As summer nears and bands kickstart their warm weather tours, Incubus is no different.  Vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Michael Einziger, drummer Jose Pasillas II, bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore are packing up and heading out on a 31-city tour of the United States.

Their tour, celebrating the release of their two-disc collection “Monuments and Melodies” (scheduled to drop June 16) begins July 9 in San Diego California.  Along the way Incubus will stop in Las Vegas (July 11), Chicago (July 21) and Cleveland (July 29).

“Monuments and Melodies” is more than just a greatest hits compilation.  While the first disc features 13 of Incubus’ hits, including four #1s, the second disc features 3 new tracks and 11 rare recordings—one rumored to be a cover of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”

This is not the first time a band has released a disc of top singles, paired with a disc of rare/unreleased tracks, covers, and perhaps even concert footage. No Doubt, who is currently touring, released a similar fan package in 2003.

Incubus fans get an even bigger treat.  When purchasing “Monuments and Melodies,” fans will also get access to “The Vault,” a new section on the band’s official website.  This will allow fans to view over 500 rare and unreleased videos, mp3s, and photograph.

The East coast leg of the tour starts in August, including shows in Boston (August 1), New York (August 4 and 5), Charlotte (August 12), and Miami (August 16).  The tour ends August 25, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Incubus recently released their album’s first new video single, “Black Heart Inertia.”  While the video itself achieves nothing all that creative or envelope-pushing—the basic premise involves a production assistant (played by Boyd) getting thrust in front of the camera as the leading man after he spills coffee on the intended actor (also played by Boyd).  It’s a music video concept that is tired and a bit boring; the video’s plot almost overshadows the music with its mediocrity.  Luckily, however, the music pulls the band through an otherwise mundane visual experience.  The video is of course at its best when it features Incubus doing what they’re made to do—playing a song, rocking out, and entertaining their audience.  Their sound is still familiar, still inherently Incubus, but evolving enough to attract new listeners while still engaging lifelong fans.

The video for “Black Heart Inertia” reconfirms perhaps the most important thing about Incubus’ upcoming tour—they still rock.  The sounds are fluid and evocative and all indicators are still pointing to Boyd as a great frontman.  Whether you see them jamming in Los Angeles or Toronto, fans will be a part of a musical experience they won’t soon forget.