Music

Previews by Ann Powers (A.P.)., Richard Cromelin (R.C.), Casey Dolan (C.D.), Randy Lewis (R.L.) and Don Heckman (D.H.).

The Psychedelic Furs On anyone’s short list of overlooked singers should appear the Furs’ great Richard Butler, a man who has tamed his previous John Lydon-like snarky snarl into a surprisingly mellifluous and mellow instrument. Butler is certainly a character, but this edition of the band contains at least three original members, enough to ensure that the trademark swirling pop cacophony is still there. Opening is the playful, poppy Persephone’s Bees fronted by Russian Angelina Moysov, a singer-songwriter of critical vision. (C.D.) Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Today, 8 p.m., $27, (310) 274-5800.

Cheap Trick Some things get better with age. Who would have thought power pop was one of them? Growing older has made these quintessential Beatles-worshiping glam popsters tougher and a little bit deeper. The new songs aren’t half bad; the old ones sound momentous. Rock on, Robin, Bun E., Tom and Rick! (A.P.) Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, Today, 8 p.m., $55, Mon., 9 p.m., $75, (818) 879-5016.

Chris Brown The 16-year-old phenomenon has smooth moves, a smooth voice and is smoothly poised to abscond with the Prince of Pop crown owned by a certain Michael Jackson. It’s early in the game, but Brown is riding on an impressive debut album that displays an impressive range of urban styles. (C.D.) Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, Today and Mon., 6:45 p.m., Thurs., 7:15 p.m., $49.75-$99.75, (818) 777-3931; Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, Sat., 7:30 p.m., $49.75-$95.75, (714) 704-2500.

Social Distortion If the holidays are near, it must be time for the veteran O.C. punk band’s marathon of Southland concerts. With or without new material to tap, singer-songwriter Mike Ness and his cohorts rarely fail to look like they’re operating at anything less than full throttle. (R.L.) House of Blues Sunset Strip, 8430 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Today, 8 p.m., $27.50, (323) 848-5100; House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, Tues., 7:30 p.m., Wed., $27.50, (714) 778-2583.

Jake Shimbukuro It’s been said that this Hawaiian plays a little ukulele the way Tiger Woods plays a little golf. Images of a Rudy Vallee crooning while lightly strumming this toy-like four-string instrument melt away when Shimabukuro offers a virtuosic rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that likely would have Eric Clapton bowing down before him. (R.L.) Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Today, 8 p.m., $18, (323) 463.0204; Galaxy Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, Mon., 8 p.m., $75, (714) 957-0600.

Tierney Sutton Band When she identifies her group as the “Tierney Sutton Band,” she isn’t kidding. Together for more than a decade, Sutton, pianist Christian Jacob, drummer Ray Brinker and either Kevin Axt or Trey Henry have crafted a superbly empathetic setting for her musically adventurous singing. Expect to hear a New Year’s Eve program appropriately highlighting the transformative interpretations of happy tunes featured on Sutton’s Grammy-nominated CD, “On the Other Side.” (D.H.) Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Today, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., $25-$20, Mon., 7 p.m., Dinner Pack: $135, (323) 466-2210.

Talib Kweli Kweli is the dark horse of “conscious rap” and an urban poet who knows how to perfectly wed the message to the medium and not lose that essential, sensual bump. “Ear Drum,” his latest album, has some of the most intriguing samples and beats of any hip-hop album this year, competitively comparable to both Common and Kanye West’s releases. This New Year’s show also features DJ sets of Bloc Party and the Rapture. (C.D.) Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, Mon., 8 p.m., $110, (323) 466-7000

Paris a Go-Go Rufus Wainwright’s European tastes tend to the Germanic rather than the Gallic, and Belinda Carlisle has only recently ventured into the realm of the French chanson, but the singers are savvy and versatile enough to fulfill their New Year’s Eve mission: transform Walt Disney Concert Hall into a Parisian cabaret for a celebration set to a score of Piaf, Hardy, Gainsbourg, et al. The former Go-Go and the singer-songwriter will be joined by dancers and a Parisian-style band that includes drummer Jay Bellerose and keyboardist Dave Palmer (Air, Ray LaMontagne, et al.). (R.C.) Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Mon., 7 and 10:30 p.m., $53-$150, (323) 850-2000.