Sat. July 31 -- Having delved pretty thoroughly into their catalog for the last couple of years, I can testify that Scorpions have rocked with amazing consistency for something like four decades, from bonehead psychedelia to stripped-down pop-metal anthemia to doomtime misanthropy. These Krauts make music the way Porsche makes cars; if you don't like them you better stop listening to Can and consume six or seven more Beck's. (Also, the band probably won't be back in L.A. for quite a while.) I review Scorpions' current "Sting in the Tail" here. At Nokia Theater LA Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown 90015; 8pm; $55-$100; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sat. July 31 -- As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried and Me, Bless the Fall, The Acacia Strain, Architects, Cancer Bats, War of Ages. And the winner is: The Acacia Strain, who can be proggy and sloggy and evil all at the same time. Too many modern metal bands make me feel nervous; TAS make me feel mean. Much credit to drummer Kevin Boutot. At Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 4pm; $29.50; www.ticketmaster.com; (323) 962-7600.
Sat. July 31 -- Drummer Virgil Donati has got to have more than one mind; I'm guessing three. His Super Fusion includes keysman Dennis Hamm, bassist Doug Shreeve and guitarist Charles Alturas. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Aug. 1 -- Steuart Liebig, Dan Clucas & Alan Cook are the nonpareil electric bassist, the avantly forthright trumpeter-flutist and the extraordinarily sensitive, swinging, quiet drummer, together in a trio. And The Scott Heustis Group, with a couple of records out on Redline Arts, are the guitarist plus saxist Robert Leng, bassist Jeff Schwartz and drummer Breeze Smith. You gotta know by now that these monthly Sunday Evening Concerts never come up short. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. Aug. 1 -- The Jazz Bakery's Movable Feasts go filmic with a documentary, "The Anatomy of Vince Guaraldi," about the guy who wrote "Cast Your Fate to the Wind." It's got comments from Dave Brubeck, John Handy, Saul Zaentz, all the way to Paul Krassner. At Silent Movie Theater, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 90036; wine reception 3pm, film 3:30pm; $20; www.jazzbakery.org.
Thurs.-Sat. Aug. 5-7 -- Jazz guitar template-stamper Kenny Burrell has a regular gig at Catalina's, howbout that. And he don't even sing much. His group includes UCLA teachmates Tom Ranier (piano) and Roberto Miranda (bass, outa the Tapscott mob), as well as drummer Clayton Cameron and saxist Tivon Pennicott. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $20-$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Thurs. Aug. 5 -- Vet pianist-composer Bill Cunliffe, well versed in all strata of the jazz tradition, leads a top trio with the rather perfect bassist Darek Oles and drummer-on-the-rise Matt Slocum. Probably take a few more chances at this venue. At South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory, 1509 Mission St., South Pasadena 91030; 8pm; $10; free parking behind; (626) 403-2300.
Read Brick Wahl’s jazz picks in LA Weekly here, Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.