Music Picks: The Weeknd, That '70s Soul, Power of the Riff

Jeff Babko

THE BAKED POTATO

PHOTO BY ANDREW PAYNTER

Wooden Shjips: See Friday.

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• People Under the Stairs (Band)
• Sunn O)))
• John Payne
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Metal and Hardcore

Keyboard whiz Jeff Babko can be seen most evenings frolicking near the front of Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s house band, but tonight he takes time out to debut his latest CD as a leader, Crux. The project showcases Babko's skills as player and composer in fusing jazz, rock and classical elements, with heavy contributions from trumpet-and-flugelhorn master Walt Fowler, who's played with Frank Zappa and James Taylor, and Kneebody saxophonist Ben Wendel. The track "Luna" likely will have Kneebody fans in full-on grin mode. Rudder bassist Tim Lefebvre and guitarist Timothy Young made substantial contributions to "Crux," and will be on hand for tonight's live debut along with drummer Louis Cole. —Tom Meek

thu 12/20

Bootsy Collins

Key Club

Known for his bass-playing virtuosity and blindingly sequined stage garb, Bootsy Collins is one of funk's foremost living legends. The Cincinnati native in 1968 established The Pacesetters, which functioned as the robust accompaniment to soul icon James Brown. Collins soon joined the innovative funk outfit Parliament/Funkadelic, co-writing notorious party anthem "Tear the Roof off the Sucker." He formed Bootsy's Rubber Band in 1976, later penning the oft-sampled "I'd Rather Be with You." His 2011 release, The Funk Capital of the World, features appearances by Bobby Womack, George Clinton and Samuel L. Jackson, among others. —Jacqueline Michael Whatley

Los Kinkos

CLUB PACIFIC at DEL MONTE SPEAKEASY

For more than a year now, L.A. institution Farmer Dave (Beachwood Sparks, sideman to the stars, solo soul believer, purveyor of famous special-recipe Hot Nuts) and his friends at Club Pacific have been bringing the old, the weird, and the beautiful to a resurrected basement speakeasy just minutes from the beach, connecting surf to psych to simple and welcome good times — or was that good vibes? — with all-star guests from L.A.'s most cosmic undergrounds. Tonight, he and his Club Pacific band go back to the olden days with an all-Kinks cover set, which is guaranteed to include every good song you want played with all the vigor and reverence you'd expect. A lovely way to spend possibly your last night on the planet. And if there is still a planet come Dec. 22, they should start planning an all-Love version of this next! —Chris Ziegler

Power of the Riff with Sunn O))), High on Fire, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Breath, et al.

HENRY FONDA THEATER

What is the mystical healing power of the Riff? Where is it taking us? What will we find when we get there? These questions are important, since the world is ending and all. Thus this event, curated by Southern Lord label bossman/Sunn O))) guitarist Greg Anderson and his bud Sam James Velde, clarifies matters somewhat by deliberately smashing together the ultra-heaviest of death/grind/doom/dungcore metal and other hardcore, punk and rock stylists. All day and all ages, with a record swap meet hosted by local and pop-up stores, the event includes DJ sets and a gourmet food-truck court. Full sets by High on Fire, Sunn O))), Corrosion of Conformity, Black Breath, Dead in the Dirt, Loincloth and Void Ov Voices. —John Payne