Fri. Jan. 17 -- Close to 40 years after stepping from the gutter, L.A. Guns are rocking truer than ever with a classic lineup. Rok Hollywood and Three Maze Stone open. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; $24-$34; 9pm; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.
Fri. Jan. 17 -- Rooted pianist Bobby West calls on bassist James Leary and Sonny Rollins/Cannonball Adderley drummer Roy McCurdy for a comfortable trio experience. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Jan. 17 -- Guitarist Russell Malone pushes the tradition to the circumference with pianist Rick Germanson, bassist Luke Sellick and drummer Neal Smith (not the Alice Cooper skinsman of the same name, though that would be interesting). At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35; www.jazzbakery.org.
Fri.-Sat. Jan. 17-18 -- Judas Priest/Michael Schenker/Joe Satriani/Derek Sherinian drummer Simon Phillips' Protocol fuses and cruises. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $30-$40; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Jan. 18 -- Texas deathsters Creeping Death sport a rolling rumble like Blue Cheer to supplement the standard humpa-humpa thrash. With Sanguisugabogg, Kommander, Slowbleed. At the Lexington, 129 E. Third St., downtown 90013; doors 8pm; $13; 21+; (213) 291-5723; lexbarla.com.
Sat.-Sun. Jan. 18-19 -- Tastefully heavy fusionoid guitarist Michael Landau's Liquid Quartet features bassist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and singer-axman David Frazee. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $40; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Jan. 19 -- Break your mirror and turn back the clock to the rugged L.A. postwave rock of guitarist Dean Chamberlain and Code Blue, with high-spirited support from femme contemporaries Backstage Pass. And pick up a 7/10 split! At Corbin Bowl, 19616 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana 91356; doors 8:30pm; FREE; (818) 996-2695.
Sun. Jan. 19 -- Former Ozzy axman Gus G. twiddles the strings like a damn Greek madman. With valuable support from Pasadena melodic hardmen Holy Grail, plus Luis Kalil, Attraction Theory, Seb Braganza. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $15; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sun. Jan. 19 -- Respected New York stringman Ljova demonstrates his solo bowing prowess on the six-string fadolin. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Sun. Jan. 19 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's quintet finds the rich blue notes. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Mon.-Wed. Jan. 20-22 -- Not an exhumation but an incredible simulation, Zappa interprets the master with certified experts Mike Keneally (guitar), Ray White (guitar), Robert Martin (keys/sax), Scott Thunes (bass) and superfusionist Joe Travers (drums). They sing, too. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $40; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Jan. 22 -- Nigel Deane, Tal Katz & Sean Riddle take the string trio where no improviser has gone before. Opening are Sara Sithi-Amnuai & Fabrice Lalama on self-built electro-acoustic instruments they call "Nami" and "The Dishing Machine." At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $7 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. Jan. 23 -- Alto saxist David Binney and friends figure out the future of jazz before your very ears. 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.
Thurs. Jan. 23 -- Bridgebuilding modern keyboardist Robert Glasper is sold out except for the usual backweb options. At Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W. Seventh St., downtown 90017; 9pm; $40; www.teragramballroom.com.
Thurs. Jan. 23 -- Two small & wild abstractionist units: Nakata (saxist Patrick Shiroishi and keyboardist Paco Casanova), plus the guitar-sax-trumpet trio of Joshua Gerowitz, Casey Anderson & Louis Lopez. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $7 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.