On the family tree of funk, no roots run deeper than New Orleans’ funky Meters. These groovesters broke into the charts 30 years ago, and over the next decade churned out a string of superfine recordings, served as one of the premier studio outfits in the biz, and, at their peak, toured with the Stones before a mid-’70s split. They regrouped about 10 years ago; the current incarnation features original Metermen Art Neville on keyboards and bassman extraordinaire George Porter Jr. The quartet also showcases the guitar wizardry of Brian Stoltz and the tough, syncopated rhythms of Russell Battiste Jr. Collectively, they cook up a sonic serving of swamp funk and soul, heavy on New Orleans’ signature spice. With new material in the can and a live CD in the works, funk’s forebears are as fresh and vital as the day Mick Jagger christened them “the best motherfuckin’ band in the world.” At 9 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $20. (202) 265-0930. (Daniel Weiss)