Fri. June 14 -- SSR is the freely venturing drums-bass-sax trio of Breeze Smith, Thomas Hamasu and Stevie Richards. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Fri.-Sat. June 14-15 -- Benjamin Shepherd, a bassist with real feel, forms a forward-looking quartet with vibraphonist Nick Mancini, pianist Isamu McGregor and drummer Channing C. Holmes. 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.
Fri.-Sat. June 14-15 -- Yep, it's the version of L.A. Guns with Phil Lewis singin' and Tracii Guns slangin', out to hype their new "The Devil You Know," a raw & riffy assortment of Hollywood gutter trash that's getting a headbang reception from the vampire legion (and me). Gandhi's Gun, Mercury Plague, Guitar & Whiskey Club, Jamie Fontaine, Tim Styles, Doctor Pheabes support. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $30; all ages; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sat. June 15 -- One of the better Euro & American death/black metal packages to come through town this year: Belphegor, Dark Funeral, Incantation, Hate, Vale of Pnath, Nightmarer. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 5pm; $30; all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
Sat. June 15 -- The Cult celebrate their 1989 hit album "Sonic Temple," rockin stuff but I still prefer 1987's Rick Rubin-produced "Electric." With Prayers, Zola Jesus, Vowws. At the Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz 90027; 6pm; $20-$100; www.greektheatrela.com.
Sat. June 15 -- Cuban-born pianist Fabian Almazan caught my attention with his ethereal sensitivity when I heard him with trumpeter Avishai Cohen a few months back; here he leads a trio with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Henry Cole, which plies more rhythmically and harmonically edgy territory. Dig it. 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; $25; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. June 16 -- "Finally, a depression treatment that really works," said the ad that accompanied the YouTube posting of an Arthur Verocai album. Maybe the singer should try the cure; he reminds me of a gloomier Syd Barrett, except Brazilian. Kinda good. So no, Arthur; stay depressed. At the Lodge Room, 104 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park 90042; 6pm (looks sold out) & 10pm; $35; all ages; full bar; (323) 509-2861; www.lodgeroomhlp.com.
Wed. June 19 -- Jason Moran drummer Nasheet Waits directs Third Eye, a modrin trio with saxist Abraham Burton and co-drummer Eric McPherson. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Thurs. June 20 -- Metaljazz noisicians Those Darn Gnomes (electroman Christian Molenar & saxist Patrick Shiroishi) team up with the sensitive oboe-bass duo of Breana Gilcher & Miller Wrenn. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $8 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. June 20 -- Econo jammers Mike Watt & the Missingmen. Postpunkers Bastidas. Germs drummer Don Bolles, what's he gonna do? It costs nothing to find out. At Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park, 2230 W. Sixth St, Los Angeles, CA 90057; 7pm; FREE if you RSVP here.
Thurs. June 20 -- Urban countrarians I See Hawks in L.A. branch out via their new all-acoustic collaboration with Brit folkies the Good Intentions, which devotes half the lead vocals to the roasted basso of Hawks front man Rob Waller and the rest to Peter Davies and Victoria Jacobs. Quiet & airy, with lovely harmonies. At Mr. T’s, Highland Park Bowl, 5621 Figueroa St., Highland Park 90042; Ben Vaughan 8:30pm, Hawks 9:30pm, Rich Dembowski of Old Californio 10:30pm; (323) 257-2695; www.highlandparkbowl.com.
Artist David Hammons' exhibition, his first here in 45 years, is "dedicated to Ornette Coleman, harmolodic thinker." Well, that blue suit does look kinda like something Ornette used to wear. At Hauser & Wirth, 901 E. Third St., downtown 90013; thru Aug. 11; FREE.