Old punks don't die, they just go country. But don't take The Knitters for bandwagon-jumpers. Dave Alvin's Blasters practically invented the souped-up roots rock that got shit-kickers and tongue-piercers sharing the dance floor, and X, three-quarters of whom carry over, came closer than any quote-unquote punk band to traditional r'n'r. You could argue that the band's timing is no better this time around: If 1985's Poor Little Critter on the Road was ahead of its time, The Modern Sounds of … The Knitters (Zoë) is late to the alt-country party by at least a few years. Maybe it's just their way of making sure they have the stage to themselves.

Sat., Aug. 13, 11 p.m., $20, with Phranc, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.