[HIP-HOP] + FRI, JULY 12

Will Farrell, Tom Hanks and Ernest Hemingway are born under the sign of cancer. In Olympia, Mark Bowen, of AKA and the Heart Hurt Goods, is a cancer too. Time to celebrate his 32nd orbit around the sun with an all out bash at The Royal featuring performances by Smoke of Old Dominion, Free Whiskey and a rare solo performance by Bowen. Boozie Collins is presenting and a special balancing act by Big Sam Miller (think kegs on a chin) will top off the celebration. Dancing will follow with the ever-electric, ever-fantastic Mothrider. Even if you don't know Bowen, this party is not to be missed. Hip-hop, sweet beats, lots of love and a glimpse of our inner species is what to expect. {NIKKI MCCOY}

AKA'S BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA, 9 p.m., The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way, Olympia, $5, 360.705.0760

[BLUESION] + SAT, JULY 13

As we've mentioned many times before, Perry Acker is named like a single dude, but it's actually a band ... a band that's on the rise. Not only did Perry Acker win Ford Motor Company's Gimme The Gig national battle of the bands contest in 2011, then open for Paul Rodgers, the Gig Harbor band is currently in the studio putting the final touches on a new CD.  Hear their latest mixture of blues, pop, rock and funk Saturday night at Jazzbones. {WEEKLY VOLCANO}

PERRY ACKER, w/Impossible Bird, Kate Turner, 8 p.m., Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, $10, 253.396.9169

[POP PUNK] + SUN, JULY 14

Pop punk made it all the way to France, as it turns out. Xtramedium, hailing from the French Riviera, have mastered all of the little emo flourishes and all the punky switches from contemplative riffing to spiteful rave-ups. Thrown into the mix is a healthy dose of lively folk punk, with interludes of ukelele and harmonica lending nuance to the proceedings. Befitting the coastal nature of their home, Xtramedium carry with them the same skater punk spirit of their counter parts in Orange County, but with a little flair of the sort of scowl typical of bands like Against Me! and the sort. Though the sun and sand and easy living are apparent in abundance, not all is idyllic for Xtramedium, and that hint of bite to their sound is a welcome wrinkle. {REV. ADAM MCKINNEY}

XTRAMEDIUM, w/ Bad Hex, 7 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, cover tba, 360.943.5710

[ROCK] + THURS, JULY 18

Mugen Hoso are a two-piece rock band from Japan. They sound like the perfect mix of the Clash and the Ramones. They do not sing in English, and their harmonies are outlandishly good. Needless to say, they are f---ing awesome. Good? Fine, I'll say some more. Seen in concert, Mugen Hoso are whirling dervishes of energy. All of the feeling confined to the minimalist arrangement of one drum set and one guitar is expelled in torrents of sweat and gigantic sound. The guitarist is an unbridled explosion of unironic high kicks, crowd-leaps, and joyous high fives. Going to a Mugen Hoso show is a workout for both the ears and all of your other underutilized extremities. Dip into the bathroom for toilet paper earplugs and prepare to be sore for the next day or so. {REV. AM}

MUGEN HOSO, w/ Red Red Red, the Mona Reels, 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, no cover, 360.943.5710

LINK: Live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area