Fri. Jan. 26 -- Extreme toomanystring tappin & shreddin guitarist Goh Kurosawa and friends celebrate his 40th birthday with paint and cake. At Art Share, 801 E. Fourth Pl., downtown 90013; 8pm; you may donate; free parking across the street at 321 S. Hewitt; (213) 687-4278; www.artsharela.org.
Fri.-Sun. Jan. 26-28 -- Driving, fusing drummer Steve Smith leaves Journey far behind to present the New York edition of his Vital Information, featuring keyboardist Mark Soskin, guitarist Vinny Valentino and bassist Baron Brown. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm (7:30pm Sun.); $30-$35; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Jan. 27 -- Windman Charles Owens takes you on a luxurious cruise from the traditional to the avant, always with a top band. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Jan. 27 -- NAMM is excuse enuf for Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli & the Funkin Truth to shake it New Orleans style with Bill Dickens, Felix Pollard and Albert Margolis. Disreputable Few and Hamish Anderson open. At the Mint, 6010 Pico Blvd., LA 90035; 8pm; $20; (323) 954-9400; www.themintla.com.
Sat.-Sun. Jan. 27-28 -- Guitarist Michael Landau's Liquid Quartet (with voxman/guitarist David Frazee, bassist Alan Hertz and drummer Jimmy Johnson) delivers the fusoid heft with taste. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $35; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Jan. 28 -- Hold on to yer plectrum, it's Yngwie Malmsteen, the king of classical-metal shred. At the Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena 91101; doors 6pm, reserved spots must be grabbed by 7pm, headliner 9pm; $28-$58; (888) 645-5006; www.roseconcerts.com.
Mon. Jan. 29 -- Indirect from Sweden, please welcome Meshuggah, the most twisted & corroded metal on the planet. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 6:30pm; $25-$35; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Thurs. Feb. 1 -- Ingenious abstract trombonist-composer Michael Vlatkovich launches a first-Thursday residency with guest collaborators always drawn from the finest of L.A.'s extreme improvisers. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. Feb. 1 -- Mortiferum, Fetid, Ensepulcher, Crematory Stench . . . What variety of metal might we have here? At Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $10; www.residentla.com.
Thurs.-Mon. Feb. 1-5 -- Rock Candy Funk Party is topmost guitar tonemaster Joe Bonamassa slamming the blues-rock with drummer Tal Bergman, guitarist Ron De Jesus, keyboardist Renato Neto and bassist Mike Merritt. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $45; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
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