It’s official. Doing press at Warped Tour is insane. There are so many stages and so many kids and there are interviews to do and people to talk to. Not to mention, we drove 12 hours to get to this show to see AFI. (I’m not going to deny it!) The day was pretty amazing despite sunburns and bottle fights before AFI. I saw a bunch of bands I’ve wanted to see for a while, including Aiden and Armor for Sleep. I also saw some bands I never expected to see like Rise Against and Gym Class Heroes, both of whom totally won me over. I could go on forever about Rise Against and not just about how the singer brought his girlfriend on the road with him. On one hand, people are exposed to a lot of bands they otherwise might not have heard. On the other hand, I only got to watch 15 minutes of the majority of the bands’ sets, which was a real bummer, especially when I only got to hear the last three Motion City Soundtrack Songs before they left the stage. Overall it was a great experience. Our press passes got us backstage and I even saw Angelo from Fishbone lifting weight (Which was super weird, by the way). I also almost made my way to Davey at the end of the night but was usurped by the press lady. I really need to get to know some of these bands better so I can be the guest of a band. I really felt a sense of community, not only from the bands performing, but also from the kids attending. It kinda gives ya’ a warm fuzzy feeling inside, don’t it? Here’s a run down of the day and the bands I saw, with the interviews to follow very soon:
11:00am Nicky and I arrived an hour late because we forgot we lost an hour somewhere along the line. The press table was easy to find. The press tent was not so easy. They gave us a map as we walked in, but if you know me, you know I have no sense of direction. I hadn’t been to Warped Tour in a very long time. I forgot how overwhelming it is. It’s even more overwhelming now then it was 5 years ago. There were 9 stages this year! We finally found the press tent. The press coordinator gave us a schedule and told us what bands could be interview when. It was then I realized there’d be no way to interview bands and watch them so Nicky and I had to split up. Since I dragged her 12 hours so I could see AFI I let her do the interviews and I did the legwork. We hung out for a while, trying to spot the cute band guys but we realized Valient Thorr was already playing! (Which also meant I missed The Academy Is…! Argh!)
12:00pm Valient Thorr was already taking the stage. We’d been big fans of them for a while and we were super excited that they were playing the main stage. They were spectacular and bearded and sweaty and the crowd was into them even at such an early, hot hour. I’ll have to be honest, I was a little surprised they were playing Warped, but they pulled it off and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves and VT’s sexy guitars. I saw a couple of kids actually walking around with VT shirts on. Nicky tried to get an interview out of them to no avail.
12:30pm I made my way over to the Vagrant/Volcolm stages to watch Emanuel. Dropping Daylight was ending their set on the Volcolm stage. It’s always cool when you find something good when you weren’t looking for it. They had that Warped appeal, but the singer played a keyboard set to piano and it was different and really enjoyable. I’m going to have to do some research and find out who these guys are. Maybe I can catch them when they come through L.A. again.
12:45pm Emanuel took the Vagrant stage. They were good. They looked hot. Not hot as in cute, but hot as in the sun was taking its toll on them. The stages had coverings, but I’m not sure it helped that much in the desert. I loved watching Matt. He’s like this intense little guy. The best thing about Emanuel was Matt writhing around on stage. He’s like a cute little hardcore hobbit. (Although I did find that Matt had posted a My Space bulletin today asking everyone to send him $1 since he’s broke. What’s up with that? He will personally call and thank you, though, if you want to do it.)
1:00pm I headed to the Hurley stage to watch Gym Class Heroes, the hip-hop act. I had been listening to them on the way to Las Cruces and was very curious to see them. I have to say; every time I’ve seen a hip-hop band at Warped they’re amazing. And I’m not saying this just because they’re on Pete’s label. They were really good and they provided a good break to dance it out. The vocalist was gorgeous and he had a crush on Natalie Portman. William from the Academy Is… came out to sing his part on the song he sings on (what is called?), and although it looked like the odd couple, the song ruled. I’m definitely going to try and catch them next time they’re here. I’d love to interview them.
1:45pm I was at the Smart Punk stage to see Plain White T’s, who pulled in a pretty decent sized crowd. I happened to catch their video on Fuse a couple of days earlier and I thought I should check them out. I really liked them. They have that radio pop-punk Fall Out Boy appeal. All you haters can shut your mouths because there’s nothing wrong with a lot of people enjoying one band’s music!
2:00pm I was off to see my one and only Shira Girl stage band that day, The Vincent Black Shadow. Man Cassandra could sing. I can totally see why they wanted to make her a pop star in the Philippines. Fortunately she said no to pop stardom and started a band with some adorable guys. Cheers to Canada for giving us this band! Nicky did an interview with them and she said it was funny, so keep checking back!
2:15pm I ran to the main stage to catch Motion City Soundtrack, one of my favorite bands of the day. I didn’t really give them much thought on the way up, but when I heard them I realized they’re that band that sings those songs that I like and never figured out who was singing them. And they were so much fun live! The kids in the crowd knew all the words and Motion City Soundtrack clearly had their own fan base, which was awesome. Cause they were awesome! (Note: I was watching Steven’s Untitled countdown and he says they’re awesome, too!) You just can’t help but sing along with them. I can’t wait to see them play a whole show someday. Nicky had the pleasure of interviewing them as well, so keep checking!
2:45pm It was finally time to rock out to some hardcore with Every Time I Die and hardcore they were. Unfortunately, the dirty field was proving to be a nuisance when people were moshing and the dust was a little more than I could take. Still, they did almost get me in the mood to mosh myself.
3:00pm The Panic Division took the Ernie Ball stage. They were good. They have a sound typical of Warped Tour. At that point in the day it was a little redundant and I was looking for something different. I just wanted to take them and style the crap put of them, though!
3:15pm I wandered back to the main stage to watch the 2nd half of Saves the Day, which totally reminded me of a period in my life that I had almost forgotten about. When all I listened to was Saves the Day, Dashboard Confessional, The Get up Kids, Sunny Day Real Estate and Jimmy Eat World. Sadly to say, that time has passed, and although Saves the Day were fun I think I was much too hot to enjoy myself and I was starting to suffer from very low blood sugar because I would have killed to see them maybe 6 or 7 years ago. But, hey, the security cops there were actually watching them. Seriously. And the singer had pink hair and I saw him carrying a baby around backstage. I don’t know if it was his or not.
3:30pm I went backstage to rest my feet in the kiddie pool for 15 minutes. Nicky was interviewing Britt Black, another rockin’ Canuk. We chatted for a bit and then Brian from 8 Fingers Down came over and told us all about his girlfriend who’s working on Warped. I hope she’s not a shiksa, because he is a very nice, 21 year old, tattooed Jewish boy and if he didn’t have a girlfriend that he loved very much I would be all over that! 8 Fingers Down is the barbeque band, which means they are offered a spot on Warped in exchange for barbequing almost every night for everyone on Warped Tour. Awesome.
3:45pm One of my favorite Long Island bands, From Autumn to Ashes, was playing on the Vagrant stage. They gave me some Hardcore to get my blood moving. They also have a good fan base and a lot of people were there to see them, including a guy with one leg. How hardcore is that? To have a guy with one leg rocking out to your set? (Another interview alert!)
4:00pm Back, all the way across the field, to the main stage for Rise Against. At that point I was so tired I had to sit down. I was all ready to just sit back and take in Rise Against’s set as I had cleared the whole half hour for them. I honestly wasn’t expecting much. I was never much of a fan, except for their newest single being so damn infectious. A lot of the bands we were chatting with raved about Rise Against. Let me tell you, I had to rise myself. (Sorry for the lame dad joke!) They were just what I needed to hear to get back on my feet and into the crowd. I am a fan now. I will tell everyone I can, if they have a chance, go see Rise Against!
4:30pm Right after discovering the joys of Rise Against I discovered the joys of Armor For Sleep. It was a good hour. What can I say? I actually was a fan of AFS before going to Warped. Ben’s cute and they have catchy songs and when bands have a video and it’s some form of them performing on a stage one should take that as a clue that the band is good on stage. Ben just looked like he was meant to be there and all their songs sounded so perfect. It was just like the first time I saw their video on Fuse and was like, “Who’s this? They’re awesome!” They were so good, I missed Underoath to watch Armor For Sleep’s whole set.
5:00pm I didn’t watch many bands on the Volcolm stage, in fact Vaux was the only band I intentionally watched. I wasn’t planning on watching them, but Nicky did an impromptu interview with the singer and she requested I check them out. Boy am I glad I did. They were one of the only rock acts I watched the whole day and rock they did! Plus the singer was so funny when he spoke to the unfortunately small crowd. He said something about how Jesus was playing across the way, which was way funnier when I realized Underoath was still on the main stage. Vaux was totally worth missing the rest of Underoath’s set.
5:45pm Back to the dust bowl that was called the Hurley stage to watch Aiden, a band I’ve wanted to see for so long. I loved Wil. He was amazing. He was like a cross between Corey Feldman and Carlos D complete with Misfits’ makeup. I was in the front at first, but the crowd was ready to mosh and Wil did his fair share of taunting the crowd in to a pit. I was happy they had such an enthusiastic crowd. They are totally deserving of it. Unfortunately the dust was too much and I was only able to watch half of their set. I really, really, really want to see them again when they come through L.A. If you’re going to an upcoming show, I strongly recommend watching Aiden
6:00pm We happened to be walking by the Hot Topic stage when we realized our beloved Warped Tour barbeque band 8 Fingers Down was about to play. It turned out to be a good opportunity to take a break. We sat down on the ground and listened to Brian taunt all the passers by, finally playing 15 minutes later. It kind of brought a tear to my eye how loyal they were to the brand of punk rock I grew up with. If you like NOFX, but missed them in their heyday (even though they’re still on Warped year after year after year…) check out 8 Fingers Down. Once that kind of So-Cal punk returns they will be #1!
6:30 I was finally headed towards the main stage to watch my precious AFI. I won’t bore anyone by actually writing about how amazing Davey was. That’s just a given. The cutest part was that Wil from Aiden was watching from the side of the stage singing every word. It kind of reminded me of Curiosa when I went to see Carlos in Boston and we all watched the Cure from the side of the stage. Oh and when Davey looked up to see a big, black rain cloud and says all dramatic-like, “It’s so close,” I just had to die. I love you Davey!
After AFI played we ran backstage to try and catch Davey. We didn’t catch him but I did act like stupid girl and ogle Wil from Aiden and Ben from Armor For Sleep. I guess the sun had gotten to me. First I spotted Hunter but his girlfriend walked over to him and they walked away. Then I spotted Jade, but couldn’t get to him. I also spotted Smith. I finally spotted Davey in between the two rows of busses. I ran to get back there, but the press contact wouldn’t let us go back there. I was sad, but Street Scene is just a month away!
A special shout out goes to We Are the Fury. As we were leaving they were being silly, trying to sell cds. I gave them a card and they gave me a cd. I loved it. I listened to it twice on the way home. Everyone still headed to Warped Tour, please go watch them! And tell Chris to call me when they come through L.A.! Heehee!
