Sound Menu October 31 2007

THURS/01

ELIZA GILKYSON, CHUCK PYLE Finally, Eliza Gilkyson gets the opportunity to become a household name, and two great new live CDs and a DVD should help. Lyrically, she is one of the strongest artists on the circuit, and if there is a better anti-Bush song than “Man of God,” bring it on. Cosmic cowboy Chuck Pyle opens. $15-$75. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — James Kelly

PYLON, THE SELMANAIRES, NEW SOUND OF NUMBERS Pylon is the true survivor of the Golden Age of Athens Music. The only band from that halcyon era to completely retain its credibility, quality and original lineup, its small but influential catalog of music has inspired everyone from the members of Sleater-Kinney to James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem. Longtime fan Murphy has reissued Pylon’s classic debut LP Gyrate on his DFA label, making it widely available on CD for the first time ever. The deluxe, expanded Gyrate + will be on sale tonight, while the new wave-injected Selmanaires and newish Athens band the New Sound of Numbers open the show. $12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

FRI/02

BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS, DONOVAN FRANKENREITER Anyone who thinks that the workaholic Harper, who has released four albums in the past five years and stays on the road between them, puts quantity over quality hasn’t attended one of his soul-stirring shows. Despite being somewhat incorrectly lumped in with the jam nation, Harper’s multihued gumbo of R&B, reggae, gospel, folk and funk combines most effectively on stage where he and his road-toughened band find an organic groove most of his contemporaries would kill for. Likewise, Frankenreiter’s more watered-down version of Harper’s style gets kicked up a notch live. $35-$50. 8 p.m. Fox Theatre. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org. — Hal Horowitz

BENITA HILL, KATHY CHIAVOLA, BECKY HOBBS It’s ladies’ night at the Swallow, and this should be a good one. Hill is the bluesy mama, Chiavola is the bluegrass folkie and Hobbs is the honky-tonk angel. You won’t find a better show anywhere in town. $17.50. 10 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). The Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com. — JK

DR. DOG There’s a swooning, rustic charm to Philly psych-rockers Dr. Dog. Their ‘05 release Easy Beat became a left-field underground sensation, and this year’s follow-up We All Belong maintains the momentum. From bouncing Magical Mystery Tour-era Beatles melodies such as the title track to the shambling, organ- (and cowbell!-) fueled idiosyncrasy of “The Girl,” Belong’s quirky, light-hearted gait sounds like the Band sharing Arthur Lee’s Love. $12. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chris Parker

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, OPPENHEIMER One of the most prolific bands of any era, the two Johns (Flansburgh and Linnell) who comprise the throbbing brain-trust of the Giants blend elements of history, science and math into their often hilarious and always enjoyable journey into the recesses of quirky, energetic, insanely catchy pop-rock. They are touring to support their recently released collection The Else. Oppenheimer opens. $25. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-521-1786. www.variety-playhouse.com. — LVS

SAT/03

ANINDO CHATTERJEE & RAMESH MISHRA One of the great Hindustani tabla players of the Farukhabad Gharana tradition, Chatterjee’s solos are distinguished by a formidable virtuosity and imagination, tonal clarity and crisp, clear rhythms. Ramesh Mishra, one of the world’s leading sarangi players, is known to fans of rock music from the opening of the 1997 Aerosmith single “Taste of India.” Discount available for Georgia Tech students. $15-$50. 7 p.m. LeCraw Auditorium, Georgia Tech College of Management. 650-814-2408. www.paragchordia.com/anindo. — Mark Gresham

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS In a major revision of its intended program this week, the ASO opens with the “Masonic Funeral Music” by Mozart to complement its featured work, the popular “German Requiem” by Johnannes Brahms. Betwixt and between them, Peachtree Creek gets musical portrayal in “river sings a song to the trees” from Jennifer Higdon’s suite about Atlanta, “CityScape.” Robert Spano conducts. $16-$70. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.asochorus.org. — MG

ERIC LINDELL Despite recording for Chicago’s Alligator Records, boasting colorful tattoos and playing this typically blues-only OTP joint, Lindell’s sun-kissed, West Coast groove rock isn’t particularly bluesy. Latin and reggae elements tinge this breezy, soulful R&B, bringing warmth that effortlessly connects with his Louisiana-styled vibe. Only purists will gripe and even they won’t be able to stay off the dance floor when Lindell and his group tear into a sweaty groove that’s genuine and rootsy. $15. 9 p.m. Darwin’s. 770-578-6872. www.darwinsblues.com. — HH

TRISHA YEARWOOD There is a bit of pride we should all feel in knowing that a small-town Georgia gal can become one of the biggest stars in country music, based on sheer talent. Yearwood is one of the best singers in the business, and she has never forgotten her Monticello roots. Welcome home, darling. How’s Garth doing? $37-$77. 8 p.m. Fox Theatre. 404-249-4600. www.foxtheatre.org. — JK

SUN/04

HOTEL HOTEL, CRAIG LEISKE, SUBLIMINATOR Hotel Hotel hails from the rural outskirts of Austin, Texas. The group churns out long, sustained washes of guitar and violin resonance that ebbs and flows with epic and experimental elegance. Athens’ noisemaker/guitarist Craig Lieske makes the long haul down Ga. 316 for a rare Atlanta appearance. The Subliminator weaves a web of hypnotic, electronic and mentally divergent soundscapes. $5. 9 p.m. 11:11 Teahouse. 404-521-1911. www.myspace.com/1111teahouse. — Chad Radford

SWITCHFOOT, RELIENT K Two of modern Christian rock’s most successful acts have congregated for a lengthy co-headlining tour. Surf-loving, San Diego-based Switchfoot’s 2003-issued Beautiful Letdown remains a fan favorite and a definitive snapshot of the band’s higher-powered, guitar-driven anthems. It’s not quite time for holiday music, but Relient K’s Let It Snow, Let It Reindeer was released late last month, featuring the band in harmonious sync on 10 perennial classics and six originals. A portion of the surprisingly affordable ticket sales benefit Habitat for Humanity. $25. 7 p.m. Atlanta Civic Center. 404-658-7159. www.atlantaciviccenter.com. — LVS

YOLANDA KONDANASSIS With her 13th Telarc CD released Oct. 23, harpist Kondanassis performs four works from the new disc: “Sonata for Harp and Piano,” “Chanson dans la nuit,” “La Desirade” and “Variations a Theme in Ancient Style,” by Carlos Salzedo. The program also includes “Fantasy on a Theme of Haydn” by Marcel Grandjany, “Sonata for Solo Harp” by Donald Erb and the ostensibly obligatory “Concerto in B-flat major” by Georg Friedrich Händel. Kathryn Brown serves as collaborative pianist. $35. 3 p.m. Spivey Hall. 404-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

TUES/06

AIDS WOLF, SUITCASES Canadian noise rockers Aids Wolf crank out fast and frenzied blasts of jittery and distressed rhythms that are wrapped in clusters of confrontational tones. The group hails from Montreal, but is a close cousin to like-minded American acts XBXRX, Chinese Stars and the Flying Luttenbachers. Atlanta duo Suitcases plays a drum-heavy set of post-punk, post-dub, noise and experimental music that never stays in one place for too long. Call for ticket price. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

AGAINST ME! SAGE FRANCIS After obvious anguish (see the ‘04 DVD We’re Never Going Home) these popular DIY punkers made the jump to the majors for this year’s New Wave. While more polished (thanks to Nevermind producer Butch Vig) and further from their ragged folk-punk roots, Against Me! maintains its power and focus. New Wave is big, chunky and insistent, rife with singer/guitarist Tom Gabel’s politically charged anthems. Don’t miss rapper Sage Francis, whose album Human Death Dance sounds like a career retrospective. Francis recently promised this will be the last tour for a while, as he takes time to reconsider what he’s doing. $17. 7:30 p.m. Center Stage. 404-885-1365. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. — CP

TIGERS AND MONKEYS, WHITE RABBITS, VIA AUDIO NY-based Tigers and Monkeys features a familiar face: vocalist and guitarist Shonali Bhowmik, co-founder (with Luigi’s Michelle DuBois) of Atlanta’s beloved Ultrbabyfat. She’s still making charming pop music, and even though she has lived in the Big Apple for five years, she retains close ties to the Big Peach. Heck, up until just last week, her cell phone had a 404 area code. White Rabbits add to the creature theme, with Via Audio sharing the personable bill. $8. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — LVS

WED/07

DON CABLLERO, CHOPPER, LAY DOWN MAINS, BENARD Drummer Damon Che brings his reformed second-generation version of Don Caballero back to Atlanta. The group is hailed as an innovator of the heavier side of Chicago’s instrumental post-rock/math-rock scene of the ’90s. The music is muscular, streamlined and unfolds with robotic perfection. Like-minded local bands Chopper, Lay Down Mains and Bernard open the show with their own takes on rock precision. $10. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

THURS/08

BUSDRIVER The goofy, off-the-wall tone and self-deprecating humor can’t disguise a scathing wit. Busdriver’s speed-racer rhymes corner cleanly and accelerate, spewing a thick exhaust of literary and pop-culture references. The L.A.-based artist’s rep spread rapidly after his caustic, music-biz-skewering ‘05 release Fear of a Black Tangent. Busdriver’s latest, RoadKillOvercoat, delivers the expected verbal dexterity above a net of funky, off-kilter beats that are often more electronic or even indie rock than hip-hop. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CP

GRAYSON CAPPS He’s the epitome of a young yet weathered New Orleans folksy singer/songwriter, and not just because he appeared in the Crescent City-based flick A Love Song for Bobby Long. Capps’ old band Stavin’ Chain never made much noise outside of N.O., but recent solo albums that feature his emotionally gnarled voice singing compelling story songs about those with no place to go and little left to lose have justifiably attracted reams of critical praise. Although the troubadour often tours solo, his current group joins him tonight to further heat things up. $8. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

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.