Bay Area weekend music picks, Dec. 30-Jan. 2

Here are The Chronicle's picks for nightclub happenings this weekend. Compiled by Kimberly Chun, Andrew Gilbert and Aaron Kayce.

Primus

Tonight and Friday @ Fox Theater: Primus' Les Claypool is a bona fide freak. He's also freakishly talented and one of the most influential bass players alive. Claypool might not take himself too seriously, but the psychedelic post-punk/experimental rock he dishes out with guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane in Primus borders on virtuosic. Set to perform 1991's "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" tonight and including opening act the Dead Kenny G's on Friday (featuring frequent Claypool sax collaborator Skerik), there's little doubt this will be one of the bay's most bizarre NYE celebrations. 8 tonight and 9 p.m. Fri., $42.50-$95, all ages. 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. www.thefoxoakland.com. (A.K.)

Ben Goldberg's Brainchild, Erik Deutsch Band, Lovely Builders

Tonight @ Starry Plough: This triple bill features three exploratory ensembles linked by Scott Amendola's (shown) dynamic drum work and electronics, including Berkeley clarinetist Ben Goldberg's stage-directed ad hoc combo Brainchild and Lovely Builders, an expansive duo with Sacramento guitarist Ross Hammond. The non-Cali ringer is keyboardist Erik Deutsch, a New Yorker who honed a deeply funky sound during several years with Charlie Hunter. 9 p.m., $8, 21+. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com. (A.G.)

Pinback

Saturday @ Bottom of the Hill: A new studio album has been a long time coming from the San Diego indie duo. Early in 2010, word had it that Pinback was well into the making of its next long-player, "Pinback Presents the Rob and Zach Show," the follow-up to 2007's "Autumn of the Seraphs," and hoped to release it later in the year. As the year draws to a close, fans can instead pin their hopes on the chance that Rob Crow and Armistead Burwell Smith IV will preview a few new tunes during this brief West Coast tour. With JP Inc. 10 p.m., $17-$20, 21+. Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. (415) 621-4455, www.bottomofthehill.com. (K.C.)

Admiral Ted Brinkley's Hornblower Cruise

Sunday @ the Jazzschool: While assiduously avoiding publicity, pianist-composer Graham Connah (a.k.a. Admiral Brinkley, shown) quietly sails his imposing vessel from its regular berth at Revolution Cafe to the East Bay for its bimonthly Jazzschool gig. As the name implies, he travels with a full complement of reed and brass officers, including trumpeter Darren Johnston, flutist Steve Adams and saxophonist Sheldon Brown. A Bay Area treasure, Connah writes passionately witty music that's not afraid to sound ridiculous or sublime. There will be sheet music. 8:30 p.m., free ($5-$15 suggested donation), all ages. 2087 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. (A.G.)