DESTRUCTION ISLAND

>>> Friday, March 9

Destruction Island makes big sounds and big hooks with their guitars, but the band persists in being betrayed by small sound. As much as Destruction Island puffs out its chests with these arena sounds, the band always cheat a look of uncertain modesty - like a plunky piano line or a hollow snare tap - to lend an aspect of humility to the proceedings. Though they largely succeed in dealing up proper, confident indie rock, they have a nagging need to bare themselves in plaintive ways. Driving and lively though their songs may be, there is a definite sense of searching, unsure wanting. Even if these notions don't strike you upon listening to Destruction, the strength of the band's indie pop songcraft should do well in propelling you from one song to the next. - Rev Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with DJ Babycham, 8 p.m., no cover, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

SCIENCE!

>>> Friday, March 9

The finger-plucking beauty and ease of Science!'s folksy, acoustic, storytelling is easy on the ear. Voted "Best New Band" in the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 Readers Poll, Science! has a rootsy vibe that goes a long way in a town like Oly. Comprised of vocalist Justin Stang and guitarist Jim Elenteny, "Science! is a musical pursuit of empirical evidence, using poetry and soundscapes to express the truth of daily life," according to the band's bio. Via phone, Stang and Elenteny have a more straightforward description. "We wanted something that was simple, that was universal, and that was truthful. That's a lot of how we view our music," says Stang. There's a familiarity with Stang's work in Olympia thanks to his contribution to the well known, nationally touring jam-rock outfit Sideways Reign. Elenteny, for his part, plays bass in the also-well-known Seattle-based jam act Nefarious Jones. Catch Science! in Tacoma this week when Stang and Elenteny hash it out at the Harmon Tap Room Underground along with show headliner Chris Hyde and Kitt Bender. - Matt Driscoll

[Harmon Tap Room Underground, with Chris Hyde, Kitt Bender, 10 p.m., $5, 204 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725]

TOO SLIM AND THE TAILDRAGGERS

>>> Friday, March 9

Take the modern alt-country blues sound of Drive-By Truckers, throw in the fun loving attitude and riff-blues-rock of ZZ Top, mix them all together and you get close to the vibe of Too Slim and the Taildraggers. This is real, down and dirty rock and roll - a delightful jumble of virtuosic slide guitar work from frontman Tim "Too Slim" Langford and the revamped rock sound of the Taildraggers. The band's vibe blends power-chord-driven, fun-loving nasty grooves with a new, indie-rock songwriting vibe. And it works. Don't worry, though, Too Slim and crew definitely infuse plenty of blues and Americana into their work. You dig? - Weekly Volcano

[Jazzbones, 7:30 p.m., $10 advance, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

SOUND ICONS

>>> Saturday, March 10

All right, so here's a thing that's happening: Saturday, an assemblage of Tacoma's most stylish bands will convene in one place, play music and have photographs taken of themselves in starkly fashionable rock ‘n roll clothing, and you will be there to bask in all the ridiculous, trendsetting-ness of it all. Reader, if you'll allow me to be frank with you, I will be there with absurd bells on my discount-bin shoes. Bands in toe: Interpol/Walkmen-devotees, Wheelies; dance-punk Tacoma provocateurs, Paris Spleen; and the inimitably badass all-girl metal duo, Lozen. These are all unequivocally cool bands in these parts and, fashion-focused evening aside, this is a bill worth attending - even in the blandest of clothes. Pro tip: come naked, and let stylists Del Brown and Najamoniq do you up right. - Rev. AM

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Wheelies, Paris Spleen, Lozen, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

ATOMIC OUTLAWS

>>> Saturday, March 10

Nothing fancy is at play here, just straightforward, riff-heavy RAWK with a little eyeliner around the edges. The Atomic Outlaws have been rock workhorses since the band's inception in 2007. As time has passed, the band has experienced several lineup changes, including shuffling through three lead singers, but the mission statement has remained constant: Through the use of guitars, drums, bass and big-old amps, the Atomic Oulaws aim to hurl rock 'n' roll at your head. Most of it will get in your ears, but if some gets on your face, they're fine with that, too. The Atomic Outlaws do not work in light brushstrokes. - WV

[Stonegate Pizza, 9 p.m., cover TBA, 5421 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255]