Sound Menu November 09 2005

THURS/10

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CHATHAM COUNTY LINE Featuring former members of North Carolina’s Carbines, Chatham County Line delivers an interesting brand of bluegrass, filtered through a roots-rock sensibility. The group’s studio work with Chris Stamey is great but barely catches the energy of the live shows. $5. 8 p.m. Red Light Café. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — James Kelly

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GET HUSTLE, DEERHUNTER Get Hustle is at once erotic and nightmarish, magnetic and repulsive. Plodding piano lines collide with drunken drumming, lurching violently over Valentine Falcon’s guttural bellow. Her spectral skulk creates an atmosphere of social and sexual antagonism that’s both alluring and frightening. Deerhunter dwells in the spaces between scathing experimental punk and earth-rattling drones. Tonight’s show features a stripped-down performance, relying on bare song structures over psychedelic effects. $6. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

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MARK O’CONNOR’S HOT SWING Grammy-winning violinist/fiddler Mark O’Connor brings his Hot Swing ensemble to Atlanta in the wake of the release of his new CD, Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing Live in New York. The touring group, which honors the traditions of O’Connor’s jazz mentor Stephane Grappelli, features guitarists Bryan Sutton and Howard Alden, bassist Jon Burr, and jazz vocalist Roberta Gambarini. $36-$48. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — Mark Gresham

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MOLOTOV This Mexican foursome was once referred to as the Beastie Boys en Español, and though the group is more rock and roll than the three-the-hard-way from Brooklyn, it caused a similar brouhaha when the quartet came on the scene in the early ’90s. The most recent album, Con Todo Respeto (“With All Due Respect”), is a collection of covers of ’80s rock hits, both Anglo and en Español, from classic bands including Los Toreros Muertos, El Tri, and — go figure — the Beastie Boys’ “Girls,” aptly translated as “Chavas.” The raps and lyrics are racy, the licks are heavy, and the band most certainly likes to have a good time at each show. $25. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354 www.variety-playhouse.com. — Alejandro Leal

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WATERMELON SLIM You can count the number of blues musicians who have a master’s degree in history, drive trucks professionally and play a mean left-handed National Steel guitar on the fingers of one hand and still leave enough to eat a slice of pizza. That’s Slim’s story and he’s sticking to it. But his powerful, weather-beaten voice, tough harmonica, intense songs and W.C. Handy-nominated debut prove that this is no schtick. Call for ticket price. 9:30 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — Hal Horowitz

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FRI/11

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The ASO’s two-year Golijov project continues with a concert presentation of his one-act opera, Ainadamar (“Fountain of Tears”), based on the execution of poet/playwright Federico García Lorca in the Spanish civil war by soldiers of dictator Francisco Franco. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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DARDEN SMITH Some people’s songs just make me want to lie on the floor in a dark room and listen with no distractions, and Smith is one of them. His work is subtle and profound at the same time, and the upcoming release Field of Crows is as good as it gets. $15. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Café. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — JK

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LAURIE ANDERSON Before spoken word was commodified into some self-centered nonsense, performance artist Anderson was making some amazing, witty, and incredibly provocative social commentary. Her newest concept piece, End of the Moon, gives life to her unique world (and otherwise) views. And she is funny as hell. $30-$40. 8 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.org. — JK

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MURDER BY DEATH, LIFE AND TIMES, WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE Touring to support the pummeling fable Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them?, MBD’s aural assault is taking the Bloomington, Ind.-based band on a grueling and horrific trek across the country, rattling bones and eardrums with pals the Life and Times and Whitmore in tow. $10. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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THE PERCEPTIONISTS The sovereign alliance of MCs Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One, aka the Perceptionists, is a veritable tornado of heady hip-hop. Unleashing cuts from their ‘05 debut, Black Dialogue (Def Jux), the group takes aim at the ills of everything from pro basketball to the Bush administration. The flowing lyrical 1-2 between Lif and Akrobatik is sure to slip into an eruption of freestyle venom. $10. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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ROBERT EARL KEEN The road goes on forever ... and Keen just keeps delivering the goods at every show. If you can deal with the drunken ball-cap-wearing frat boys in the crowd, you will be treated to a smorgasbord of great Texas music. He doesn’t have a lot of radio hits, but by God he’s got a slew of great songs. $23.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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SAT/12

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ANTHONY PAPPA Australia’s Pappa will slap you silly and bang you raw with his brand of liquid nu_breaks, tribal prog and some low-freq nasty. His sets are building, majestic, climactic — like any good slinger of 12 inches, Pappa can get nigh pornographic with his thrusting sounds, helped by Ian James in the main room and J-Luv, Kevin O and Prince Presto in Eden. $15. 9 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — Tony Ware

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Nov. 11. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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DONALD GLAUDE Sometimes it’s hard to determine which pumps harder during a Glaude set: the beats or his fist. Dude is one of the most animated DJs you’ve ever seen, thrashing about to his funky jacking tracks. Joining Glaude is Sir Thomas, who does the dark ‘n’ drivin’ thang, laying down twisted beats like driving through the Rockies at 3 a.m. $20. 10 p.m. Compound. 404-886-3467. www.compoundatl.com. — TW

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SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, CARIBOU You’ll love seeing Super Furry Animals if Beatle-esque perfect pop is your thing. Certainly, the Welsh band will draw many an indie rocker out of his or her headphone-induced shell. For those who are all too familiar with Gruff Rhys’ lilting whimsies and “OC”-approved tracks such as “Hello Sunshine,” however, there’s opening act Caribou (formerly known as Manitoba), whose own brand of electronic melancholy (best captured on the recent The Milk of Human Kindness) is arguably more challenging. $14. 8 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — Mosi Reeves

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THE TENDER IDOLS, VARIAC, THE MODERN SOCIETY Rejoice all ye lovers of Anglo-jangle! The Idols, Atlanta’s beloved Brit-pop sensations, are back for a special show tonight. Check ‘em out while you can because they may go back into another self-imposed hibernation at any moment. Variac and the Modern Society open. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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SUN/13

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LIZ AND DIANNE’S BENEFIT The Attic’s Dianne Vagnini and her pal Liz are in training for the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon in Phoenix, a meet to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In celebration, and to raise funds, an impressive lineup of talented folks will play an early show. Telegram, the Crafties, Weaklazyliar, Lindsay Rakers Band, Arlington Priest, Kitty Snyder, Justin Sias, Emily Kate Boyd, Blake Guthrie and more are on the bill. $15. 5:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — LVS

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MON/14

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BROADCAST, GRAVENHURST British sampledelic duo Broadcast returns to Atlanta in support of its latest release, Tender Buttons. Trish Keenan’s honeyed croon and James Cargill’s dreamy experimental pop whir stir the most intriguing elements of Stereolab, Joy Division and the Velvet Underground into a twinkling maze of atmospheric beauty. Warp Records labelmate Gravenhurst plays a textured and ethereal blend of dream pop and psychedelic folk rock. $15. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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MATCHBOOK ROMANCE, LOVEDRUG, ARMOR FOR SLEEP, GATSBY’S AMERICAN DREAM The N.Y.-bred Matchbook boys mine the screamo genre but add some sweet and scratchy pop to the mix so the final product is catchy but abrasive rock music. Ohio’s Lovedrug is preparing for the 2005 release of its indie debut. Armor for Sleep and Gatsby’s American Dream open. $13.50. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — LVS

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TUES/15

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BEN FOLDS, THE FRAY Nerds unite. Your bespectacled leader returns to prove that those piano lessons that kept you from getting picked for choose-up sports can pay off big, especially if you have a knack for crafting pop hooks as effortlessly as Folds. Those excited by warmed-over Coldplay and by-the-numbers contemporary rock should arrive early for the Fray’s opening set. $25. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle.html. — HH

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FEAR FACTORY The kings — or dark princes — of cyber metal have weathered some personnel changes, but Transgression, the band’s new release, shows they have survived intact. Angry, severe, intense and unbelievably tight, Factory’s riff- and throat-shredding attack is not for the squeamish. Soilwork, Strapping Young Lad and Darkane prepare you for the assault. $18. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — HH

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RATDOG Sure, this is as close as you’ll get to seeing the Dead in an intimate venue, but guitarist Bob Weir can sleepwalk through his side project’s shows looking like he’d rather be somewhere else. Longtime bassist Rob Wasserman and new saxist Kenny Brooks should bring fire to the proceedings, but if Weir isn’t feeling frisky, it could be a long two-night stand. $32.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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WED/16

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RATDOG See Sound Menu listing for Tues., Nov. 15. $32.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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THE RADIATORS More than a quarter-century into its existence, the Radiators aren’t boiling over boundaries in the jam-happy, funky, rocking blues and soul that remains a crowd-pleaser at New Orleans’ Jazz & Heritage Festival. Still, the band has cultivated a sizeable cult fan base that knows the group’s shows, while predictable, are driven by overheated playing that is always steamy. Deep Blue Sun opens. $15. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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THURS/17

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MAKOTO + DEEIZM MC A Japanese extension of LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking Records, Makoto incorporates rare groove elements into intelligent drum ‘n’ bass — broadening it without relying only on the common jazz-fusion DNA. Deeizm brings soulful retro-futuristic funk to the mix through her vocals. Opening is Deco, who is to the turntables what steak is to the grill: sizzlin’. $15. 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. www.themarkatlanta.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, 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