72 Hours: Le Butcherettes and Devotchka among the weekend’s top gigs

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72 Hours apologizes for missing its deadline.

Friday

Medeski Martin and Wood @ the El Rey. Now heading into their 20th year, the category-busting jazz trio of keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood show no sign of slowing down. After experimenting with the recording process with the self-released, three-album ‘Radiolarians’ set, which was workshopped on tour, the band has cooked up 20 new tracks to be released digitally at the end of the month. Whatever those tracks have in store, expect them (and this show) to be filled with high-flying improvisations, head-bobbing jazz and something completely their own that’s only grown sharper two decades in. El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd. Tickets are $28, not including surcharges. -- Chris Barton

Marshall Crenshaw @ McCabes. Crenshaw has two gigs Friday, but tickets remain only for the 10 p.m. show, and late planners now have their date. Quietly, for more than 25 years Crenshaw has become a more than reliable source for sturdy and dependable Midwestern power pop. His more recent work may strike a quieter tone than his lush and excitable rock of the ‘80s, but Crenshaw’s words have always been built for introspecton. McCabes, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Tickets are $25. -- Todd Martens

Mike Watt and Le Butcherettes @ the Echo. It might be blasmphemous in this town to write about the support act rather than garage rock legend Mike Watt, but let’s face it: Watt’s a regular, and we are, to be sure, lucky to have him. But perhaps just as exciting is the opportunity to catch Mexican punk rockers Le Butcherettes before everyone falls in love with the act at the South by Southwest conference and festival in Austin, Texas, next week. There’s some performance art in a Le Butcherettes gig, but leader Teri Gender Bender doesn’t need many, if any, adornments. She has a striking snarl, one that lashes its way around the rhythm like a whip in ‘Dress Off’ and one that reaches spine-wringing heights in ‘Bang.’ Don’t be alarmed Americans, it’s only U.S. foreign policy she’s giving a lashing when she shouts, ‘You love me / You love me / And now you want to kill me.’ The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd. Tickets are $12 at the door. -- TM

Saturday

Devotchka @ The Music Box. A swooning mix of Eastern European Gypsy music, lush orchestral ambition and widescreen indie rock, this group landed on the national radar with its work for the ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ soundtrack. The band’s latest album, ‘100 Lovers,’ mines similar musical frontiers to dramatic effect. The Music Box at Henry Fonda Theater, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets are $26, not including surcharges. -- CB

Book signing! ‘Niceness In The ‘90s: An Indie Music Memoir,’ Jim Miller @ La Luz de Jesus. Chicago native Miller had a prime seat to take in the underground rock scene of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, working with L.A. bands Black Angel’s Death Song and Trash Can School, as well as having a booking stint at the now-fabled downtown rock club Al’s Bar (may the Anchor Steam-supporting haunt rest in peace). Pop & Hiss hasn’t received an advance, but plenty of behind-the-scenes looks at the likes of Jane’s Addiction, L7 and Nirvana, among others, are promised. Plus, the event is free, and you can always pick up some dashboard hula girls at the store/gallery. La Luz de Jesus, 4633 Hollwood Blvd. Free. -- TM

Sunday

North Mississippi Allstars @ Pappy & Harriet’s Palace. Since this band’s debut album ‘Shake Hands with Shorty’ staked their claim as the next big thing in white-lightning-fueled delta blues, this trio led by Luther and Cody Dickinson settlled into a relatively predictable groove as they became favorites of the jam-band circuit. Now with the loss of their father, Memphis legend Jim Dickinson, the brothers have put out their most compelling album since their debut with the recently released ‘Keys to the Kingdom.’ Pappy & Harriet’s Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. Tickets are $10. -- CB

Even more weekend events! Dance fans! Read about HARD Weekend.