Nicholas Clark Ashbaugh

Decapitated antiheroes, suicide bombers and 12-year-old soldiers round out this weekend's indie and limited release picks. A History of Violence - Drama starring Viggo Mortensen, directed by David Cronenberg. In this screen adaptation of a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, Cronenberg explores how an act of heroism unexpectedly changes a man's life. [trailer | local showtimes] Capote - Drama starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Bennett Miller. Truman Capote believed fact...

The alt-rock phenoms Death Cab For Cutie played to a full house last night at the Wiltern. With five albums of material at their disposal, the band selected an eclectic mix of new and old. All the big crowd pleasers were included, like "The Sound of Settling," "The New Year," "Soul Meets Body," and "Marching Bands of Manhattan." They saved the gems, "Transaltanticism" and "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" for the encore....

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free: LACMA's Friday Night Jazz Series features the Heather Evans Quartet in the LA Times Central Court at 5:30 PM. Stars take the stage at Amoeba Records at 6 PM. Call (323) 245-6400. Conductor Frank Fetta leads the Culver City Symphony Orchestra in a Veteran's Day concert tonight at 8 PM in Veterans Auditorium. For additional info, call (310) 837-5757....

Metric is a band that breaks the mold. They regularly pull off the difficult task of creating edgy, satirical songs like "Combat Baby," Monster Hospital" and "Glass Ceiling" that are catchy and politically charged. The fact that they can pull off this balancing act is a credit to the band's relentless goal to stay true to the music. As guitarist Jimmy Shaw states in this interview, the band is never satisfied with their own...

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free: Catch live Latin music from local artists every Thursday at Zona Rosa Cafe at 8:30 PM. Call (626) 793-2334. Akbar's Dirty Dirty House Club features house grooves from DJ Tony Powell. Doors open at 9 PM; admission is free before 10 PM. Call (323) 665-6810. Big Rockin’ Daddy & the Usual Suspects jam at Angelica’s Bar & Grill at 9 PM. Call (323) 269-5754. See a complete list...

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free: Dub Club play echodelic sounds of roots, rocksteady, ska, dub, dancehall, and reggae at the echo at 9 PM. The show is free before 10 PM. Call (213) 413-8200. The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra presents a tribute to Diz in Newman Hall on the University Park Campus at 7:30 PM. Call (213) 740-2167. Tina Stevens takes the stage with her band at The Kibitz Room in Canter’s...

If you're in the mood for smooth vocals and a fresh sound, check out Feist for free tonight at Amoeba Records at 6:30 PM. Call (323) 245-6400 for more information. Who's Feist you ask? This Canadian-born, French-based singer is nostalgic-sounding with a modern twist—mixing jazz, R&B and pop. Leslie Feist fronts her eponymous band with an effortless, mellow charm (reminiscent of Sade and Jem) that makes the music syrupy-sweet. But the the ease with...

Sample these tracks and let us know what's in your iPod playlist this week. Sabrosa Purr | Local Rock Liars, Petty Thieves and Pets [download] This threadbare, emotional track will grab your attention on the first listen. Songs like "Liars..." prove that Sabrosa Purr is definitely not a one-trick cat. Catch them live Friday, Nov. 18 at Alex's Bar in Long Beach. Metric | Alternative Too Little Too Late [download] Metric recorded "Old World...

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free: Circus Minor begin their November residency at Spaceland. The doors open at 8 PM and the show begins at 9 PM. Call (323) 661-4380. The USC Thornton Percussion Ensemble makes some noise in the Alfred Newman Hall at 8 PM. Call (213) 740-2167. The Chapin Sisters and I See Hawks share a dual Monday night residency at the echo. The show starts at 8:30 PM. For details,...

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge. SUNDAY, 11/6 Mews Small & Her Fabulous Females, Brad Kay and Justefanie perform at Unurban Coffeehouse at 1 PM. Call (310) 315-0056. The All Saints Choir and Orchestra perform Fauré’s Requiem and works by C.V. Stanford and Craig Phillips. The event is free but all donations will benefit Katrina recovery efforts. The show begins at 5 PM in the All Saints’ Church in Beverly Hill....