Often, looking at the local live music calendar is a lot like stringing together the old sayings “all the usual suspects” at “all the usual places.” Club owners like to stick with the tried-and-true; they are business people, after all. But this week they seem to be game for something different.

On Jan. 29, Club 101 in San Rafael (815 W. Francisco) returns to its rock roots (it was Bedroxx for a brief time) when Vinyl keyboardist Jon Korty brings his friends along for support; 21 and over only, and be aware that all the clubs normal dress code policies will be in affect, something some Marin music lovers might not be used to ($10, 8:30). Also appearing will be the '80s cover band, the 85's.

Meanwhile, Mill Valley's 142 Throckmorton brings around Dave Wakeling and his posse, the English Beat, whose normal Marin haunt is Fairfax's 19 Broadway. It has come to my attention that Wakeling has been having some problems with the club scene lately; some particular robust slam dancing at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, and some sort of show-long running feud with club security (and the lighting guy) at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa. Perhaps he thinks it's the hard booze, because the Throck only serves beer and wine ($25, $28 at the door, all ages, 8 p.m.).

Also on Jan. 29, and complete with a full bar, independent country music star Natasha James cruises through Rancho Nicasio to support her new CD “Tequila Time.” James'

latest has earned her country album of the year at the Los Angeles Music Awards, and she herself is up for best female artist of the year on the 2010 RockWired readers poll. Go see why she's riding high on the charts, and it ain't the tequila ($10 and $12, 8:30 p.m.).

Club owners once again enter the picture Jan. 30, because it is Marty Balin's 67th birthday. The former Mill Valley resident famously owned the Matrix nightclub in San Francisco (now owned by Gavin Newsom's Plumpjack group, which also owns the Balboa Cafe in Mill Valley) where he assembled a house band that later became the Jefferson Airplane. He left the Airplane only to return to the Starship, only to leave again to produce a rock opera in 1980 with a then-struggling Novato guitarist named Mike Varney. Entitled “Rock Justice” and about a rock star put in jail for not producing a hit, the show itself was a flop. But it inspired Balin to start his solo career and convinced Varney to head into music production, where he later founded the very successful Novato-based Shrapnel Records.

For Balin's big day, the clubs are back with the tried and true. Greg Brown and Bo Ramsey appear at Petaluma's Mystic Theatre ($25, $28 at the door, 18 and older, 8 p.m.) and Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are at Rancho Nicasio ($15, 8:30 p.m.). The Wild Fox in Novato presents Damir and Derek (free, 8 p.m.) and the Sleeping Lady in Fairfax hopes to attract some American girls with Petty Theft ($7, 9:30 p.m.)

Then, on Jan. 31, 19 Broadway tries something new with a samba-forro-reggae-inspired Brazilian Carnivale with Wild Tribe (cover TBA, 9 p.m.). Odd for several reasons, Carnivale isn't until next month, the aforementioned Club 101 usually hosts Brazilian events and reggae is from Jamaica. Perhaps it will be fun anyway.

Finally, for those who need a little “mouth organ,” Mark Hummel (of the Blues Survivors) presents his Blues Harmonica Blowout midweek (Feb. 2) at Petaluma's Mystic Theatre ($25, 8 p.m.). Former participants have included: Huey Lewis, Charlie Musselwhite and Magic Dick (I'm not kidding; he played with the J. Geils Band). This time around scheduled performers are: Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds), Rod Piazza, Rusty Zinn, Andy Santana and the Aces. Come see how they blow.

For band listings, musical news, music-related gossip or related sightings, contact Doctor.rock@live.com.