Led by female vocalist ES Pitcher, San Francisco's the New Up has taken a different approach to the standard debut album, deciding instead to spread its introduction to the masses with a novel series of connecting EPs. Made up of the entitled, “Broken Machine,” “Better Off” and a final installment due for release in the spring, the Bay Area five-piece has thus far presented itself as a group with a knack for crunchy guitars, psychedelic seduction and a vampishly dark smolder. Taking its Pleasure Pad recording space on the road, the New Up performs at Alley Katz with One Friend on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. $5-$7. 643-2816. — Mike Hilleary