Sound Menu August 29 2007

THURS/30

??
DEIDRE McCALLA With a sociomusical sensibility forged in the heyday of NYC’s Greenwich Village folk clubs, African-American, lesbian, feminist guitarist McCalla sings in celebration of diversity and the power of the human spirit. Pre-eminent among women’s music circles, the Atlanta-based McCalla also co-founded FamilyPride of the South. Free. 7 p.m. Decatur Library. 404-370-3070. www.dekalblibrary.org. — Mark Gresham

??
ZOROASTER, EARLY MODERN WITCH TRIALS, FAG STATIC Zoroaster is a drone-metal behemoth that crafts a neck-breaking rumble and a sensory-jamming show of lights, smoke and pure sonic malevolence. Bring earplugs. Early Modern Witch Trials plays a nerdy hybrid of progressive rock and space-age punk jams. Fag Static (formerly known as Quaker Guns) features Ian Deaton and Chris Ware from Blame Game playing intricate and arty post-hardcore songs. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. ­-- Chad Radford

??
FRI/31

??
11:11 SOUND WISH Teahouse is fast becoming a thriving spot for live performance of various strains of experimental music. This show is a potluck fundraiser to buy a sound system for the space. Admission is free if you bring food ($5 to eat). Acts on deck include: Magic Apron, Music for People and many others, as well as a Subliminator impersonation contest and sumo wrestling. $5. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

??
BILLY CHILDISH Iconoclastic British garage-punk Childish came of age in the ‘77 punk explosion, fronting an unending series of primitive outfits (most notably Thee Headcoates), whose earnest, energetic roar and sense of humor compensate for their musical deficiencies. The gritty, off-the-cuff vibe and intelligence has made him a cult figure for 30 years. Besides his prolific musical output — estimated at more than 100 (decidedly lo-fi) albums — Childish is also a noted painter, poet and critic. He’ll be doing a reading as well as his solo performance. $25. 9 p.m. AJC Decatur Book Festival, Vinson Gallery Stage. 404-370-1720. www.vinsongallery.com. — Chris Parker

??
ELISABETH WITHERS With her soulfully powerful yet engagingly vulnerable voice, singer/songwriter Withers became a Broadway stage hit and Tony Award nominee playing the role of Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Yet her Blue Note solo debut album, It Can Happen to Anyone, demonstrates command of a range of styles: R&B, gospel, pop, rock and even “old-school” cabaret. Part of the Montreux Jazz Festival Atlanta. $25-$35. 8 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

??
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH, SAM BUSH Well, the Hooties are still around, even though they disappeared from the record charts about eight years ago. I guess some folks just love those songs the rest of us can’t remember. Opener Sam Bush is the king of the newgrass mandolin, and will no doubt be the real surprise of this evening’s festivities. $28-$57. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater. 404-249-6400. www.classicchastain.com. — James Kelly

??
LARRY BROWN TRIBUTE Tim Lee’s recently released tribute compilation to Southern writer Brown comes alive as six of its artists memorialize the author in story, but mostly song. Regardless of the concept, just hearing some of Americana’s finest folks and folk rockers including Drams/Slobberbone frontman Brent Best, Blue Mountain’s Carey Hudson, Bo Ramsey, Pieta Brown and Caroline Herring together and separately is a rare treat unlikely to be repeated after this tour. This promises to be a reverent, stimulating and emotionally stirring evening of roots music. $20. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Hal Horowitz

??
SAT/1

??
ATHENS BOYS CHOIR, TEAM GINA, KATASTROPHE This gender-bending showcase features three acts blurring the lines between spoken word, poetry and rap. Katz, aka Athens Boys Choir, is known for his witty wordplay and close association with Indigo Girls and other queer-positive artists. Team Gina is a Seattle duo that’s part of the electro-homo-hop scene, a movement that includes acts such as Gravy Train and Scream Club. Same goes for Katastrophe, except he hails from San Francisco. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-3950. www.eyedrum.org. — Mosi Reeves

??
THE CINEMATICS, CARINA ROUND Much like fellow Glasgow, Scotland, band Franz Ferdinand, the Cinematics plays rock ‘n’ roll with an eye toward the dance floor. Their music is hooky and polished; on A Strange Education, their best songs sound like She Wants Revenge without the pretension. In contrast, Carina Round is an unappreciated British singer/songwriter with industrial and modern rock overtones. Her solid new album, Slow Motion Addict, was finally released in June after a year of delays. Local rock band Tentonic opens. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — MR

??
DRIVE-INVASION (day one) It’s Labor Day weekend again, and that means the annual invasion of hot cars, saucy burlesque girls, tattooed dudes, cool movies and, of course, diverse bands hits the Starlight again for two days and nights of offbeat fun on the shoe-meltin’ asphalt. Gates open at noon today for a full-day (and night if you camp out) event. The first band starts at 1 p.m. and the rockin’ roster includes sets from Lust, the Intoxicators, the Blue Jays, the Belmont Playboys, the Burmese Crush, Jimmy and the Teasers, Tiger! Tiger! and — just as dusk approaches — the mysterious stranger known as Unknown Hinson. After dark, the movies roll into the wee hours. $22-$40. 1 p.m. Starlight Drive-In. 404-627-5786. www.driveinvasion.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

??
G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE, OZOMATLI A nine-piece collective from Los Angeles, Ozomatli mixes genres with verve and sultry sway. Hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul, salsa and even ska-punk (witness the Fishbone-biting “When I Close My Eyes” off its latest, Don’t Mess with the Dragon) make it into the bubbling stew, and they’re constantly fooling with the ingredients. Headlining is the soulful, skittering shuffle of slinky veteran folk-hopper G. Love & Special Sauce. $27.50. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com. — CP

??
THE RENTALS, GOLDENBOY It’s been more than eight years since the last full-length Rentals release, making their reunion even odder. But former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp has assembled a full-time band to replace the old revolving-door lineup, and their musical return, The Last Little Life EP, suggests they haven’t lost their gift for fizzy new-wave/power-pop. Joining them is terrific baroque pop act Goldenboy, fronted by Shon Sullivan, a protégé of the late Elliot Smith. Sharp plays bass on their new album, Underneath the Radio, and Sullivan joins the Rentals live on guitar. $17. 7 p.m. The Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — CP

??
SUN/2

??
DRIVE-INVASION Day two of the Invasion’s music showcases begins at 1 p.m. and goes till dark with scheduled sets from the Tremors, Rock City Dropouts, Laramie Dean, Gargantua, the Woggles, the Swingin’ Neckbreakers and a rare Southern U.S. appearance from legendary California band the Blasters. $22-$40. 1 p.m. Starlight Drive-In. 404-627-5786. www.driveinvasion.com. — LVS

??
PETER CASE, TOMMY WOMACK These two troubadours are alternately witty, biting and melodic, but always approach the art of songwriting with a sharp sense of rootsy exploration and never take their audiences for granted. Womack’s recent comeback album is one of his finest, funniest and most introspective. Case’s new, predominantly solo release — his 10th — highlights his always-incisive lyrics with weathered, emotionally charged vocals that, as always, detail the murky crevices of life’s darker corners. $20. 7 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — HH

??
MON/3

??
AU REVOIR SIMONE, ON NO! OH MY! It’s an evening of sumptuous pop, from the dreamy Au Revoir Simone to the baroque twee of Oh No! Oh My! The dueling keyboards of ARS create oceanic washes buttressing the willowy harmonies of Erika Forster and Annie Hart. Theirs is an icy, softly percolating beauty. Austin, Texas’ ONOM are warmer and more visceral, with a shambling, string-heavy style that’s quirkier and more unabashedly catchy than your typical chamber-pop outfit. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CP

??
POISON, RATT Hair bands are an acquired taste, but Poison was one of the most successful from those follicle follies. Harder than Bon Jovi and rawer than the slick metal of Def Leppard, Bret Michaels and his boys continue to revisit their late-’80s successes and will offer a few new tunes, as well. Ratt shares the bill and features Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, John Corabi and Robbie Crane, celebrating the release of the new DVD, Videos from the Cellar: The Atlantic Years, and a new greatest-hits CD. $20-$95. 6 p.m. HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. 404-433-5090. hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys. — LVS

??
WRFG-FM 89.3 LABOR DAY BLUES BARBECUE Annual Labor Day fundraiser for L5P community radio station WRFG (Radio Free Georgia) honors Bill Sheffield and Donnie MacCormick for their contributions to the Atlanta blues scene, and also includes Chick Willis, the Cazanovas, Lola, Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers, and Jon Liebman & the Electromatics. Billed as a “family event,” it takes place outdoors under the tent at Park Tavern. Discount for WRFG members. Children under 12 admitted free. $15. 1 p.m. Park Tavern. 404-523-3471. www.wrfg.org. ­-- MG

??
TUES/4

??
MIDLAKE, DAWN LANDES On its acclaimed The Trials of Van Occupanther, Denton, Texas, band Midlake conflates the ruddy malaise of ’70s soft rock with the storytelling of concept acts such as the Decemberists. Most of its tales concern characters in rustic settings and seemingly transported from 19th-century locales. New York character Landes sings more straightforward narratives, but she also uses an unusual alt-folk approach. On her MySpace page you’ll find a bluegrass cover of Peter, Bjorn & John’s “Young Folks.” $12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — MR

??
TENNESSEE THREE, WILLIE HEATH NEAL, ROCKET 350 You know, just when you thought the Johnny Cash mine had been dug clean, something else pops up. Cash has been gone for several years, but that hasn’t stopped the “new” Tennessee Three from grabbing their piece of the pie. Something about this makes me nauseated, and it just ain’t right. I’m sure what’s left of the local rockabilly scene will be there for what’s left of the rub. $20. 7 p.m. Center Stage Theater. 404-885-1365. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. — JK

??
WED/5

??
BILL KIRCHEN & THE HAMMER OF THE HONKY TONK GODS Kirchen’s wordy nickname for his beloved Telecaster serves as not only the title of his new album, but also the moniker of his band for this increasingly rare Atlanta appearance. He’s been twangin’ away since his younger truckin’ days with Commander Cody, but there is more to the country/rocking guitarist than the show-stopping “Hot Rod Lincoln.” He’s just as comfortable with weepy honky-tonk and soulful fare such as an inspired R&B-tinged cover of “Devil With a Blue Dress On” that recasts the song as a shuffling, beach music classic. Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause also appears. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

??
THURS/6

??
WINDY & CARL, PAUL DUNCAN, TRADESECRETS Windy & Carl have stood as the first couple of the shoegaze sound since the first wave in the early ’90s. Their celestial sounds draw from long and overdriven guitar tones that ebb on the cosmic side of space rock. Former Atlanta resident Duncan is a pensive singer/songwriter who possesses a penchant for the avant-garde. Tradesecrets (former members of Partisan and Aye Robotics!) opens. $8. 9 p.m. 11:11 Teahouse. 404-521-1911. www.myspace.com/1111teahouse. — CR

??
Check out our website at atlanta.creativeloafing.com. Click the music category for a full selection of Soundboard events. CL online provides the address, a map and directions from your location.

??
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.