Roadtrips

After three self-released experimental/instrumental EPs, Sonic Youth are finally gearing up to release a new Geffen disc, A Thousand Leaves. The first single, "Sunday," just went to radio this week, and the band will be playing a preview gig in their adopted hometown of Northampton on April 24. Also on the bill is an instrumental duo featuring Television dude Tom Verlaine and Jimmy Ripp. And opening are a group whose namesake produced the latest SY disc, the Wharton Tiers Ensemble. That's at John M. Greene Hall at Smith College (800-477-6849).

There's ska and punk and racial unity in the heartland this week, as the "Ska Against Racism" tour extends the two-tone checkered-cool metaphor at the Palladium (508-797-9696) in Worcester on April 24. In addition to the standard fare (Toasters, Less Than Jake, Mustard Plug, MU330, Five Iron Frenzy), showgoers will also get a glimpse of the new Asian ska wave from Japanese dudes Kemuri and the Bruce Lee Band. Meanwhile, NOFX -- who once referred to themselves as White Trash, Two Heebs, and a Bean -- bring the snot-punk noise to Clinton's St. John's Gym (800-477-6849) on April 27 with the Bouncing Souls and Japanese punk-pop sensations Hi-Standard.

C.J. Ramone -- yes, of those Ramones -- brings his new band, Los Gusanos, to the Linwood Grille (617-267-8644) in Boston on April 23, and to the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence on April 24 with Alley Sway and Veronica Black Morpheus Nipple. And the already legendary gearhead-punk outfit Nashville Pussy hit the Met on the 28th before moving to the Middle East (617-864-EAST) in Cambridge on the 29th. Gaunt and the Cosmic Psychos open both bills.

His daddy's old bandmates just did an album with Steve Albini, but Jason Bonham's still stuck in his father's footsteps, gigging with a Led Zeppelin cover band. Opening for this tour: a Canadian metal band, Noise Therapy. Oof. They're at Mama Kin (617-536-2100) in Boston on the 24th and at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence on the 28th.

--C.C.