Sound Menu October 17 2001 Wed week out

AGNOSTIC FRONT — You have to admire any band that can breathe new life into a tired concept — especially one as old as Agnostic Front. Their latest, Dead Yuppies, is a fervent, occasionally annoying, reminder that the numbingly conformist prospect of the 9-to-5 work week is still at the top of every honest punk rocker’s hit list. Survivors of an early-’80s hardcore explosion that included the now-defunct Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys and Black Flag, this NYC bunch has endured jail time, divorce, injury and even death. And while they may have little if anything new to offer, they’re still happy to bleed for your amusement. Masquerade (Rowland)

ANSON FUNDERBURGH & THE ROCKETS FEATURING SAM MYERS — A mutually beneficial match: Gifted, Dallas-based guitarist Funderburgh and band provide the swinging musical backbone for Mississippi-born blues man Sam Myers’ potent harmonica and vocals. Myers, 65 and legally blind, has performed and recorded since the ’50s, playing both drums and harmonica on Elmore James recordings. He’s had his greatest success since his 1986 pairing with Funderburgh. Blind Willie’s (Powell)

BIONIC JIVE — As the honeymoon between rock and rap draws to a close, a few groups are engaging in the necessary personality adjustments needed to keep this marriage afloat. Arizona’s Bionic Jive appears to be one of them. Placing the emphasis on a sophisticated lyrical flow that’s supported by an aggressive instrumental throw-down, this group goes at rock from the rap side, instead of the other way around. DeKalb-Atlanta Center (Hutchinson)

SUNSET VALLEY — Like eating angel food cake with dirty hands, the music of Sunset Valley is an exercise in unpolished weightlessness, combining the lush vocal harmonies of ’60s psychedelic balladry with the raucous kick of ’70s power-pop anthems. The Earl (Hutchinson)

TEMPEST LITTLE BIG BAND - A thoroughly refreshing, if not groundbreaking, concept: Balance the limber improvisational freedom of the small jazz combo against the more choreographed musical structure of a larger band. Tempest tackles Monk, Coltrane, Davis, Basie, Ellington and more, utilizing the full dynamic capabilities of a nine-piece ensemble and the exceptional solo talents of Lester Walker (trumpet) and Randy Honea (guitar), among others. Libby’s Cabaret (Powell)

THISTLE --Promoting their new EP, Oxygen, Cincinnati’s Thistle opens for Mock Orange. Thistle’s emo-rock riffs and nice-guy vocals may sound all too familiar to some, but they redeem themselves with some interesting guitar work. Echo Lounge (St. John)

LUCINDA WILLIAMS — Touring behind Essence, an understated but intense collection of tunes, Williams picks up the tempo with a hot combo and renewed self-confidence. Tabernacle (J. Kelly)

THE BAYOU ROOM: Motor City Josh

BLIND WILLIE’S: Anson & The Rockets with Sam Meyer

BLUE RACCOON: Acoustic Open Mic with Andrew Black

BRANDYHOUSE: Z93/Brandyhouse Benefit

BRIDGES: Piano with Bruce

CHURCHILL GROUNDS JAZZ CAFE: Pursuance with Lee Hogan & Dan Furman

CLUB GENO’S: The Brethern

COWBOYS: Darrin Robbins, Kickback

DARK HORSE TAVERN: Soundstain, Settlenne, RS3

DARWIN’S: Open Blues Jam hosted by the Hybrids

ECHO LOUNGE: Mock Orange, Thistle

ECLIPSE DI LUNA: Bonaventure Quartet

EDDIE’S ATTIC: David Franklin, Lance Rowland, Zorki

FAT MATT’S RIB SHACK: The Electromatics

40 WATT CLUB-ATHENS: Mates of State with Beulah, Superdrag, Mars of Volta

FUZZY’S: Mike Veal

THE GRAPE AT VININGS: New South Jazz

GRAVITY PUB: Blue Plate Special

KARMA: Cream

KAYA: Wind Down Wednesday - live jazz, spoken word, poetry

LUBY’S: Stuart Sullivan

MASQUERADE: Agnostic Front, Kill Your Idols, Bane, F-

METROPOLITAN PIZZA: Metropolitan Wednesdays

MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE: Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys, Chyna White

9 LIVES SALOON: Bitch and Special Guests

NOMENCLATURE MUSEUM: Reunion - featuring dark wave, ether pop and trance

NORTHSIDE TAVERN: Daniel “Mudcat” Dudeck

PECKERHEAD BREWERY: Open Mic with Debone

PHUNKY PHISH TAVERN: ATMA

THE POETRY PLANET: Bare Soul Wednesday

RAY’S ON THE RIVER: Waveform with Doc Samuels, Larry Jackson, Tom Woodruff

RED LIGHT CAFE: Open Mic

SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFE: Melanie Massell

SMITH’S OLDE BAR: The Grassmen, Nothing Simple, King’s Indian

STAR BAR-L5P: Flathead Mike and the Mercurys, Just, Jimmy and the Teasers

THE TABERNACLE: Lucinda Williams

VIOLETTE RESTAURANT: Jus Jazz featuring Dave Wallis, Eddie Taylor, Dan Coy, Shack Lewis, Rita Graham

WHISKER’S TAVERN-DUNWOODY: The Surpriz Blues & Soul Band

YA YA’S CAJUN CUISINE: The Luxury KingsContributors to this week’s Menu are Keely Brown, Mitchell Foy, Hal Horowitz, Matthew Hutchinson, James Kelly, Mark Kohler, Gregory Nicoll, Bryan Powell, Justin Robinson, Hobart Rowland, Jane St. John, Roni Sarig, Lee Smith, Tony Ware and Kristi York.