The Maine are five cute lads from Tempe, Ariz., who are proving that there's still air left in that balloon known as pop-punk.

They did one of those free, not-so-secret MySpace shows (it was announced at the last minute, anyway) at the Echoplex a while back, and there was a line of kids all the way to Glendale.

Their new album, the Howard Benson-produced Black & White, is chock full of hooks, melodies and their undeniable charm, and before the quintet hits the road in support of Never Shout Never, they have a short run of headlining gigs. Included is tonight's gig at the House of Blues.

Where's the parental drop-off zone?

Elsewhere: Fresh from his appearance with Wu-Tang Clan at the Saturday's Rock the Bells, GZA holds forth tonight at the Echoplex. … On the day their debut album Pickin' Up the Pieces is released, Fitz & the Tantrums perform at free in-store at 7 p.m. … Chris Isaak brings his “Wicked Game” to the Greek Theatre. … And, is anybody here driving out to Ontario for Justin Bieber's little show at Citizens Business Bank Arena? Thought not.

Also: Tanya Morgan and TiRon at Spaceland; Manda Mosher at the Hotel Cafe; Monster Eats the Pilot at the Viper Room; Henry Wolfe and Charlie Wadhams at the Echo; Thriving Ivory at the Troubadour; Wilding at the Silverlake Lounge; Monte Montgomery at the Mint; Kid Theodor at El Cid; Captain Ahab and the Pukes at the Downtown Independent Theater after a screening of “The Scenesters;” Chelsea Boys at Echo Curio; Bonossus and the Gnomefly at the Smell; and the Neighborhood Bullies at the Redwood Bar.

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