Sound Menu September 20 2006

THURS/21

??
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS Robert Spano leads the ASO’s season-opening gala featuring “Serenade to Music” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the Walt Whitman-inspired “Dooryard Bloom” by Atlanta-raised Philadelphia composer Jennifer Higdon and Beethoven’s emphatically joyous choral “Symphony No. 9.” $23$65. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www. atlantasymphony.org. Mark Gresham

??
OHMEGA WATTS Most rap fans have strong opinions about the kind of “true school” music of Ohmega Watts. Some think it’s what real hip-hop sounds like without all the glamour and glitz you hear on the radio. Others think it’s wack, boring and has no soul. Clearly, some artists are good at the form while others aren’t. You can count Ohmega Watts, a Portland, Ore. producer and MC who released The Find last year, in the latter category. Call for price. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — Mosi Reeves

??
SUPERSYSTEM, ZOMBI, PEELANDER-Z Washington D.C/NYC’s cerebral party punk outfit Supersystem blends the base elements of angular, post-punk grooves with a crisp, electronic sheen that offers an element of earnestness to the dance punk masses. Pittsburgh’s multi-instrumental duo, Zombi, plays intricate neo-prog. rock in the vein of Goblin or John Carpenter’s soundtracks. Japanese comic book trio Peelander-Z plays oddball punk from its latest release, Happee Mania. Part of Paste’s Rock ‘n’ Reel festival. $12. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

??
FRI/22

??
BRAD PAISLEY, CARRIE UNDERWOOD One of the most talented contemporary purveyors of classic country, Paisley is the real deal: an amazing singer, songwriter and guitar picker. Joining him is “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, who brings a fresh blast of pop-flavored mainstream country to the stage. $46.75. 8 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.ticketmaster.com. — James Kelly

??
GLASS CANDY, THE CHROMATICS Glass Candy has come a long way since its early days of strutting, trashy, three-chord glam antics. These elements are still the foundation for the group’s image, but an element of confidence in its stage presence has elevated Glass Candy to a level beyond pure sex and spectacle. Gloom rockers Chromatics open with a set of dark pop that falls somewhere between Joy Division and Suicide. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

??
KEVIN HAMPTON Based in Savannah where he teaches at Armstrong Atlantic State College, pianist Kevin Hampton presents a solo recital focused on works by African-American composers. Free. 8 p.m. Stillwell Theater. 770-423-6650. www.kennesaw.edu/arts. — MG

??
MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., CATFISH HAVEN, CASSAVETES Magnolia Electric Co. returns in support of its third full-length, Fading Trails. Jason Molina and Co. pursue a darker side of the group’s psyche, drawing out long pedal-steel washes and stormy guitars that meet somewhere between Neil Young and Ennio Morricone. Catfish Haven plays earnest Memphis-style rock, rhythm and blues. Cassavetes opens with spacey and cerebral rock set. Part of Paste’s Rock ‘n’ Reel festival. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

??
RODNEY HUNTER Despite how it might sound, “G-Stone” is not a type of diamond specially cut to be embedded in AK-47s and pot leaf-shaped medallions. No, G-Stone is the Austrian record crew that includes OG’s Kruder and Dorfmeister, as well as visiting DJ/producer Rodney Hunter. But what G-Stone offers is as dank and funky as any chronic bubonic because G-Stone is pure, blunted, deep and dubby bliss. Buttery like a cashew and earthy as a truffle, the sounds of Rodney Hunter are a refined Viennese indulgence that fits in with that form as perfectly as a master tailor and thread transform fabric. Deep house to downbeat will greet the G’s who come to throw down. 9 p.m. Halo. 404-962-7333. www.halolounge.com. — Tony Ware

??
TERRI HENDRIX & LLOYD MAINES, TOMMY WOMACK, JASON HERROD Hendrix (no relation to Jimi) is one of many great singer/songwriters from Texas with a clear voice and a slew of great tunes. She is joined on this tour by the incredible producer/steel player Lloyd Maines (Dad of Dixie Chick vocalist Natalie). Womack hails from Nashville, but his extraordinary material transcends the Music City limits. $10. 7:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

??
SAT/23

??
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS See Sound Menu for Thurs., Sept. 21. $23$65. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www. atlantasymphony.org. MG

??
COWBOY MOUTH, 13 STORIES Cowboy Mouth doesn’t need a new album as a reason to tour; the live experience is key. Fortunately, Voodoo Shoppe, the Louisiana-based band’s recent album, is almost as good as their high-energy live performances. But come on to the show anyway and watch charismatic crazy man Fred LeBlanc control the crowd. Be sure to notice Atlantan Sonia Tetlow on bass and seek out her solid solo albums. She may not have them for sale on the merch table, but ask for them. $20. 8 p.m. The Roxy. 404-233-7699. www.ticketmaster.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

??
SOUTHEASTERN FESTIVAL OF SONG “Secrets of the Sky and Sea” is the title of this program of songs of diverse styles: the Broadway of Stephen Sondheim, songs of Venezuelan Reynaldo Hahn, classic bluegrass of Bill Monroe, all brought together by common themes of water and the wide blue yonder. Four singers and one pianist — Shana Blake Hill, Adriana Zabala, Scott Scully, Ryan Taylor, and Bruce Stasyna — are the evening’s performers. $25. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Hall. 404-727-5050. arts.emory.edu. — MG

??
SUN/24

??
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS See Sound Menu for Thurs., Sept. 21. $23$65. 3 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www. atlantasymphony.org. MG

??
LITTLE COUNTRY GIANTS, STEPHEN SIMMONS, DATRI BEAN Celebrating the release of their second CD, the Giants have once again mined a rich vein of traditional Appalachian-inflected rootsy music. Obviously they get it and are not just pretenders. Nashville’s Stephen Simmons continues to grow as a writer with each song. His thoughtful stories will keep you focused all night. $10. 7 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

??
TUES/26

??
ELECTRIC SIX Sometimes it’s hard to know when to take Detroit-founded, disco-arena-rawk act Electric Six seriously. Drawing on the same energy as bands like KISS, Devo, Camper Van Beethoven, Andrew W.K. and Tenacious D, Electric Six walks that molestache-thin line between vamp and vapid. The group — its rallying cries centered around fires in Taco Bells and nuclear wars in gay bars — are like the goldfish-in-the-glass-boots of modern indie rock, teetering on the edge of having too ridiculous a time. But the group is serious about one thing: rocking and leaving your sweaty sack heaving for more! Boston’s angular we-left-our-heart-in-chiming-post-punk-England band Aberdeen City and Denmark’s British Bloos Invasion garagists the Blue Van also perform. $12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — TW

??
WED/27

??
JUSTIN PEAKE, GFE Jeff Peake plays drums and mixes acoustic and electronic free jazz while improvising around various samples and sound sources. Atlanta’s GFE plays a vast and spacious blend of improvised rock and far-out jazz. Each number expands and contracts with celestial majesty and psychedelic power while clusters of rhythm and melody disassemble themselves in a haze of droning sonic clutter that’s sometimes calm and sometimes chaotic. $7. 9 p.m. Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

??
LITTLE STEVEN’S UNDERGROUND GARAGE A-GO-GO Little Steven — “Sopranos” star, Bruce Springsteen pal and garage-rock enthusiast — is touring the country with an old-fashioned rock-and-roll package tour. Yep, just like the “Dick Clark Caravan Of Stars” in the ’60s. For this, the proposed first installment of a three-show series, the bill includes The Zombies, the legendary British band best known for “She’s Not There,” the former Atlanta/Athens-based Woggles, with The Mooney Suzuki, The Forty Fives and an opening set from The Lizardmen. And no mod evening is complete without Live Go-Go Girls. A fun night of old-school rock. $20. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-521-1786. www.variety-playhouse.com. — LVS

??
Z-MAN, PENS & NEEDLES Some may remember Z-Man’s past work, both solo and as a member of Sacred Hoop but he’s got a new crew, One Block Radius, that’s all about “Gurp,” a twisted liquor concoction and symbol for the hyphy-fueled Bay Area indie rap scene. One Block Radius makes sunny rap-rock, but Z-Man’s got some darker, funnier stuff. This solo appearance will be all about comedy joints that’s half-thug, half-satire. Raleigh, N.C. politico-rap group Pens & Needles opens. $6. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — MR

??
THURS/28

??
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Celebrating his 60th birth year and the 50th anniversary of his debut as a 10-year-old child prodigy, pianist Andre Watts performs as soloist in Beethoven’s imaginative and virtuosic “Concerto No. 5 for Piano and Orchestra.” Robert Spano leads the ASO, also performing both “Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis” and “Symphony No. 5” by quintessentially British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. $18$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

??
RAKIM “I’m rated ‘R’ ... this is a warning, ya better void/ Poets are paranoid, DJs d-stroyed/ Cuz I came back to attack others in spite/ Strike like lightnin’, it’s quite frightenin’!/ But don’t be afraid in the dark, in a park/ Not a scream or a cry, or a bark, more like a spark/ Ya tremble like a alcoholic, muscles tighten up/ What’s that, lighten up! you see a sight but/ Suddenly you feel like you’re in a horror flick/ You grab your heart then wish for tomorrow quick!/ Music’s the clue, when I come you’re warned/ Apocalypse now, when I’m done, ya gone!/ Haven’t you ever heard of a MC-murderer?/ This is the death penalty, and I’m servin’ a/ Death wish, so come on, step to this/ Hysterical idea for a lyrical professionist!/ Friday the 13th, walking down Elm Street/ You come in my realm ya get beat!/ This is off limits, so your visions are blurry/ All ya see is the meters at a volume/ Pumping lyrics of fury!” — Some things, such as the lyrics of Golden Age virtuoso MC Rakim, speak for themselves. The rest is left to legendary Bronx DJ Kid Capri, equally nimble on the wheels of steel. $20. 7 p.m. eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

??
· 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.