The underground punk

Punk. Poet. Chanteuse.

Each of those terms are weighty descriptors, but throw the three words together and conjure an image that's impressive and iconic.

Exene Cervenka and Patti Smith, obviously. But also the lesser-known but still influential Meri St. Mary.

In the '80s, Mary was part of the early punk scene in Hollywood (where she appeared in music videos as well as the 1984 cult punk film Suburbia) and, later, San Francisco where she and a handful of musicians formed the Housecoat Project.

In the '90s, Mary continued performing in San Francisco with bands such as Sex is a Witch and also launched a radio show, The Underground Sound, on KVMR 89.5, the indie Nevada City station.

These days Mary can still be heard on KVMR; she's also a noted spoken word artist and, of course, still makes music.

Throughout the years, Mary's work has explored the gritty counterculture, feminist themes and the sometimes unpleasant intersection between commerce and art.

Mary's latest album, Protagonista, comprises a collection of new experimental electronica songs produced by Th' Mole.

The four songs here represent a departure from the musician's punk roots: They're spacy, surreal and decidedly not for the faint of heart. Mary debuted the album in November in Berlin and is now set to perform a handful of stateside shows, including a gig at Shine. Roots Like Mountains and Instagon are also on the bill. $5, 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at 1400 E Street; http://meristmary.com.