Upcoming Concerts March 15 2006

When Grace Braun’s band, Dairy Queen Empire (DQE), debuted in February of 1986, she thought she would be dead long before the group celebrated its 20th anniversary. “I never thought I’d make it past 22,” Braun says.

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Battles with drugs and schizophrenia fueled a manic strum and wail that propelled her across two decades, producing some of Atlanta’s most exhilarating early indie rock. Now flanked by husband/drummer Dugan Trodglen and bassist John Armstrong, Braun and DQE are paying homage to a singular and tumultuous career.

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At that first gig, a 16-year-old Braun and drummer Chris Verene unleashed a spastic concoction of experimental music. “We did a lot of yelling, telling jokes and smashing equipment,” Braun recalls. “I went through an entire six-pack of Coke and was taking Sudafed like it was going out of style. I was really screwed up, but it was a very memorable experience.”

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In time, Braun’s voice and guitar evolved with convulsive punk urgency embedded with country music bound by a folk-art sensibility. In 1995, Verene left DQE and now works as a photographer and drums for Cordero.

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Recently, Braun has focused more on her solo career. Last year, she self-released The Gabrielle Tapes, a collection of Nick Drake and Jackson C. Frank covers. “Trying on other people’s songs is like trying on their clothes,” Braun adds. “You get to play dress up and be that person for a while.”

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A new batch of Braun’s solo material is currently in the works, and as she pauses to observe DQE’s 20-year legacy, she shows no signs of slowing down. “The DQE show may lead to another album but we’ve got to get this solo stuff together before we do anything else,” Braun says. “Every time I turn around, there are more songs than I know what to do with.”

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DQE plays the Earl, with Tiger! Tiger! and the Rattler, Thurs., March 16, 9:30 p.m. $7. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.