OSAMA BIN ROCKIN

Friday, July 23

Tacoma's Osama Bin Rockin did not win "Best Band Name" in the 2010 Weekly Volcano Best of Tacoma poll. That's unfortunate, because they probably should have. Sure, there are some pretty sick-ass band names out there, some fairly memorable monikers, but just hearing this band mentioned makes me grin - every time. Perhaps I'm just simple? I don't know. Either way, the sonic cacophony presented by Osama Bin Rockin is exactly the kind of guttural, grindcore goodness you'd expect from a band not afraid to name-check the most reviled man in America on their calling card. Of course, the band also has a song called "God Is Totally Gay," so you get the point. It's rapid. It's loud. It's definitely not pretty. And it's pretty fucking metal. Be sure to buy the band a round of PBRs after their set. - Matt Driscoll

[O'Malley's Irish Pub, 9 p.m., no cover, 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.9403]

THE NEW UP

Friday, July 23

San Francisco's The New Up kind of sounds like an updated, slowed-down version of the old Hammerbox. Like, Carrie Akre's Hammerbox - all ferocious and female and flannel covered, circa 1990-whatever. But don't get me wrong; this five-piece is no rehash. While the scene stealing rock guitars, gut-punch hooks and the voice of female frontwoman ES Pitcher lend themselves to Hammerbox comparisons, there's definitely an air of originality to the indie rock The New Up pumps out. It can shape-shift from classic rock to iPod-contemporary at a moment's notice, and with no loss of impact - which is a skill few current bands seem to posses or even desire. After releasing the debut EP in 2008, the well received Broken Machine, The New Up is planning the release of a new EP, Gold, in August. - MD

[The 4th Ave Tavern, with Offshore Radio, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, 210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.1444]

EIGHTBALL BREAK

Friday, July 23

Toward the end of Eightball Break's song, "Kickin' Myself in the Ass," the guitars smooth out and lead singer Nick Millward breaks it down for us, saying we'll soon regret not asking that girl out when we see her walking with a lesser man. It's a slyly winking acknowledgement from Eightball Break that, beneath all of their rock 'n' roll attitude and pop-punk flourishes, in the end it's all about the same stuff that men have found themselves obsessing over since men could obsess. Take most any rowdy rock band and wipe away that posturing, and what you're left with is Del Shannon all over again: pining and lovesick, kicking himself for not having the guts to talk to that girl. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Young Sportsmen, Eccentric Souls, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

THE VARIETY HOUR

Saturday, July 24

"Champion the underdog," the Variety Hour's Rob Olsen urged me through email earlier this week. I decided to listen, and with good reason. You see, Olsen's Variety Hour is playing The New Frontier Saturday, on the same night that much of Dome District hangout's usual ironic crowd will probably be at Bob's Java Jive for The Nightgowns, Drug Purse, et al. And, truth is, even after I write this blurb that will probably still be the case. But, that's not to say the Variety Hour isn't totally worthy, and that whoever is smart enough to check in at The New Frontier Saturday won't be pleasantly rewarded by the band's mix of old and new. Evoking "the early ‘90s sounds of Britpop and shoegaze acts like Teenage Fanclub and Swervedriver," according to the Volcano's Rev. Adam McKinney, The Variety Hour is a good bet for doubling your live music money this week. Go ahead, champion the underdog. - MD

[The New Frontier Lounge, with guests, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]