Johnny V’s hosts a lineup at SVSX featuring three of the many flavors of punk rock: rough-and-ready cowpunk from the Shitkickers, melodic pop-punk from Talky Tina and “Streek Punk” from the Forgotten.

Shitkickers
11:30PM, JOHNNY V’S
As they tell it, the Shitkickers began more than a decade ago. Back in the day, when they would walk down the rough-and-ready and often-stinky vicinity of Pierce and Seventh streets, their only fan was a dog named Betty. What is the best kind of music to drink to? Country? Bluegrass? Rockabilly? The blues? Punk rock? The Shitkickers like to drink so much, they figured why not play all of said drinking musical genres? (They have yet to tackle Celtic music.)

Whatever style, or mixture of styles, the Shitkickers are playing, they make sure it’s loud, powerful and fueled by drunken mojo. They don’t stick to just the standard rock instruments. They will bust out a fiddle or a banjo when the mood strikes. So expect a bit of a hootenanny at their shows. The band also has old song that showed their tender side with an atypically sad country tune about the Cactus Club—that old local club all the members used to get shitfaced at.

The Forgotten
10:30PM, JOHNNY V’s
The Forgotten play punk rock in the vein of GBH and the Clash, a.k.a. “streek punk.” The band began in 1997 with singer Gordy Carbone, guitarist Craig Fairbaugh, bassist Ken Helwig and drummer Shea Roberts, who were the second band ever signed to TKO Records. They currently have four full-lengths and three EP’s on the label.

The Forgotten also have releases on BYO, Knockout, Coretex and People Like You Records and have appeared on numerous compilation and tribute albums. Dave Kashka joined on drums in 1999; Johnny Gregurich came about in 2000 on bass. After guitarist Craig Fairbaugh left the band in 2003, Johnny shifted over to guitar. Bassist Nick Schuneman joined in 2006.

The current lineup consists of Gordy Carbone, Johnny Gregurich, Dave Kashka and Nick Schuneman. The Forgotten have played shows and/or toured with Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, the Unseen, the Casualties, US Bombs, Agnostic Front, Cock Sparrer, Anti-Nowhere League, Nashville Pussy and many others.

Talky Tina
9:30PM, JOHNNY V’S
Rock & roll will never go out of style. That is, at least, the mission statement of San Jose’s power-pop trio Talky Tina. Yet, even though they swagger with the best of ’50s and ’60s rock traditionalists, they aren’t retro-rockers. They have punk-rock flowing deep within their veins.

Bass player Dave Miller and drummer Dave Conrad came from legendary punk outfit the Odd Numbers to join bassist Scott Cofer. While the Odd Numbers played with an incredible amount of adrenaline, they, too, appreciated the classic bare-bones rock style. Talky Tina takes it one step closer to the source while never sacrificing spontaneity. In place of overt punk-rock power, Talky Tina weaves in some New Wave influences—like Elvis Costello and the Fixx—and some modern-day power-pop—à la Fountains of Wayne and OK GO. Whatever they decide to put into each song, what Talky Tina cares about most is keeping it simple and fun. Just as we went to press, Talky Tina delivered its brand-new eponymous CD. The very first song, “Tarred and Feathered,” takes off at warp speed, and the album picks up speed from there. No one who hears “No Beer, No Girls” will ever forget it—a perfect anthem of disaffection.

The Silicon Valley Sound eXperience highlights more than 20 local bands at nine venues in downtown San Jose starting at 3pm on September 22. Purchase tickets HERE.

Jonny Manak of Jonny Manak and the Depressives (full disclosure: Metro’s former in-house rock star) loves garage and punk rock with equal passion, at least that’s what his music suggests. He strings together bits of garage and surf from the 50s and 60s, early pissed-off punk rock from the late 70s and bits of well-crafted, catchy pop-punk from the 80s and 90s, blending it all together in a sort of punk-through-the-ages mixture.

Aside from the Depressive, Manak has played in the Forgotten, the Cliftons, Clay Wheels and the Odds Numbers. We asked him to give us a tour around San Jose from his distinctly punk rock perspective. There were his answers:

What part of San Jose are you from?

I grew up on the east side. There were a lot of spots to skate, the bike jumps at perk ponds to get rad on your BMX, cheap tacos and Mexican candy, the Berryessa flea market to get pocket knives, swords, ninja stars and other illegal items eight year old kids shouldn’t be able to purchase.

What’s your favorite place outside of San Jose?

The Pacific northwest! The best skateboarding in the world is up there. People are chill and the music that comes out of there is great. Whenever I’ve toured through Portland or Seattle, I’ve always wanted to stay. You could buy a huge house for what you’d get a townhouse for here. My wife and I joke that if we ever moved out of San Jose, we’d go to Seattle. But you’d have to say it with an English accent, “Sea-at-ow!”

What’s the best show you’ve seen in San Jose?

That’s a tough one. So many come to mind. The Buzzcocks at The Blank Club definitely is a standout. I was playing drums in one of the opening bands that night and I got to setup and sound check their guitars because the band was eating. I shit my pants dude! I was playing Orgasm Addict through their guitars and amps at sound check! They were on fire that night and it sounded like they sounded on their records from the 70s.

What’s your favorite local band/musician?

Damn, that’s really hard! Favorite local bands would be The Odd Numbers and Los Olvidados. Both bands rarely play these days, but when they do, look out. The dude dressed as a clown that plays trumpet in San Pedro Square has some chops. He’s got a creepy van and a cool bunny rabbit, too.

What’s your favorite place to get a drink in San Jose?

PT Liquors near my house. They have their own language. If you’ve been to my house, you know what I’m talking about, “my fren.” But the answer you’re looking for is a bar, so I’ll say The Caravan. Rachel is very talented.

Where’s a cool spot to shop?

Stevens Creek Surplus for Levi’s, Circle A for shoes, 23 Skidoo, Savers, Goodwill and Target for $10 button ups. Fun fact: you can trash dive behind Goodwill for some free fancy duds.

What’s your favorite spot for a cheap meal in SJ?

Crashing conferences at the Hilton. So good! Or go to a time-share seminar. Sometimes they feed you at those things. Also, wine mixers. Basically anywhere I’m not invited that serves food and drinks and any of the many east side $1 taco trucks are rad, too.

What’s the best thing about living in SJ?

The proximity to everything—beach, snow, SF, skate parks, it’s all so close. Herpes is running rampant in San Jose. That’s pretty cool!

Where’s the best place in San Jose to go relax for a bit?

On The Corner Music. There’s something very relaxing about digging through the $1 vinyl record bins.

Where’s the best place to see a show in SJ?

The Blank Club. My studio Cup O’ Pizza. That’s where the “Story Tellers” performances go down. Stoops.

What’s San Jose’s best kept secret?

I’m not telling, it wouldn’t be a secret… I guess I got one for you. Some of the hookers on First Street may be “packing heat” down below, if you know what I mean. It’s THEIR little secret. It’s like playing Russian roulette; you may be staring down the barrel of a “gun.” Extra equipment.