Warped Tour infiltrates the Southland
By Naughty Mickie
notymickie@earthlink.net
This was the first time that the Vans Warped Tour had ever stopped at the
Fairplex in Pomona, California, the home to the Los Angeles County Fair. It
seemed that every teen and tween for miles had dragged their parents and
siblings to challenge the heat for a day of music. The venue was prepared for
the throng-- containing the more than 40 bands to the racetrack infield,
cordoning off an area for adults to imbibe in alcohol away from the underaged
and providing a very visible showing of security.
There were six stages, plus a variety of bands taking turns performing at the
venue's entrance and in front of the many booths stretching the length of the
site. Along with the vendors, the Truth and PETA were present and Hard
Rail was offering free Mohawk and mullet haircuts. For parents, the Reverse Day
Care tent was a cool respite with a big screen television, chairs and an event
schedule.
With bands taking the stages at half-hour intervals, there was no way you could
really see everything. Your best plan would be to write down a list of what you
wanted to see, when and where it was scheduled and then make a nice long round
of the site to get your bearings. I had my must-sees on the bill, but as a
reviewer, it was my duty to keep my eyes on what attracted or repelled the
crowd.
Andrew W.K. was one of the first bands to make a splash. Opening with "Ready to
Die," the crowd was pumped. A flurry of party-perfect rock followed a la "She is
Beautiful," "I Get Wet" and "Your Rule," from the upcoming September 9 release,
"The Wolf." Andrew W.K. passed out positive vibes on the importance of each day
and invited the audience to "honor the dead by dancing."
The Used greeted a screaming horde of fans with changing slashing to moody
alternative/punk/pop.
Vocalist Bert McCracken queried the crowd, "I want to know how many of you came
out to the Warped Tour to have a good time?" and then gave out "The Taste of
Ink." Look for The Used's new DVD, "Blue and Yellow." out now.
Bagpipes beckoned the audience to check out the Dropkick Murphys. The Celtic
rockers from Boston intoned their hometown tune and offered up "Gonna Be a
Blackout Tonight," a song with lyrics written by legendary artist Woody Guthrie.
Spunky blond Stephanie Dougherty came on stage for the duet, "The Dirty Glass."
Decked out comfortably in a black girly T-shirt, short skirt and a bandanna, she
told her side of things with a perfect blend of scratchy cute vocals.
They also played "Walk Away," "Black Velvet Band" (complete with accordion and
electric mandolin) and "Spicy McHaggis Jig." During the set, there was a virtual
assembly line of crowd surfers, as well as lots of smiles from all generations.
Melodic pop/punkers and Warped Tour cuties Matchbook Romance made the girls
squeal as they performed "Save Yourself," "14 Balloons" and "Hollywood and
Vine." There were some male fans too, albeit on the quieter side. The Matchbook
boyz were easily the sweetest guys in attendance with their all-American good
looks and attitude.
"You guys want to jump up and down?" asked vocalist/guitarist Andrew Jordan.
The group offered up a brand new number, "My Eyes Burn," and Jordan looked over
at the glistening jumpers, "Are you guys getting tired? You can't get tired,
this is the Warped Tour." His effort paid off, as the screams and leaps began
anew.
Orange County punk band Pennywise spoofed the Knack's "My Sharona," singing "My
Pomona" as their fans emerged. Some of the tunes they played were "Something
Wrong With Me," "Watch Me As I Fall" and "God Save the USA," from their next
Epitaph release which will be out in September. In honor of one of their biggest
influences, Black Flag, Pennywise did a nice rendition of "Rise Above." As a
side note, vocalist Jim Lindberg once worked at a diary across the street from
the church where his idols rehearsed.
Called a sell-out by some, Rancid still has what it takes. The punkers presented
"Ballad of Jimmy and Johnny" and more, along with an awesome bass solo. During
"Red Hot Boogie," a selection from their upcoming August 26 effort,
"Indestructible," a girl was hurt in the mosh pit. The band stopped the crowd in
their tracks and leader Tim Armstrong directed the audience to part to allow the
paramedics in to help.
While waiting, Armstrong amused the audience by trying to start a sing-along to
"You Are My Sunshine." He told some corny jokes and even did a few Rancid songs
very softly. Finally the teen was deemed OK. Rancid picked up from the point
where they stopped in the song and finished it, telling the crowd to make a
circle pit, but a safe one. They said so long with "Time Bomb."
The crowd also enjoyed Sum 41, Face to Face, the Ataris, Rufio, Less Than Jake,
Tsanami Bomb and Never Heard of It. I also found some cool groups at the fringes
of things, such as Oakland's rockabilly garage space cadets Phenomenauts, who
had true talent despite their silly costumes, and Pasadena's funky The Big Pill,
who combine traditional and modern grooves and tight harmonies with everything
from a horn section and congas to a scratching deejay.
As the sun set, Thrice did an unusual acoustic set, which the crowd ate up.
Included was "Trust" and "All That's Left" from their album "The Artist in the
Ambulance" which is out July 22.
Don't be disheartened if you didn't find out about your favorite band-- I'm only
one reviewer and could only see so much. Visit the Vans Warped Tour site
www.warpedtour.com for more.