Rock Picks

Dir en Grey, Fair to Midland at the Wiltern The outwardly simplistic world of heavy metal has never cradled so many sonic and aesthetic subplots, so the genre’s mix-’n’-match mongrels are, well, more mongrel-y than ever. Japan’s Dir en Grey manically scroll through hardcore breakdowns, deathly retching, melodramatic gothic murmurings, electro flirtations and oddly frantic pop hooks (sung mostly in Japanese). Oh, and their exhaustingly energized stage show is big on (mock) self-mutilation. Fair to Midland’s being signed to System of a Down singer Serj Tankian’s label is in itself a big clue to their sound. Like SOAD, Fair to Midland are ultra-eclectic, but their multitracked warbling, dexterous piano caresses, flecks of falsetto, and guitars more sturdy than shreddy lend their art-rock an organic, almost folkie fireside glow. Judging by the live tracks on their Drawn and Quartered EP, these Texans can light up a stage too. Also at Avalon, Sat. (Paul Rogers)

Also playing Friday:

The second coming of Rickie Lee Jones (Photo by Lee Cantelon)

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• Leonard Cohen
• Georgie James
• Mr. T
• Punk Rock
• Bluegrass

GROOVY REDNECKS at Anarchy Library; JOEY ALTRUDA, COATI MUNDI, PLEASANT GEHMAN at the Bordello; CHEAP TRICK at the Canyon; OM, EARTHLESS, DEAD PONIESat the Echo; CHARLIE WADHAMS at El Cid; ENGLISH BEAT at Key Club ; JON BRION at Largo; BLUE HAWAIIANS at Lava Lounge; MIKE STINSON, I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. at the Scene; MICHAEL WHITMORE at Tangier; VERUCA SALT at Viper Room .

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Nudist Priest, Donita Sparks, Jon Wahl & the Amadans at Safari Sam’s There are probably more tribute acts now than at any other time since those dark days of the pre-punk mid-’70s, when practically every band at clubs like the Starwood was playing classic-rock covers. So we’re not exactly living in the golden age of musical creativity, but if you absolutely insist on living in the past, make sure that your tribute band has a clever name and a wildly over-the-top concept like Nudist Priest, who perform the golden oldies of Rob Halford completely naked. (Something Halford himself would probably find exciting.) This colony of Nudists are led by local-scene vet John Ramirez (who sometimes goes by the clever pseudonym Genre Mirrors) and haven’t performed live in five years, making this comeback show a nostalgic look at nostalgia. Singer-guitarist Donita Sparks’ solo songs have the grungy punk power of her old band L7 combined with a newfound glittery seediness, while ex-Clawhammer leader Jon Wahl’s rubbery vocal affectations and literary whimsy are buttressed by one of this town’s best rhythm sections, nimbly rumbling bassist Steve Reed and solidly explosive Backbiter drummer Bob Lee. (Falling James)

Perla Batalla presents The Gospel According to Leonard Cohen at Royce Hall

You’d think he was God, given that worshipful title. Oh wait, he sorta is if you bow down to writers of songs that are vivid, heartbreaking and utterly original. It’s no wonder countless singers have clamored to cover Leonard Cohen’s songs. The Flying Lizards sounded pretty deep on their version of “Suzanne.” Perla Batalla, Cohen’s former backing vocalist who went on to release Bird on the Wire: The Songs of Leonard Cohen and appear in the documentary Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, leads a pack of Cohen-heads that includes Dave Alvin, Jackson Browne, Bill Frisell, Michael McDonald, Howard Tate, Kevin McCormick, Don Heffington. Dave Palmer, Robben Ford, Don Was and others. Let us praise him, and, as Mr. C writes, “I’ll stand before the Lord of Song/With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.” (Libby Molyneaux)

Also playing Saturday:

DIR EN GREY, FAIR TO MIDLAND at Avalon; SMOGTOWN at Alex’s Bar; JAMES INTVELD at Blue Cafe; JOHN MAYALL, DAVE MASON at the Canyon; IAN SCREAMS, DANBURY SHAKES, MOTORCYCLE BLACK MADONNAS, MADAMN GRISLEE at Mr. T’s Bowl; WHITESTARR, MICKEY AVALON at the Roxy; MIA DOI TODDat the Smell ; LA SYMPHONY at Spaceland; J.F.A., DECRY at the Westchester.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Playing Sunday:LAMB OF GOD, TRIVIUM at the Wiltern; RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS, STATIC LULLABYat House of Blues; GROOVY REDNECKS, PINE BOX BOYS at Cinema Bar.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Chris Thile & How to Grow a Band at Largo It wasn’t too many years ago that Chris Thile was just a kid playing bluegrass in some SoCal pizza parlor. Now he is BBC Radio’s Folk Musician of the Year. But Thile is a natural. Having picked up the mandolin at age 5, he was winning national competitions at 12. With fellow teen phenoms Sara and Sean Watkins, he formed Nickel Creek, whose adventurous acoustic music garnered them gold albums and a Grammy. The band’s now headed for an “extended hiatus” after its spring tour. Thile’s two-night stand at Largo, which coincidentally follows recent gigs there from the other Creek offshoot, the Watkins Family Hour, undoubtedly will provide a glimpse into his musical future. His live shows are eclectic affairs much like his latest solo outing, How to Grow a Woman From the Ground, which organically intermingled Jimmie Rodgers and the White Stripes with his mandolin-fueled originals. Also Tues. (Michael Berick)

Love of Diagrams, Division Day at Spaceland The trio Love of Diagrams come from a land Down Under, but they step smartly with the jagged, angular rhythms of a vintage British post-punk band. Guitarist Luke Horton sends up wiry, interstellar smoke signals on their new self-titled EP on Matador, while bassist Antonia Sellbach chants out melodic bursts like “The Pyramid” and “Pace or the Patience.” Drummer Monika Fikerle chimes in with the swirling chaos of “No Way Out,” while Sellbach’s Cure-like bass figure coils around her like a python. The Melbourne group rely on some of Joy Division’s dark riffology, but they claim that they’re also influenced by David Lynch, Cindy Sherman and Roman Polanski. The new L.A. shoegazer combo Division Day close out their free monthlong Spaceland residency with songs from their recent CD, Beartrap Island, whose art-pop tunes mix Ryan Wilson’s jangly, blurry guitars with keyboardist Rohner Segnitz’s world-weary yet poppy confessions. Love of Diagrams also at Safari Sam’s, Tues. (Falling James)