Sound Menu August 23 2006

CL’s picks for the week’s best shows

THURS/24

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ATLANTA LYRIC THEATRE The penultimate show in the Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s casual cabaret summer series features singers Dan Britt and Mary Welch Rogers with BJ Brown. Admission to the show is free, but donations ($20 has been suggested) benefit the ALT’s coffers for producing their upcoming season of musicals. Free. 8 p.m. Byers Studio Theatre. 404-377-9948. www.atlantalyrictheatre.com. — Mark Gresham

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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. — Lee Valentine Smith

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TOSHIO MATSUURA The Oscars would have you believe Chicago is all that jazz. But what does some naked bald man know, anyway? Actually, don’t answer; I think I know a lot. Among the things I know is what that jazz really happens to be — Toshio Matsuura, once with Japan’s United Future Organization. And now Matsuura jazzes up More Dusty than Digital’s weekly “That’s What It Is,” bringing the nu-jazz-funk fusion. Urbane sophisticate we’ll call it, the structured sound of propulsive polyrhythms that roll like a Rhodes electric piano. Adding to the broken-beat, rare groove, Afro-Latin, deep and sweaty disco scratch-house vibe are Karl Injex and Chris Grass. Call for admission. 10 p.m. Django Gypsy Kitchen & Saloon, 495 Peachtree St. 404-347-8648. www.djangoatlanta.com. — Tony Ware

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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. — James Kelly

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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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FRI/25

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FINAL FANTASY, BOB WISEMAN, ONE HAND LOVES THE OTHER Final Fantasy is a pseudonym for Toronto musician Owen Pallett. His most recent album, He Poos Clouds, builds songs around violin and light, twee melodies. Bob Wiseman hails from the same city, but his songs are inflected with brittle, high-strung electronics. Local band One Hand Loves the Other opens the night with a volley of soulful vocals matched against indie-pop and electronic backgrounds. 10 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Mosi Reeves

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LAPTOP BATTLE FINALS The final Southeastern regional Laptop Battle decides who moves on to compete in the nationals in Seattle this December, and who stays home. This competition pits eight of the highest ranking competitors from three previous laptop battles in a tournament-style showdown of skill and intensity, judged in several categories. Man and machine against one another wielding nothing more than keyboards and mice has never been more cutthroat. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — Chad Radford

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LYLE LOVETT Lyle has almost become an elder statesman in the Texas singer/songwriter scene, and his Chastain shows are always entertaining. Utilizing his large band in a number of configurations throughout the evening allows him to showcase the incredible diversity in his work, from jazz to honky tonk. And you know he has a soft spot for Atlanta (well, Smyrna). $28-$75. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.org. — JK

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ROCKAPELLA Bop, bop, do-wop! The clean, family-friendly, retro-reputation of Rockapella was long ago cemented through PBS’s “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” None of the singers in that original group are members of today’s Rockapella, but the quintet nevertheless still boasts compelling, on-target harmonies, a distinctive sound across a range of R&B, rock, soul and jazz, and is a top fun-time exponent of unaccompanied vocal pop. $27-$37. 8 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.org. — MG

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SIERRA SWAN This talented singer/songwriter is the daughter of Rockabilly Hall Of Fame alum Billy Swan, but don’t expect an evening of rollicking country tonight. Her sensuous delivery has more in common with Pink than her dad’s yellow-label sun style. She’s touring to support her major-label debut Ladyland, written and recorded with the ubiquitous Linda Perry. $10. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Café, 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — LVS

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SNEAKER PIMPS W/ KOOL KEITH The career of hip-hop hero, porno connoisseur, and protector of ants, Kool Keith, spans two decades of Dadaist logic, from Ultramagnetic MCs’ Critical Beatdown to Dr. Octagon’s Octagonecologyst. This year brought three albums of strangeness, including Project Polaroid, Mr. Nogatco’s Nogatco Rd., and The Return of Dr. Octagon. Do you smell a duck in the grape preserves? DJ Lord opens during this concert sponsored by Sneaker Pimps, a touring sneaker and street-based art show. $10-$13. 9 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — MR

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SAT/26

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ATLANTA SUMMER JAM W/ G-UNIT RAP concerts often suck. It’s like the stars go out on stage, soak up the fans’ goodwill and enthusiasm and then, fifteen minutes later, don’t know what to do. Give us a show, damnit! That said, you won’t be bored at the Atlanta Summer Jam. The G-Unit crew (50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Mobb Deep, Young Buck, Olivia), Lil’ Scrappy, Keyshia Cole, Rick Ross, Shawnna, Yola da Great and Big Kuntry will be there, and sponsor V-103 promises some surprise appearances, too. With luck, they’ll not only show up, but actually entertain you. $34.50-$129.50. 6 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.atlantasummerjam.com. — MR

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FC KAHUNA I once knew a raver who had Florida breaks on constantly. I worried one day he’d need his Rabbit in the Moon so bad he’d tie off with a glowstick on a string and try shoving the CDs in his vein. But K kept him in check. Another took ecstasy like PEZ and taught elementary school. What, you needed some pharmaceutical enhancement in order to give the kids enough hugs? Point being, clubbers have some strange addictions but only one true fix: BIG ASS BEATS. Dance music producers, too. Case in point: the UK’s bugged-out bleep freaks FC Kahuna. Who needs drugs when you’re in a room dropping acid house, big beat, robofunk, tech-house and pastoral prog-disco? Party safe, kids. $15. 10 p.m. eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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GLENN PHILLIPS BAND, SWIMMING POOL Q’s When guitar virtuoso and Hampton Grease Band wizard Glenn Phillips is around, chances are good that erudite rascal Jeff Calder is also somewhere nearby. And tonight is no exception; the Atlanta legends offer a cozy co-bill, featuring Phillips’ instrumental prowess and the clever wordplay of Calder’s Q’s. $12. 8 p.m. Red Light Café, 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — LVS

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GOODNIGHT MADCAP (A TRIBUTE TO SYD BARRETT) Several Atlanta acts pay homage to fallen Piper at the Gates of Dawn and original Pink Floyd front man, Syd Barrett, who died from complications related to diabetes in July. Acts slated to perform include Bon Vivants, Blake Rainey, the Yum Yum Tree and several others, channeling the spirit of Barrett not through mind-altering chemicals but via an earnest homage in song. $7. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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MASERATI, DEERHUNTER, 1000 HOLY SHARDS Athens’ instrumental math-rock five-piece Maserati plays a set of songs from its upcoming full-length Inventions for the World Outside. Deerhunter creates a wash of white noise and rock bound by minimal rhythms and experimentation. 1000 Holy Shards’ emerges from the depths of ethereal noise and quasi Middle Eastern rhythms that take shape like ancient folk hymns for a jihad on the sands of an alien world. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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TANYA TUCKER, EXILE When Tucker played Lanierland last summer, she brought along a camera crew and taped a segment of her reality TV show. Also noteworthy was the debut of her teenage daughter Presley Tucker, a dynamic entertainer who shares her mom’s sassy stage presence. Tonight, who knows what’ll happen? One thing is a given: The show will feature a hearty sampling of Tucker’s feisty hits, delivered with a knowing wink and a sexy saunter. Exile — yes, the “Kiss You All Over” guys — opens the evening. $25. 7:30 p.m. Lanierland Music Park, Cumming. 770-887-7464. www.lanierland.com. — LVS

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SUN/27

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AN ALBATROSS Ever heard the rumor that if you hock a loogie off the Empire State Building, it will immediately kill whomever it comes into contact with, causing the remnants of their cranium to splatter all over like watermelon on the front row of a Gallagher routine? No? What do I know; I just put down my PBR and made that shit up. But speaking in metaphors, Philadelphia’s abraded avatar of chaos, An Albatross — just having released Blessphemy — is that high-velocity loogie. And anyone in attendance at the band’s show is that cerebellum through a combine. Locals Me and Him Call it Us also help kick up complementary face-melting, post-hardcore/grindcore phlegm from serrating six-string bile. All Ages. $8. 9 p.m. The Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — TW

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TUES/29

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CHRIS ISAAK He’s a crooner who also thinks he’s a standup comic, but his music is a lot better than his jokes. Isaak continues to channel Elvis and Roy Orbison, but from time to time he is his own man. Expect an evening of smooth sounds, a little rocking and way too much talking. $38.50-$48.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — JK

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WED/30

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WEDNESDAY WINDDOWN If you’re downtown and outta cash but hungry for entertainment, check out these continuing outdoor offerings of jazz, rock, R&B, reggae and blues by local artists, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Centennial Olympic Park. The free concerts run every Wednesday evening through Sept. 27. Free. 5:30 p.m. Southern Company Amphitheatre, Centennial Olympic Park. 404-222-7275. www.centennialpark.com. — MG

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THURS/31

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BRUCE COCKBURN Calling Cockburn a cult figure is a bit of a misnomer; better to say his audience is very selective. One of the most prolific and socially conscious folkies of the late 20th century, his newest album delivers more of his subtle but powerful observations, this time with a heartfelt look at what’s going on in Iraq. And America. $22.50. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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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.