Sunday, August 7; Atomic Cantina (21 and over): You might find yourself in a self-reflective haze after just a few seconds of Channing Cope's hauntingly soothing melodies. Even a short listen evokes a feeling of bemused calm that doesn't go away until well after the music ceases. Their songs would be fully sedative if not for sporadic, dissonant guitar notes added to more prevalent, subtle symbol crashes and otherwise understated guitar. In essence, the band is a less drone-happy stripped-down hybrid of Mogwai and The Shipping News. The San Diego trio, composed of bassist/vocalist Ali Deniz Ozkan, guitarist Kenny Schulte and drummer Chris Conner, has gained critical recognition for their EP Leaving the Ramp and their full-length release, 2004's Sugar in Our Blood. Both records reveal a band that shies away from complexity while narrowly avoiding high impact crescendos. Most of their songs are about five minutes long, which gives the band just enough time to develop depth without becoming tedious. You could sip your beer coolly and calmly all night long when Channing Cope plays the Atomic Cantina on Sunday, but don't be surprised to find a few tears at the bottom of your glass. Joining Channing Cope on Sunday are lo-fi garage rockers Thee Fine Lines. Their unapologetic, happy-go-lucky approach will provide a nice contrast to Channing Cope's laid-back tunes. Sit back, relax and nurse your wounds to Channing Cope, then slam a few beers and get rowdy as hell with Thee Fine Lines.
