’ gruff vocals. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CP

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PUPPINI SISTERS They are not really sisters, but you would never know it from the perfect harmonies these three lovely English lassies produce. Perfectly capturing the style of the Andrews Sisters (and covering a slew of their material) the Puppinis bring a little contemporary edge to their sound, with amazing treatments of great tunes by Blondie and my fantasy squeeze, Kate Bush. $15-$25. 8 p.m. Ferst Center of the Performing Arts at Georgia Tech. 404-494-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu. — JK

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WAYNE “THE TRAIN” HANCOCK As a hardcore traditionalist playing classic country the way Hank Sr. used to, Hancock could easily slide into a corny, hackneyed honky-tonk shtick. But he transcends that due to his rugged commitment to an early-’50s style that comes naturally. This robust sense of authenticity injects his music with the heart and soul of the original C&W troubadours and none of the faux affectations that plague less talented and/or dedicated revivalists. Jim Hodgson also appears. $15. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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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.