Rock Picks

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

The Yardbirds at the Knitting Factory

Don’t forget the Ettes, Friday. (Photo by Jewely Bennett)

Ratatat demonstrate the proper technique for crotch-grabbing while standing on one foot.

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More About

• Jill Cunniff
• Henry Fonda
• Mr. T
• Knitting
• Arts and Crafts

When you think of the Yardbirds, you probably think of their trio of lead guitarists who went on to fame with other projects (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page) or perhaps their late singer, Keith Relf, who died from electrocution in an accident while playing guitar at home in 1976. What probably doesn’t come to mind is the idea of the British band ever reuniting — especially without Relf or any of their celebrated ax-slingers. And yet here are the band’s original drummer, Jim McCarty, and rhythm guitarist, Chris Dreja, on tour celebrating the release of Live at B.B. King Blues Club, a concert album that was recorded with a new lineup in New York last year and released on Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label. Vai, Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell and other guest stars are slated to sit in on guitar tonight, and it’s rumored that one of the band’s lead guitarists might drop by — although it’s not clear which guitarist that might be. Either way, it should be a real kick to rave up again to such early ’Birds classics as “For Your Love,” “Shapes of Things,” “Over Under Sideways Down” and perhaps even “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago.” (Falling James)

El Gran Silencio at House of Blues

Have you ever seen music journalists dance? Trust me, it’s not a pretty sight. Put it this way: As a group, M.J.s are not an attractive lot. At South by Southwest a few years ago, one could witness not just writers but even “The Dean of American Rock Critics” himself, Robert Christgau, moving their fanny-packed, note-scribbling butts to the new sensation that was El Gran Silencio. Now with their third record, Comunicaflow Underground, the group continue their joyful and melodic punk/rock/hip-hop/folk/ska/polka barrage. With their energy, those trumpets and a singer who’s muy yummy, you may finally get that Mano Negra experience you’ve dreamed of. (Libby Molyneaux)

Also playing Wednesday:

THE MOTELS at Cerritos Center; DE LA SOUL, KRS-ONE at the Canyon; RICHARD BUCKNER at the Echo; BODIES OF WATER at Mr. T’s Bowl; THE RANDIES at Safari Sam’s; LITTLE ONES, SEA WOLF, TEMPORARY THING at the Troubadour.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5Nurse With Wound at Amoeba Music

Tonight spells the first-ever Los Angeles performance by British experimental surrealists Nurse With Wound. And it’s free! Founding Nurse Steven Stapleton has for the past three decades stood staunchly at the forefront of arch-strangeness in music, but only recently has he performed live, including sold-out nights in San Francisco and London (tonight’s Nurses: John Contreras, Jim Haynes, Stapleton, Hazel Two Twiggs and Matt Waldron). Besides his collage-music presentation, he’s also one of the most distinctively and psychotropically original graphic designers working today, illustrating the covers of NWW records like Chance Meeting on an Operating Table of a Sewing Machine and an Umbrella, Nylon Coverin’ Body Smotherin’ and Alas the Madonna Does Not Function. That the night spells a united appearance of Los Angeles’ fringe contingent is an understatement of metaphysical proportions. And he’s working on a hip-hop album next! Starts at 7 p.m. (David Cotner)

Les Sans Culottes, Donita Sparks at Spaceland

Quel fromage! Named for the “ill-clad and ill-equipped volunteers of the French Revolutionary army,” Les Sans Culottes (meaning “without underpants”) take on the ’60s French pop sound of Serge Gainsbourg and add arrangements à la the 5th Dimension to ridiculously groovy effect. They have names like Kit Kat Le Noir, Edith Pissoff, Theo Neugent, Johnny Dieppe, Françoise Hardly, Jean L’Effete and Max Gauche, and you can expect to have your Gainsbourg thoroughly Serged. Look for a new record in the reasonable future from L7’s Donita Sparks — and expect it to be damn great, based on the fetching new songs on her MySpace page. (Libby Molyneaux)

Also playing Thursday:

DE LA SOUL at Galaxy Theatre; PEPPER, MAD CADDIES at Henry Fonda Theater; FANTAN MOJAH at Dragonfly; WATKINS FAMILY HOUR at Largo; MAN MAN, SIMON DAWES at the Roxy; XU XU FANG at Silverlake Lounge.