The Backyard Babies

Forerunners of the Swedish invasion that brought acts like The Hives, Sahara Hotnights and The Hellacopters, of which guitarist Dregen was a founding member, the Backyard Babies unleash a storm of rawk worthy of the Guns ‘n Poison Crüe, and have all the qualities we love in our lutefisk-loving axe grinders: a slavish dedication to the hair bands of the late 20th century, a tenuous grasp of the English language, and, uh, that’s mostly it. But what else do you need, really? The band joins Chelsea Smiles, The Black Halos, Brass Knuckle Choir and Ike Turner Overdrive at 8 p.m. Sunday at The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.

Unwed Sailor

Words are oh so unnecessary for Unwed Sailor, a grown-up math rock band with a tendency to dawdle on expansive, atmospheric soundtracks for sleepless nights. Thick fuzz-bass and chimy guitar arpeggios dominate the group’s compositions, which strike a comfortable balance between Slint and Godspeed You Black Emperor. Local poppers The Billions set the table, with help from KC newcomers Brunette at 7 p.m. Sunday at The Granada, 1020 Mass.

The Pomonas

Citing Jeff Tweedy, Stephen Malkmus and Alex Chilton as favorites, Lawrence songwriter Justin Ripley writes thoughtful acoustic pop songs with a self-effacing sense of humor and enough buoyancy to induce habitual toe-tapping. Ripley is branching out into the taverns with a new band dubbed The Pomonas that also includes brother Brandon Ripley, Ryan Laird (also of Chemical Ali) and Andy Gassaway. The band ups the energy and the volume of Ripley’s fractured pop tracks, which explore his latent desire to be a “Slacker in the Service Industry” or ride in a “Two Seat Cessna.” The Pomonas join The Maxtone Four and Joe Griffin at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Replay Lounge, 946 Mass.

‘Cinderella’

Lawrence native Will Averill’s comic version of “Cinderella” puts a post-modern twist on the classic, telling a tale of wildly dysfunctional fairy tale families, a bizarre dragon, cute narrating mice, dozens of wanna be princesses, a covey of wicked step-sisters and, of course, Cinderella and her reluctant Prince Charming. More than 60 fourth-seventh-graders in the Summer Youth Theatre program will stage the show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

Lawrence masters show

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo American Indian artist Barry Coffin has recently moved back to Lawrence and will be the first artist to show work at the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum on the Haskell Indian Nations University campus.

They’re calling it the Lawrence Masters Show because, like the annual golf tournament, only the pros are playing. Local artists Jim Brothers, Barry Coffin, Louis Copt and Stan Herd are joining forces for a one-night showing of their latest work. Brothers is a sculptor best known for his pieces honoring veterans; Coffin is an American Indian sculptor whose “War Mother” was recently dedicated at Haskell Indian Nations University; Herd will exhibit paintings but is best known for his crop art; and Copt has gained acclaim for his Flint Hills landscapes. The show will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Lawrence Visitors Center, 402 N. Second St.