Fri.-Sun. Dec. 17-20 -- Guitarist Mike Stern soft-pedals the jazz-funk with drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Tom Kennedy -- same crew as on his current DVD, “New Morning: The Paris Concert,” ‘cept at Catalina’s the guy sharing the front line is trumpeter Randy Brecker. When Stern drifts into “Wing and a Prayer,” people clap. Q: How come he still looks 20? At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $25-$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Dec. 19 -- It’s Danzig, son: the ultimate headsman of dark rock, mounting one of only two concerts anywhere this year, along with Pennywise and TSOL. Odd bill -- a cheap Affliction-sponsored concert, and looks like it’s sold out. At Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach 90802; 6:30pm; $5; (562) 436-3636; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sat. Dec. 19 & 26 -- Tirelessly inventive vibesman-composer Nick Mancini continues a restaurant residency every Saturday with a trio of the week. At Bleecker Street, 5442 Yolanda Ave., Tarzana, 9pm onward; no cover.
Sun. Dec. 20 -- For the raddest in filthy industrial beats and electronic cellular mutations, look no further than veteran local wizards Brotulid, with guitarist G.E. Stinson, bassist Steuart Liebig, windman Andrew Pask, and a vast supporting cast of computers and tweak boxes. At Mandrake Bar, 2692 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City-adjacent 90034; 8:30pm; cheap; (310) 837-3297; www.mandrakebar.com.
Sun. Dec. 20 -- Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, the slamdownest kicker in the biz, drives the melodic instrumental space/funk with Bombastic Meatbats, featuring guitarist Jeff Kollman, bassist Kevin Chown and keysman Ed Roth. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615.
Read Brick’s Picks in LA Weekly here and Don Heckman’s picks here.