Sound Menu September 02 2000 Thur
Thursday, August 31
NOTED ACTS
AVAILABLE JONES — Ever wonder why so many jam bands seem to hail from Colorado? Have people got nothing better to do in that state than snowboard and listen to interminable drum solos? Hailing from Boulder, Available Jones carry on the state's (ahem) tie-dyed traditionalism. Their self-described "high energy psychedelic blues funk rock" (no hyphens please, that's too separatist, man!), is long-winded, muddled and about as appealing as a warm Coors Light. Brandy House (Robertson)
BOO!, DROPSONIC — The Earl shakes tonight with a paint-peeling set from Atlanta's Dropsonic, a trio of power who seem to get louder and better with every show. And traveling all the way from South Africa, Boo! are gonna shock any folks awaiting some Ladysmith action. Vibrant and very different, Boo! is a good surprise. The Earl (Smith)
TODD SNIDER, JUSTIN ROSOLINO — "I been lost for a while," sings Todd Snider in the opening lines of his new album Happy To Be Here. That lyric might well describe the flash-in-the-pan success Snider enjoyed with "Seattle Grunge Rock Blues" a while ago; however, he's lately been back on track with some superb, straightforward original blues/rock. (After all, in the same song he announces, "I'm gonna find my way/Back to the crossroads some day!") Local singer/songwriter Justin Rosolino, a favorite over at Eddie's Attic, opens the show for Snider tonight. Smith's Olde Bar (Nicoll)
STAGE 96 SHOWCASE — Despite the fact that none of these acts would ever be considered program-worthy on showcase sponsor 96Rock's airwaves, the Changelings, Flowers for Luci and Empire 44 offer some of the best goth-leaning music the city has to offer. Particularly appealing is Empire 44, whose soulful electro-pop comes through in spite of the group's unfortunately mismatched pseudo-fascist stage presentation. Riviera Club (Sarig)
SOUL LOUNGE — Groovenation Internet Radio presents an after-work party from 6-10 p.m., featuring spoken word poetry and music by Afro Blue, Anthony David and "the U.K.'s Queen of Soul," Julie Dexter. Crescent Room (Sarig)
WOMEN OF ROCK — Caroline Aiken hosts this very unusual night at the Dark Horse, featuring solo performances by Trina Meade of Stereo Popsicle, blues blaster Liz Melendez, and Wild West Picture Show's Keli Mercandante. Dark Horse (Nicoll)
ZEBRAHEAD, WHEATUS — Like some record company's wet dream, Zebrahead mines every currently marketable trend in a transparent and unimaginative bid for rock stardom. Sporting a truly witless mingling of punk, metal and hip-hop, copiously layered with manufactured teen horniness, they make musical reprobates like Eminem and Kid Rock sound like visionaries. Avoid. While rock quartet Wheatus tow the "gotta-get-a-hit" stylistic line (overt nods to cartoonish punk and rap parlance duly noted), at least their sense of humor occasionally wanders up above their waists. Hit "Teenage Dirt Bag" effectively revisits those "teenage wasteland" years, providing high school losers everywhere with yet another galvanizing anthem of self-loathing. Cotton Club (Robertson)
ALSO PERFORMING
9 LIVES SALOON: Bitch, Remy, Good Question
40 WATT CLUB-ATHENS: The Quietmen, Boulevard
ARCTIC CIRCLE: Trivia with DJ Rock Entertainment
BILLY'S: Beni's Basement
BLIND WILLIE'S: Francine Reed
BLUE RACCOON: Open mic with Bill Sheffield
BRANDYHOUSE: Cravin Melon, Available Jones
BRIDGES: Paula Harris and Doug Jervey
CAJUN KITCHEN: Grateful Dead Party with Stella Bluegrass
THE CHAMBER: Club Fetish
CHURCHILL GROUNDS JAZZ CAFÉ: Latin jazz - Jerry Fields and Vecinos del Mundo
COTTON CLUB: Zebrahead, Wheatus
CRESCENT ROOM: The Soul Lounge
DARK HORSE TAVERN & GRILL: Women of Rock in the Round: Caroline Aiken, Trina Meade, Kelly Mercadante, Liz Melendez
THE DERBY: Derek St. Holmes
DOTTIE'S: Animal Filter, Trash Candies
THE EARL: Boo!, Dropsonic
ECHO LOUNGE: Rockin' Pontoons, Greg Conners and The Curb
EDDIE'S ATTIC: David Franklin CD release party with special guests
FAT MATT'S RIB SHACK: Chickenshack
FUEL: Fete with DJs Marc-Alan Gray, Levi, Alex King and Justin
FUZZY'S: Donnie McCormick
KAYA: Fiesta Latina, Latin DJs
KILLER CREEK: Showtyme Jazz Duo
MARY'S: Brit-pop music video night
MASQUERADE: Sect, Veterans Radio, Trainwreck
NORTHSIDE TAVERN: The Breeze Kings
POPPERS: Steve Hawkins
RAY'S ON THE RIVER: Mina
RIVIERA: Stage 96 showcase with The Changelings, Flowers for Luci and Empire 44
SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFÉ: World Mambo Mission
SMITH'S OLDE BAR: Alabama Kickoff Party with Back porch revival, Todd Snider, Justin Rosolino
STAR BAR-L5P: Animus Disober, The Flakes, Saturn Outhouse