A Warped sense of cool
By Julie Garisto
Published July 20, 2007
Prepare for generation gaps and mixed messages at the 2007 Vans Warped Tour.
Enthusiasts have complained online in blogs about this year's lineup, lamenting the lack of seminal bands like NOFX and Rise Against.
They're being hasty in their judgment. Instead of major coolness points, we get some surprises and unique prestige. Bands older than the majority of festivalgoers, Bad Religion and the Toasters, headline this year. We also get up-and-coming Canadian hip-hopper K-OS.
As usual, extreme sports and novelty events scatter around the park. Skateboarding has become Vans' fashion linchpin. Corporate branding and product enticements from companies such as AT&T compete for your attention while Warpers get bombarded with statements about social consciousness and ecological initiatives.
The Hot Topic/Kevin Says stage is solar-powered, and attendees can visit a solar-powered WEI Recycling, Education and Outreach tent, participate in the Eco Incentives Contest and a volunteer beach cleanup.
Some 100 bands are expected to play, and the schedule will be posted at the event. AT&T will provide lineups, autograph session schedules and other offers via text messages. To opt in, concertgoers can sign up at www.warpedtour.com, www.att.com/warped or text WARPED to 334455.
Here's some cool stuff to check out:
Anything but has-beens: Bad Religion released its 15th album, New Maps of Hell, this month to critical praise. The Southern California quintet has maintained authenticity and relevance while hardcore, metal, grunge and nu-punk have come in and out of vogue. Melodic and muscular anthems with harmonic shouts, crystalline guitars and tight rhythms convey meaningful messages without being trite or out of touch.
Local ska-nection: Toasters' bassist Jason Nwagbaraocha has played in Tampa Bay's Rocksteady@8 and Sarasota's Strangeways. He's one in a succession of revolving musicians in an ensemble that survived the demise of trendy third-wave ska Mustard Plug, Mighty Mighty Bosstones by being timeless. New York's Toasters kept old Jamaican roots vibes alive while injecting its own Northeastern pop, rock and soul concoction.
K-OS: Toronto Trinidadian Kheaven Brereton goes against the prevailing conventions of hip-hop by coming up with original subject matter and using lush instrumental arrangements in place of programming and samples. Versatile with his voice, K-OS combines fluid rhymes, neo-soul, reggae, rap and pop. Sing-along choruses and infectious grooves will have you chair dancing if you're stuck seated.
Florida grown: Anberlin formed 2001 in Winter Haven. The band's mix of emo-nu-punk and middle-of-the road rock has propelled them on the fast track to mainstream success with a Tooth & Nail record deal.
Gallows: The London band is frenetic and entertaining, all over the place rhythmically. It's been praised by bloggers as having the best stage presence at this year's Warped Tour. Influences are as disparate as J.R. Ewing, Misfits, Minor Threat, Drive-by Jehu and Frank Sinatra.
Reverse day care tent: Drop off parents at an air-conditioned area, where they can drink a cold beverage, get a massage and watch a movie with the help of soundproof headphones.
Skip the line gate: Look for the "Skip the line" banner, flash your phone with AT&T service, and go straight into the concert without having to wait in line.
Rock out with Guitar Hero II: Stop by the Guitar Hero II videogame stations and bust out your best windmill. Choose from 70 rock tracks on a Gibson-shaped X-Plorer guitar controller. Play with a friend in tandem or go head-to-head.
Because you really are addicted: There'll be a MySpace tent, too.
More bands
Alesana
All Time Low
Amber Pacific
Bayside
Big D and the Kids Table
Bleed The Dream
Bless The Fall
Boys Like Girls
Chiodos
Circa Survive
Coheed and Cambria
Cute Is What We Aim For
Don't Die Cindy
Escape The Fate
Evaline
Funeral for a friend
Haste The Day
Hawthorne Heights
IainTerry band
It Dies Today
Killswitch Engage
Mayday Parade
Meg and Dia
My American Heart CA
New Found Glory
Norma Jean
Nothington
Paramore
Parkway Drive
Pennywise
Pepper
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Revolution Mother
scary kids scaring kids
Straylight Run
Street Drum Corps
The automatic
The Chariot
The Dear And Departed
The Fabulous Rudies
The Graduate
The Human Abstract
The Matches
The Spill Canvas
The Starting Line
The Unseen
The Vincent Black Shadow
Throw The Fight
Throwdown
Tiger Army
Bands are subject to change.