Virginia Beach – Ah! Warped Tour!  From its humble roots of a mass mingling of punk and ska acts around 1994 to its expansion (no doubt at least partially) thanks to its corporate sponsorship by Vans in 1995, Kevin Lyman’s vision has definitely come to have a life of its own.  What was once the punk/ska show you could count on to catch as many acts as you could stay conscious for (at least for 30 minutes at a time) has mutated into another breed of animal entirely.  The music has changed, but you can still count on finding a few “can’t miss” shows in the midst of all the screamo and indie rock.

Whatever people say about the rabid capitalism and soapboxing of causes, Warped Tour still really is about the music.  With the able help of Mr. Mullican it was fairly easy to get the press access for the show and once there, the staff was very accommodating.  After all, one of the best ways to spread the word about a band is free press.  Much thanks to Bethany Watson for coordinating the press and interview times.  Upon arrival and sign in, I found it about time to go out amongst the swirling masses and get my bearings. 

Merch, merch, everywhere, and 10 bucks just to drink?

All about there were the various opportunists trying to make a quick buck on elevated need and limited supply.  I walked up to one of the hucksters and attempted to bargain with him.  I had my credit card but only 86 cents in change.  He demanded two dollars for a piece of paper with the hastily scrawled schedule of bands, eight dollars for a baby bottle of sunscreen…Apparently I didn’t have large enough breasts for a free schedule, or at least a discounted one.  Mind you, I’m not adverse to using my own tits for the sake of a story; I just could not ask that of my trusty photographer.

As I wandered through the jungle of vendors and causes, I happened on a lad with a cardboard sign begging for someone to buy him a beer.  Not to see anyone go needy at a show I stopped by the nearest beer dispensary.  Now I truly intended the best, and I saw they had PBR which made my heart swell like a Grinch’s on Hanukkah (that’s four sizes, not three, has to last for eight days ya know).  I asked the kind concessioneer for a PBR to which he promptly replied, “Ten dollars please.”  I think I heard something like the breaking of a single guitar string wound too tight inside my head.  I was about to pay more for a single beer then an entire six pack of the stuff was worth…almost twice as much in fact.  I still bought the beer mind you, but young Ikabod had to go without.

The merch booths offer the pretty cool opportunity to meet the bands.  I saw members of the various and sundry performers peddling their wares while giving out photo ops and autographs.  At the booth for Flatfoot 56 (whom I would be interviewing later), I ran into a friend of mine, Mr. Mike Berlind, a member of Hey Hey Hooligan and former drummer of Duburbia.  He was there checking out the Mighty Regis earlier and, much to my regret, I found I had just missed seeing them…on stage and in person. 

The Big-Ass Board of Bands

Anyone who’s been to Warped Tour before can tell you - if you’re looking for who’s playing when and where, you don’t need a two dollar scrap of paper.  Just go to the mainstage area and you’ll find it, impossible to miss, a gigantic inflatable schedule board.  Towering over everything you can see the full day’s schedule for each stage and all the updated that are not on the one’s those scurvy jackals are trying to get you to buy.  My suggestion, bring a pen and scrap of paper when you go to Warped so you can formulate a plan of attack - you will need it!  You got like 50 bands playing on a handful of stages.  There is bound to be some conflict between times and places.  Be prepared to miss some of the acts you really wanted to check out.

Band of the Day

Times they are a changing.  Warped Tour has definitely become a “Band of the Day” experience.  Whatever the prevalent music of the youth is, that is what you’re going to get.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  After all, Warped Tour really is for the kids.  It’s a festival where they can actually get out and see a lot of different music played by bands that either don’t normally come around this way or play bars and clubs that are strictly 21 and up. 

From its punk/ska beginnings to a colossal juggernaut of $10 PBR and more bands than you can see in a day, no matter what anyone might say to the contrary, it's still a worthwhile experience.  Sure, it isn't the punk/ska mecca it once was, but that doesn't mean you can't still catch a good show here and there. 

Like Flatfoot 56!

Or Tip the Van!!

Or even the legendary Reel Big Fish!!!

By Director, Genre Lead, and Editor: Andrew Wolfe

The Wolfe was born to a small litter in the mountains of West Virginia and transplanted to suburban Virginia Beach in the iconic year of 1984.  Left to the public school system, he soon became immersed in the varied subcultures of suburbia. Quickly he became a connoisseur of the rich substrata of disaffected youth in post-Reagan America.  Having to leave corporate tool-hood behind, the Wolfe prowls the silent alleyways in search of the next great spark of local music - the incendiary device that will reignite creativity in a music world gone wrong (apparently in the throes of Bieber Fever).

And other fun facts ...

Age: 33
Place of Birth: Parkersburg, West Virginia
Gender: Raoul Duke
Religion: Gonzo
Likes: Good music.  Drinking.  Smoking.
Dislikes: Ignorance.  People who take themselves too seriously.  People who say "I just wanted to touch bases with you."  It's "base" asshole, not a baseball reference.