Shonen Knife

Fortunately, this isn't an album review. On CD, Shonen Knife requires an acquired taste or a strange appreciation for "Engrish," as the Ramones-loving girl trio adds little more to the three-chord pop-punk formula than weirdly worded phrases sung in Japanese accents. Luckily, their live presence, which makes a rare overseas appearance in Dallas on Thursday, is a completely different story, as the women's enthusiasm, even after playing for more than two decades, still outshines their younger protégés. Better put, Shonen Knife could totally whoop The Donnas' asses.