20 June 2008: Warped Tour, Tva

Relient K were on my list of bands to see before I die. I have been a huge fan of their since one of my friends gave me their CD "Two Lefts Don't Make a Right, But Three Do" on my thirteenth birthday. I still claim that is their best album, and I love everything that they have done (even though Thiessen's lyrics have become a lot more serious compared to the Self-Titled album days). I was bummed at their performance. Yeah, I had a great time, but they played a load of their 20 minute set with songs off of "Mmhmm," my least favorite RK album. Nevertheless, I was still in awe of seeing them- it only took me five years. (By the by, this photo was not taken by me but my lucky friend, Jessica, who happened to be on the bar during their performance). They have a new 'album' getting shelved next week- "The Bird and the Bee Sides" which will include an archive of, whaddaya know, B-sides! Go to their myspace to listen to a few tracks off of it (I really really really ultra love 'The Lining in Silver").

I had a few hours to kill until my next performance I wanted to see, so I dragged on by to the Hurley.com stage and decided to be adventurous and listen and watch another performance I had no idea about. I felt embarassed, but I went ahead and asked at the end of the set who it was. This energetic, six-piece, all girl Japanese ska band from Osaka, known as Oreskaband, had everyone dancing like a fiend. Here is proof:

They were simply adorable- in between songs they did their best english to encourage us to dance. "Shake your booty!" they egged on, and caused a giant stir. Their set was also on my top for the entire day.

Cobra Starship was playing over at one of the mainstages still, I still had no clue where to go to kill a few hours until my next performance I wanted to see. I really didn't want to see Cobra, but I headed over anyways to go rest under one of the refugee tents, in a bunch of hot shade. I found a couple friends that I chatted with, and honestly didn't pay attention to Gabe's performance. It was so damn hot, I went through both of my water bottles (people, bring a backpack, with loads of your own water- they allow it) and I was downing my first purchase of Powerade. $4 never tasted so good.

This photo was taken by my friend, Jenn. She was lucky enough to be front-center for the performance. Isn't that shot perfection for a concert photo?

I made my way to the OTHER mainstage, on the other side of campus, to get prepared for Anberlin. Gym Class Heroes were playing their set, with a massive crowd in front of the stage. I did the smart thing, arrive a set early, and got my sneak on. I would creep in every open space I saw, to get closer to the stage to make sure I'd have a better chance for the front for Anberlin. I enjoyed GCH's set, they decided to cover Every Time I Die. That was wicked awesome- because Every Time I Die are the sex (I really try not to use that term, I couldn't resist in this situation). They obvsiously have amazing sing-alongs, and the crowd wasn't as viscious as I'd imagine it would be. They played a song from their upcoming album- I like what I heard. They ended with "Clothes Off" which tempted a few girls to throw their shirts on the stage. I kid you not.

This ain't over!

20 June 2008: Warped Tour, Ett

And so I begin the stories of my adventures of loosing my Warped Tour virginity. All photos posted were taken by me, unless otherwise specified. This is a going to be a couple-parter (I think) so please hang in there! No .mp3s, but you can click their names for myspace pages to tittilate your eardrums.

I began my day by skipping 800 + people in line. For those going to a future Warped date- bring a can of food! They have a "Punk Junk" tent for the homeless where they collect donations. I also was generous and cleared out some of my books, a shirt I never wore, markers for the kiddies, and a(n un-used) journal. Please be generous and consider this- it's a win-win sitch. You skip lots of salivating 12 year olds and go straight to the bag check. This opportunity made me very happy for checking the Warped site- there are also coupon's for food, but eff that, I'll just say now I didn't eat all day. It was too hot for food.

When I first got 'on campus' (from this point forward, the Fairplex will be reffered to as the campus, because I want it that way) I made my way to get a feel for the place, where the stages were, and with high hopes to find the schedule. I stopped at the Ernie Ball stage to catch the last song and a half for Streets of Rage where they had their posse in red shirts bippin' around the front of the stage with signs and arms, grabbing a lot of attention for people passing to stop. They're a fun little powerpop band (their lead vox looks like Andrew McMahon circa SoCo days) and one of their fans was nice enough to pose for me during one of their songs.

I found the stages and schedule, and stopped at the Hurley.com stage to listen to Shwayze, a fresh rapper stright out of Malibu. Oh, believe it! We thought Jamie Kennedy was wack for being Malibu's Most Wanted, but Shwayze is the real deal. There was quite a crowd out at the stage- he's very smooth. If you happen to live in the LA Area and listen to KIIS FM (shame on me, but I was conversing and stopped switching stations) you may have heard his single, "Buzzin'." He's backed with DJ Skeet Skeet and Cisco Adler, it's pure summer drivin' music. My favorite had to be "Corona and Lime" with it's cheesy pickup line, "Baby will you be my Corona and lime? I will be your main squeeze." I had wide smiles and the start of a sunburn, but I made sure that before the set was over I grabbed one of his 2 song samplers from a promoter.

I waited in line for a half hour or so in the Monster line. From First to Last were on, with a large crowd, but I wasn't impressed...

I finally was admitted when their set was over and The Bronx were setting up. I was so happy to finally be saved in a nice area of shade, I found a table to put my bag on, and a perfect spot to see the stage. After 15 mintues or so of them setting up, they finally came on stage to perform to their (relatively small crowd for being a mainstage performance) fans. I was surprised to find out it was their first Warped Tour, and I felt warm and fuzzy on the inside knowing it was mine, too. They were fucking awesome (yes, on my top performances of my day). I loaded down two Monsters during their set, then hurried out, extremely energized, to go to the other main stage- on the OTHER side of campus- for Relient K's performance...