Upcoming Concerts April 19 2006

THURS/20

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HALF-HANDED CLOUD In 2005, Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of that year, proving that a Christian artist can win converts without making explicitly religious music. John Ringhofer, a trombonist in Stevens’ touring band, is more unabashed about expressing faith through music. His latest album as Half-Handed Cloud, Halos and Lassos, is filled with light pop numbers bearing titles like “Praise Awaits You” and “Foot on the Brake,” the latter on which he sings, “Some will trust in a chariot/Some will trust in a horse/But we trust in the name of the Lord/Our God will carry us.” Half-Handed Cloud plays at Trinity Vineyard, a church that occasionally hosts concerts. Call for price. 9:15 p.m. Trinity Vineyard. 404-885-1471. www.trinityvineyard.org. — Mosi Reeves

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MEN WITH RECORDS So, like, I’m a little sad because this Men With Records 4/20 gig, designated “Smoker’s Delight,” doesn’t feature my dear Starboy. So how can I make a joke about smoking pole? I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with highlighting how DJs Jason Gerry, DJ Y and Chris Coleman promise to play the “spliff-tastic ... trippy, dubby, organic side of house,” plus some trip-hop. Call for price. 10 p.m. Lava Lounge. 404-873-6189. www.lavaloungeatlanta.com. — Tony Ware

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ROB ICKES, ANDY LEFTWICH, DAVE POMEROY With Ickes on the dobro, Leftwich on mandolin, and Pomeroy on bass, you can expect to hear most of the trio’s great new CD, Three Ring Circle. Any chance to hear theses bluegrass super-pickers is going to be a treat. Come early for the open jam session, you just might be impressed. $7. 9 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — James Kelly

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SLAID CLEAVES, SANDRA MCCRACKEN Cleaves is a road hawg, traveling almost constantly and laying down some of the finest country-folk tunes you have ever heard. He has a great voice and an amazing repertoire of songs. His laid-back style belies his powerful messages. Songstress McCracken opens. $12. 7:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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FRI/21

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GSU OPERA THEATRE A British comedy set in the small Suffolk town of Loxford, England, Albert Herring follows the story’s title character through mishaps of local May Day celebrations, aided by a hefty snort of rum in his lemonade, as he gains courage to break free of social constraints imposed by his domineering Mum and the town busybodies. Student discount available with ID. $20. 7:30 p.m. Rialto Center. 404-651-4727. www.rialtocenter.org. — Mark Gresham

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THE SAX PACK Backed by a tight rhythm section, saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole perform their own signature tunes with spontaneity and creative energy, along with classic funk, R&B and jazz. $25-$35. 8 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.org. — MG

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SUZY BOGGUSS Once one of country music’s most popular artists, Bogguss has found a comfortable niche, escaping the rigid demands of superstardom and free to do her own thing. Her recent album with Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel was a hot Western swing hoedown. $27.50. 10 p.m. Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com. — JK

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UNTIED STATES, PARTISAN, TENTH TO THE MOON Untied States plays a grinding, art-damaged concoction of experimental rock that’s scarred by everyone from Arnold Schoenberg to the Jesus Lizard. The Partisan combines the polyrhythmic chug of the Washington, D.C., go-go music of the ’70s and ’80s with a refined, late-’80s hardcore energy. Tenth to the Moon’s haunting blend of samples and analogue synthesizer dirge evokes everyone from Suicide to a Hieronymus Bosch painting. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — Chad Radford

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SAT/22

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CATCH 22, THE TOSSERS Punk/ska hooligans Catch 22 boast 10 years of punchy mayhem and hardcore dancehall energy. Catch 22’s Victory Records labelmates the Tossers are a whole ‘nother breed. The Chicago band uses traditional Irish instrumentation (mandolin, fiddle, tin whistle) in addition to guitar, bass and drums to explore punky Irish themes — yes, like the Pogues, dammit. I wonder if there’ll ever be a mention of this band without the Pogues reference? Probably not. Be sure to request “No Loot, No Booze, No Fun,” their Dee Dee Ramone tribute. Patent Pending and the Flatliners open. $10. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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JUNKIE XL A Dutch producer known for his big-budget, big-beat remix of Elvis Presley, Junkie XL tweaks both analog sweeps and digital stabs with attitude on his latest release, Today. And on that album, there are as many guitar riffs as trance riffs, harkening back to the baritone bob of New Order. Not quite block-rockin’ beats, but certainly crowd rockin’. J-Luv and Kevin O add to the emotive four-on-the-floor flurry. $15. 9 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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KISS ME DEADLY, ERIK HINDS, THE BLUE HOUR Montreal’s Kiss Me Deadly crafts ambient pop melodies in the vein of Echo and the Bunnymen. Hinds plays droning, avant-garde metal and ethnic-inspired, improvised pieces on an 18-stringed instrument called the H’arpeggione. The Blue Hour layers washes of ambient heartbreak and radiant rock carved out by a balance of keyboards and frontman Keith Vogelsong’s emotionally charged guitar and vocals. $5-$7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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RICKY SKAGGS, OLD SCHOOL FREIGHT TRAIN Skaggs has inherited the throne left vacant by Bill Monroe’s passing, and carries the traditional bluegrass torch proudly. He’s a super-picker with a top-notch band. OSFT opens the show with its fancy brand of mountain jam. $30. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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SOUTHERN DRAWL TOUR W/GUCCI MANE AND YOUNG DRO This ATL blowout features several of the city’s rising stars. Mane may be known nationally for beating a murder rap, but here he gets props for his two hit singles, “Icy” and “Go Head.” Young Dro is the first artist to break out of T.I.’s PSC crew, thanks to his dance track “Shoulder Lean.” Others scheduled to make appearances include Bohagon, Young Snead and S. Dub. $25-$30. 8 p.m. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. 770-819-7765. www.mablehouseamphitheater.com. — MR

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SUZY BOGGUSS See Sound Menu listing for Fri., April 21. $27.50. 10 p.m. Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com. — JK

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TONY ORLANDO Orlando returns to town tonight to close out the 2006 encore season at Cobb County’s Anderson Theater. Of course, he’s best-known for his hits “Tie a Yellow Ribbon (‘Round the Ole Oak Tree)” and “Knock Three Times,” backed by the sassy female singing duo called Dawn. The ladies won’t be along for this show, but the legendary performer will be backed by a great band including the lovely Toni Wine on keyboards. Wine, as hardcore music geeks know, was a vocalist on some of the records by the Archies. $40. 8 p.m. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. 770-528-8490. prca.cobbcountyga.gov/artfacilities.htm. — LVS

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WRAS-FM (88.5) 35TH ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT SHOW Perhaps you’ve heard of 88.5 FM; it’s hard not to with those 100,000 watts beaming from Georgia State University. And WRAS brings the radio alive at this yearly benefit. The musical lineup features Spector-al; post-punk bubble gum from New Zealand duet the Brunettes; the wistful, shimmering synth-pop of Brooklyn’s Au Revoir Simone; yelping twang from Atlanta’s DQE; the serrated and cathartic yet analytical post-hardcore of Athens’ Cinemechanica; and the only U.S. appearance by Japan’s Extruders. $10. 6 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — TW

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SUN/23

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GSU OPERA THEATRE See Sound Menu listing for Fri., April 21. $20. 3 p.m. Rialto Center. 404-651-4727. www.rialtocenter.org. — MG

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THE RENAISSANCE Art, fashion, and music collide at the Renaissance: An Urban Revival. Inspired by and designed to coincide with fashion week in cities such as New York and Paris, the Renaissance kicks off with a champagne reception and gallery viewing, followed by a “Live Artistic Interaction Hour,” featuring breakdancing, live painting, photography, live music and more. Call for price. 4 p.m. Cherry. 404-872-2020. www.7879global.com. — Carlton Hargro

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MON/24

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AL STEWART, RACHEL LOY Scottish singer/songwriter Stewart is best known for his ’70s AM Gold classics (the enigmatic “Year of the Cat” and the halcyon “Time Passages”), but the prolific performer has been making records since the ’60s. His newest release, Beach Full of Shells, finds the gentle artist in fine form. He plays solo tonight after a set from Austin-bred Loy. She likens her sound to a mixture of John Mayer and Nelly Furtado, but we hear she’s good in spite of those influences. $25. 6:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — LVS

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TUES/25

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ALOE BLACC Why do rappers always want to sing? For years, Blacc made noise as the rapping half of Emanon. Now, he’s singing in a sweet falsetto on love jams like “Want Me” and “Dance for Life.” L.A. hip-hop label Stones Throw is issuing Blacc’s solo debut Shine Through this July. In the meantime, you can catch him during Mic Club, Dres tha Beatnik’s weekly get-together for local hip-hop heads. $7-$10. 8 p.m. Apache Cafe. 404-876-5436. www.apachecafe.info. — MR

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WED/26

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THE BUCK STARTS HERE: A TRIBUTE TO BUCK OWENS Buck Owens was so much more than a foil on “Hee Haw.” He helped shape the classic “Bakersfield sound” with Merle Haggard and others, was a mentor to the likes of Dwight Yoakam, and he made fantastically popular records. A consortium of Atlanta’s finest twang bands join forces tonight to honor Owens’ memory. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — JK

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MICHAEL COLUMBIA, CALABI YAU, LID EMBA Some nights at Lenny’s are so chaotic that you just have to hope for the best. For example, tonight features Chicago electronic-pop duo Michael Columbia, which is bringing Charlotte, N.C., punk band Calabi Yau with it. Stickfigure Records’ weirdos Lid Emba celebrates a new disc, Reason Isn’t Radar, too. Other activities may be in the offing as well, including a rumored birthday party of some sort. But we won’t ruin the surprise. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — MR

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SPANK ROCK, KEBBI WILLIAMS & KINAH BOTAH It’s hard to tell if Baltimore’s Spank Rock is making a post-modern jab at misogyny, or if the group is truly a bunch of hip-hop simpletons. The production of its Big Dada debut YoYoYoYoYo is a labyrinth of futuristic beats, sprinting against hedonistic lyrical content, a la 2 Live Crew. Jazz maestros Williams and Botah open the show. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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THURS/27

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DEGAS QUARTET “What this country needs is a really good five-cent Degas.” But this one is free — at least for this concert. Based in Hickory, N.C., the Degas Quartet emerged out of the 1999 Bowdoin International Music Festival, and since then, the young foursome has become known for its energetic performances of classical and contemporary string-quartet fare. Tenor Kurt-Alexander Zeller and pianist Michiko Otaki join the quartet for part of the program. Free. 7:30 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

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· 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.

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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 Heather Kuldell, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: heather.kuldell@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.