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Some shots from last night’s Green Day show at the forum. More will be featured in a follow-up review of the show that will be posted sometime tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Billie Joe Armstrong and 12-year-old fan Giovanni Sosto, from Costa Rica, share some stage time during “Know Your Enemy.”

The RITZ Ybor has announced that the 70’s Soul Jam featuring The Stylistics (pictured), Chi-Lites and MC Jimmy “JJ” Walker due to take place this Friday, August 7, has been postponed and will not be rescheduled until sometime in 2010 (no date has been confirmed). Refunds are available at the point of purchase; tickets purchased online will be automatically refunded.

Vinyl:

Antony & the Johnsons – Aeon 7”
New single from ‘The Crying Light’. Includes the earnest and impassioned cover of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love.”

Assjack – Assjack
Death-metal band founded and fronted by Hank III.

Fruit Bats – The Ruminant Band
Using bright melodies, defiantly major-key chord structures, natural imagery mixed with the occasional blazing insight and tender observation, The Ruminant Band marks a further crystallization of singer/songwriter Eric Johnson’s own melodic instincts and overall vision.

Guided By Voices – Under the Bushes, Under the Stars 2xLP+MP3
The last GBV album with the original lineup of Pollard-Sprout-Mitchell-Fennell. Beautiful original gatefold packaging. Double HQ-180 vinyl includes download code.

Gus Gus – 24 / 7
Sixth album from the Icelandic electronic/dance collective.

Jimi Hendrix – Live at Woodstock
2XHQ-180gram LPs.

Julian Plenty – Julian Plenty is Skyscraper
Solo album from Paul Banks — lead singer of Interpol. This varied album runs the gamut from folk-tinged acoustic songs to orchestral guitar anthems.

Jay Reatard – Watch Me Fall LP+MP3
Vinyl now, CD due August 18.

Sian Alice Group – Troubled, Shaken, Etc.
You get your minimalist trances, electronic experimentation, techno thump, jazz motifs and Eastern music tropes. A complete listening experience.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll 7″
Picture disc with remix b-side.

Yim Yames – Tribute To LP+CD
A few days after George Harrison passed away in 2001, Yim Yames (aka Jim James, lead singer for My Morning Jacket), was moved to record this six-song EP of Harrison covers.

CDs:

Anchor & Braille – Felt
Anticipated debut album by Anberlin front man Stephen Christian with some help from friend Aaron March (Copeland).

Antony & the Johnsons – Aeon EP

Assjack – Assjack

Amanda Blank – I Love You
Blank is a member of a loose collective of musicians that includes Spank Rock, Santigold, and Diplo. She takes the influences of 90’s R&B, ‘80s dance, indie, new wave and Brit pop and weaves them into her own double Dutch.

Catie Curtis – Hello Stranger
A veteran artist with a 15-year career, Curtis has recorded nine solo albums. Hello Stranger features Curtis in the company of a select group of Nashville all-stars on re-workings of some fan favorites.

Miles Davis + Sonny Rollins – Classic Prestige Sessions 1951-1956
In the early 1950s, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins developed a friendship and working relationship that produced some of the best and most important jazz of the decade. Prestige Records proudly presents this all-new compilation that showcases some of their stellar work together.

Fruit Bats – The Ruminant Band

Greymachine – Disconnected
Greymachine is a collaborative effort between Justin Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh, Napalm Death, et al), Dave Cochrane (Head of David, God, Ice), Diarmuid Dalton (Jesu, Godflesh) and Aaron Turner (Isis, House of Low Culture).

Gus Gus – 24 / 7
Sixth album from the Icelandic electronic/dance collective.

Herbaliser Band – Session 2
Contains live favorites, from the underground beats and breaks of their 1997 album ‘Blow Your Headphones’ to the more lush, soulful grooves of  ‘Same As It Never Was’. Limited double-disc version combines both releases.

Kool Keith – Lost Masters 3XCD
44 tracks- three CDs for the price of one!

Lightning Dust – Infinite Light
Infinite Light finds duo Amber Webber and Joshua Wells (both of Black Mountain) calling upon the powers of classic pop arrangements and making the most of five days with a Steinway Grand piano.

Medeski, Martin & Wood - Radiolarians III
‘The Radiolarians’ series, designed to challenge the traditional format of touring after a record’s release, has found Medeski Martin & Wood thriving and making some of their most creative and innovative music in years.

Modest Mouse – No One’s First and You’re Next
A collection of B-sides from the ‘We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank’ and ‘Good News for People Who Love Bad News’ sessions.

John Patitucci – Remembrance
Featuring Joe Lovano and Brian Blade.

Julian Plenty – Julian Plenty is Skyscraper

Seasick Steve – Doghouse Music
It has sold over 200,000 copies in the UK alone, hitting the number 1 spot in the Independent Charts three times in 18 months. Seasick Steve has been “breaking through” for 45 years.

Sian Alice Group – Troubled, Shaken, Etc.
You get your minimalist trances, electronic experimentation, techno thump, jazz motifs and Eastern music tropes. A complete listening experience.

The Smiths – CD Singles Box Set 12xCD
A clamshell cardboard box containing the first ten UK-issued Smiths singles in original picture sleeves, featuring the original track listings, apart from the first single “Hand In Glove,” which appears in its mega-rare negative sleeve. Two singles are exclusive to this box set: The rare Francois Kevorkian-mixed New York 12” version of “This Charming Man” (1983), and the German import-only 12” version of “Barbarism Begins At Home” (1985). Limited edition (10,000).

Solillaquists of Sound – No More Heroes
Orlando based hip-hop quartet Solillaquists Of Sound have accomplished the rare feat of creating work that’s hip-shakingly gratifying to the casual listener and groundbreaking, imaginative and rewarding to those looking for something more. For fans of Sage Francis, The Roots and Digable Planets.

Robin Trower – What Lies Beneath
New studio album from the guitar hero. The package includes a day-by-day diary of the creation and recording of the CD.

Various Artists – An Anthology of Chinese Experimental Music 1992-2008 4xCD
Sub Rosa presents a four CD anthology of experimental music (1992-2008) from Mainland China and from countries within the Chinese area of influence, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Featuring 48 diverse artists, this collection is designed as a journey through what is currently happening underground in these regions, tapping a seemingly endless wellspring of new, hidden talent. It also looks at the recent past and the key role of pioneers like Wang Fan, Dajuin Yao, and also Hong Kong-based Li Chin Sung aka Dickson Dee who, for almost two decades, has been spreading the word about experimental music in Mainland China.

Various Artists – Up All Night: 20 Heavy Nuggets from the Golden Age of Hard Rock
Anyone who thinks the hippie era was all about peace, love and flowers will have a rude awakening when they hear this blistering collection of frenetic proto-psych-metal.

Wildbirds & Peacedrums – The Snake
Sweden’s extraordinary drums and vocals duo return with a fierce follow up.

Yim Yames – Tribute To
A few days after George Harrison passed away in 2001, Yim Yames (aka Jim James, lead singer for My Morning Jacket), was moved to record this six-song EP of Harrison covers.

DVDs:

Elvis Presley – The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances
Along with the King’s groundbreaking September 9, 1956 debut on the program, this compilation includes his October 28, 1956 guest spot and the infamous final appearance on January 6, 1957 in which he was filmed only above the waist.

Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords Season 2
All 10 episodes from Season Two. Five hours total.

Here a few concert announcements I received this past weekend.

No Clubs Presents sci-fi horror metal makers GWAR with special like-minded guests Job for a Cowboy and The Red Chord Sunday, October 4, at The Ritz in Ybor City. Tickets are $19 in advance/$22 day of show, and go on sale this Saturday, August 8, beginning at 10 a.m. The 25th anniversary tour marks of the band’s “re-awakening on planet Earth” celebrates their most “sonically devouring, instrumentally challenging” album to date, Lust In Space, due out August 18 on Metal Blade Records.

Tastemakers and THX Management have finally revealed part of the lineup for Summer Jam 5 on Saturday, August 29; The Honorary Title, featuring singer-songwriter/frontman Jarrod Gorbel, will headline the show at Crowbar in Ybor City with Cory Branan. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 dos, and can be purchased by clicking here. Confirmed local acts include The Beauvilles, The Sheaks, Guiltmaker, Shunda K of Yo Majesty, Mogul Street Reserve, How Dare You, Blind Man’s Colour and many others, though there hasn’t been any word about which of the bands will perform at New World Brewery, the other venue hosting Summer Jam 5.

A weekly bulletin on musical guests playing late night TV; set your TIVOs or DVRs if you’ve got an early bedtime.

The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS
Monday, August 3: Levon Helm (original air date July 9)
Tuesday, August 4: Kelly Clarkson (July 13)
Thursday, August 6: St. Vincent (pictured, photo by Annie Clark, June 24)
Friday, August 7: Anthony Hamilton (February 11)

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, NBC
Monday, August 3: Gomez
Tuesday, August 4: All-American Rejects
Thursday, August 6: the Jonas Brothers
Friday, August 7: Flo Rida

Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, CBS
Thursday, August 6: Glasvegas
Friday, August 7: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC
Monday, August 3: Incubus
Tuesday, August 4: Arctic Monkeys
Friday, August 7: Julian Plenti

Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC
Tuesday, August 4: the Script
Wednesday, August 5: Miike Snow

Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC
Monday, August 3: Brett Dennen (rerun, April 23)
Tuesday, August 4: White Lies (April 24)
Wednesday, August 5: Lily Allen (May 5)
Thursday, August 6: Ida Maria (June 24)
Friday, August 7: Bobby Ray (May 6)

Saturday Night Live, NBC
Saturday, August 8: Fleet Foxes (rerun, January 17)

For those who missed it, here’s Regina Spektor performing “Laughing With” on Conan last Thursday, from her new album, far.

Kids are freaking great, right? They just keep getting smarter and more clever every generation. Here’s the latest whiz, 5-year-old Wesley, who performs his own unique rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” at the 2009 Spring Coffee Shop Jam at Columbia City Theater in Seattle. This is not a child being exploited or another chance for fanatical stage parents to put their kid under a spotlight. The clip is from an ongoing event that gives students at Heartwood Guitar Instruction a chance to showcase their abilities. I

I love how he says “twain” instead of “train,” and when he sings, “But I shot a man in Reno / just to watch him die,” it kills me.

Holy. Crap. Talk about getting one in right under the wire. No matter. We’re here. It’s still July and the podcast is live, so let’s talk about it.

This month’s podcast is divided into two halves. The first half is all about new music. In that section we have a song from the upcoming Lucero CD, 1372 Overton Park, as well as a phenomenal cover of Lucero’s “Better Than This” by ninebullets.net faves, The Fox Hunt. Incidentally, the new Lucero album is currently up for preorder. If you do preorder it, not only will you get the physical CD a few weeks prior to the “official” release date, you’ll also immediately get to download a six-song preview of the album (from whence the song on this podcast came). While we’re on the preorder tip, there’s also a song on the podcast from the new Chris Knight album, Trailer Tapes II. Like the new Lucero, Chris’ album is up for preorder, but if you preorder it now you’ll get to download a digital copy of the whole album immediately.

The second half of the podcast features bands from this year’s Deep Blues Festival, which I plan on posting a complete recap of next week. I featured American Relay in this segment who, unfortunately, played their last show ever at the fest. I believe they have a new album coming out, but there will be no tour to support it. Also featured is Davina and The Vagabonds. I had high hopes for this band and they lived up to every one. Matter of fact, during their set I tweeted the following: “Davina and the Vagabonds. Music you should fuck to“. I also decided to include Woodsbossman, Tom VandenAvond. He looks like he could be Scott H. Biram’s little brother and he writes some fine, fine music.

I closed this month’s Podcast with a track from Gainesville’s The Takers. Their new album has finally been released and you can get it at all your favorite digital outlets, plus you can read about the album here.

And that does it. Another month comes to pass. I am pretty happy with this month’s podcast and I think y’all will like it. Do me a favor, though. If you listen and you enjoy the show, please tell other people about it. The website’s stats have been increasing this month, but the podcast’s stats have been in decline. I am gonna try to do more advertising of the show this month, but nothing beats word of mouth.

Thanks, everyone. ~Autopsy IV (twitter: @autopsy4)

TRACK LISTING AND PLAYER BENEATH THE CUT

Tracklisting:

1. Drive-By Truckers – Nine Bullets [00.00.00]
2. Lucero – Hey Darling, Do You Gamble [04.03.00]
3. The Fox Hunt – Better Than This (Lucero Cover) [08.36.00]
4. Autopsy IV Commentary [11.56.50]
5. Truckstop Coffee – Ghost or an Angel [13.00.00]
6. Drive-By Truckers – Zip City [19.09.00]
7. Chris Knight – Highway Junkie [24.25.00]
8. Autopsy IV Commentary [28.57.00]
9. Matthew Dean Herman – Southern Belle [30.25.00]
10. American Relay – Bonedry [34.13.25]
11. Left Lane Cruiser – Amy’s In The Kitchen [37.19.25]
12. A Night In The Box – Rich Man’s Table [40.38.50]
13. Autopsy V Commentary [44.07.25]
14. Davina and The Vagabonds – St. Michael Vs The Devil [44.46.25]
15. Red Clay River – Rattlesnake Mountain [49.36.00]
16. Tom VandenAvond – I cant help It If Im Still In Love With You [52.44.00]
17. Autopsy Commentary [55.06.00]
18. The Takers – Taker Easy [56.09.00]

Download this episode (right click and save)

Shitty concert etiquette can destroy what could otherwise be an out-of-this-world concert experience. I’ve attended hundreds of metal, rock, and punk shows and witnessed all manner of drunken douchebaggery. The more intense the show, the more idiocy you’ll have to put up with.

I’m not a people person. I don’t go to shows to get shitfaced. I don’t go to shows to intentionally collide with people galloping in a sloppy circle while shadowboxing. There’s nothing wrong with either of those things, and I have no problem putting up with people who engage in them — I just want to enjoy an awesome live show.

Gogol Bordello played the Ritz Ybor last Monday. They were just as amazing as their last Bay Area appearance at the State Theatre, and I had an awesome time. Early on, however, I feared my evening would be ruined by the most egregious concert etiquette faux pas. An error so heinous it transcends rock shows and infringes upon normal everyday life: exceptionally awful body odor.

Vague artist rendering

A few songs into the set by well-selected tour openers Deleon, the otherwise fun-having crowd slowly growing in front of the stage encountered two 20-something males radiating foulness. The somewhat stocky kid of average build was clearly the second banana to Chief Stink, who towered at a lanky six-feet and would have stood out of the crowd just on the basis of his long, wavy red hair — that is, if he didn’t already fucking reek.

His hair was frizzed to near-Afro status due to the weeks-long drought of water and shampoo his scalp must have endured. I think grindcore pioneers Carcass named their first album, Reek of Putrefaction, after these two. They certainly reminded me of decomposing flesh. My wife remarked that Pigpen must smell like potpourri by comparison. The two of them, bless their hearts, brought energy to the center of the Ritz’s floor that outpaced the rest of the audience; but their smelly arrival prompted the creation of a one-foot halo of concertgoers around them who were hoping to avoid the stench. To make matters worse, the pair of stinkers started launching their rancid bodies into innocent bystanders, bringing an early start to moshpits characteristic of Gogol Bordello’s energetic headlining set.

As with all unwritten rules, exceptions will be made. I don’t see the point of going overboard with personal hygiene prior to any concert at Jannus Landing between March and November. Long festivals, especially outdoor shows like Warped Tour or Bonnaroo, are likewise exempt. But inside at the pleasantly renovated, well air-conditioned Ritz Ybor? For the sake of those around you, hose yourself the fuck off!

Only one group of people should be permitted to smell that badly at a rock show. You can usually find them on-stage.

It was ridiculously hot. It took me 15 minutes to realize that my white wife beater would become my face towel for the day. It was loud. It was colorful. It was my first time at Vinoy Park. And finally, at the age of 24, it was my first time experiencing Warped Tour.

It’s been three years since I attended a music festival and as I walked through the ticket line into a field filled with tents, stages, beer stands and even a slip n’ slide, I instantly recalled why I love outdoor fests; passing through the gates meant entering a world of the unpredictable and the unexpected. I didn’t know what kind of crazies I’d come across (there were bound to be some amidst the 10,000 attendees), what kind of new music I’d hear, or how pleased I’d be with the bands I was there to support.

The second thing I love about music festivals is people-watching. Scenesters were everywhere. I saw blue hair, purple hair, mohawks, rainbow socks, mesh shirts, ripped shirts, patched pants, asses hanging out of daisy dukes, bikini tops, all kinds of neon clothing, hundreds of tattoos as well as band shirts ranging from Minor Threat to Run-DMC to Hank Williams Jr. It was refreshing and entertaining.

I’m not going to lie, I was only interested in seven bands playing at Warped — Bad Religion, Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, Bouncing Souls, NOFX, Flogging Molly and Shooter Jennings (a surprising addition ) — but I was disappointed to find that the latter three acts fell off the line-up. However, Flogging Molly still had a merch tent set up, which Greg Graffin — lead singer of Bad Religion — made sure to knock at the end of Bad Religion’s set. Quite hilarious.

After arriving, my friend Zach and I checked out a couple of bands we’d never heard. I was able to tolerate the first, Chiodos, for about five minutes. Though the band seemed to have a solid fan base, the music just wasn’t for me; I’m not into the hardcore, scream-your-head-off fare with moments of melodic singing sprinkled in between.

When I asked a young girl the name of the next band I saw, she replied, “I set my friends on fire.” I stared at her with what must have been horror and contemplated whether or not she was on acid. “I’m sorry, what?” I asked. She replied, “The name of the band is I Set My Friends On Fire.” I laughed, thanked her and walked a safe distance to check out the two-man band from Miami. I only caught about five minutes of the show, and the music wasn’t memorable. Although, the one thing I did like about ISMFOF — and something I noticed at a few other stages — was the band’s intense energy and easy engagement with the crowd.

I found out the name of Cash Cash from a red-headed girl with cute freckles and braces, which should have been a warning sign. One of the musicians had a keytar so I had high hopes that the band would be better than the last two I’d seen. The members’ colorful attire and spunky attitudes perfectly correlated with their catchy, bubblegum, uber-pop sound. After listening to two songs, Zach summed it up perfectly: “They are the next stage of evolution for the boy bands.”

It was 3: 45 p.m.; time for Bouncing Souls.

I like Bouncing Souls, but it was my friend Zach who was eager to see them perform. I started out with him in the pit, but the second the push circles and moshing began, I backed away in fear of smashing my good camera and breaking my neck. Bouncing Souls delivered big for their fans, opening with “Kate Is Great” off 1997’s self-titled album. They also played cuts off Hopeless Romantic and How I Spent My Summer Vacation. I was happy to hear “Lean On Sheena” off their late, The Gold Record, because it’s the only Bouncing Soul song I know every word to thanks to its overplay on Sirius Radio. At the end of the set and in the middle of a song, vocalist Greg Attonito had fun with the crowd when he declared he was doing a first at Warped Tour — asking the audience to be as quiet as possible. “Everyone wants us to be loud, so we’re asking you to be quiet,” he said. It worked. The crowd was silent. He added, “Well done everybody, thank you, we appreciate it,” and then the crowd began devotedly clapping in sync and the song started back up for a strong finish. Zach’s description of the show: “Fucking brutal.”

Less Than Jake (LTJ) immediately followed Bouncing Souls. This was my third time seeing LTJ and the band was as good as ever. The musicians came out to the Star Wars theme and then picked up the tune with their own instruments. Trombonist Buddy Schaub never ceases to amaze me with his electrifying energy. He was all over the place, interacting with the crowd and loving the fans’ rowdiness. At one point he ran around, spraying the crowd with a water gun (pictured at left). I wondered how he had any breath left to play the trombone. As the band launched into “The Science of Selling Yourself Short,” I had a surprising revelation: I’ve always loved lead vocalist Chris Demakes, but for the first time I realized I’m more partial to bassist Roger Manganelli’s vocals. The Gainesville band had strong support from family members who’d turned out to see the show. Demakes’ mom (who appeared at the last LTJ show at Jannus) stood stage left and sang every word to every song — it was so endearing. Demakes’ mom wasn’t the only one singing along — of the two St. Pete policemen behind the barricades, one appeared to hate his job while the other sang along to LTJ’s tunes when he thought no one was looking.

LTJ’s setlist included: “Sugar in Your Gas Tank,” “Last One out of Liberty City,” “All My Best Friends Are Metal Heads,” “Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding” “Scott Farcus Takes It on the Chin” “Look What Happened,” “The Ghosts of Me and You” and “Conviction Notice.”

After LTJ we had an hour to kill before Bad Religion and Streetlight Manifesto. We took the opportunity to sit, cool down and take it all in. The Truth.com tent was having a contest to the sounds of Spice Girls and Aqua — it was bizarre and out of place. As I watched dirt that had turned into mud drip down my leg, I finally paid attention to the band that was playing in front of us, SET IT OFF from Clearwater. They were my favorite “new” band of the day, their songs catchy without being obnoxious. The musicians performed amazingly, breaking it down hard on stage.

At 6:55 p.m., we headed over to see Bad Religion.

I was psyched. I think it’s cool to see any band that’s been around for almost 30 years, and apparently so did a lot of other people. Bad Religion pulled one of the biggest, if not the biggest crowd at Warped Tour. After it started raining a couple minutes into the show, Graffin declared that whenever they play, it rains, because someone “up there” doesn’t like Bad Religion.” I got a good chuckle out of that one. The band was phenomenal. Graffin’s voice hadn’t changed; whether he screamed or sang melodiously, it was flawless. As much as the rain sucked, it was worth it to stick out the show. The set included “Infected,” “21st Century (Digital Boy),” “Requiem for Dissent” and “Sorrow.” On a side note, “Sorrow” was the last song I karaoked and let’s just say it was a real buzz kill for the crowd.

It was still raining when Bad Religion finished; a slight chill had replaced the unbearable heat. There was one band left I wanted to see — Streetlight Manifesto. I became a fan of the ska band over the past year and quickly fell in love with their first album, Everything Goes Numb. The band played a short set and there were some technical difficulties with the microphone. During a crowd favorite, “Here’s to Life,” the mic went completely dead, but the fans made sure to fill in the void with the appropriate lyrics. Even though lead singer Tomas Kalnoky’s vocals weren’t as strong live, the band was on point. There is something about Streetlight’s horn section that makes me want to dance … and I did.

My first Warped Tour experience was a blast. However it did somewhat defy my idea of the unexpected and unpredictable (at least when it came to the crowd): I had no exciting random conversations with strangers; I witnessed no fights or streaking; I came across no obliterated drunks; and I smelled weed less than five times. Maybe those are good things.