Sat. Aug. 14

 I first heard Russian rock band Mumiy Troll during the bleak winter of 2009 and it was their version of "California Dreaming" that got me revved. This is not uncommon in my world. The Mamas and Papas did exactly what they intended to do when the released this song back the '60s. Mumiy Troll was founded in 1983 in Vladivostok by linguist Ilia Lagutenko. (The name is taken from the name of the Tove Jansson characters, the Moomin Trolls.) At any rate, this quartet, which began as a garage band during the last years of the Soviet Union, is considered one of the most popular of Russian bands. Hey, like Plastic People of the Universe, they performed illegally and were even jailed on several occasions; as the climate improved for rock music, they became a popular act in Vladivostok. The band broke up when Lagutenko, who speaks both Mandarin Chinese and English, went to serve in the Russian army. But then he came back and they gained immense popularity with the release of their first (official) album. They're touring the States for the second time and are the Middle East Downstairs Saturday Aug. 14. Expect a charismatic band, lyrics said to be coy - sorry, we no speak - and an androgynous style. The music? Pretty melodic hard rock. Good kick, good edge, a good gamble for the rock fan whoses axis extends beyond the typical US-UK one. Run Run Run opens the show, which starts at 9. Tickets: $30, up $10 from their first time at the Middle, meaning people are willing to shuck out cash in these tough times for this uncommon band.

472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 www.mideastclub.com