Fri. April 1 -- Souljazz singer Dwight Trible flies you to Africa on the wings of the pelican. At the Blue Whale on the third floor of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri.-Sun. April 1-3 -- Roll off the couch for The Heavy Metal Film Festival, plenty of ace entertainment including flicks on Meshuggah and Immortal (Friday); Exodus and Norwegian black metal plus a panel on "The Story of Anvil" featuring Lips (Saturday); and Saxon with shorts on Kiss and AC/DC (Sunday). At Downtown Independent Cinema, 251 S. Main St., downtown 90012; (213) 617-1033; full schedule here.
Sat. April 2 -- Sab-with-a-scream at its best: My Ruin hit an L.A. stage for the first time in over two years flogging their new "Ghosts and Good Stories"; jagged progressive death from Ruin pals Ana Kefr keeps pace; four more. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $13; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Sat. April 2 -- Texturespace guitarist Bill Frisell and his fine trio (bassist Tony Scherr and drummer Kenny Wollesen) jam to inspirational videos of Buster Keaton and abstract eyepop. A UCLA Live presentation at Royce Hall; 2pm & 8pm; $28-$43; www.uclalive.org.
Sat. April 2 -- Anthony Wilson has grown to be an ever more interesting guitarist, currently doing his highly personalized take on Brazilian music, among other surprises. Got a curlicue guitar kinda like Prince, too. At the Blue Whale on the third floor of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. April 2 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's band updates the Blue Note sound and Latinizes at will. At Jax, 339 Brand Blvd., Glendale 91203; 8pm onward; no cover; (818) 500-1604.
Sat. April 2 -- Local punkabilly Marty Nation got knocked off his motorcycle and could sure use a benefit, so his pals Candye Kane, Julie Christensen, Tony Marsico and a lot more are steppin' up so you can step out. At Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake 90026; 7pm; $15 or whatever donation; (323) 661-4380; www.clubspaceland.com.
LATE CHANGE RE SID GRIFFIN: I just noticed that he's playing in L.A. May 2-3-4, not April. Definitely gotta get those new spectacles.
Sun. April 3 -- Explosive omnivocalist Bonnie Barnett leads an extreme band featuring windman Richard Wood, bassist Hal Onserud and perconeer Garth Powell. You also get Call & Response, i.e. the perseverant poet Dorothea Grossman, the vocalic trombonist Michael Vlatkovich and the always adaptable drummer Rich West. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Tues. April 5 -- Here's some damn good crude & loud borderline metal that fired up around 1990: Helmet, St. Vitus, Crowbar, along with more recent Georgia arrivals Kylesa, who be just as heavy with their two drummers and a load o' slosh, plus four more. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 5:30pm; $23.50; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Tues. April 5 -- Trad or weird, sensually intelligent pianist Junko Onishi has a feel for it all. With bassist Dwayen Burno and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Wed. April 6 -- Kenny Burrell Jazz Heritage All Stars are the exemplary guitar veteran plus trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez, drummer Clayton Cameron, saxist Justo Almario and more. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Thurs. April 7 -- Patrick Campbell-Lyons of the '60s Brit psychedelic pop band Nirvana has been workin' all the corners to push his delightul memoir, "Psychedelic Days." Listen to that lovely Irish accent. This Borders is closing, but it should still be open for PCL's reading. At Borders Hollywood, 1501 Vine St., Hollywood 90028; 7-9pm; free; (323) 463-8519.
Thurs.-Sun. April 7-10 -- Rachelle Ferrell can do more just by shaping the notes and syllables in that big ol' mouth of hers than anybody I've ever heard. If them American Idol types checked her out, they'd damnwell pack it up. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $25-$40; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Read Brick Wahl’s jazz picks in LA Weekly here, Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.