Sound Menu January 23 2002 Wed week out
COUNT THE STARS — You know that when a band features a reasonably attractive woman on its CD cover that: a) said female is not in the band and b) the band’s constitution is at least 87 percent geek. When it comes to Albany, N.Y.’s Count the Stars, both apply — ah, but there’s also a “c)” to consider: Cool album covers — in this case, a sultry late-night laundromat scene — almost always lie. CTS’ dryer-damaged “power-pop” — i.e. samey power chords and worn-out wound-licking laments, framed by a rhythm section that couldn’t bust a move with a loaded Uzi — would have a hard time finding its way out of a men’s room stall at a Weezer concert. Also on the bill: Jupiter Sunrise and Sharks and Minnows. Echo Lounge (Rowland)
JOE GRANSDEN — Lately local trumpeter Joe Gransden has been showing up just about everywhere jazz is heard in town, from the serious jazz room at Churchill Grounds to the cabaret setting of Libby’s. He adds one more venue to his resume when he brings his trio to Buckhead’s umlaut-chic Joel, where he’ll entertain the Wednesday (6-9 p.m.) crowd starting tonight. Joel (Sarig)
PAT GREEN — He’s got a heart as big as his home state of Texas. And even though his country is likeable enough, Green’s grinning honky-tonk two-steps awfully close to that big-hat commercial C&W he claims to disdain. Though he’s innocuous on album, his energetic live show sells out theaters in the Lone Star state. In concert, he’ll presumably rough it up and escape the commercial sheen that makes his major-label debut so disappointing. Smith’s Olde Bar (Horowitz)
Dark Horse Tavern: Chickens and Pigs w/ The A-Sides
Darwin’s: Open Blues Jam
The Earl: Good Friday Experiment, The Hiss
Echo Lounge: Count The Stars, Jupiter Sunrise, Sharks and Minnows
Eddie’s Attic: Emily Boyd, Vaughan Penn, Ray & Charlene
Eyedrum: Dead Tech Video Night
40 Watt: Better Than Ezra, David Ryan Harris
Gravity Pub: Blue Plate Special
Joel: Joe Grandsen Trio
9 Lives Saloon: Count Chocula 5, Suckerpunch
Sambuca Jazz Cafe: Dan Furman Jazz Trio
Smith’s Olde Bar: Pat Green
Star Community Bar: Holy Smokes
Violette: Jus Jazz w/ Dave Wallis, Eddie Taylor, Dan Coy, Shack Lewis, Rita Graham