Sound Menu September 26 2007

THURS/27

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Robert Spano leads the ASO in a grand season opener: a concert performance of the complete four-act opera, La Bohème, by Giocomo Puccini. Love, tuberculosis and lifestyles of young, impoverished artists collide in this popular opera, which also served as the inspiration for the 1996 rock musical, Rent. $16-$70. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

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CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED, MICKY & THE MOTORCARS For some reason, the Oklahoma-based alt-country band CCR (no, not that CCR) gets a lot of attention from mainstream country outlets, in spite of a pretty banal sound. Oh, maybe that’s why. There’s not much to latch onto here, but something about them appeases the fans. Texas bar band Micky & the Motorcars open. $18-$20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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DROPKICK MURPHYS These Boston-bred Irish punks are squeezing off a couple shows before the playoffs; their song “Tessie” became the Red Sox’ unofficial team theme during their ‘04 championship run and their blood runs blue-and-red. Combining traditional Celtic folk flavor, rousing punk rhythms and shout-along choruses, there’s an enthusiastic fervor to Dropkick’s sound that’s even more intense live, approaching the audience-as-one intensity of a European soccer pitch. They’re supporting The Meanest of Times, which boasts a stronger batch of songs than recent albums. $22.50. 9 p.m. The Masquerade. 404-577-8178. masq.com. — Chris Parker

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IKE STUBBLEFIELD, THE LEGENDARY JC’S With four decades of solid soul experience, B-3 keyboard authority Stubblefield can play just about anything with just about anyone. His list of collaborators reads like a mini Hall of Fame, including stints with Motown greats and even Eric Clapton. The JC’s share the bill and the mind-set of the evening, crafting soulful rock grooves and irresistible melodies that please stoic rock fans and loose-limbed jam-band lovers. $8-$10. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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U.S.S.A., NEW BRUTALISM, THE FELON WIND Former Ministry/Revolting Cocks bass player Paul Barker and former Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison head up U.S.S.A., a new and gloomy postindustrial rock band that would have totally ruled in like 1992. New Brutalism plays abrasive and metallic rock on homemade instruments and comes off sounding something like an unholy merger of Shellac, AC/DC and Thin Lizzy. Felon Wind opens. $10-$12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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FRI/28

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DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS, WARM IN THE WAKE After a little down time, the DBTs are on what they call an acoustic tour, with special-guest keyboardist Spooner Oldham on board. This format will give the fans an opportunity to actually listen to the great songs without the bombast, so be prepared to pay attention. Local faves Warm in the Wake opens, playing songs from its great new CD, American Prehistoric. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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JOHN COWAN BAND The former lead singer of New Grass Revival has made good on his solo endeavors, and is considered by many to be one of the best singers in the acoustic-music scene. His powerful voice is an acquired taste, and can be overwhelming, but his fans are some of the most loyal in the business. Good band, good songs, good times. $35. 10 p.m. The Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com — JK

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PRIYA CHANDRASEKARAN & RAM SRIRAM An evening of Carnatic music from South India, one of the two basic styles of Indian classical music, known for its melodic, singing style and improvised variations. Chandrasekaran plays the veena, a plucked string instrument similar to the sitar, while Sriram plays mridangam, a bullet-shaped drum with a body made of jackfruit tree wood. Free. Noon. Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — Mark Gresham

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STEVE FORBERT It has been awhile since anyone referred to Forbert as “the new Dylan,” and even though his scratchy man-child voice has remained virtually unchanged since his 1978 debut, his output hasn’t exactly rivaled that of the bard from Hibbing, Minn. Forbert tours behind his first album of mostly new material in seven years; a mature, somewhat overly slick set that touches on his middle-age, contemporary politics and inexplicably reprises his lone chart hit “Romeo’s Tune.” His live shows are typically vibrant affairs as he dusts off gems from his 30-year career. $20. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — Hal Horowitz

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SAT/29

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ANA POPOVIC To her credit, Yugoslavian hot-mama blues rocker Popovic doesn’t overplay her curvy image in deference to her impressive guitar skills. She also knows that her bread is buttered on the crossover side of the blues street and subsequently writes solid originals that swing from pulsating rock to swinging, stylish jazz. Her thinish voice isn’t always up to the music’s demands, but between her easy-on-the-eyes stage presence and meaty solos, you won’t care. Ticket price TBA. 9 and 11 p.m. Darwin’s. 770-578-6872. — HH

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RILO KILEY The West Coasters tour behind their first major-label release, an unabashedly commercial stab at mid-’80s California pop. Singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis’ sex-charged lyrics subvert the glossy pop sheen, but it’s hard to imagine the band’s indie fans following along as the group, now all but faceless backup for its lead singer, heads for dancey, crossover territory. Perhaps live some of the country influences will reappear, but clearly this outfit is heading toward big-buck territory and seeing only Fleetwood Mac-sized dollars in its rear-view mirror. Grand Ole Party and Art in Manila open. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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TURBONEGRO These Norwegian rockers combine cheeky humor with a love for hard rock. Like Spinal Tap with AC/DC’s unaffected showmanship, this garage-glam quintet delivers songs such as “Stroke the Shaft,” “Blow Me (Like the Wind)” and the (aging) hair-metal anthem, “Hell Toupée,” from classic albums such as Ass Cobra, Apocalypse Dudes, and its latest, Retox. Whether clad in leather, denim or matching sailor outfits, they recognize that 90 percent of rock is putting on a good show. $20. 9 p.m. Center Stage. 404-885-1365. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. — CP

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SUN/30

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CHRISTOPHER PARKENING & JUBILANT SYKES Classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening and versatile baritone Jubilant Sykes join forces in concert, performing a variety of classical, opera and spiritual repertoire. Parkening has a long-standing reputation as one of America’s preeminent classical guitarists. Sykes’ career has spanned from performing at the Metropolitan Opera and major classical halls and festivals to recording songs by Tom Waits and Bob Dylan for Sony. $15-$20. 4 p.m. Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell. 770-594-0512. — MG

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KONK PACK, GFE, DON HASSLER London/Cologne-based trio Konk Pack crafts a labyrinth of glitch-laden electroacoustic jitters. The group’s résumé boasts of its members’ time in ensembles with free-jazz and noise luminaries Cecil Taylor and Henry Cow. As such Konk Pack spits out sporadic chirps, beats, textures and aural chaos, Atlanta’s GFE crafts similarly far-out soundscapes that venture into the outer regions of subtle, but noisy, jazz ambiance. Don Hassler also performs. $8. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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MON/01

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PINBACK, MC CHRIS The pairing seems odd, but hook-heavy math rock undoubtedly has its share of geeky fans. Even more than Modest Mouse, San Diego fixture Pinback excels at imbedding luscious swaths of melody within otherwise tightly wound arrangements. Despite the impressive overlay of texture and churning post-punk guitar, its albums are unusually bright and translucent, especially its latest, Autumn of the Seraphs. Like comic relief, former Adult Swim denizen MC Chris returns now a geek-rap (backpackers with glasses?) overlord seeking to expand his kingdom, surfing atop waves of good press. $15. 8 p.m. Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre. 404-233-7699. www.livenation.com. — CP

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TUES/02

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DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, MAX BEMIS, JOHN RALSTON The new album from DC’s Chris Carrabba is released today, and tonight, in a special acoustic show, he’ll feature most of the songs from it during a special early-evening show. The Shade of Poison Trees finds the emotive singer/songwriter looking back to the stark, autumnal style of the best Dashboard material, with indelibly austere and yes, confessional narratives that offer little room to hide and plenty of room for thoughtful interpretation. Max Bemis of Say Anything and John Ralston open. $27.50. 7 p.m. Center Stage. 404-249-6400. www.ticketmaster.com. — LVS

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WED/03

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PATTY HURST SHIFTER, YOUNG ANTIQUES, PREAKNESS Some good, evenly toasted slices of Americana and modern rock are on the plate tonight, with N.C.’s Patty boys sharing the bill with the rejuvenated Young Antiques. Playing their second show of their much-anticipated, and successful, comeback wave, the ‘Tiques continue to reign as one of Atlanta’s least pretentious and overall best rock bands, second only to drivin n cryin for consistently intelligent and finely crafted material. The Preakness shares the bill. Call club for ticket price. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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THESE ARE POWERS, UNTIED STATES, GOLD PAINTED NAILS These are Powers (featuring former Liars bassist Pat Noecker) wields the term “ghost punk” to describe the deep reverberations and haunted, slow-motion dirge of the group’s combination of dark and angular post-punk skulk. Untied States play fast-paced and intricately arranged noise rock. Gold Painted Nails are a cathartic and confrontational display of grinding feedback, drone and dirty guitar resonance. $7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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THURS/04

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THE VIBRATORS, THE VAGINAS, KNIFE AND THE 4th WARD DAGGERS The Vibrators return to town tonight with original members Knox Carnochan and Eddie the Drummer poised to plow through a pile of their aggressive and energetic tunes — including classics from ‘77’s Pure Mania LP and more. Old-time punk rock, before the imitators ruined it for the kids. The Vaginas and Knife and the 4th Ward Daggers open. $9. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — LVS

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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.