When I found out a band called Pinky Doodle Poodle was coming to town, my first thought was, "oh great, another 'quirky,' probably-Canadian band with a featureless sound that can only be labeled 'indie.'" But upon closer examination, it turned out they were a truly wailing three-piece from Japan. (Keep in mind, Japan checked out of reality sometime in the 80s; they're not coming back, and you can only assume "Pinky Doodle Poodle" is postmodern Japanese for "really awesome...thing.")

Their sound has the pop sensibility of Melt Banana's later, listenable stuff, but replace the glistening pop-punk with Boris-esque big British rig meanness and the rusty noise-outs of Guitar Wolf. Big in Europe and Japan for some time now, PDP has a reputation for stellar live shows, and their stop at Mohawk tonight (47 E. Mohawk St, 8PM, $7) marks the beginning of the group's stint in our great pretty good city, where they'll be recording their American debut. The bill also features 86 To Nowhere and Contagious Woo. Get over your apprehension of their name, and get downtown.