Mere Mortals bass-guitar bombshell Mimi Star knows a thing or two about good ol’ U.S. rock ’n’ roll. A transplant from the Land of the Rising Sun, Star, armed only with two bass guitars and two suitcases, wanted to leave her land for greener rock pastures during the explosion of glammy, androgynous male J-rock bands in 1998. Since arriving, she hasn’t looked back. She doesn’t even have a favorite band from her homeland; instead she prefers Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins. But what makes Star worth seeing? Her iron licks and the total annihilation of all female bass-playing stereotypes. “Yes, I’ve always gotten some kind of stereotyping,” she says, “like they think I’m a soft and feminine player ... I look very innocent, but on the stage I look very tough, like a samurai!” –Aaron Thompson

Mere Mortals with Furs, Sparkler Dims. June 13, 10 p.m., $5. Bunkhouse, 384-4536.