Fri. Jan. 30 -- They really know how to smoke in Hicksville (that's right), West Virginia; witness the rumbling, riffing, feedbacking onslaught of Karma To Burn. This trio has no vocals, so it's perfect that they name most of their songs after numbers ("Five," "Eight," "Forty One"). With Sierra, Atala, Mammoth, Lords of Venus. At Loaded Bar, 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 9pm; $10; full bar & food; 21+; (323) 464-5623; www.loadedhollywood.com.
Fri. Jan. 30 -- No more Rob Graves, Paul Cutler or Don Bolles, but voxtress Dinah Cancer carries on the heavy weird punk tradition of 45 Grave. With Only Theatre of Pain, Scurvy Kids, 2Loveor2Hate, Black Heroin Gallery, Loko Ono and, if you believe the 45 Grave Facebook listing, Adolescent Rikk Agnew's Fiasco. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $15; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Fri.-Sat. Jan. 30-31 -- Daniel Rosenboom founded Orenda Records a year ago, and this weekend he shows you what he's got. Friday (in order of appearance) it's Jon Armstrong's pre-concert presentation, Jonathan Rowden Double Drums Trio, Cathlene Pineda Quartet and Michael Mull Octet. Saturday it's Kubilay Üner (pre-concert presentation), Gavin Templeton Quintet, Alexander Noice Sextet and Daniel Rosenboom's Book of Storms (featuring Vinny Golia). I can recommend most of the musicians from experience, and for the rest I trust Mr. Rosenboom's taste. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 8pm-midnight; $15 ($10 advance recommended for these fast-selling shows here; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Jan. 31 -- Just cuz saxist Azar Lawrence gigs a lot doesn't mean his big, deep sound is some ordinary commodity, oh no. He's always got a topmost band, too, this time with drum titan Alphonse Mouzon, pianist Theo Saunders and bassist Jeff Littleton. At Roscoe's Seabird Jazz Lounge, adjacent to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90802; $15; 8:30pm-12:30am; (562-787-0899); www.seabirdjazzloungelbc.com.
Sat. Jan. 31 -- Did you say bop & Latin & original trumpeter Elliott Caine is playing this '50s-style steakhouse again with his smokin' quartet featuriing pianist Gary Blumer, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Kenny Elliott? Yeah, I thought so. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sun. Feb. 1 -- Singer Kaoru and percussionist Brad Dutz can always be counted upon to slide between the interstices of any previous musical connection, so it's especially x-dimensional when they combine with guitarist Carey Fosse and guitarist Darryl Tewes in Acre Foot, pop for air-dwelling Venusian necromancers. Opening is the trio called Grex, dedicated to the propositon that rock can still find unexplored corners. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Tues. Feb. 3 -- Holy smoke, I can't believe drummer Scott Amendola is sneaking in a dangerous band of thumping, twisting, shattering all-stars on a Tuesday: guitarist Nels Cline, guitarist Jeff Parker, violinist Jenny Scheinman and bassist John Shifflett, players with a long history of varied intercollaborations and a toolbox full of crazeology. A big one. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 8pm-midnight; $20; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.