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ROCK: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. With Young Sportsmen, Eccentric Souls, Friday, July 23, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020 - Rev. Adam McKinney
INDIE ROCK: 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 moments 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. With Offshore Radio, Friday, 23, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, The 4th ave Tavern, 210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.1444 - Matt Driscoll
METAL: 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. Friday, July 23, 9 p.m., no cover, O'Malley's Irish Pub, 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.9403 - MD