Shanghai Valentine, playing this Saturday at the Kave in Bucksport, makes no bones about its origins.

“I’d been wanting to start a band forever, but Shanghai Valentine actually started at a Halloween party,” said Dave Sherman, bassist and co-vocalist for the Boston-based foursome. “Graham [Stetler, drummer] and I put together a Misfits cover band, and everyone loved it. A week later we found the rest of the band and we started right away.”

The Misfits, the legendary New Jersey punk band, remain a major influence in and among punk circles, inspiring bands such as Marilyn Manson, Pantera, AFI and Guns N’ Roses. Shanghai Valentine checks them first and foremost as an inspiration but admits there’s more to it than just Danzig-worship, citing bands as different as the Bad Brains and Andrew W.K. as influences.

“We grew up as hard-core kids, playing in the DIY hard-core scene,” Sherman said. “We draw directly from our influences, and we aren’t ashamed to admit that.”

On its Web site, www.shanghaivalentine.net, the band describes itself as being somewhere between robots, power and violence. Now what does that mean?

“I guess the bottom line is we don’t know how to describe our sound,” Sherman said. “We didn’t try to pinpoint exactly what we are. We’re referring to the fact that our sound is very loose.”

Shanghai Valentine, which also features guitarist Graham Field and vocalist and guitarist Marc Balois, is returning to the Kave after a successful show there in February.

“We love playing in Maine,” said Sherman. “The Kave is a pretty interesting phenomenon as well. It’s great to have an all-ages venue to play at. Everyone is so enthusiastic.”

Shanghai Valentine will play at the Kave in Bucksport on Saturday, May 7. Doors open at 6 p.m. Red Invasion, Seal Man Investigation and Chicago Typewriter will open. Tickets are $7 at Bull Moose Music locations and at the door. For directions to the Kave, visit www.thekaveclub.com, or call 469-6473. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Supporting acts

. The band Deerhoof delights in bringing opposites together. Singer and bassist Satomi Matsuzaki’s sweet, elfin vocals and whimsical lyrical observations are paired with Pixies-like slabs of guitar and drummer Greg Saunier’s huge, John Bonham-inspired drums. The result is nothing like anything you’ve heard before. Check them out at 8:30 Saturday night at the Space Gallery in Portland, with silken-voiced chanteuse Nedelle opening. Tickets are $8. For directions, head to www.space538.org.