Sound Menu January 31 2007

CL’s picks to the week’s best shows

Thurs/1

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Henning Kraggerud, one of Scandinavia’s most notable young violinists, is soloist for the “Violin Concerto” of Felix Mendelssohn in this all-Mendelssohn program led by guest conductor Nicholas “Nic” McGegan. The concerto is preceded by Mendelssohn’s overture “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage,” inspired by two poems of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and his “Symphony No. 3.” $18-$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

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SLOW MOTION CRASH These local boys and girls sure do play some gothically ethereal (or ethereally gothic?) shit. Joy Division and Interpol comparisons are inevitable. Thankfully, they do put their heart into it, resulting in some ass-shaking jams and dark lyrics that actually sound convincing. League of Evil, which makes music that is slower and far less evil than Slow Motion Crash (perhaps they should trade band names?) provides support. LoE frontman Christopher Simony’s voice is worth the cost of admission alone — damn ... dude can sing. Fellow Atlantans Jetty round out the bill, making this a night of all-local talent. Hey! Support local music! $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. www.badearl.com. — Mark Sanders

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FRI/2

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THE GOURDS, DAVID CHILDERS Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Gourds have earned their polarizing reputation through hard work and musical insanity. Their Texas roots belie their unique style, with very little twang in this eclectic, I mean, schizophrenic, outfit. Also in attendance is North Carolina rocker Childers, who fronts the Modern Don Juans, which may be the quintessential bar band. It’s gonna be a long, rowdy night, so drink up and dance. $15. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — James Kelly

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ALL NIGHT DRUG PROWLING WOLVES, THE SWEETLOVES, LAY DOWN MAINS ANDPW’s appetite for ’70s Brit punk, lash and debauchery culminates in a drunken rock swagger that’s fueled by sweat and traditional punk conviction. Lay Down Mains play gut-punching noise rock in the vein of late ’90s era Dischord Records. This is a 7% release show for a split single that features both bands. The Sweetloves open. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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HAMBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Andrey Boreyko conducts Germany’s esteemed Hamburg Symphony Orchestra in an all-romantic-era program featuring “The Hebrides” by Felix Mendelssohn, the “Symphony No. 2” of Johannes Brahms, and Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” featuring Macon-born superstar violinist Robert McDuffie as soloist. $20-$45. 8 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu. — MG

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SAT/3

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BERES HAMMOND, MARCIA GRIFFITHS, LEON AND THE PEOPLES Hammond is one of the undisputed masters of reggae’s easygoing strain known as lover’s rock. Griffiths is known as the “Empress of Reggae,” but not many realize that she’s responsible for giving the world the “electric slide,” otherwise known as the one dance that everyone can do. Hammond and Griffiths will be supported by Leon and the Peoples, the non-island band helmed by the actor who has appeared in a gazillion music movies as well as HBO’s grisly prison drama “Oz.” Expect no shankings, but perhaps a lot of sliding. $30. 11 p.m. Legacy Nite Club. 404-298-8780. www.legacyniteclub.net. — Tamara Palmer

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ROCCO DELUCA AND THE BURDEN Kiefer Sutherland, who accompanied Deluca here a few months ago, is back saving the world from terrorists, but the bluesy modern rockers return to headline this large venue based predominantly on 99X airplay (and a cheap ticket). The expansive hall suits the sound that rocks in both a subtle and brash fashion. DeLuca’s slide guitar shifts from eerie to exuberant in an instant, he writes powerful tunes with meaty hooks, and the Burden is a sturdy, road-tested machine that hugs the music’s curves. $9.97. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.ticketmaster.com. — Hal Horowitz

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THE ORPHINS Atlanta’s own version of the Talking Heads is playing in their hometown this week, and they’re bringing lasers (or at least, instruments that make lasery sounds) with them. The quartet, which has existed in some incarnation or other since ‘99, sounds both hammy and sincere, making unconventional noises that blip and bop along like happy little indie robots. It’s music made by twentysomething-year-old kids raised on Nintendo, Television (the band and the appliance) and Jolt cola. Ah, Jolt. Where can you find Jolt anymore? Does anyone know? Also on the bill: Elevado and Divided Like a Saint’s. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. www.badearl.com. — MS

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UNKNOWN HINSON, THE DOWNER BROTHERS The mysterious Unknown Hinson returns to town tonight, bringing his unhinged lunacy to help ring in the Star Bar’s anniversary show in grand style. The night-crawling, black-clad rocker will probably crack a few bad jokes as he plows through a set of often-hilarious Southern rock, occasionally overshadowing his considerable musical prowess. Good, creepy fun. The Downer Brothers open, adding mayhem to the warped celebration. $10. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — LVS

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SUN/4

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GUTHRIE FAMILY LEGACY TOUR When your last name is “Guthrie,” the “legacy” should be obvious. Woody, the late patriarch of the clan, was America’s first real protest singer. His influence on modern music is immeasurable. Of course, his son Arlo defined the ’60s “flower child” movement, and tonight he is joined by his son Abe, daughter Sarah Lee, and her husband, Johnny Irion. $25.60-$42. 5 p.m. Ferst Center. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu. — JK

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TUES/6

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HISTORIES, BRICKMASON, MOUTHBREATHER, CHOPPER Brickmason features former Blame Game guitarist Andrew Wiggins. The group layers post-hardcore complexities with washes of overdriven riffs that tussle with the viscera of math rock and the even keel Southern psychedelia. Chopper is a trio that features Blame Game’s other guitarist, George Asimakos, Deerhunter guitarist Collin Mee and Lamar George of Devestator. Richmond, Va., prog punks Mouthbreather and Histories also play. This is a house show that’s not for the faint of heart. $5. 8 p.m. 141 Moreland Ave. — CR

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DOUGIE MACLEAN From the hills of bonnie Scotland, my own homeland, folk singer MacLean carries on a great musical tradition. His pure lilting vocals and superb musicianship will take your breath away, and the songs transport the listener to another place and time. Whether playing a classic Scottish melody or one of MacLean’s own authentic compositions, he is a subtle force of nature not to be missed. $35. Tues.Wed., 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. JK

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ST. LAWRENCE STRING QUARTET, HEIDI GRANT-MURPHY, KEVIN MURPHY The imaginative, uninhibited St. Lawrence String Quartet is joined by the liquidly pure, radiant voice of soprano Grant-Murphy and her distinguished pianist husband, Kevin, for a concert that features the Southeastern premiere of Roberto Sierra’s “Songs from the Diaspora,” the “Chansons perpétuelle” by Ernest Chausson, and string quartets by Mozart and Shostakovich. $40. 3 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org — MG

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WED/7

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BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES Tom Waits probably won’t be back in town anytime soon. Even if he is, he won’t be rocking out songs that sound like early MC5. Thankfully, the Black Diamond Heavies are in town to soothe your need for both, since that’s the kind of rootsy, dirty, punky, scraped-vocally stuff they specialize in. The Chattanooga and Louisville, Ky. based duo features the Rev. John Wesley Myers on keys, and Van Campbell on drums. They just signed to Alive Records and are getting ready to tour Europe in support of their debut album, Every Damn Time. Bloodshot Records artist Scott H. Biram rounds out the bill. $10. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — MS

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MV+EE, BUMMER ROAD, 1THOUSAND HOLY SHARDS Matt Valentine (MV) along with Erika Elder and Michael Ehlers (EE) and an evolving cast of musicians and noisemakers (aka Bummer Road) hail from the hollows of rural Vermont and western Massachusetts. Together, the ensemble crafts a freak folk and psychedelic noise jam that they call “lunar blues.” 1thousand Holy Shards blend folk drones and quasi-Middle Eastern booms and rattles. $8. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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TAKE ACTION TOUR The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is the main attraction for this cross-country benefit tour, focusing attention on issues of suicide and depression. The Apparatus is touring to support its debut, Don’t You Fake It. Other acts scheduled to appear include Emery, A Static Lullaby, Kaddisfly, and my favorite band name of the last few years, Scary Kids Scaring Kids. The Take Action foundation says it aspires to “create a better world, one voice and one action at a time.” Expect participation from a number of nonprofits and help groups. $16. 6:30 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — LVS

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WHAT THE...?, DUKE FAME, THE A-SIDES Beginning with its rebirth of sorts while opening for the Shadows of Knight a few months back at one of those totally happening Little Steven’s Underground Garage shows, What The...?’s new muscular approach to good-humored power pop is a garage-rock dream come true. Tight and immensely catchy, the humble trio is on a newly energized mission to rock you up. Duke Fame and the A-Sides share the jangly bill. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — LVS

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THURS/8

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JOE BONAMASSA Even in the boots-and-beer blues rock genre, Bonamassa isn’t the most subtle and far from the best guitar slinger on the crowded block. But he can put on a rowdy show that’ll make you think he is, and sometimes that’s all that matters. Inspired by such barn burners in his field as Rory Gallagher and Jimmy Page, Joe is as convincing firing off his own molten licks as he is interpreting blues greats such as Sonny Boy Williamson and Charlie Patton. $22-$20. 9 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — HH

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Bands/performers 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.