Wednesday, Jan. 26Dr. Lonnie Smith TrioBacked by guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, Smith’s pioneering B3 and synth work provides the bedrock from what will probably be a funky good time. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $18.50–$20.50Vells + Treasure StateThough the Vells’ Flight from Echo Falls (Imputor?) is somewhat snoozy, it’s something of a grower, too, and they’re working on new material as you read this (unless, um, they aren’t). Well regarded indie rockers Treasure State are celebrating the release of their new album, Migration. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $6Thursday, Jan. 27Hassan HakmounMorocco’s best-known vocalist, Hakmoun (who now lives in New York) is a hypnotic singer and gimbri—a steel-stringed instrument—player, especially in a concert setting. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $22Daniel HiggsDon’t expect the thickly bearded, eccentric, much-revered Lungfish frontman to mine his band’s back catalog tonight. He recently released a Jew’s harp improv album on Ian MacKaye’s Northern Liberties label, which explains why he’s performing at the 1412 collective’s unassuming new Capitol Hill art space. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave., 206-322-1533, 8 p.m. $5–$15Q-Bert + Jazzy Jeff + Grand Wizard Theodore + DJ Flare + DJ JuniSEE SW THIS WEEK, P 39. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $15Scissor SistersSEE FEATURE, P 41. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $21–$23. Members will also DJ Wed., Jan. 26 at Baltic Room.Wall of Sound Night: Molly Tenebaum + Sam MickensThis installment of Wall of Sound’s monthly happenings focuses on those who work the strings. Poet and old-time banjo wrangler Molly Tenebaum ought to be dark and funny; Dead Science singer/guitarist Sam Mickens might just be dark. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $5Friday, Jan. 28HemSEE CD REVIEW, P 43. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $15No MotivThis is the type of interchangeable, Bic-flicking emo tripe Bryan Adams would’ve made if he’d come of age in the early ’90s. Sure, it’s a little more mature than Simple Plan or Good Charlotte, but what’s the point of gearing heartcore toward an older audience? Paradox Theatre, 1401 N.W. Leary Way, 8 p.m. $8Saturday, Jan. 29Aquarian Birthday Bash: IQU + Apeshape + the LightsNot sure whose birthday(s) this is, but as an excuse for some good, varied bands to play together, we’ll take it. IQU are one of the city’s best electronic groups; Apeshape feature members of Halo Benders, Unwound, the Jicks, and Built to Spill. Slo Asions and DJ Sappho also perform, and “special guests” are said to be involved as well. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $7Death by StereoDbS is a step up from the usual Warped Tour crapola, if only in terms of production value and content. The vocals border on System of a Down jibber-jabber, the drumming is rote punk-by-numbers, and the sporadic metal solos are totally out of place, yet it all somehow congeals into something listenable and kinda raucous, if not particularly vital. Neumo’s, 6 p.m. $10 adv.Merle HaggardIs Haggard country music’s greatest songwriter? It’s a tough call, but he may be it, from early classics like “Mama Tried” and “Sing Me Back Home” to more recent goodies like “That’s the News.” Last year saw the issue of 40 #1 Hits, which says it all and is as essential as its title implies. Helluva singer, too. Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 888-831-1655, 7 p.m. $25–$50Home Alive BenefitThis show celebrates, and benefits, Home Alive’s new space by pairing the purposeful pop-punk of Ms. Led with Free Verse, who are a female-fronted metal-punk band. Botox Aftermath and the Insurgence practice socially conscious punk as well and Mark Brubeck is a spoken word artist. Home Alive Studio, 1415 10th Ave., 9 p.m. $5Lateef the Truth Speaker + the PerceptionistsLateef was (is? Hope so) one-half of Latyrx with Lyrics Born, and he’s got a rambunctiously bumpy and infectious flow. The Perceptionists is Mr. Lif, a great MC, and Akrobatik, a good one, teamed up and hopefully political, since Lif does that better than just about anyone in hip-hop. A great bill. Chop Suey, 6 p.m. $12 adv.OTEPThe eponymous vocalist of this band calls herself “a conductor,” whom things “just flow through.” Uh-huh. Your official Tori Amos Quack-o-Meter may run red, but luckily, her band is steeped in death-metal black. The only thing coffee shop about OTEP is the Cookie Monster in her primordial growl. Catwalk, 7 p.m. $13 adv./$15The Ruby DoeHopefully, tonight’s release of Always With Wings will vault this been-around-forever local trio out of relative obscurity. The new tracks fall nicely in line with the Doe’s driven, economic post-math catalog. Akimbo headlines. VERA Project, 7:30 p.m. $7 with club card/$8Tuesday, Feb. 1Johnny AInstrumental rock is more plentiful than ever thanks to the post-rock imperative taking over indieland in the mid-’90s, but Johnny A’s more of a traditionalist, playing relatively straightforward and driving instead of moody and unwinding. He also does Hendrix’s “Wind Cries Mary” as acid jazz, so make of that what you will. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $16Regina CarterThe Detroit-bred jazz violinist brings a four-piece backing band that includes drummer Alvester Garnett, pianist Alon Yavnai, and bassist Chris Lightcap. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $20.50–$24.50