Sound Menu May 07 2008

WED/7

CLUB OF ROME, BRASS CASTLE, PRIDE PARADE Atlanta duo Club of Rome is a purveyor of a mutant and disco-damaged throwback to the no-wave era. The sounds are muddy and the beats are primitive, but the hooks are catchy as hell. For fans of Suicide, early Sonic Youth and Throbbing Gristle. Brass Castle plays big, loud, Southern and deranged metal riffage. Athens’ scratchy-throat psych-rock band Pride Parade also performs. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

FOOT VILLAGE Culver City, Calif.’s Foot Village is an unholy and drum-heavy four-piece that features members of Gang Wizard and Friends Forever. The group relies on nothing more than four drums and screaming, scraping vocal mantras that spearhead bouts of hardcore tribal bashing. It will be a dance party for sure, but one that resembles a scene from a Hieronymus Bosch painting or a deleted scene from one of the Mad Max sequels. $6. 10 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

KENNY NEAL Sidelined by health problems for the past few years, Louisiana blues/soulman Neal has returned with a terrific new album that returns him to the stylish and crisp swamp sound that has made him a genre headliner. He’s a commanding triple-threat talent, equally proficient on guitar, harmonica or singing his heart out on covers and his own originals. As solid as his albums are, it’s the live experience that best showcases his sharp playing and classy approach. It’s great to welcome him back. $11-$15. 9 p.m. Darwin’s 770-578-6872. www.darwinsblues.com. — Hal Horowitz

THU/8

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A surprise chart-topping blockbuster when released by Elektra-Nonesuch Records in 1992, Henryk Górecki’s haunting “Symphony No. 3” (“Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”) is paired on this ASO program with the cheerfully sunnier sounds of the “Symphony No. 3” by Johannes Brahms (from which a melody was used in the song “Love of My Life” on Carlos Santana’s 1999 album Supernatural.) American operatic soprano Christine Brewer solos in the Górecki, and wand-waving Scotsman Donald Runnicles conducts the entire ASO concert. Program repeats Fri., May 9. $18-$70. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

MEGAZANDOSIS, WILSON & HEATH, RECOMPAS Georgia noise makers of the most subversive variety appear for a night billed as “music to scratch what itches.” Zandosis becomes Megazandosis to appear with a partially expanded and partially contracted lineup. Certain members of the core trio will be absent, but many others will stand in to skronk on horns, guitars, shortwave radios and various other devices. Wilson & Heath and Recompas (featuring members of Judi Chicago) also perform. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

THE N.E.C. DOUBLE DYNAMITE, KNIFE AND THE 4TH WARD DAGGERS Atlanta quartet the N.E.C. gives the tried and true psychedelic rock sounds of the ’60s a blast of whiplash energy, along with a heavy dose of fuzz and dang. Organ-and-drum duo Double Dynamite tackles garage rock sans guitar. Knife and the 4th Ward Daggers play a fast-paced and supercharged marriage of punk and doo-wop ditties. Free. 9 p.m. The Star Community Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — CR

FRI/9

BONDE DO ROLE, THE DEATH SET The Baltimore combo’s ebullient shouted vocals suggest the Go! Team while the clattering drum machines, chunky guitars and trilling analog synth backing recalls Atari Teenage Riot if they’d taken their Ritalin. It’s still pretty in-your-face, particularly the punky “Intermission,” with its rallying cry, “the motherfuckin’ Death Set,” but it’s also tuneful at times, sounding like Digitalism after an indie-rock makeover. The baile funk and Miami bass machine bump behind headliners Bonde Do Role offers a salacious Brazilian take on M.I.A., supporting last summer’s critically lauded With Lasers. $12. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chris Parker

DARRELL SCOTT It’s not easy to maintain indie credibility and also dance with the Nashville mainstream industry, but Scott has found a way to do just that. It’s because he writes such damn good songs. He gets the best of both worlds — cuts by top-selling artists such as the Dixie Chicks and Garth Brooks, and he puts out his own amazing solo albums. I think he keeps the best stuff for himself, and he is a great performer. $20-$100. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — James Kelly

MICHAEL O’NEAL SINGERS Though music be the food of love, it can still squirt out your nose when you laugh too hard. The Roswell-based Michael O’Neal Singers present a “Humor in Choral Music” program designed to provoke ingestion of jollity, featuring “Concerto for Singing Chickens” by Stephen Lawrence, irreverent oeuvres by the irascible P.D.Q. Bach (aka Peter Schickele), and choral zaniness from Broadway. Discount tickets for students/seniors. $20. 8 p.m. Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell. 770-594-7974. www.mosingers.com. — MG

MIKE NESS Social Distortion’s tattooed main man takes his solo act on the road for the first time in nearly a decade. Freed from the shackles of his punky California band, Ness explores the raw outlaw country that formed the foundation of SD. His raspy snarl of a voice fronts a growling group that’s a perfect match for this dark material, almost all of it obscure covers from Marty Robbins, Hank Williams Sr. and of course Johnny Cash, who is practically Ness’ patron saint. Honky-tonk/soul renaissance man Jesse Dayton opens the show in a more traditional vein. $27.50-$30. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-223-1100. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

THE MOANERS Melissa Swingle’s droll delivery migrated from gothic country combo Trailer Bride to blues duo the Moaners without skipping a beat. Inspired by her Mississippi roots, Swingle launders grimy, primordial rawk from scuffling shuffles to rabid Mudhoney throb like their classic, “Terrier,” dedicated to “the little man who tries to bite your back.” Like any duo, they’re only as good as the kit they’re built on, and drummer Laura King’s spidery fills and meaty backbeat pours the bedrock of their blues-psych clamor. $8. 9 p.m. Lenny’s Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CP

SKID ROW The shell of a once popular glam metal band is playing at a gigantic cowboy disco in Duluth. Is this a sign of the apocalypse? The Row only has a couple of original members left, and you can bet former lead vocalist Sebastian Bach will be nowhere around, as he’s too busy doing reality TV shows. To quote Zappa’s “Lumpy Gravy” — “a bit of nostalgia for the old folks.” $14-$100. 9 p.m. Wild Bill’s. 678-473-1000. www.wildbillsatlanta.com. — JK

STEPHEN KELLOGG & THE SIXERS, SONS OF WILLIAM There’s no denying Kellogg’s similarity to Adam Duritz, but his brand of reflective, confessional pop is less pretentious than the Counting Crows’ more artsy approach. His “Heart’s in Pain,” as his song is titled, and that’s predominantly the theme that runs through Kellogg’s melancholy, melodic tunes of heartbreak and regret. $15. 8:30 p.m. Five Spot. 877-725-8849. www.fivespot-atl.com. — HH

SAT/10

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS Robert Spano and the ASO&C inaugurate north metro Atlanta’s newest fair-weather venue, the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta. Music includes salutes to Broadway from “Carousel” and “On the Town,” an innovatively modern jazz rendition of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and the ever-popular “Ode to Joy” movement from Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9.” Special guests for the festive occasion include the Marcus Roberts Trio and the combined Alpharetta and Milton high school marching bands. $21-$75. 8 p.m. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta. 404-733-5089. www.vzwamp.com. — MG

BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS It’s been some time since Big Sandy brought his retro swinging gang through town to lay down a distinctive mix of ’60s rock, surf, C&W, twang, rockabilly and Southwestern soul with nods to Brit Invasion pop. This is frisky, upbeat party music that’ll make the most retiring wallflower jump up and dance. Caroline & the Ramblers and Slim Chance & the Convicts provide local authentic Americana roots support on this rollicking triple bill guaranteed to leave you with a goofy grin plastered on your face. $12-$15. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 770-377-4976. www.badearl.com. — HH

MARK OLSON Olson left the underappreciated Jayhawks in 1995, after a decade heading the band with Gary Louris, and went on to form the Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers with then-wife, Victoria William, and multi-instrumentalist Mike “Razz” Russell. They self-released three albums of rustic alt-country even earthier and more traditional than the Jayhawks. Olson made his solo debut last year, The Salvation Blues, on which he reunited with Louris for three songs. While still firmly country, it’s more informed by folk and singer/songwriter traditions than the Creekdippers. $15. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — CP

SUN/11

ATLANTA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA Members of the ABO step beyond the Baroque era to tackle chamber music from the late 18th-century “classical” Austro-Hungarian scene by Franz Joseph Haydn, W.A. Mozart and their compatriots. Featured are offerings for both string quartet, a favorite “indoor” chamber ensemble of the era’s aristocracy, and for “Feldharmonie” (two oboes, two horns and two bassoons), a popular (and louder) ensemble for garden parties and other outdoor entertaining. Discount tickets for students/seniors, free for kids under 11. $25. 3 p.m. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. 770-537-3974. www.atlantabaroque.org. — MG

LOVELL SISTERS, AMANDA SHAW Calhoun’s own bluegrass prodigies the Lovell Sisters were the darlings of this year’s Merlefest, and are leading the way for the new generation of pickers. Great players, tight harmonies and charm make them a “must see” act. Sixteen-year-old fiddler Shaw is an amazing talent, and a perfect opener for this gig. $20-$25. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

MON/12

MR. GNOME A mesh of delicate drift and violent squall, this Cleveland duo ingests the lessons of Sonic Youth, King Crimson, Hella and the Cocteau Twins, spitting out dynamic, undulating arrangements of prog-pop and art-metal as they waver between sonic extremes. Comely frontwoman Nicole Barille’s breathy vocals accompany supple six-string majesties that rise and collapse in fits of intensity and then ebb away. $5. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — CP

WED/14

LADYHAWK, NEVA DINOVA, VIVIAN GIRLS, JOHNNY BUFFALO & THE MUTINOUS NOISE The slow, nocturnal jangle that snakes throughout Ladyhawk’s latest Jagjaguawar Records release, Shots is a throwback to the Replacements circa Let it Be, or the Rolling Stones circa Goats Head Soup. The bearded, Canadian four-piece finds balance in melding an earnest, indie-rock aesthetic with straightforward rock ‘n’ roll. Omaha, Neb.’s Neva Dinova, NYC’s Vivian Girls and ATL’s Johnny Buffalo & the Mutinous Noise also perform. $10. 9 p.m. The Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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 Thursday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Wednesday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.