Thanks to everyone who made it out to Les Savy Fav at McCarren Park yesterday for the Stereogum/Ice Cream Man-curated kick-off of JellyNYC’s rock ‘n’ roll pool parties. Especially those who Tivo’d Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in order to see great opening sets from Proton Proton, Dragons Of Zynth, and Holy Fuck w/ Beans.

Jelly did a fantastic job with the space, which is bigger than three olympic sized pools, but hasn’t seen any swimming since 1983. As promised there were dodgeball tournaments, free ice cream, Brooklyn Brew, and a fancy 27 foot inflatable slip ‘n’ slide.

LSF’s Tim Harrington is a madman, and he’s bringing sexy back. Thousands of hipsters were in a frenzy from the second the band ripped into “Tragic Monsters” and Tim ripped off his shirt to reveal a fake sunburn.

Talk about connecting with your audience: the kinetic frontman was pure punk, leaping in and out of the crowd for the entire set, bringing kids onstage to clap and hula hoop, pouring beverages down their throats, and laying down a tarp for them to carry him overhead. He even ran out to the dodgeball court mid-song and joined the match. No singing ‘n’ slip ‘n’ slide, though; probably a bit dangerous. (Or not?! Thanks Jeff!) During encore “Rome,” Tim poured a bag of confetti on his head, then water, then more confetti. I bet he’s a lot of fun at cocktail parties.

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Wednesdays offer slim pickings during CMJ week. But Jeff and I caught plenty of memorable gigs on Day One. I’m living it up until Friday, ’cause that’s when I leave for my bachelor party (Vegas, baby … I’ve never been). Don’t worry, though — Jed and Jim will be taking over concert coverage over the weekend. Plenty more pics and quasireviews to come.

PELA @ Bowery Ballroom. I wasn’t really paying attention, and was bummed I missed King Of France. I know Glenn likes ‘em. Sorry, I can’t recommend one way or the other until I listen further. Lousy blogging so far, I know — stay with me kids…

FORGET CASSETTES @ CBGBs 313 Gallery. We tried to meet up with Jenny at regular CBGBs … DENIED. We weren’t too disappointed (heard the new LP is “outstandingly bad”). Forget Cassettes were sexy, but Jeff was itching for some Cribs…

THE CRIBS @ Bowery Ballroom. Ran into Cameron and Hartley, both of whom let me stand in front of them to snap a pic of the bloody Jarman bro. I enjoyed their sloppy rock. The new Libertines perhaps? But nothing you’ll be fawning over in 2006.

BEANS W/ HOLY FUCK @ Bowery Ballroom. Holy shit is this dude talented. And Holy Fuck were bananas with the backup beats.

At this point we walked a few blocks to Crash Mansion to see Asobi Seksu. Shot the shit with Keith, who is moderating a panel you can attend on Saturday. Waited for the band to take the stage. Waited more. Fuck it, back to Bowery for Devendra.

DEVENDRA BANHART @ Bowery Ballroom. Never felt strongly about the wacky folkie. He seemed like someone I would like: I LOVE Joanna Newsom, Sufjan, pretty much everything on Paw-Tracks. But he’s disappointed me in the past (76 recorded songs in 3 years … they can’t all be winners). Pareles sums up my preconceived notion here: “Devendra Banhart is amazing. No, he’s annoying! Amazing! Annoying!” But get this … the band actually rocked. Late in the set he invited two random audience members to take the stage and play a song THEY wrote (he’s done this before). “Anyone here write songs? Come up … you can use my guitar.” Devendra closed with that tune that’s not about pedophilia.

After the gig, we spotted Antony (& Not The Johnsons) across the street. Moving on…

JOHN VANDERSLICE at Mercury Lounge. Very cool, and he brought buzz band Viva Voce onstage for an encore of “Exodus Damage.”

A first night. It’s only gonna get better.

Who did you see/going to see?