Sound Menu July 12 2006

THURS/13

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DARK STAR ORCHESTRA While most “tribute bands” travel from town to town and churn out the same show with all the hits every night, the DSO adds a unique twist to the genre by performing different Grateful Dead live shows in their entirety. Since the Dead played about a million different gigs, the source material is pretty wide. It’s a Deadhead thing, I guess. $20. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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DEF LEPPARD, JOURNEY “Photograph.” “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” “Animal.” “Foolin’.” “Rocket.” “Rock of Ages.” “Armageddon It.” “Don’t Stop Believin’.” “Faithfully.” “Any Way You Want It.” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” “Open Arms.” “Lights.” Bet you can hum at least five of the forenamed. Now list more than one true jam by your favorite crap emo-punk band. That’s right, they will never have a greatest hits. Even with that guy who isn’t Steve Perry fronting Journey, this show makes all those asexual diary “rockers” with more hair gel than sense look like ass-clowns. I mean, there’s a good chance your parents made you to one of these bands. Oh, wait, that’s creepy. Rewind. $78.50. 7 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — Tony Ware

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HIPP-E Back in the late ’90s, Hipp-E and Halo were one of the biggest DJ teams on the California rave scene, rocking audiences with a maelstrom of airy trance and deep house. Now a solo artist, Hipp-E still kicks out the dancefloor jams for Tango Recordings, where he’s an A&R rep, and Atlanta imprint SOCO Audio. The latter is bringing him here for a special edition of the weekly Lush party; Ian James warms up the decks. $5-$10. 10 p.m. Lava Lounge. 404-873-6189. www.cosmolava.com. — Mosi Reeves

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LOVEKILL, THE LETTERS ORGANIZE, THE FELIX CULPA Geez, I just love mathy post-punk rock, and just can’t get enough. If you like that stuff, too, you’ll dig Lovekill, a Cleveland quartet touring in support of its new album, These Moments Are Momentum. Also on the bill are the Letters Organize, who are giving locals plenty of chances to see them for cheap before their new album comes out and they start playing $15 gigs at the Masquerade. Finally, you’ve got the Felix Culpa, a melodic hardcore band out of Rockford, Ill. 10 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — MR

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MOSE DAVIS QUARTET Davis and Co. help kick off the National Black Arts Festival’s Jazz Around Town Concert Series. The classically trained pianist, one of the hardest-working musicians in Atlanta, has performed with a number of big-name acts (Isley Brothers, David Ruffin) as well as with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Free. 7 p.m. Abernathy Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.nbaf.org. — David Lee Simmons

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NATIONAL GRAIN, THE EVERYBODYFIELDS, BLAKE RAINEY & HIS DEMONS Atlanta quintet National Grain plays a fast-paced, high and lonesome country sound that barrels down the highways of heartbreak, with a bright and shining twang to light the way. Johnson City, Tenn., duo, the Everybodyfields craft a sound deeply rooted in the traditions of Americana, bluegrass, and classic country. Blake Rainey & His Demons also perform. $5. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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FRI/14

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Jere Flint leads the ASO in a free outdoor “parks” concert of light and popular classics, from Copland’s “Hoedown” and Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture” to Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday.” Free. 7:30 p.m. Wolf Creek Park. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

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GOAPELE The exotic Goapele Mohlabane hails from the Bay Area, Calif., a place with as rich a soul scene as Atlanta’s. She issued her debut album, Closer, independently in 2001, then watched it build so much momentum that Columbia Records rereleased it three years later. Her proper major-label debut, Change It All, dropped last December. It seems destined to the same fate as the first while listeners slowly discover her haunting, ethereal voice. $14-$16. 9 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — MR

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HANNIBAL LOKUMBE Commissioned by the National Black Arts Festival, the blues, jazz and gospel-rooted “A Great and Shining Light,” composed by Lokumbe, is a musical tribute and commentary on the life of former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. This premiere performance features a 150-voice choir, vocalist Bernadine Mitchell, dancer/choreographer Millicent Johnnie, and a jazz ensemble including Lokumbe on trumpet, drummer Terreon Gully, and percussionist Uganda Roberts. $25-$100. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.nbaf.org. — MG

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RANDALL BRAMLETT Whether working as a sideman for some of the most famous acts in the world or cranking out his own unique brand of Southern blue-eyed soul, Bramlett consistently delivers the goods. His words may be mature and thoughtful, but I dare you to stand still and listen. This is a CD release party for his great new Rich Someday collection. $12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

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THE ROCHES, DORIA ROBERTS The three Roche sisters have been working together for a long time, and their almost psychic interaction on stage is spooky at times. They cover the gamut of musical styles, all done with grace and competence. Eddie’s Attic veteran Roberts opens. $22.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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TENTONIC Asobi Seksu canceled its appearance, but Tentonic now takes the headline slot. Its anthemic melodies and Brit-rock stylings conjure comparisons that touch on everyone from U2 to Radiohead. Kill Gordon and Pasadena support. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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SAT/15

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Laura Jackson conducts the ASO in its second summer concert of “Great Film Music,” this time from the “golden era” of film music, including music from Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, North by Northwest, and Doctor Zhivago. $27. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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BT Electronic producer Brian Transeau appears in Atlanta to perform a “laptop symphony.” Now, I don’t know what a “laptop symphony” is, but I can tell you what I dream it is. There’s this Norwegian trio, Hurra Torpedo, that performs eclectic material such as Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” but performed while mashing kitchen appliances (please search for it on YouTube.com). So I imagine a “laptop symphony” to involve rhythmically and violently slamming used PowerBooks while swinging new MacBook Pros like lightsabers. But “laptop symphony” is probably just a retarded way to say “epic progressive house” or “breakbeat trance.” In Cabana: J-Luv, Kevin O and Prince Presto lay down some funk arias. $15. 10 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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KATHLEEN BERTRAND Bertrand is not only blessed with three-octave range, but she also mixes in her own originals with honoring the standards of others. Here she performs her annual show for the National Black Arts Festival as part of the Jazz Around Town Concert Series, just in time to promote her latest release, New Standards. She will be backed by Kenny Banks on piano, Darrell Freeman on bass, Jeremy Haynes on drums, and Darian Emory on alto sax. Free. 7 p.m. Ebenezer Baptist Church. 404-733-5000. www.nbaf.org. — DLS

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LARVAE, SHADOWHUNTAZ Atlanta’s resident electronic-sound sculptors, Larvae, celebrates the release of its second full-length, Dead Weight (Ad Noiseam). The album features collaborations with Hope For Agoldensummer, Jessica Bailiff and others, eschewing Larvae’s stylistically dark drum and bass bend for a more personal take on Southern experimental sounds. Transcontinental electro hip-hop heads Shadowhuntaz are also on the bill, marking the group’s first live appearance in the Southern U.S. $3. 9 p.m. 11:11 Teahouse. 404-521-1911. www.1111teahouse.com. — CR

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LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES, LA RUA How can you describe a band that veers effortlessly from rock en Español and crunchy jam-funk sounds to straight up disco-house and trance — and looks good while doing it? Los Amigos Invisibles are touring in advance of their anticipated Superpop Venezuela (which is produced by Dimitri From Paris) album, and it’s highly suggested that you attend, and then buy the CD when it reaches stores. Charlotte rock band La Rua opens. $15-$17.50. 9 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — MR

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MON/17

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ELVIS COSTELLO, ALLEN TOUSSAINT The prolific and oft-touring Costello (he was just in town a mere two months ago) is obviously no stranger to Atlanta. Thankfully, the clever chameleon always has a new trick. Last time he was doin’ his symphonic thing, but this time the busy dad-to-be is in a funkier mode. Along with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Toussaint, an equally prolific singer/songwriter, producer and soulful shape-shifter, the two will celebrate and mourn New Orleans with selections from The River in Reverse, their engaging ode to the perseverance of the Crescent City spirit. $33-$53. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.ticketmaster.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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TUES/18

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HOTEL LIGHTS, JENNIFER O’CONNOR Chapel Hill, N.C.’s Hotel Lights play wispy little numbers in support of their self-titled debut. Brooklyn’s O’Connor strums out depressive, bluesy ballads as she waits for her new album, Over the Mountain, to be released on Matador. Oh, lonely indie-rock balladeers, what would you do without your audience? Athens singer Liz Durrett helps count the tears. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — MR

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WED/19

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PAUL SIMON Unlike many of his peers, legendary singer/songwriter Simon continues to age gracefully as he walks his creative journey. His recent album Surprise finds him collaborating with “sonic landscaper” Brian Eno for a collection of tunes that veer from the standard structure and into moody and sensitive ruminations of life and the spirit. After a nod to his present material, of course he’ll revisit some of his enduring collection of ’60s, ’70s and ’80s hits, including “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Mother and Child Reunion,” “Graceland,” and maybe even “Kodachrome.” $38.18-$98.58. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-5000. www.classicchastain.com. — LVS

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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.