Fri. Feb. 3 -- Headhunter Bennie Maupin devotes his woodwind skill to one of his subtle chamber-jazz expressions with pianist David Arnay, bassist Ari Giankaterino, drummer Kenny Sara and cellist-vocalist Shana Tucker. 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; 9pm-midnight; $35; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Feb. 4 -- Tool drummer Danny Carey and his fusoid jammers Volto (Troy Ziegler, Lance Morrison, Matt Rohde) party like it's 1969. With Slant, Slater Slums, Latebloomers, Washed Up Wings..At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sat. Feb. 4 -- Electronified saxist Steve Lehman opens; "Afrofuturist" singer-rapper Georgia Anne Muldrow closes. Wynton Marsalis probably doesn't think it's jazz. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $20 (students $16); www.redcat.org.
Sun. Feb. 5 -- Got tired of rooting against the Donald-friendly New England Patriots? When the third quarter wraps, drift over to Eagle Rock, where Open Gate Theater presents a world-music evening with the all-star Spite of Darkness (Euro-derived Detroit violinist Mike Khoury plus violinist Jeff Gauthier, percussionist Nathan Hubbard and drummer Alex Cline) and Izela (abstractified Middle Eastern soundz from Ryan Parrish, Yunus Iyriboz, Max Kutner, Rusty Kennedy and Dan Ogrodnik). Traffic will be light! At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Mon. Feb. 6 -- Oakland deathsters Necrot pump it out dense and edgy. With Phrenelith, Flytraps, Belltower Bats, Die Group. At the Redwood Bar & Grill, 316 W. Second St., downtown; some late time, some low price; (310) 245-0273; www.theredwoodbar.com.
Tues. Feb. 7 -- Electronical imagineer Carl Stone plugs in, does whatever he feels like, and seizes yer earholes. 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; 9pm-midnight; $20; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Tues. Feb. 7 -- Reserve a Tuesday this month for I See Hawks in L.A., settling into the middle slot every week (after 10pm) with their harmonious & truthful modern country music, and drummin' up Kickstarter support for their new star-studded recording project. At the Hi-Hat, 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 9pm; cheap; www.hihat.la.
Wed. Feb. 8 -- Strong to the Finnish: Lordi bring their big-ass theatrical metal show. With Tower Guard, Durion, Danse de Sade, Aeonic Impulse. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $30; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Thurs. Feb. 9 -- Rillygood metal bill with Dez Farfara's incendiary DevilDriver, Bay thrash forefathers Death Angel, Cali grande riffesters Winds of Plague and well-reborn Canadian melodic shrieksters The Agonist. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 7pm; $21; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.