Their name sounds like Japanese, but it's really just made-up nonsense. Does it matter? Their lyrics are actual Japanese and you probably can't understand that either. Regardless, this sweet pop-punk female trio lays down catchy riffs and beats in the universal language of rock and roll. Awesome stuff. The Japan Nite Tour, taking the long way home from SXSW, offers a full lineup of rare rock imports.

--Patrick Rapa

Wed., March 22, 8 p.m., $8, with The Rodeo Carburettor, The Emeralds, Stance Punks, PE'Z and Ellegarden, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Legendary mass offenders Anal Cunt have been terrorizing PTAs and Tipper Gores for almost two decades. Their furious interpretation of grindcore with ridiculous song titles fronts their goal of pissing off the entire planet. "I Lit your Baby on Fire" and "I Intentionally Ran Over your Dog" are tame, compared to some of the other titles from It Just Gets Worse. At least they had it right with "311 Sucks."

--James Saul

Fri., March 17, 6:30 p.m., $8-$10, with B.S.O.M. and H.O.B.A.G., The Balcony Bar (above the Trocadero), 1008 Arch St., 866-468-7619, www.r5productions.com.

Poetry, music and soaring architecture join forces in North Philadelphia on Sunday for The Poetry Project: Sonia Songs. The haunting words of Sonia Sanchez have been set to music by four composers, and those works, as well as instrumental music by contemporary black composers, will be heard in a magnificent and underappreciated treasure of Philadelphia's architectural heritage.

--Peter Burwasser

Sun., March 19, 3 p.m., $5, Church of the Advocate, 1801 Diamond St., 215-848-7647, www.networkfornewmusic.org.

When space-age bachelors Stereolab lost longtime lab tech Mary Hansen to a bicycle accident in 2002, the Groop held sway, reformed their lineup and harnessed brilliant rays of sunshine with Margerine Eclipse. Their latest, Fab Four Suture (Too Pure), is a collection of four limited-edition EPs released over the past two years. The songs are moody and urgent, but still groove with all the bleeps and bloops you'd expect from the Lab. Ex-Sea and Cake members Sam Prekop and Archer Prewitt open.

--James Saul

Mon., March 20, 8 p.m., $20, with Sam Prekop and Archer Prewitt, TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000, www.electricfactory.com.

Johnny Cash's stepdaughter, June Carter's daughter, Rosanne Cash's stepsister and Nick Lowe's ex-wife: With associations like those, it's not surprising Carlene Carter's own music has gotten lost in the shuffle. Luckily, her first four albums have been reissued on two CDs by Wounded Bird Records, making her peppy, New Wave-inflected country (or vice-versa) available to a new generation of fans. Live appearances are far and few between, but Carter must be feeling the vibe for all things Cash.

--Sam Adams

Sun., March 19, 7 p.m., $20, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.