Sat. April 7

 The Rudds have been responsible for some of the finest club rock in this fair city. Saturday April 7, they bid farewell to guitarist Brett Rosenberg, who's taking his axe to Nashville (like many a Bostonian before him). The Rudds headline the bill at Johnny D's. The club flagged the show by saying they'd be doing covers from the '70s-'90s, but the Rudds Tony Goddess tells us they'll also "be playing every song of our 'Get Your Femuline On' record including John (Powhita's) tribute to Brett, 'Rock and Roll Napolean.' It's the last song on the record and the one we've never played live. I'm sure we'll hit some covers including some Prince, Hall and Oates, Cheap Trick, Todd Rundgren, the O'Jays, Supremes, Coasters, Gap Band and Madonna.... Also we have a cult legend, Jack O'Hara of Eggs Over Easy opening up. The band started the 'pub rock' scene in the UK in the early '70s and released a classic album for A&M in 1972. Jack will be playing songs from his and the Eggs songbooks as well as probably some Dylan and Jimmy Reed covers." O'Hara takes the stage at 9:45, to be followed by the Rudds. Tickets: $10.

17 Holland St., Somerville, 617-776-2004 johnnyds.com

Fri. April 6

"Baby, did you forget to take your meds?" sings Brian Molko over and over, a concerned, desperate plaint, at the end of "Meds," the title track of Placebo's re-released CD, "Meds." It's a great, hook-packed song and there's a little joke in a band called Placebo writing it. It's kind of hard to believe this, but Placebo, a British trio, has been with us for a decade. They still seem so ... new. But, of course, Britain's thrown wave after wave of alt-rock bands at us since 1997. Placebo, which starts a North American tour at the Roxy Friday April 6, reminds us of Blur and Pulp - smart, revelatory pop songs not without a bit of self-recrimination. Placebo straddles a land between darkness and light, not unlike the Cure did. They also cover Kate Bush's sublime "Running Up That Hill" (you might have heard their version on "Bones" or "The O.C.") Want another sign of integrity? They've got R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe sharing vocals on "Broken Promise." Said Molto: "I think over time we've developed a reptutation for being quite complicatedand I think we enjoyed the freedom of going back to basics on this record. We allowed space for the songwriting to shine through rather than show up how clever we were and how good we've gotten at using a studio. We were going for simplicity rahter than elaboration." Simplicity, maybe. Simple-mindedness, no. Eveline opens. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25.

279 Tremont St., 617-738-7699 roxyplex.com

Thurs. April 5

If your mentors are Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Chick Corea, chances are you might be up to something good. Pianist Hiromi Uehera was mentored by those folks and she's won all kinds of awards for her work, including best jazz act at last year's Boston Music Awards. (She came to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music and here she stays.) On "Time Control," her latest, Uehera throws pop, classical and avant-garde into the jazz stew. Ethos? "I was inspired to write these pieces because my life is so hectic," she says. "I regularly feel jet-lagged and always seem to be in a different time zone. I find myself at airports with more time to think about time and I often wonder, 'Am I controlling time or is time controlling me?" We feel like that most of the time, and we haven't been leaving on many jet planes lately. We get that way flipping channels or surfing the web. We get that way compiling this column, and realizing the vastness and diversity of arts and entertainment options that are here in Boston. But we're straying. We are suggesting you check out Hiromi at 8 or 10:30 p.m. at Scullers Jazz Club Thursday April 5. Tickets: $22.

400 Soldiers Field Rd., 617-562-4117 scullerjazz.com

Thurs. April 5

Truth comes out of comedy. Think back to Lenny Bruce or Richard Pryor. Think up to Chris Rock and Bobcat Goldthwait. Consider the TV guys, Bill Maher and Jon Stewart. Being a comic gives you a certain "freedom" that straight news commentators or polticians often feel they can't employ. They can use humor to illuminate a terrible situation, they can make us laugh at things we "shouldn't." Which brings us to "Banned in Boston," the annual benefit put on to raise money for Urban Improv at Avalon, Thursday April 5. There, a whole bunch of people - famous in their fields - take stabs at sketch comedy that often skewers themselves, their rivals or the city itself. You'll never hear host Natalie Jacobson in such an irreverent setting. You'll also see: Mayor Tom Menino (yes, that's him as a gumshoe in an Banned in Boston show past), second-timer Gov. Deval Patrick (do you think he'll be careful?), attorney general Martha Coakley, restauranteurs Jody Adams and Todd English, Red Sox honcho Larry Lucchino and many more. They may be saying inappropriate things. They may dress inappropriately.  Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton - a long time supporter - is usually in drag, but this year he's Borat. That's called taking a risk. Food and drink at 6, the performance starts at 7:15. Tickets: $150 or $75 if you're under 40. (Take that! AARP members. No discount for you.) We've been to several of these events. There are certainly some groaners, and some well-intentioned skits that fall flat. But, it's a hoot watching everyone try, and sometimes real zingers come out it. Like, "Did he really say that?" Yes, but in the guise of comedy, remember. It can't be held against him.

15 Lansdowne St., 617-524-7046 urbanimprov.org

Wed. April 4

The last time they did this thing they turned away 100 people at the door. The hottest new rock band in town? Hardly. It was a gig by members of Opera Boston Underground playing the Lizard Lounge - which actually is underground. The whole idea, music director Gil Rose (in photo) says, is to put classical music into a setting that's comfortable and unthreatening to a younger audience. An audience that appreciates music, but maybe wants to sip a drink and not be surrounded by the aura that sometimes accompanies the classical world: Music for those of privilege. This time the program is "French Kisses: Songs of French and American Cabaret." Rose hosts mezzo Glorivy Arroyo and tenor Christian Figueroa, who will be accompanied on piano by Angela Gooch. It features French and Egnlish composwers, with most selections sung in English. One hitch: No advance tickes are available for this. So, be aware the doors for this show, Wedensday April 4, open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30. Cover: $8.

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-451-3388 operaboston.org