Pop anomaly

Japan’s Shonen Knife formed in 1981, and ever since, has been carrying the flag for underground indiepop with a punk aesthetic. Equal parts Ronettes and Ramones, the all-girl trio was playing garage rock before anyone was even considering that such a genre existed, in the process becoming a bit of an artistic beacon in the eyes of artists who would eventually become alternative music icons — among them members of Sonic Youth and Nirvana.

It is nothing less than a coup for Robby Takac’s Good Charamel records to have signed Shonen Knife to its roster earlier this year. In fact, according to Takac, the signing was the primary impetus for the label’s survival, at a time when the Goo Goo Dolls bassist was considering folding the venture.

Now, Shonen Knife is in the midst of a U. S. club tour, and on Wednesday, that tour will stop by the newly renovated Mohawk Place for an 8 p. m. show. To make matters even more interesting, the band will be recording the Mohawk show for its next Good Charamel release. So both Mohawk Place and Good Charamel will be going international. Come and be a part of history in the making.

Kepi Ghoulie (ex- Groove Ghoulies), Jeff the Brotherhood and Agent Me will open.

Underground notes

It isn’t all that surprising that Metric’s Emily Haines turned out the way she did. The Canadian poet Paul Haines, whose 1971 collaboration with jazz great Carla Bley “Escalator Over the Hill” is pretty much a masterpiece, is her father. In many ways, Haines and Metric are emblematic of this decade’s in-die- pop ethos — the band’s music is odd, angular, skittish, but hook-heavy and difficult to forget.

Even if you think you’ve never heard of Metric, you probably have — the band’s music has been employed as supporting atmosphere in high-profile television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Entourage” and “CSI: Miami.” Don’t hold it against them, though — Metric remains committed to the tenets of alternative music, meaning that its view of pop is idiosyncratic and eager to meet the mainstream on its own terms.

Metric comes to the Town Ballroom for a 7 p. m. all-ages show on Monday. Band of Skulls will open. Tickets are available at the Town Ballroom box office or through Tickets.com.

Lennon tribute

The annual “Cold Turkey: A Tribute to John Lennon” takes place at Nietzsche’s on Thursday. Scheduled to perform this year are Delaney Lowrey & Rob Giuliano, Leigh Stoner, Left on Red, John Brady, Andrew Delmonte, Heard of Buffalo featuring Randy Milligan and Mike Skoronski, Potter’s Field, Tom Fenton & Jim Iarocci, Brian Oherron and Peg Maloy, John Lombardo, Joe Rozler, Michael Meldrum, Alexander & Julia Meldrum, and many others. The show starts promptly at 8 p. m.

Gig picks

At 6 tonight, Xtreme Wheels hosts Breathe Carolina with guests Cash Can, Fight Fair, Kill Paradise and Stephen Jerzak. . . . Mike Zito, Ana Popovic and Jason Rico & New Blood play the blues inside the Lafayette Tap Room beginning at 7 tonight. . . . The Absolute Punk.Net Tour comes to the Tralf at 6 p. m. Tuesday. The Dangerous Summer will headline a bill that also incudes Mercy Mercedes, Between The Trees and Single File. . . . Thursday finds Big D and the Kids Table, with guests Ill Scarlett, performing inside the Town Ballroom, beginning at 7 p. m. . . . Next Friday, Genesis tribute band The Waiting Room comes to the Tralf for a 7 p. m. show. . . . The Pine Leaf Boys play the Sportsmen’s Tavern at 7 p. m. Thursday. . . . The Mad Caddies and the Johnstones play Xtreme Wheels at 6 p. m. Wednesday. . . . A heads up for Umphrey’s Mcgee fans — the band plays the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester at 8 p. m. Wednesday.