Traditional sounds have been making a welcome return to the spotlight over the past few years, and one of Southern California’s leading lights in this field is the Syncopaths, who perform at Dizzy’s on April 13. Featuring Ryan McKasson (fiddle), Ashley Broder (mandolin), Christa Burch (bodhrain) and Jeff Spero, (keyboards), the band started in 2003 as a contra dance band mixing Scottish, Irish, and American folk traditions, showcasing the music’s rhythmic appeal. The Syncopaths: Friday, April 13 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $15. dizzysjazz.com. Trumpeter Jason Hanna continues his Friday night residency at The Tangier Bar, through the summer. Hanna is one of the hottest players in town, with a suave stage presence and a terrific repertoire of both top-notch originals such as, “Over the Moon,” and countless standards. Hanna can be heard around town with his own group, The Bullfighters, as well as the Schizophonics Soul Revue and others, but he is perhaps at his best with his trio at this intimate location. Designed to look like it’s right out of the movie “Casablanca,” the Tangier is the perfect location to hear Hanna’s trio. The Jason Hanna Trio: Fridays, at the Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive. 9 p.m. 21 and up. No cover. bahiahotel.com. Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 performs with his band The Creatures at Brick by Brick on April 5. He has recorded with numerous major artists, including Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth and Ace Frehley, but material for this tour will be selected from his nine solo instrumental albums to date, as heard on his new album “It’s Alive.” John 5 normally plays arenas and stadiums, making this club date a must for fans of any of the aforementioned groups or hard rock in general. John 5: Thursday, April 5 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 7:30 p.m. 21 and up. $23. brickbybrick.com. Kash’d Out performs at the 710 Beach Club on April 6. Not to be confused with San Diego’s Cash’d Out, a Johnny Cash tribute band, this reggae quintet from Florida specializes in music with a pop-and-soul edge, their tunes, such as the single “Fireproof,” full of instantly memorable hooks. This is a band on an upward trajectory, sure to outgrow venues this size soon. Their most recent CD, “The Hook Up,” hit No. 2 on the Billboard reggae chart, with new album imminent. Part of a month-long coast-to-coast tour, the band is promoting their latest song, “On and Off.”
Kash’d Out: Friday, April 6, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $10. 710bc.com. Specializing in Elvis Presley’s Las Vegas, jumpsuit era, Graceland returns to Tio Leo’s on April 6. Though this phase of Elvis’ career has been much maligned, it’s not without it over-the-top charms. Singer Marlon Von Ratibor has a passing resemblance to the King, and an impressive selection of rhinestoned jump suits, but more importantly he and his band nail that Elvis showmanship during those years, at times bombastic, but always fun, with a set list full of crowd pleasers such as “Suspicious Minds” and “Polk Salad Annie.” Graceland: Friday, April 6 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com. Classic rock fans will want to hear It’s Never 2L8, who perform at Humphrey’s Backstage live on April 11. With both male and female vocals, the quartet covers a lot of ground, playing both a jukebox’s worth of retro hits from the likes of Tom Petty and Joan Jett, plus more recent crowd pleasers such as “All About The Bass” and “Uptown Funk.” Whether you want to hit the dance floor or just enjoy Humphrey’s great views, It’s Never 2L8 will provide the perfect soundtrack. It’s Never 2L8: Wednesday, April 11, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.