CD Release - Soundmenu

Thurs/22

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Robert Spano conducts the ASO in Jean Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 3.” Guest violinist Elmar Oliveira is soloist for Brahms’ popular “Violin Concerto,” and the ASO’s own principal flutist, Christina Smith, is soloist for the bird-inspired “Aile du songe (“Wing of Dream”)” by contemporary female Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

DJ MAGIC MIKE Put on some Miami bass music, take the grills off your speakers and what you’re going to see are two woofers pumping harder than a porn star on meth. Now imagine those speaker cones are your ass cheeks quaking and you know what it’s gonna be like when DJ Magic Mike, “The King of Bass,” is on the wheels of steel. As if Magic Mike’s seismic singles weren’t enough, expect Richter-scale jiggling breaks, hip-hop and drum ‘n’ bass from Jimmy Joslyn, Talib Shabazz, Mark Yurm, Casper, Rel 1, Soze and Donnie Darko. All that bass in your face will bring out the inner porn stars. Open up and say ahhhhhhhhhhhh. $10. 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. www.themarkatlanta.com. — Tony Ware

DWIGHT YOAKAM, HANNA/McEUEN Yoakam has undergone a career transformation over the past few years, leaving a major label and splitting up with musical partner Pete Anderson. His newest CD, Blame the Vain, is a jewel, but with a different glow this time around. Newcomers Hanna/McEuen are cousins whose dads are from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and they sound a lot like the Everly Brothers and the Mavericks. Good stuff. $30-$35. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle.html. — James Kelly

THE POSIES On-again, off-again band and sometime members of Big Star, the Posies’ gleaming melodic rock is name-checked by cool musicians and hip critics, but hasn’t clicked outside a cult audience. Nonetheless, the quartet seldom plays Atlanta and has released its first collection of new material in nearly a decade, making this a must-see show for fans of chiming power pop. Death Ray Davies and Richard Swift open. $10-$12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Hal Horowitz

JOHN B Not to be confused with the adult contemporary R&B singer — a real fucking shame that I know — John B is a well-established British drum ‘n’ bass producer navigating the edge between jazzy, aqueous jitters and throaty, throttling tech-step and electro for all you metalheadz. Locals MJ and Wednesday, Kia and Ralo and MCs Race One and Kakarot all support on this rare gig. Depending on how hard each DJ plays it, the sets should be plenty soulful and soul-shaking, even if nobody on the bill is a crooner. $10. 10 p.m. Django. 404-347-8648. www.djangoatlanta.com. — TW

TERRY FRANCIS Atlanta-based SoCo Audio labelhead Michael Scott invites you to wiggle it, but not just a little bit, as he brings the U.K.’s Francis. Francis lays down that tribal tech melodic groove that can pay tribute to Chicago acid house as well as Detroit’s pointillist producers. Francis never forgets the music’s humanity, however. $10. 10 p.m. Lava Lounge. 404-873-6189. www.cosmolava.com. — TW

THE WRIGHTS, NATIONAL GRAIN Former locals Adam Wright and Shannon (Tanner) Wright of Heritage Cherry fame return to the bar where they did some of their best shows. Now on a major Nashville country label, the duet’s debut CD is a fine collection of intelligent and catchy tunes. Openers National Grain obviously just discovered the magic of Gram Parsons and are moving in the right direction. $8. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

FRI/23

AL ANDERSON, BOB DIPIERO, LESLIE SATCHER Tonight and tomorrow night, the Swallow hosts three of Nashville’s best songwriters. Anderson is no stranger to town; in the ’80s, the singer/guitarist was here often as a member of the wonderfully wacky NRBQ. Songsmith DiPiero penned “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” the Montgomery Gentry hit, among many others. Satcher’s tunes have been recorded by George Jones, Vince Gill and many others. $20. 10 p.m. Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu listing for Thurs., Sept. 22. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

BOB MOULD BAND Back playing edgy guitar with a full band after an extended hiatus, the ex-Husker Du/Sugar singer/songwriter only has to play highlights from his quarter-decade career for the faithful to get their money’s worth. But his new album is nearly as potent as anything in his bulging catalog, so even those songs will connect. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

MARY GAUTHIER Gauthier’s recent album Mercy Now is a “lie on the floor in the dark” knockout, and she has been pegged as one of America’s best new (but darkest) singer/songwriters. Think Jean Paul Sartre collaborating with Townes Van Zandt, and you will be in the ballpark. And she has lived it, believe me. $15. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — JK

SAT/24

AL ANDERSON, BOB DIPIERO, LESLIE SATCHER See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 23. $20. 10 p.m. Swallow at the Hollow. 678-352-1975. www.theswallowatthehollow.com. — LVS

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu listing for Thurs., Sept. 22. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

MARY GAUTHIER See Sound Menu listing for Fri., Sept. 23. $15. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — JK

PREMA BHAT Prema Bhat is a vocalist in South India’s classical “carnatic” music tradition known for her lyrically expressive voice and improvisational elegance. The free recital features South Indian music from the 15th through 18th centuries, including works by Purandara Dasa, Tyagaraja, and Dikshitar. Free. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — MG

SON VOLT, EARLIMART So Jay Farrar is the only original member in this version of Son Volt, but that’s who y’all are really coming to see anyway, right? Farrar is partially credited with pushing alt-country into its short time in the limelight as a member of Uncle Tupelo, and he continues his moody, introspective, shoe gazing musical ways. Openers Earlimart also come from the school of brooding gloom ‘n’ doom. Counselors will be available in the lobby. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

SOPHISTICATS AND SOPHISTIKITTENS, PROFESSOR JO BOOBS, TORCHY TABOO, STEAM HEAT DANCERS As part of Professor Jo Boobs and Torchy’s Traveling Charm School, the Earl features a bevy of burlesque beauties tonight. Torchy Taboos’ Steam Heat Dancers present “The Princess and the PBR,” a concept piece that seems pretty self-explanatory. Music from the quirky Sophisticats and Sophistikittens, the New Orleans-based house band from the TeaseOrama conventions, will add some extra high-energy sass and Vegas grind — as if any more is needed. The Doll Squad and Nashville’s Panty Raid are also on the bill. See Steam Heat Dancers feature, page 89. $12-14. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — LVS

WILL HOGE, THE HISS, I-NINE The energetic, Springsteen-esque rocker brings his Hearts Are Gonna Roll Tour to town tonight. Expect tight, catchy American rock ‘n’ roll with a few nods to current events and plenty of arena-sized riffs. Local serpentine rockers the Hiss and the charmingly chirpy I-Nine open. $15. 8 p.m. Roxy Theatre. 404-233-7699. www.ticketmaster.com. — LVS

SUN/25

ADRIAN BELEW Guitarist Adrian Belew can get you grooving with a catchy pop tune then blow you away with some amazing experimental sounds. Touring with his “power trio” this time around, you can expect some familiar work, and a few brand new surprises. $20. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

IAN BOSTRIDGE Grammy-winning British tenor Bostridge offers up one of his specialties for Spivey Hall’s season opener: an all-Schubert song recital, accompanied by pianist Julius Drake. Dessert reception follows. $40. 3 p.m. Spivey Hall. 770-960-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

MON/26

BLOC PARTY, THE TOM COLLINS The Gang of Four-meets-Cure attack of this U.K. quartet is criticized for cribbing licks. But the band pounds out its angular, funk post-punk with enough energy and attitude to make you forget how derivative it is. $20-$22. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle. — HH

TUES/27

JOHN MAYER TRIO The ex-local brings some serious blues-rock firepower with world class musicians Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass. How the adoring post-teen girls will warm up to his roaring Buddy Guy-Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar excursions isn’t clear, but to his credit he’s pushing out of his plushy folk-pop pool into choppier waters closer to his heart. Sept. 28 sold out. $40.50. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle. — HH

LITTLE BROTHER At a time when commercialized sounds have taken over rap music, North Carolina-based MC trio Little Brother is on a mission to tear through corporate propaganda. With their sophomore album The Minstrel Show just released, LB brings a soulfully resonant self-awareness back into hip-hop. $12-$15. 10 p.m. Apache Café. 404-876-5436. www.apachecafe.info. — Shyra Peyton

MASERATI, LIVERHEARTS, HEADLIGHTS With the addition of drummer Gerry Fuchs (Turing Machine, The Juan MacLean) and the return of original guitarist Matt Cherry, Maserati’s waves of hypnotic Morse code melodies and droning, but engaging repetition sounds as full and as tight as ever. They are a couple songs away from heading to the studio, which could yield one of the more anticipated records in Athens rock of the past few years. $8. 9 p.m. The Earl. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Nikhil Swaminathan

WED/28

JOHN MAYER TRIO See Sound Menu listing for Tues., Sept. 27. $40.50. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle. — HH

SAM SHABER The engaging singer/songwriter is half singer and half comic. Her shows are an enjoyable yin and yang of big city tales and idiosyncratic humor. And now the chatty performer has even more to talk about: She’s left her dear New York City for (gasp!) Los Angeles. Prepare for the culture shock, folks. It’s an all-request show, so e-mail your faves to info@samshaber.com with “Eddie’s Request” in the subject line. Sean Smith opens. $7. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — LVS

THE SLOW POISONER, MISHKA, APOCRYPHA San Fran’s Andrew Poisoner bills himself as “the one man surrealistic rock and roll band.” And with his foot pounding the beat on the bass drum and fingers wildly raking across a homemade guitar, who’s gonna argue? It’s weird Americana with flourishes of Presley, Cash, Bowie, the Cramps and folk art. Mishka and Apocrypha share the bill. $5. 10 p.m. 10 High. 404-873-3607. www.tenhighclub.com. — LVS

THURS/29

THE FLESHTONES, THE FORTY-FIVES, THE MOANERS With their 30th anniversary approaching, the Fleshtones’ frontman Peter Zaremba and guitarist Keith Streng have now kept the retro garage-rock faith through three decades of cult-sized audiences. But they have been influential on a generation of like-minded bands, such as the openers, who strive for, but don’t always connect with the Fleshtones’ tough, frisky, in-your-face sonic punch. $8. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH

· TRANSIT When I hear the word “pendulum,” I think of the motion of my nuts swinging while standing in front of a pumping woofer. And checking out U.K. drum ‘n’ bass producer/DJ Pendulum will surely live up to that projection. Pendulum is one of several contemporary British producers tapped to remix classic Prodigy tracks, and let me tell you, his rinse of “Voodoo People” is as arresting as severe arrhythmia — like the music played on “CSI” when they’ve raced against the clock, isolated the DNA and are closing in on the suspect. Ewun, Riot Squad and Sextion8 add to the scrotum tightening excitement. $10. 10 p.m. The Mark. 678-904-0050. www.themarkatlanta.com. — TW

· 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, P.O. Box 54223, Atlanta, GA 30308, 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.