Show Review

Warped Tour, which started out as a counter culture’s reaction to commercialism and a chance for punk kids to see all their favorite bands at once, has become a national phenomenon. Fostered by big name acts like Bad Religion, Rancid and NOFX in the early years, the Warped legacy has been passed on to new bands who have pushed this summer tour to become an all out, moving music festival. I believe I am a seasoned veteran of the Warped Tour, but for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t too excited about hitting up this show. I mean, yeah, some of my favorite bands were going to be there, but nothing really caught my eye this year in the sense that I absolutely had to see a certain band. Besides, they would only be playing a half hour set and, to me, that is far too short for a band like Saves the Day or Thursday. But I went in with a sunny disposition in hopes of making the day better then I thought it would be.

Once fellow staffer, Brian Koranyi and I finally got through the door, we made our way to the press area to get our interview assignments. On the way we were accosted by about a half dozen bands whoring themselves out and begging us to listen to their CD, others handing out flyers to come see their band at a certain time and others handing out free goodies like condoms and stickers. This whole scene was put to music by Vagrant’s Senses Fail in the distance on the main stage. There was a time when I was really into Senses Fail. Screaming vocals, caustically violent lyrics, semi-interesting guitar hooks. Everything I would want…three years ago. And this day, I was proud to say I was not a fan. Buddy’s vocals were horribly, HORRIBLY out of tune, the guitars were equally out of tune and the usually solid drumming was faulty. But as I walked by the stage, even as the first band of the day, there were a pretty big group of kids jumping and screaming along with this Jersey band. Though they were not my thing, I figured, to each, their own.

We passed the Ernie Ball stage just as the local Columbus act, The New Republic, was starting. Formally known as the Pits, The New Republic is filled with great musicians and it was a real pleasure watching them play their intricate rock with a dash of latin flavor. David Julca’s vocals sounded amazing and the instrumentalists made for a very unique sound.

Once all of our business was taken care off, we walked over to the main stages were Hellogoodbye were just opening their set. I like Hellogoodbye. Their music is agreeable. They are pretty nice guys. They put on a great live show. But I am so tired of hearing the same five songs every time I see them play. “Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn,” “Bonnie Taylor Shakedown,” “Call N Return,” and ending with “Touchdown Turnaround.” I understand that they don’t really have anything else out and that is not really their fault but I have seen them so many times, it is really just old hat to me now. The one real cool part of the set was when lead vocalist Forrest Kline was told they had time for an extra song and quickly went into “Dammit” by Blink 182. Though it wasn’t quite as tight as the Blink version, it still got the crowd extremely riled up. By the time the set was all done, they all were running around in costumes, spraying silly string and just really entertaining us. I just want to hear the new disc. Then we will see how I feel about them.

I made a B-line back to the Ernie Ball stage in order to catch a few friends of mine play. The group, Killing Santa Clara, put on a solid set. These are some of the most talented and genuinely nice guys I have ever met and you should check them out. For you Staple fans, when Staple breaks up in a couple months, Josh will be taking over the drums for KSC. Please check them out.

Soon after the Killing Santa Clara set, Brian and I took care of some business. We had interviews all day but our first two were with Underoath and Motion City Soundtrack. The guys from Underoath were extremely friendly and willing to talk about anything and everything when it came to their music, their beliefs and guilty pleasure music. Motion City Soundtrack were just a little bit too cool to talk to me for more than three or four minutes before they got out of there.

Soon there after, we found ourselves standing behind the Vagrant and Volcom stages. From Autumn to Ashes were just beginning and doing their best to get the crowd into their set. But for some reason, I just couldn’t do it. I loved their first effort, “Too Bad You’re Beautiful” but the 2nd and 3rd discs just went further and further downhill. And the problem was they only played songs from the 2nd and 3rd discs. Benjamin Perri screamed and jumped all over the stage in girl jeans which were far too tight for him and drummer/vocalist Fran Mark took his distinctive wail to new heights and frankly, annoyed the crap out of me. They put on a decent show and all, but guys, get over yourself and call me when you decide you want to play “Cherry Kiss.”

Valiant Thorr took the stage next and, I honestly don’t know what to say about this show. I mean, every member had to be at least 35 or so dressed in jean jackets and/or leather pants, sporting haircuts out of the 70s. Their music was nothing too special. Just an updated version of what some might consider classic rock. But the enigmatic front man (who, I can only assume is Thorr) was what people were supposed to be paying attention to. Though I had seen these guys at least year’s Warped stop, I was very unimpressed by their show and remembered it being much more intense. He stood on top of a couple speakers, jumped around and spouted a bunch of nonsense in between songs but, call me desensitized, it just didn’t shock or impress me.

Next was a group called Moneen. Now I have heard a lot about these guys. Brian was really excited to catch these guys and I was just curious as to what they would sound like. Frankly, the guys blew me away. Playing with no inhibitions at all the guys just took their instruments and completely rocked out. Kenny Bridges’ vocals thoroughly impressed me as the guys blew through tracks from their recently released “The Red Tree” through Vagrant. Both Bridges and guitarist Chris Hughes were solid and impressed me when it came to their stop-start aggressive rhythms and their thick ambient sound. I think that everyone should check these guys out. Also be on the look out for an interview with these guys on here in the near future.

Brian and I then headed back to the press area to talk to Less than Jake, Moneen and Thursday. All of them were extremely well and you should check them out when they go up in a couple of days.

As we were leaving, we stopped by and watched a little bit of NOFX. They focused more on the newer stuff and neglected some of the older songs I hadn’t heard in a while. Fat Mike, pretty much just sat up on stage blamed us for blowing the 2004 election. Dude, please. Get over it. Besides, Franklin County (where Columbus is located) was one of the only blue counties in Ohio and 75% of the people you are talking to and berating couldn’t vote in 2004, let alone, now, so please, shut up.

In an act of protest, I skipped out on the Motion City Soundtrack set and Brian and I headed for the exit. In all it was a pretty good Warped Tour. My face was a little redder, my wallet a little thinner and my musical tastes broadened. Thanks to Andrew and Amanda Morre for being so awesome!

review by Alex Drumm