Patti Smith can’t be pegged down.
The rock icon helped blaze a trail for not only women, but for punk rock in general, during her 1970 heydays, establishing herself as a sharp-minded songwriter.
Since then, she’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and written a memoir, “Just Kids,” that won a National Book Award.
Now the 68-year-old singer is heading back on the road. She’ll launch a West Coast tour with a date at the Moore Theatre at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19.
Smith has never been a hit maker, per se — her most recognizable song, “Because the Night,” is probably best known thanks to a cover by the 10,000 Maniacs. But her critically lauded output has nonetheless won plenty of devoted fans.
Her most recent album, 2012’s “Banga,” again found the literary-minded Smith blending spoken word pieces with her songs.
Tickets are $27.50 to $42.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
The String Cheese Incident also is headed to Seattle, as the famed jam band settles into the Paramount Theatre for a two-night stand. Concerts are at 8 Jan. 16 and 17.
The Colorado-based group released its debut in 1997 after a few years of steady touring and, in its earliest days, playing shows in exchange for ski lift tickets.
Now a well-respected act known as much for its relentless live shows as its rootsy blend of pop, rock and country, the group is touring behind its new album, “Song in My Head.”
That disc hit No. 123 on the charts — indicative of an act that has won its fans with live shows, not studio albums.
Tickets are $45.75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
RL Grime will also play a pair of shows, as the bass-heavy electronica artist hits the Neptune Theatre at 9 p.m. Jan. 20 and 22.
The producer has turned heads with his self-released output and some high-profile remixes — his take on Kanye West’s “Mercy” has been streamed online more than six million times so far.
He’s touring now behind his proper debut album, “Void,” which saw release in late 2014 and found him collaborating with Big Sean, Boys Noize and How to Dress Well.
Tickets are $21.50 to $75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Steel Panther, meanwhile, will return to Seattle less than two months after opening for Judas Priest’s Tacoma Dome show. The group is playing the Showbox SoDo at 9 p.m. Jan. 17.
For an act that started as a joke, Steel Panther has proven remarkably durable. The group released its debut in 2003 and has since slowly dialed up to 11 its take on hair metal and crude humor.
The group is touring now behind its fourth studio album, “All You Can Eat,” featuring the single “Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World.”
Tickets are $25 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Finally, E-40 will hit the Showbox for a concert at 9 p.m. Jan. 18.
The prolific Bay Area rapper, known for his over-the-top style, has been churning out albums recently.
He’s released seven discs since 2011, with another two expected this year.
Tickets are $25 to $27 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
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