Fri. Jan. 8 -- I See Hawks in L.A. take their impeccable desert country-rock to a semiacoustic place. At Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90036; 10pm; passin’ the hat.
Fri. Jan. 8 -- The new Exodus tour documentary will be advance-screened tonight, with “Metalocalypse” creator Brendon Small interviewing the seminal Bay Area thrashers. Raffles and stuff, too. At Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90027; 8pm; $10; free parking in back; tickets (if it’s not sold out yet) available at www.steveallentheater.com.
Fri. Jan. 8 -- Stars of fusion form a new band: guitarists Robben Ford & Michael Landau, with Jimmy Haslip on bass and Gary Novak on drums. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 9pm; $28; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.
Sat. Jan. 9 -- Guitarist Mike Keneally (Zappa, Dethklok, Mike Keneally) looks as if he’s emphasizing the metallic side of his omnidirectional mind tonight, since his unit includes Dethklok guitarist-vocalist Brendon Small, Dethklok drummer Gene Hoglan, Keneally Band regular Rick Musallam on bass, and special guests maybe. Read my review of Keneally’s new album here. Wild week at the Baked, dude; see below. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615.
Sat. Jan. 9 -- I dig the “fades” of painter Richard Bruland: millions of small colored spots undulating from darkness up to light. The reception for his exhibition is tonight; the art stays up through February 6. At Laura Schlesinger Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., building T3, Santa Monica 90404; 5-7pm; (310) 828-1133; see examples here.
Sun. Jan. 10 -- Bassist Marcus Shelby made an impression here in L.A. 20 years back with the Black/Note group, then took his jazz up to the Bay Area, where he’s kept up a steady career ever since with his thematic concepts and Strayhorn-influenced arrangements. Now he presents “MLK and Jazz,” featuring originals as well as freedom songs etc. from the boiling pot of the civil-rights era. With singer Faye Carroll, saxist Howard Wiley, pianist Adam Shulman and drummer Jeff Marrs. At the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA 90049; 7pm; $20; www.skirball.org.
Tues. Jan. 12 -- Ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland stirs it up on the psychedelic-funky tip with Ohm, featuring bassist Robert Pagliari and drummer Kofi Baker, Ginger’s son. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615.
Wed. Jan. 13 -- Here’s Bombastic Meatbats without Chas Smith but with drummer Kenny Aronoff anchoring supersaturated guitarist Jeff Kollman, bassist Kevin Chown and keysman Ed Roth in an extravagance of downtown gitdown. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615.
Thurs. Jan. 14 -- The metal, the jazz, the rock and the jamz keep coming together in Tool drummer Danny Carey’s Volto, with keyboardist Kirk Covington, bassist Lance Morrison and guitarist John Ziegler. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30; (818) 980-1615.
Wed. Jan. 13 -- The Clash tapped “Armagideon Time” by Jamaican vet Willi Williams some three decades past -- no more Clash, but Williams remains to burn the Coxson/Studio One flame. Backed by the Expanders: saxist Dave Hillyard, percussionist Larry McDonald and trombonist T-Bone. You think you’re gonna get the same kind of Jamaican roots in most any other city that Tom Chasteen and the gang bring? Ain’t. Dub Club at the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 7:30pm; $15; www.attheecho.com.
Read Brick’s Picks in LA Weekly here and Don Heckman’s picks here.