Not to be confused with San Francisco's equally weird and ambitious Deerhoof, Atlanta's Deerhunter [ tickets ] explores an odd aural mix that manages to blend ambient and minimalist droning and/or lulling sounds with the full-on rock-out tendencies of garage rock. Since forming in 2001, the band has undergone several line-up changes, the death of a member and other disappointments, but has weathered the storm to produce its current album, the critically acclaimed "Cryptograms," which hit stores in February. --Tjames Madison

Performing Thursday, March 15 at 12 a.m. at Soho Lounge (217 E. 6th St.).

website: http://www.notownsound.net/deerhunter/