The sold-out Ritz Ybor hosted not just a great rock show this past Friday night, but a study in concert audience dynamics. Two great bands, with zero in common musically, shared a stage in front of 1,300 passionate fans (mostly of one band or the other) on one band's home turf. [All photos by Nicole Kibert.]

Die hard Against Me! supporters were outnumbered by arms-crossed hipsters and oblivious girls in skirts and heels Tom Gabel of the sort mentioned in the band's song, "White Crosses." Against Me! plays a cheap punk rock show in the Tampa Bay area several times a year — it's no surprise many of their fans might have decided to skip this one due to the opening slot and ticket price. Silversun Pickups, however, haven't played Tampa in nearly three years. I was skeptical prior to the show, but Silversun Pickups was billed over Against Me! in Tampa for a reason.

The Henry Clay People — Silversun's cohorts out of Los Angeles' famed Silver Lake music scene — served quite capably as openers. Singer and guitarist Joe Siara stood stage left as the rest of his five-piece pounded bar jams somewhat reminiscent of The Hold Steady with John Easdale from Dramarama singing.

Against Me! [pictured above] followed, now touring as a five-piece with former Hold Steady multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay on keys. which were featured sparingly in the group's State Theatre show a few months back, but Franz was involved in every song this time — at many points to the band's detriment. (Check out the rest, more pics and the setlists for Against Me! and Silversun Pickups after the jump).

This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2010.