Fri. Sept. 13 -- Stuart Swezey's documentary "Desolation Center" outlines some of the underground music/art activity that happened in SoCal during the early '80s, and features rare footage of the Minutemen, Redd Kross, Survival Research Laboratories and lots more, with commentary by Perry Farrell, Spot and the Meat Puppets, among others. Tonight's 7pm opening program includes a panel discussion with L7's Suzi Gardner, the Minutemen's George Hurley, the Germs' Don Bolles, director Swezey, co-producer Mariska Leyssius and crucial rock journalist Chris Morris. (There'll also be Q&As here on Sat. at 4 & 7pm, and on Sun. at 7pm; dunno who'll be A-ing in those.) At Arclight Cinema, 6360 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 7pm; $18; www.arclightcinemas.com. The film will also screen regularly for as long as gawd wills it here and at the Pasadena Playhouse 7 and Santa Monica's Laemmle Monica.
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 13-14 -- Keyboardist-composer Mark de Clive-Lowe deals inviting modern freshness with a string-heavy ensemble: bassist Brandon Eugene Owens, drummer Greg Paul, violinits Paul Cartwright & Tylana Renga, violist Tom Lea, and cellist Heather McIntosh. 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.
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 13-14 -- Brian Auger's Oblivion Express celebrates the pioneer English jazz-rock keyboardist's 80th birthday with drummer Karma Auger, bassist Jimmy Haslip, guitarist Nick Kellie and singer Lilliana Reyes. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25-$30; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Sept. 14 -- Are you willing to cheat and steal to get tickets for Iron Maiden? You might have to, cuz it's sold out. At Banc of California Stadium, 3939 S. Figueroa St., Exposition Park 90037; 7pm; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sun. Sept. 15 -- Drone druids Sunn O))) are sold out too, at least online. At the Masonic Lodge of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 90038; 8pm; $35; www.hollywoodforever.com.
Sun. Sept. 15 -- The penultimate Sunday at NELA under the klassik management features a major bill of L.A. vets including Radwaste (10), Magnet Hearts (9), Mecolodiacs (8), The Probe (7), Rikk Agnew (6), Double Naught Spy Car (5), Big Pig (4:30) and Mario Lalli (4). At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; doors 3:30pm; $5; beer only; 21+; www.cafenela.net.
Sun. Sept. 15 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine and band bop till you drop. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Mon. Sept. 16 -- Folks not opposed to mental health can contribute their presence and their money at "Above Ground," where the Stooges' first album (featuring "I Wanna Be Your Dog") and Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" get performed by a lavish cast of celebs including Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Al Jourgensen, Jack Black, Steve Vai, Mike Garson, Wayne Kramer, Juliette Lewis and more. At the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, 6122 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8pm; $74; (323) 464-0808; www.fondatheatre.com.
Tues.-Wed. Sept. 17-18 -- Avant saxist Steve Lehman (Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran) jams out with trio mates Matt Brewer (bass) and Damion Reid (drums). 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; $15; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. Sept. 18 -- The Grandmothers of Invention feature keyboardist Don Preston (birthday boy at 87) and saxist Bunk Gardner from early Zappa days, plus longtime drum'mother Christopher Garcia and special guest bassist Anders Swanson. Jesse Justice deejays. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $20; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Thurs. Sept. 19 -- Garretson & Gorodetsky turn singer Weba and guitarist Ralph's personal encounters and musical juxtapositions into ear-tweaking multigenre songcraft, here in full quintet glory with saxist Vince Meghrouni, bassist Michael Alvidrez and drummer Brian Christopherson. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 19-21 -- Keyboardist Larry Goldings has enough breadth and enough friends to fill a three-night residency. At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $20 plus one-drink minimum per set; full bar; snacks; small parking lot in rear, reduced-rate validated parking at nearby Joe's Auto Park; (424) 800-2006; www.samfirstbar.com.