Sound Menu August 16 2006

THURS/17

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ATLANTA METAL & HARDCORE FESTIVAL This show of force from Atlanta’s blackest and burgeoning underground metal and hardcore bands is not for the faint of heart. Apocalyptic Visions plays heavy-as-hell death metal, steeped in pentagrams and anti-societal rage. Mabus Commute and Locust Grove cross the streams of low-growl Cookie-Monster metal with hardcore speed and melodies. Burden of Vision forges progressive art-metal doom and gloom. $12. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

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BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES, ADRIAN BELEW, UMPHREY’S McGEE This year’s version of the “Acoustic Planet Tour” finds Fleck and his guys joined by guitar virtuoso Adrian Belew and fan-friendly jam band Umphrey’s McGee. Between the Flecktone’s jazzgrass improv, Belew’s quirky guitar experimentation and Umphrey’s noodly meanderings, there’s something for everyone. Almost. $21-$60. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.com. — James Kelly

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DJ TRACE Like that missing persons weekly TV drama “Without a Trace,” the UK’s DJ Trace is all about ramping dynamic tension, and you can get lost in the thick, paranoid pace. Of course, DJ Trace isn’t going to disappear, considering the fellow’s been around since the early ’90s, starting with the No U-Turn tech-step crew. All the better a jam for wearing your FBI chic, though Kevlar really doesn’t breathe well when you’re grandstanding in the b-boy circle. Florida’s Alliance and the Chosen join locals Truform and War Omen for some sweet sickness, brosef. $10 (ladies free). 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. — Tony Ware

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GO!, GFE, AARON ZARZUTZKI North Carolina duo Mahlon Hoard (Saxophones) and Pat Lawrence (acoustic bass/live electronics), otherwise known as Go!, combine improvisation, pop, noise and free jazz to forge a riveting and versatile sound. Melody, harmony and rhythm teeter between intricacy and mayhem. Atlanta’s own improv. rock outfit GFE plays a set of loose and psychedelic brain bombs. Chicago-based electro/acoustic artist Aaron Zarzutzki opens the show. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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THE MASON DIXION DISATER, MEXCELLENT, SUITCASES, AYE! ROBOTICS, BATTLECAT Five bands for five bucks, each one with a penchant for self-abuse and art/noise/punk terror shenanigans. Headliner Battlecat is an Atlanta post-screamo supergroup, featuring Jeff Burgoon (Airoes), Mike Keenan (Airoes, Electrosleep Int’l), Sean Fitzgerald (Electrosleep Int’l) and Pat Clarici (Portrait). The group’s dual-bass assault is reminiscent of its members’ family tree, while moving into all-new realms of irreverence. $5. 8 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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METALFACE ACADEMY W/ MF DOOM Back in the day, MF Doom used to roll with Monsta Island Czars, a crew of MCs from his salad days in NYC. That crew broke up amid infighting and jealousy of MF Doom’s success, so he’s got a new set of friends. Meet the Metalface Academy: Mobonix, John Robinson (better known as Lil Sci from Scienz of Life), Hassan Chop and Killa K. They’ll be supported by DJs Wesu, Bad Kat and Steve Deniro. And yes, MF Doom is scheduled to be there. Call for ticket price. 9 p.m. Vinyl. 404-885-1365. www.vinylatlanta.com. — Mosi Reeves

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FRI/18

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DERRICK CARTER, DOC MARTIN, DARIEN X The House Nation 3D party brings to town Derrick Carter and Doc Martin, two American DJs revered for banging the house music box. As a former Atlantan, producer Darien X was an early promoter of local dance parties here; his time on the decks promises to be a sort of homecoming. $25-$50. 9 p.m. House. 678-528-7732. www.thehousenightclub.com. — MR

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ENTERTAINME.NT, GIRLS ON FILM, DEAREST AZAZEL, VENUS FALLING Entertainme.nt rolls out the festering corpse of gothic rock for another go-around. Bring your black lipstick and Captain Morgan outfit, and dance like children of the night. Tallahassee, Fla., fashionistas Girls on Film play a fourth-generation take on new-wave synth-pop in the vein of Duran Duran, Berlin and Human League. Dearest Azazel and Venus Falling open the show. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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JOHN PRINE, PATTY GRIFFIN Prine has been through the gauntlet over the past few years with some serious health issues, but he bounced back with some of the best work of his illustrious career. His humor and cynicism are intact, and his delivery is still as captivating as ever. Griffin is an amazing songwriter and performer, with a unique world view that makes her a fitting musical companion to the legendary Prine. $28-$74. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.com. — JK

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INFECTED MUSHROOM By the time I graduated from college I was balls deep in a serious magic mushroom binge. This one time I dropped at the beach, and spurred on by a five-disc changer of Jane’s Addiction and early Metalheadz, I found myself seeking commune with nature. I made it as far as the sand dunes before I came to a realization: I was on some fucked up shit. Under moonlight provided by a circuit-board constellation, I huddled and observed the colony of sandworms bursting frenzied from the beach. I only survived unscathed thanks to my flashlight, made magical by a kaleidoscope of Pochacco and Badtz-Maru stickers. The experience was simultaneously electrifying and terrifying. I tell you this because the experience of seeing Israeli Goa trance-duo Infected Mushroom live, is like that psychedelic psychosis. Local DJ Jonathan Allyn adds to the melodic mentalism. $10. 10 p.m. Fever. 404-214-0151. www.feveratl.com. — TW

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SAT/19

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CADILLAC JONES Cadillac Jones is a six-member band that makes big, beefy soul jazz, the kind you’re likely to hear during your favorite ’70s crime flick. Appropriately, its new album, The Big Takedown, is an imaginary soundtrack, complete with wah-wah guitar, horn choruses and turntable cuts. Cadillac Jones celebrates the album with a party at the Loft, and Heavy Mojo, Expatriots and Jazz Space & Bass lend support. $8. 8 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — MR

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CHRIS FORTIER Under both his own name and as part of production group Fade, Chris Fortier has acted as a figurehead for the American arm of progressive house, featuring more synth than soul-derived theatrics at its core. Live, Fortier can orchestrate minimal house with melodic hooks to give way to squelching, arpeggiated electro/breaks, and robots to raving e-diots are given something to throw their root down to. This Balance and Bedrock-affiliated DJ can mix a range from brooding and bleeping to blissed out. Javier Orraca and Prince Preston also drop dimes on the wheels of steel. 10 p.m. $15. eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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CLAIRE LYNCH, JEFF TALMADGE One of the female pioneers of contemporary bluegrass, Lynch is well known for her work in the Front Porch String Band, as well as her exquisite songwriting and harmony singing skills for a slew of other artists. But leading her own band is exactly where she should be, and tonight will be a down-home hootenanny. $15. 9 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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ELF POWER, MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S, JUPITER WATTS Athens’ long-standing neo-pysch./rock torch bearers of the Elephant 6 community, Elf Power makes a not-so-frequent Atlanta stop in support of its latest release, Back to the Web (Rykodisc). Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s play happy/sad vanilla indie-pop that invokes the sentimental syrup of everyone from Journey to Bright Eyes. Jupiter Watts opens. $8. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT Expect a spellbinding evening of awe-inspiring vocals from the beloved jazz singer. Scott joined Lionel Hampton’s band in 1948 and began his recording career in 1950 with some superior sides that still resonate with an eerie, strangely decadent glow. Maybe you know him from his appearance on Twin Peaks in the ’90s, or maybe it’s his super-rare 1962 album on Ray Charles’ Tangerine label (finally reissued in 2003) that continues his legacy. Regardless, you need to witness the suave and dapper man in action. $25. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-521-1786. www.variety-playhouse.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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SNOWDEN This show marks the official release celebration for local Anglo-affected quartet Snowden, seen skulking around these parts since 2003. And after agonizing over slowcore-distilled-shoegaze and processional-pop arrangements for what seems an eternity, Snowden has finally put forth a reverb-caked and defibrillated pulse-dimpled CD, its hirsute ambiance surely anticipating sweater weather. The Selmanaires and Deerhunter also shake, rattle and squall, which is crazy, because that’s like having the president and vice president in the same place. You can’t put all the hippest local bands together; what if everyone dies because there are motherfuckin’ snakes on the motherfuckin’ stage? Then which Pied Piper would shuffle their trendily coiffed indie cred? Keep Snowden groupie and Decatur Social Club impresario Preston Craig in the bunker! $8. 9 p.m. All Ages. The Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — TW

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SUN/20

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FEMME DE LA FUNK All-female Atlanta band Femme de la Funk (pianist Chanda Leigh McKnight, guitarist Jennifer Bliss, bassist Donna Hairston and drummer Cookie Dean) performs a range of energized jazz, reggae, blues and R&B. $10. 8:30 p.m. Churchill Grounds. 404-876-3030. www.churchillgrounds.com. — Mark Gresham

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JEFFREY SIEGEL NYC-based pianist Jeffrey Siegel performs music of Ludwig van Beethoven in “Beethoven: Sunny Side Up” in a concert-plus-commentary concert at the Marcus Jewish Community Center in Dunwoody. Discount tickets available for AJCC members, students and children. $20. 4 p.m. Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, Marcus Jewish Community Center. 770-395-2654. www.atlantajcc.org. — MG

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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE I used to hate on Justin Timberlake. But then I heard his “Rock Your Body” in a nightclub, and I had to give it up for him. I can’t front, man — the song is undeniably fly. Apparently he thinks so, too, because he repeated the same formula for “Sexy Back,” the first single from his upcoming album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. The album’s supposed to have some rock stuff, too, courtesy of Rick Rubin. Woo-wee, I can’t wait! $50. 9 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. — MR

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MON/21

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MICHAEL O’NEAL SUMMER SINGERS This non-auditioned summer edition of the Michael O’Neal Singers presents Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem,” one of the top five most frequently performed large works in the European choral canon. Faure’s popular “Cantique de Jean Racine” and other short works round out the concert. $10. 8 p.m. Roswell United Methodist Church. 770-594-7974. www.mosingers.com. — MG

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THURS/24

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JAMES GANG The James Gang Rides Again is the name of this tour and this band’s classic album from 1970. The revered power trio is hoppin’ back on their Harleys and cruising cross-country for their first real tour in three decades. Guitarist-vocalist Joe Walsh went on to solo fame with a series of popular albums and tons of money as a member of the Eagles, but what about the other original Gang bangers, Jimmy Fox and Dale Peters? Ask ‘em tonight after they roar through a hit-heavy blues-rockin’ set, sure to include “Funk #49” and “Walk Away.” $33.50-$48.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.ticketmaster.com. — LVS

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WILL KIMBROUGH A prodigy since before his days in Will and the Bushmen, Kimbrough is one of Music City’s most sought-after guitarists and producers, and a fine solo artist, as well. His provocative brand-new release, “Americanitis,” is a scathing look at the current state of the union. And it all rhymes. $10. 7:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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X, ROLLINS BAND, RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS The sadly overlooked late ’90s album from the John Doe Thing, the side-project of X bassist/singer/actor John Doe, was re-released last month as For The Best Of Us, and it’s a great addition to the library of any X fan or roots-rock addict. Tonight, the best of X is what’ll be on Doe’s mind as he and Exene, DJ and Billy sweat through a sure-to-be boiling set. Henry Rollins and his band share the hot’n’sticky bill with additional heat from openers the Riverboat Gamblers. $25. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.ticketmaster.com. — LVS

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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, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, 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.