Sound Menu February 28 2007

THURS/1

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moe., TEA LEAF GREEN, TOUBAB KREWE While moe. doesn’t entirely discard the typical trappings of jam bands — faceless vocals, bland songs, seemingly endless improvs — the upstate New York collective prides itself on skewing the image, if only slightly. There is plenty of Dead in the band’s mix, but a fair amount of Zappa, too, at least enough to throw some twists into the formula. And they can rock out with high energy when the mood strikes. The Bay Area-based Tea Leaf (opens 3/1) adheres more closely to the jam-nation playbook, but Toubab Krewe’s (opens 3/3) nimble Afrobeat brings a tasty international flavor to the genre. $25-$65. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-233-7699. www.ticketmaster.com. — Hal Horowitz

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THE ONE AM RADIO, HOPE FOR AGOLDENSUMMER, THE BLUE HOUR The One AM Radio crafts a breezy blend of chamber pop by siphoning the dour side of human relations through deep, dark strings, intimate songwriting and laptop resonance. Hope for Agoldensummer plays a humid and distinctively Southern blend of haunted, folk-damaged songs. The Blue Hour churns out a melancholy post-punk dirge that balances precision, noise and brittle sentiments. $10. 9 p.m. 11:11 Teahouse. 404-521-1911. www.1111teahouse.com. — Chad Radford

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RED SPAROWES, PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS, KYLESA, IRREVERSIBLE Though Red Sparowes features members of Isis and Neurosis, the group subdues the metal’s aggressive traits to form an epic roar that’s built around the shimmering waves of pedal steel. Planes Mistaken For Stars plays a blend of brash and cathartic emocore. Savannah’s Kylesa churns out a wave of blackened metal miasma, while Atlanta’s Irreversible opens with a set of psychedelic sludge. $10. 9:30 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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RONNIE BAKER BROOKS It doesn’t hurt your credibility having blues legend Lonnie Brooks as your mentor and father, but Ronnie Baker Brooks doesn’t blindly follow his dad’s legacy. His new album brings frisky funk, steamy Southern soul and even hip-hop to the table, all propelled by his gutsy, occasionally psychedelic guitar. He’s clearly throwing a bunch of styles against the wall, but enough of them stick to show he has the chops and drive to keep the family heritage flowing for at least another generation. Ticket price TBA. 9 p.m. Darwin’s. 770-578-6872. www.darwinsblues.com. — HH

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WEBB WILDER, TOM GRAY AND MARK JOHNSON Webb’s a wild man, but there is a cool confidence behind his onstage swagger that commands attention. This is roots rock at its best, loaded with hooks, twang and power chords. Delta Moon’s Gray and Johnson open the show. Price TBA. 9 p.m. Fuzzy’s. 404-321-6166. www.fuzzys.com. — James Kelly

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FRI/2

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BAIN MATTOX, TIN CUP PROPHETTE, LINDSAY MAC Tonight, the popular Athens-based singer/songwriter releases his new solo acoustic album, Bird In The Hand, with a little help from his other half, the compelling performer who bills herself as “Tin Cup Prophette” and an opening set from Lindsay Mac. Be sure to visit Bain’s new MySpace site listed as bainmattoxandshotfromguns. His old one was diddled with by terrorists and/or evil-doers. $10-$13. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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BURNING RIVER BRASS In 1969, Cleveland’s copiously contaminated Cuyahoga River, only nominally made out of water, caught fire, shooting flames as high as five stories — an event that captured national attention via a Time magazine article. In 1996, that conflagration inspired the name of this ensemble of brass players (plus one percussionist), which has been capturing national attention for its combustive virtuosity, boldness and harmonious blend. $10-$15. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — Mark Gresham

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SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS, MALAMONDOS, SSM SCOTS has spent so many years on the road carving out its niche that it practically owns the circuit, and it only seems to get better. Some of the old performance shtick has not aged as well as it could have, but thankfully the music just keeps improving. With a hot new cover album out, these gigs should be something special. Malamondos opens March 2, SSM opens the bill March 3. $15. Fri.-Sat., 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — JK

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SAT/3

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FARMER JASON, JASON RINGENBERG The former leader of Jason and the Scorchers will be doing double duty today, offering a kid’s matinee of his lovably corny Farmer Jason character at 2 p.m., performing songs from his recent album Rockin’ The Forest (Kid Rhino) and then a show for the old-enough-to-drink crowd as his “identical twin brother,” Jason Ringenberg. Both shows will rock, so introduce the kids to some goofy but fun music — with a few moral lessons sprinkled in for the old folks. $5-$10. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Red Light Café. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — LVS

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MCDUFFIE-DUTTON-KIRSHBAUM TRIO Internationally acclaimed violinist and Macon native Robert McDuffie is joined by violist Lawrence Dutton (of the Emerson String Quartet) and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum for a concert of string trios by Beethoven, Mozart and 20th-century Hungarian composer Erno von Dohnanyi. $20-$36. 8 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.org. — MG

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THE SELMANAIRES, THE CARBONAS, THE COATHANGERS The Selmanaires recently upgraded to a four-piece when they added drummer/guitarist Mathis Hunter. Since then the group’s catchy melodies have migrated to the realms of the drone, drawing out long, sustained bouts of the Kraut rock ambiance that swells from the rhythm section. The Carbonas play gnarly punk rock. The Coathangers’ brand of classic and womanly post-punk evokes predub-era Slits sounds. $7. 9:30 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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THE SKYLARKS, MADISON SMARTT BELL, WYN COOPER Atlanta’s Skylarks make one of their rare appearances tonight, in their usual unorthodox manner. The smart-pop/clever-roots outfit will open for and then back up Madison Smartt Bell, a National Book Award nominee novelist and recording artist. His Forty Words For Fear CD was produced by Don Dixon and recorded at Mitch Easter’s studio, so you know the sparkling pop quality level is high. Bell also works with writer Wyn Cooper, best known for his poetry that inspired Sheryl Crow’s hit, “All I Wanna Do.” And, of course there’s a MySpace site for this shindig, www.myspace.com /fivepointsjournal, with more information on all the participants. Call club for ticket price. 9 p.m. Five Spot. 404-223-1100. www.fivespot-atl.com. — LVS

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SUN/4

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SPARKLEHORSE, JESSE SYKES & THE SWEET HEREAFTER Technically a one-man band with backup musicians, Sparklehorse has managed to carve out a nifty niche in the DIY, low-riding pop world. Sometimes hard to follow, but the kids think it’s cool. Jesse Sykes brings a little bit of the early Cowboy Junkies groove to the stage, but her unique vocal style is all her own. Her just-released album is one of the best of the year so far. $15. 7:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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MON/5

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APOLLO SUNSHINE, DIRTY ON PURPOSE, EARL GREYHOUND Psychedelic indie-rock ensemble Apollo Sunshine plays a fast-paced and experimental approach to twee pop sensibilities, carrying the influence of Olivia Tremor Control headlong into the future. Brooklyn’s Dirty On Purpose crafts a collegiate brand of artsy power-pop. Like Apollo Sunshine, the Elephant 6 influence is proudly worn on the group’s shoulder. NYC trio Earl Greyhound plays 1970s-afflicted Big Star-style rock. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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RUBY JAMES, THE LEAVERS BAND, ALMOST BLUE Yes, it’s Monday, but drag your ass outta the house and up the stairs tonight and you’ll be rewarded. Ruby James, the South-Carolina-by-way-of-California-and-Florida singer/songwriter, is a fascinating new presence on the rock scene. Eschewing the usual histrionics, James makes her point with a direct, relaxed and confident stance, surrounded by seasoned players. She’s currently completing a new CD in Austin featuring guitarist Charlie Sexton. Check her out. Also on the bill: The Leavers Band, Almost Blue. $5. 8 p.m. Main Room, Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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PEELANDER-Z, SAMADHA Japanese comic-book punk trio Peelander-Z plays a vibrant and visually stimulating blend of oddball rock and obscure pop tones that spill into the audience, by way of stage antics, like human bowling and displays of kung fu action. The group is touring in support of its most recent release, Happee Mania. Atlanta jazz ensemble Samadha plays dark and cerebral jazz that flirts with the avant-garde. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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THE SILOS, JON DEE GRAHAM Walter Salas-Humara hasn’t gotten nearly enough props for his role in the burgeoning early-’90s Americana movement, even though he’s been working that beat longer than many critics’ darlings. Still he plugs away, and while the new Silos album isn’t its best in a 20-plus year history, the disc exemplifies the group’s hard-edged melodic strum. Opener Graham is another “No Depression”-styled veteran dating back to the mid-’80s with Austin’s True Believers, making this a terrific and synergistic bill. $12. 7 p.m. Atlanta Room, Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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TUE/6

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DuoATL Atlanta guitarist Brian Luckett and flutist Nicole Randall formed DuoATL in 2005 to explore new flute and guitar music from the 20th and 21st centuries and to create new additions to their repertoire. In the latter case, Luckett’s “West End Funk,” written less than a month ago, plays musical homage to one of the city’s distinctive intown neighborhoods. Other selections include Katherine Hoover’s “Caprice,” Astor Piazzola’s “Historie du Tango,” and works by Antonio Ruiz-Pipo Sergio Assad, Roberto Sierra, and Michael Daugherty. Free. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — MG

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WED/7

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DEREK WEBB, SANDRA MCCRACKEN There is no denying the Christian lyrics in songs from this husband-and-wife co-bill, but that doesn’t mean their shows are akin to attending a Sunday sermon. Rather, both cloaks their spiritual sides in concepts that don’t slap your face with Christ-like sentiments. Webb headlines but it’s McCracken — whose voice and songs combine the best pop/rock/folk aspects of Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin — who has gotten deservingly rave reviews from the secular press for her latest album. $10-$13. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — HH

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THURS/8

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MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD, THE WOOD BROTHERS Bassist Chris Wood does double duty tonight. He’s the soulful low end of the opening folk-blues duo, along with his brother and Atlanta resident Oliver (best known for his work with King Johnson), and provides the bottom for jazz/jam funky-experimentalists M, M & W. It makes for a diverse evening, especially since the headliner’s unpredictably electric/acoustic approach shifts through a trippy kaleidoscope of styles, all of them stimulating. $25-$27.50. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-885-1365. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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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 Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@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.