Sound Menu July 11 2007

THURS/12

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DEEP PURPLE, JOHN KAY'S STEPPENWOLF They don't get much respect from the music cognoscenti, but these crusty bands can still crank out the hard-rocking hits with conviction. Original Purple keyboardist Jon Lord and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore are MIA, but as evidenced by the recent Live at Montreux 2006, singer Ian Gillan can still hit those "Highway Star" high notes. Kay's distinctive "get yer motor runnin'" growl always sounded like a guy in his 60s, so now that he is, little has changed. Gentlemen, start your air guitars. $33.50-$58. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-364-4272. www.chastainseries.com. — Hal Horowitz

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THE GOURDS, DAVID CHILDERS AND THE MODERN DON JUANS Austin, Texas' schizophonic Gourds are celebrating the release of their newest album, Noble Creatures. You can expect more of the same of their unusual blend of roots rock, country, Cajun, blues, etc. Clearly an acquired taste, their hardcore fans just love them dearly. Childers is a force of rock 'n' roll nature, and must be seen at least once to be believed. Don't mind the sweat, everybody's doing it. $15. 9 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — James Kelly

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IAN MCLAGAN AND THE BUMP BAND The Small Faces were major stars in the U.K. The Faces subsequently helped launch Rod Stewart into the stratosphere, but McLagan, aka "Mac," keyboardist and occasional songwriter for both groups, hasn't been able to cash in on either. He's a successful session player, though, and a surprisingly convincing singer whose scrappy band of Austin, Texas-based pros brings every sweaty drop of the rowdy, ramshackle Faces arena experience to a more intimate venue. The Lizardmen & the Back Yardbirds also appear. $15. 8:30 p.m. Five Spot. 404-223-1100. www.fivespot-atl.com. — HH

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THE SLOW POISONER, DANIEL LOWE AND THE LOVE MESSENGERS, TEN GUN CONSORTIUM, GO ROBO! GO!, 13 DAY MISSION Once again, Swayze's stacks the deck with a slew of acts, but tonight the unique Slow Poisoner is hard to ignore. The self-proclaimed "one-man-surrealistic-rock-and-roll-band" artist/musician from San Francisco returns to town tonight on his Chicken With Its Head Cut Off Tour, singing odd, Hitchcockian songs and shilling bottles of his green elixir, sure to cure what ails ya, if you suffer from any of the following: elephantiasis, cholera, barnacles, boils, the fits, excessive abscesses, necrosis, lavender fever, general wasting, consumption, women's troubles, gout, neuralgia, wandering limbs, stoutness, onanism and disinterested bladder. That covers us all, right? $7. 7 p.m. Swayze's. www.swayzesvenue.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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WARM IN THE WAKE, HYMNS Formed from the ashes of King Lear Jet, Warm in the Wake plays gentle, organ-aided psych-pop with a little twang and jangle. Like a botanical garden, the arrangements are a wonder of texture, color and beauty. They've just put the finishing touches on a new album that's expected the last week of August. Openers Hymns hail from Brooklyn but they're actually transplants from Sticky Fingers, working the twang and pedal steel whine of dusty country rawk. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chris Parker

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FRI/13

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THE EL CAMINOS, THE WARM GUNNS, THE UNSATISFIED Sure, it's Friday the 13th, but Atlanta's El Caminos aren't gonna let a little thing like superstition bother them. They've had more bad luck than several mere mortal bands combined. Yet they soldier on, rockin' the luck out of their '70s glam-infused (that's Dolls, KISS and the Stooges, just for reference, kids) tunes and triumphantly returning to the club that once banned them. Like-minded guitar-bangin' warriors the Warm Gunns and the Unsatisfied share the Marshall-stacked bill. $6. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — LVS

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KENNESAW OPRY Three North Georgia bluegrass bands ­-- Out of the Blue (Powder Springs), Jot-Um-Down Boys (Dahlonega) and Vincent Mountain Band (Tucker) — play back-to-back for three hours at Kennesaw Opry, a new bluegrass venue in the Kennesaw Community Center, not far off U.S. 41. The K.O. opened in January, attracting acts from Georgia and surrounding states for its shows the second Friday of each month, and touting a family-friendly atmosphere, clean restrooms and plenty of parking. Children under 12 admitted free. $5. 7 p.m. Kennesaw Community Center. 770-971-4179. www.kennesawopry.com. — Mark Gresham

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MICKEY AVALON, ANDRE LEGACY, DIRTY NASTY Returning to town after his recent Centennial Park show, the oh-so-sexxxy Hollywood-based rappin' dervish will shake and bake in his own heavenly heat tonight on the Masquerade's Hell level. The highly inked performer will surely drop "Jane Fonda," his throbbing ode to the part-time Atlantan, into the set ­-- maybe even as the finale. Check out a fun audio interview with Avalon at www.sideshowatlanta.com. Andre Legacy and Dirty Nasty also perform. $15. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — LVS

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SAT/14

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CHARLES WALKER & THE DYNAMITES This 10-piece Nashville.-based funk outfit features old-school soul singer Walker, whose shouts, groans and howls recall the late Godfather, James Brown. The Dynamites' debut, Kaboom!, may be retro, but that certainly doesn't diminish the power. Like their spiritual kin, the Daptones, the Dynamites resurrect the sound without losing its essence; it sounds as fresh and authentic as if it were cut 40 years ago and rediscovered last week. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CP

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FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE Kuti is what happens when the rhythm sections of James Brown and George Clinton all aim at redemption. He's the soul prince of Afro-beat, a polyrhythmic blend of jazz, funk and African vocal and percussions, driven into international acclaim by his late father, Afro-beat legend Fela Kuti. The award-winning Nigerian musician has kept his family legacy intact while defining his own musical space with classic songs of freedom and spiritual transformation including "Black Men Know Yourself," "'97" and "Wonder Wonder." $22.50. 9 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — Edward M. Garnes Jr.

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KEVIN LAWSON, CLAIRE HOLLEY, MARK WIGGINS Eddie's hits its usual singer/songwriter groove tonight with three diverse but equally intriguing artists. Former Atlantan Lawson has been in Nashville for a while, and makes a welcome return. Holley, whose last CD was a nice duet with Caroline Herring, is visiting from L.A., and Wiggins brings a more uptempo sound to round out the evening. $15. 8 p.m. Eddie's Attic. 404-377-4976.

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www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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VINCE GILL, AMY GRANT, DEL McCOURY BAND There's a little something for almost everyone tonight, as Gill can do whatever style of music he chooses. He will probably stick to country for this gig. His wife, Grant, brings her pop-oriented contemporary Christian thing, and McCoury and the boys open with some of the best bluegrass you will ever hear. $35-$68. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.classicchastain.com. — JK

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SUN/15

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DOORS THAT SWING Dwight Andrews leads a program of jazz that "speaks to the spirit," celebrating the High Museum's exhibit of The Gates of Paradise by 15th-century artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. Andrews and his quintet are joined by versatile vocalist Sheila D. Wheat and the Atlanta Community Jazz Chorus in music by Duke Ellington, Donny Hathaway and Donald Byrd. Admission to the concert is a free addendum to paid admission to the exhibit. Group, senior and student discounts available, High Museum members admitted free. $15. 6 p.m. High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org. — MG

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PELA The blaring guitars, martial drums and singer/guitarist Billy McCarthy's warbling croon bring a dramatic aspect to Pela's atmospheric rock. Like Brooklyn peers Longwave and Ambulance Ltd., Pela sidles through chewy, ringing, moody treatments that, despite its more angular moments, tend toward the textured Brit-pop of Travis or the Chameleons U.K. Despite the fact that they recall half a dozen other bands, the playing is terrific, and they hint at finer things with tracks such the Muse-ish "Song Writes Itself" off their debut LP, Anytown Graffiti. $8. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CP

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MON/16

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MR. GNOME, THE HEAVY PETS This Cleveland duo's sound veers from tough, brutal guitar (reminiscent of Pelican in its melding of prog intricacy with drop-D throb) to moments of great delicacy and beauty. At the center of the maelstrom is sexy singer/guitarist Nicole Barille, whose aching alto provides the sugar to match the noisy spice. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.'s Heavy Pets purvey homey, soulful Americana with a pop edge, like Sublime if they'd grown up listening to the Band instead of Op Ivy. $5. 7 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — CP

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TUES/17

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JOHNNY SKETCH & THE DIRTY NOTES There's nothing like horn-driven New Orleans funk to get the party started and Sketch is happy to be your MC. Despite his young age, Sketch leads his band like a road-hardened pro, exuding confidence in his husky, soulful vocals and meaty guitar leads, both of which typically take a backseat to the fiery horns and tight jazz/funk arrangements. He won't let you sit down, and once he connects into his groove, you won't want to anyway. Beau Hall also appears. $10. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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WED/18

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DIANA KRALL, CHRIS BOTTI Mrs. Costello is neither a great jazz pianist nor vocalist, but by combining respectable talents in both areas, Krall is a commanding entertainer who delivers the goods to purists and less demanding listeners. As comfortable with either a Joni Mitchell or the occasional Elvis C. cover, she's best known for her sexy, intimate interpretations of American pop songbook standards. Like her husband, her shows are refreshingly unpredictable yet consistently entertaining. Accomplished trumpet player Botti is more convincing when he avoids the snoozy fusion he sometimes lapses into. $40-$100. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.com. — HH

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HANK VEGAS, GASOLINE HEART, ADAM AND DAVE'S BLOODLINE Macon has long been the breeding ground for a wide selection of earthy, timeless art — and a bunch of bad blues bands. Whether or not the Hank Vegas catalog will remain a beloved staple of music history remains to be seen; for now, Chad Evans and company are riding a Central Georgia buzz of interest with a rootsy new album and strong ties to the legendary breeding ground of the Allman Brothers and the decidedly more progressive environs of Athens. Adam and Dave's Pennsylvania-based Bloodline flows with a transfusion of '60s and '80s pop influences, in a similar vein as the Posies. Gasoline Heart completes the lineup. $7. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — LVS

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THURS/19

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INDIGENOUS This is part of the venue's ongoing "Americana Series," and what can be more American than a full-blooded Nakota Nation Native American band named Indigenous playing Stevie Ray Vaughan-styled blues rock? Leader/founder/guitarist/vocalist Mato Nanji's riff-heavy power blues may not exactly be right off the reservation, but he's a powerful presence and has enough sturdy rockers and molten licks culled from a five-album catalog to show he's not just a novelty. $12. 9 p.m. Vinyl. 404-885-1365. www.vinyl-atlanta.com. — HH

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RECKLESS KELLY, SAM THACKER Based in Austin, Texas, the Kellys (no relation) blend country roots with barroom rock, and the mix is a pleasant surprise. Not terribly original in the Americana scheme of things, but still worth a listen. Thacker delivers his nondescript repertoire with confidence, and the college kids seem to like it just fine. $18. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.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 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.