The Best Concerts in L.A. This Week
Monday, February 25
The Residents
The Residents
EL REY THEATRE
Somewhere between rock & roll's spiritual mystique and a distinctly unhinged surrealist pathology, you'll find the lair of bizarro-art-imitates-music tribe The Residents. Unprecedented, with no discernible frame of reference save for a magnificently idiosyncratic streak, The Residents have relentlessly explored a shadowy landscape where aural blunt-force trauma, deliberately opaque aesthetic intent and downright weird sonic collisions somehow coexist like a thick growth of mutant cultural calico fur -- on the roof of your mouth. The Bay Area-based clan -- no one's even sure who the hell is in the group -- have strange running through their veins, a bunch of talents so drastically odd that they make Captain Beefheart seem like Lawrence Welk. Any visit from these provocateurs is rare indeed, and this 40th-anniversary The Wonder of Weird tour should deliver as compelling a dose of rugged, all-American, underworld individualism as you'll ever encounter. --Jonny Whiteside
Robotanists
LOS GLOBOS
In the wake of last year's Plans in Progress album, Robotanists are taking a lark with their new, digital-only EP Souvenirs, a sort of surprise gift for their fans, with the local synth-pop group covering their favorite songs by The Motels, New Order, Todd Rundgren and others. Sarah Ellquist de Blanke's dreamy vocals and her musical partner Daniel de Blanke's shimmering synths give these new-wave and post-punk chansons a modern sheen, but the strangest track of all is their cover of Kenny Rogers' "Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition Was in)." Rather than camping it up, Robotanists transform this corny country-music standard into a stirring, unexpectedly enchanting soundscape, as Sarah's languidly ethereal singing trails off in the haze of Daniel's blended acoustic guitars and distant-thunder percussion. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen in the strangest of places. --Falling James
Tuesday, February 26
The Shrine
THE ECHO
Venice Beach power trio The Shrine are shredders of the highest order -- on their instruments, of course, and on their skateboards even more of course! In fact, they're basically an assistant principal's nightmare circa 1982: longhair heavy-metal punk 'n' roll skaters with custom fuzz pedals and an endless supply of inspiration from the most ripping ne'er-do-wells ever to have their band name carved into a desk during detention. (Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Black Flag, Blue Cheer ... and Crushed Butler, if anyone had ever heard of them). The Shrine's most recent album, Primitive Blast (on Tee Pee), had pretty much the most succinctly descriptive title of 2012. Imagine a caveman with a flamethrower and the widest smile in the world, and then add some guitar solos. Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to get disintegrated by you. --Chris Ziegler
Wednesday, February 27
Van Dyke Parks
SOUTH PASADENA LIBRARY
Composer-arranger-producer-pianist Van Dyke Parks is best known as a lyricist for Brian Wilson, notably for their partnership on the Beach Boys' Smile album. Undeservedly shadowed is Parks' catalog of solo albums, which boasts at least one genuine masterwork, 1968's Song Cycle. Parks also is fondly regarded for his work as a poetic instigator in his arranging and accompaniment for The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Joanna Newsom, Fleet Foxes, Ringo Starr and myriad others. Live onstage, Parks is a charming, slyly folksy wag with a thousand tales to tell and a veritable mountain of great songs to sing. Tonight he's accompanied by his superb small ensemble; special guests include singer-songwriters Joe Henry and Inara George and the Merrick band. --John Payne
See also: Van Dyke Parks Re-Emerges With A Set Of Singles, Each Covered By Works Of Art
Deluka
THE SATELLITE
Fitting in neatly with sex-symbol frontwomen along the lines of The Duke Spirit's Liela Moss and Metric's Emily Haines is Deluka's siren, Ellie Innocenti. The Birmingham, England, group has relocated to Los Angeles to record its second album with Tim Pagnotta and Dan the Automator. While that brews for a summer release, Deluka are giving the locals of their adopted city a chance to catch their high-energy performances while exercising their live chops. Purposely leaked songs "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Never Alone" indicate Deluka have found the right balance between rich vocals and driving rhythms. The synth-laced dance pop that Deluka have been known to do so well surrenders to the electrifying, tight rock hooks they also have mastered. Be warned, Deluka's bite stings more than its bark, in the best way. --Lily Moayeri
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