BUZZ BANDS

Anderson dresses up

As a guitarist for hire, Rusty Anderson has few peers, having played with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sinead O’Connor, Perry Farrell, Courtney Love and the Wallflowers. Now Anderson steps to the front with “Undressing Underwater,” his first solo album, and a show tonight at Spaceland. “I’m not trying to conquer the universe; I’m just trying to get some music out there,” Anderson says of the 10-song collection that features appearances by McCartney and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. The album, a mix of classic rockers and twangy balladry, was started in early 2002 and recorded between touring stints with McCartney’s band. He also got production help from David Kahne, Mudrock and longtime collaborator Parthenon Huxley (who is also on the bill at Spaceland). “If I was ever going to do an album, this was the time,” Anderson says. He plans more shows in the spring after he returns from recording with McCartney in England.

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Slowly satisfying

Knock ‘em dead. Rock the house. These are the cliches to live by for most bands trying to carve out a niche in the live music scene, but Timonium has its own ideas about how to make an impression. “Our show is very introspective,” says guitarist Adam Hervey, 27. “It would ruin a party.” Timonium’s slowly percolating blend of dreamy, distant vocals and icy guitar passages generally produce more reserved displays of appreciation. “You bob your head, you space out. If the vibe is going well, everyone’s just really quiet and hanging on every note,” Hervey says. The band’s subdued fans and spacious songs mark it as part of the “slowcore” sound championed by artists such as Low and Galaxie 500, and that term also could apply to its work habits. Before drummer Adam Garcia moved to Los Angeles to join Hervey and bassist Tracy Uba, the group survived for nine years with Garcia commuting from San Francisco. “We worked in concentrated bursts,” says Garcia, 29. “I would come down for really intense, eight-hour-a-day practices.” The band’s recent release, “Until He Finds Us,” took nearly two years to complete, a process that contributed to Garcia’s decision to move. Timonium plays Spaceland on Sunday.

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Fast forward

Saturday’s show at the Troubadour will be a benefit for the CHIME Institute, a school that integrates children with disabilities into its classrooms. Among the bands on the bill: RX Bandits and Temecula ragers Finch.... Soft dreampoppers Bedroom Walls continue their residency on Wednesday night at Tangier in Los Feliz.... Speaking of residencies, the Hotel Cafe has mid-week regulars. Singer-songwriter Tom McRae started a six-week gig Tuesday; on Wednesday the husband-wife duo Wilshire kicked off a four-week engagement.... Run Run Run, the band with the dense guitar sound and the flashy light show, blew the power at the Derby on Jan. 25. Next gig: Spaceland, next Thursday....

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