The story of glam metal band L.A. Guns, who appear at the 710 Beach Club on Dec. 5, is a long twisted affair. Founded in 1983, the band has splintered into two group’s, both using the same name. Rest assured that the version performing this night is the one featuring founding guitarist, Tracii Guns alongside latter day Ratt vocalist Jizzy Pearl. While the band’s platinum charting days are far behind them and their line-up remains volatile, L.A. Guns still pack a punch live and ought to be particularly explosive in an intimate venue such as the 710. L.A. Guns: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/los-angelesguns Award winning flamenco guitarist Oscar Guzman comes to Tango Del Rey on Dec. 6. Though originally from Seville, Spain, the heart of flamenco territory, today, Guzman is on a perennial global road trip, doing his best to bring the century’s old music to new audiences. A virtuoso nylon string player, Guzman’s performance is a must for fans of flamenco or the guitar in general, with his passionate playing style perfectly matched to the songs. Oscar Guzman: Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. at Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St. $10. All ages. www.myspace.com/ On Dec. 6, Brick by Brick will host Carly’s Cause, a benefit concert to raise funds for the Cleft Palette Foundation. Proceeds from the door will go to help defray medical expenses for event namesake Carly Gugliotti, with two stages worth of talent on hand. Participating will be four San Diego Music Award nominated acts: The Dave Humphries Band, Veronica May and the To Do List, Roxy Monoxide and The Chris Leyva Band, as well as Get Rockin’. Playing before and between bands in the lounge will be an array of acoustic artists including the Katie Leigh Band, Reverend Stickman, Brooklyn MacIntosh, Lindsay White, Paul Moeller, Annie Rettic and Sweet Joyce Ann. This show is a wonderful opportunity to do a good deed while taking in a night of great music. Carly’s Cause benefit: Sunday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. at Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 21 and up. $12. www.brickbybrick.com Though the band also cites rock and psychedelic music as influences, the occasional cowboy hat is a dead giveaway. Billy Midnight, who perform at Tio Leo’s on Dec. 11, have country influences. But unlike today’s watered down pop country, this trio goes back to the music’s roots, emerging with a sound that touches on Bakersfield, CCR and, occasionally, late sixties Stones. The key to the band’s success is lead guitarist Billy Shaddox, whose melodic playing is sublime, though bassist Jason Hee adds real fire to the proceedings. If modern day country music has left you jaded, Billy Midnight just might be the antidote. Billy Midnight: Friday, Dec. 11, 9 p.m., Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/billy-midnight Formed in April 2008, Santa Barbara quartet Tommy & The High Pilots, who perform at O’Connell’s on Dec. 13, have all the ingredients to be chart contenders. These include a work ethic that keeps them on the road year round and a knack for writing songs that are heavy on the melody while keeping a rock edge. The band released its debut album “Everynight” last month, and it’s already winning favorable reviews for its mix of Ben Folds, Weezer and Beatles. Fans of power pop, with an emphasis on the latter, need to hear this band. Tommy & The High Pilots: Sunday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m., O’Connell’s, 1310 Morena Blvd. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/thehighpilots
