Blues and All Kinds of Rock Will Pop Up

Pop music highlights, in chronological order:

* Bob Brozman, Shade Tree Stringed Instruments, Laguna Niguel (Jan. 10): This acoustic folk-blues player from Northern California wrote the book on steel-bodied guitars (“The History & Artistry of National Resonator Instruments”), but his performances are based on wit, not pedantry.

* John Doe, Club 369, Fullerton (Jan. 10): X, the cornerstone band of L.A. punk rock, ostensibly hung it up for good last year, but John Doe, half of its vocal and songwriting team, already has shown he can do fine on his own with two solo albums that reveal his country and roots-rock influences.

* Baby Lemonade and Liquor Giants, Linda’s Doll Hut, Anaheim (Jan. 10): Two superb inheritors of ‘60s rock team up, with L.A.’s Baby Lemonade deriving its key inspiration from the Beach Boys, while O.C.-L.A. band Liquor Giants does enormous credit to its roots in the Beatles and Kinks. Both rough up their influences with a touch of modern-rock rawness.

* Surf Rock Benefit and Summit, Galaxy Concert Theatre, Santa Ana (Jan. 12): Ted Feland, a roadie and friend to many bands on the Southern California surf-rock scene, badly injured his back in a September swimming accident; among the classic surf-instrumental acts who’ll play on this daylong bill to pay his medical expenses are Dick Dale, the Chantays, the Surfaris, the Lively Ones and Davie Allan & the Arrows.

* Koko Taylor & Her Blues Machine, Galaxy (Jan. 16): Well into her 60s, this Chicago blues legend known for her celebratory vitality and earthy, lowdown growls can still can pitch a wang dang doodle with the best of them.

* Leon Redbone and John Hammond, Coach House, San Juan Capistrano (Jan. 18): Redbone’s eccentric, laid-back persona and old-time acoustic music and the always-extraordinary Hammond’s full-on passion for traditional acoustic blues should make for an evening of interesting contrasts.

* Zapp, featuring Roger, Galaxy (Jan. 18): Roger Troutman’s synthesized, electronic “voice box” is a gimmick that stuck--witness this ‘80s R&B; veteran’s key role in Tupac Shakur’s hit, “California Love.” Zapp remains a reliably tight and entertaining exponent of high-energy, old-school funk.

* The Delphines, Wank, Charley, Linda’s Doll Hut, (Jan. 24): L.A.’s Delphines, featuring former Go-Go’s members Kathy Valentine and Gina Schock, should delight fans of catchy garage-rock; the punk-leaning Wank and ‘70s glam-influenced Charley are strong O.C. contenders who write good, melodic songs.

* Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Irvine Barclay Theatre (Jan. 25): A protege of the late, great Dewey Balfa, Riley is a leading young accordionist and bandleader on the traditional Cajun music scene.

* New Edition, Blackstreet, the Pond of Anaheim (Feb. 1): Bobby Brown and his old Beantown comrades in New Edition have reunited for a new album, “Home Again,” and are touring with Blackstreet, a hit pop-R&B; act (“No Diggity”) led by singer-producer Teddy Riley.

* The Offspring, “Ixnay on the Hombre,” (Feb. 4 album release on Columbia Records): The follow-up to the Offspring’s 8-million-selling “Smash” figures to be the most-watched O.C. release of ’97. It’s another shot of catchy, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll that should give this savvy punk band a good shot at not being separated from its massive fan base.

* Type O Negative, Galaxy (Feb. 14): Not exactly the ticket to a traditionally sweet St. Valentine’s Day celebration, but this New York City-based psychedelic hard-rock band has a dark, doom-laden grandeur that should suit those who like their romance on the gothic side.

* Steven Curtis Chapman, the Pond (Feb. 15): Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and D.C. Talk may have higher profiles outside of their Christian-pop fan base, but Chapman’s heartland-rock style has made him one of the genre’s biggest draws.

* Merle Haggard, Galaxy (Feb. 20): It seems that B.B. King’s crown as the touring music legend most likely to play Orange County has been passed along to the bard of Bakersfield: This will be the country-music icon’s fourth O.C. appearance in 13 months. That’s fine, since Haggard’s enormous repertoire and spontaneous style reward repeat exposure.

* Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Irvine Barclay Theatre (March 15): Be aware of the Ides of March if you think you might enjoy an evening of uplifting, spiritual singing and vibrant dancing--the trademarks of this South African group led by Joseph Shabalala.