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Autolux

BOOTLEG THEATER

PHOTO BY DANIEL PITOUT

Hunx & His Punx

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Releasing just two albums in 12 years, locals Autolux seldom hurry, yet survive by being perpetually worth the wait. Though often built from organic, even archaic sounds, the trio's bold, eclectic records are decidedly contemporary urban soundtracks: lonely even when congested with sonic information and, though sometimes wide open, seldom suggestive of wide-open spaces. Autolux's oblique shoegaze guitars and textured post-punk basslines are made animal by Carla Azar's economical, deliberate drumming and humanized with tinkly sprinkles of keys. But much of the band's multidimensional connection is in their understated triple-threat vocals: the introverted, fixed-stare timbre of guitarist Greg Edwards; bassist Eugene Goreshter's more tortured tone; and Azar's dreamily pristine pipes. Though not the name to drop that they were five years ago, Autolux rightly remain a benchmark for Eastside indie cool. —Paul Rogers

thu 9/20

The Soft Pack

DEL MONTE SPEAKEASY

Although born as a band in San Diego, The Soft Pack found a welcoming new home here in L.A., where they could indulge their twin loves of local boys Warren Zevon and Steve Martin — two hilariously erudite ass-kickers who obviously inspired this band of hilariously erudite ass-kickers — and work on building a sound that found still-unexplored territory within good ol' self-taught guitar-guitar-bass-and-drums indie rock & roll. Their debut LP was delivered with the same unpretentious dedication to form as classics by The Feelies or The Clean, bands that turned "simple" into timeless. Their newest LP, Strapped, finds them on the same path but just on the edge of unexplored territory. (Keys and horns? You bet!) This is a band that went back to basics already and is building up something new. —Chris Ziegler

Jerry Vivino

THE BAKED POTATO

When Conan O'Brien left NBC after The Tonight Show fallout from 2010's Jay Leno scheduling hopscotch, he brought with him a sizable number of his show's staff, including most of the Max Weinberg 7 band (Weinberg also was the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen). When Weinberg chose not to follow Conan to TBS, guitarist Jimmy Vivino took over along with brother and saxman Jerry, renamed the Basic Cable Band. Both Vivinos now play in area clubs, with Jerry's monthly stint at Studio City's Baked Potato the most regular. Jerry's shows are filled with commentary, audience banter and frequent guest appearances — tonight's show includes fellow Conan band members Mike Merritt on bass and James Wormworth on drums, along with the fine keyboardist and "Yogamundo" Mitchel Forman. —Tom Meek