L.A. previews March 16-22: Charlie Quintana RIP, Jonathan Rowden, Gygax, Knocked Loose, Elliott Caine, Daniel Corral, Lynell George, Aron Kallay, Royal Thunder.

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I'll pay respects to Chalo "Charlie" Quintana first, cuz I knew him just a little. He bashed drums behind the L.A. Mexipunk band the Plugz starting around '77, when he was a babyfaced kid of 16 thrashing "La Bamba" at the Masque. His ferocious slam filled the Olympic Auditorium, its walls dripping with the sweat of pugilists long passed, when the Plugz opened for Public Image in 1980. He rolled a lot with Mike Ness and Social Distortion; Ness testified it was hard to find a drummer who could punk it up AND rock that billy, but Charlie mastered both. He even kicked damn well in '84 with Bob Dylan. (Check him at the 1:45 mark.) Best musical compliment I ever got was when he called me an "O.P." (original punk). Charlie Quintana, a genuine original.

Fri. March 16 -- Get yer electronix, epix & improvistix all in one place with the ensemble of saxist Jonathan Rowden, featuring keyboardist Ryan Pryor, drummer James Yoshizawa and bassist John Urban. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.

Sat. March 17 -- Gygax throws down the proggy melodic metal and debuts its new release. At Five Star Bar, 267 S. Main St., downtown 90012; doors 8pm; $10; https://fivestarbardtla.com; (323) 428-4492.

Sat. March 17 -- Metalpunk barkers Knocked Loose are sold out unless you know the kennelmaster. With Terror, Jesus Piece, Year of the Knife, Vamachara. At Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W. Seventh St., downtown 90017; 7:30pm; $18; all ages; www.teragramballroom.com.

Sat. March 17 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's quartet plays jazz the way your grandpa and grandson understand it. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.

Sun. March 18 -- Elliott Caine Quintet. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.

Sun. March 18 -- Microtonal. Multimedia. Magnetic. Daniel Corral premieres his "Polytope" ("manyplace") with musicians who know the turf: Erin Barnes, Cory Beers and Andrew Lessman. At Automata, 504 Chung King Court, Chinatown 90012; 8pm; $15; (213) 819-6855; www.automata-la.org.

Sun. March 18 -- She writes, she photographs, she thinks, she talks (all at the highest levels): Colleague Lynell George presents her new book, "After/Image." At Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz 90027; 5pm; free; (323) 660-1175.

Mon. March 19 -- Lynell George. At Eso Won Bookstore, 4327 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 6pm; free; (323) 290-1048.

Wed. March 21 -- Aron Kallay reassigns the notes on his electronic keyboard to nonstandard scales and intervals, right in front of your disbelieving ears. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.

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Thurs. March 22 -- Take it in the gut from rough-wailin' singer-bassist Mlny Parsons and heavy moodsters Royal Thunder. With Pinkish Black, Glaare. At Union, 4067 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. 90019; 8pm; $15; 18+; www.unionclubla.com.

Thurs. March 22 -- Lynell George. At Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91101; 7pm; FREE.




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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.