This past summer, the Vans Warped Tour celebrated 15 years of its annual "Punk Rock Summer Camp" with a super-hot excursion across North America. Teens flocked to parking lots and fields to catch a glimpse of their favorite bands strolling around a carnival of booths promoting various worthy causes (breast cancer awareness, animal rights, safe sex, etc.); selling band merchandise; or retailing their favorite skating garb. Meanwhile, the rest of us simply sated ourselves with the eclectic bevy of groups on the daily roster, with this year's talent ranging from classic acts such as Bad Religion, Flogging Molly and Anti-Flag to newcomers like 3OH!3, Escape The Fate and A Day To Remember. Here's a glimpse at some of this year’s action as witnessed at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on July 18, 2009:
AIDEN
Winners of the most crazed fan reaction of the day, Wil Francis and company rocked through a goth-tinged set that included crowd favorites like "Scavengers of the Damned." Preaching to the masses about his lack of religious fervor, Francis also sported a homemade t-shirt complete with an upside down cross and the word “Believe.” Okay, so perhaps they’re not the most original cast of characters, but Aiden still put on a thoroughly enjoyable set.
ANTI-FLAG
Even though the band is one of the Warped Tour's most veteran acts, Anti-Flag still managed to put on a powerful set as they promoted their ninth studio album, The People or The Gun.
BAYSIDE
Anthony Raneri and his born and bred Long Island cohorts thoroughly enjoyed their homecoming during this stop of the Warped Tour. Bayside rocked a set that included standouts from their four studio albums, including "Tortures of the Damned," "Duality" and "Devotion and Desire." The large crowd seemed perfectly content with the band's performance, though the rabid energy present in other sets throughout the day was decidedly lacking here.
FLOGGING MOLLY
Mixing Celtic folk and punk rock, Flogging Molly performed a very fun and entertaining late day set. The 7-piece band of multi-instrumentalists delighted the masses with songs like "Seven Deadly Sins" and "Drunken Lullabies." Grab a Guinness and catch this band if you can!
GALLOWS
Hardcore punks from the streets of England, Gallows are obnoxiously energetic—as were their fans. Circle pits abounded in the massive crowd, as lead vocalist Frank Carter urged concertgoers on by jumping down into the audience and remaining there for half of the band's set. Entirely unfazed by his departure, the remaining members continued to launch through a banging set of heavy punk rock. Visually and sonically enthralling, the band left no fan disappointed.
NOFX
Yes, NOFX played music during their half-hour set, but it was the banter between vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and lead guitarist El Hefe that was the highlight of this performance. Racist jokes, funny tales and plenty of insults brought a special element to the punk act's show. Example: "Why did Hitler commit suicide? He got the gas bill!!!"
SENSES FAIL
One of the best, most raw and in-your-face performances of the day came from Senses Fail. Frontman Buddy Nielsen is not known for mincing words, and he did not disappoint during the day's set. The group's three full-length albums—Let It Enfold You, Still Searching and Life Is Not A Waiting Room—were all represented, much to the delight of the audience. Taking a break between songs, Nielsen assured his disciples that he would not talk any smack about other bands on the tour, despite the fact that some of his contemporaries were doing just this during their own stage times. Kudos to a band that don't have to bring others down to elevate their own sound!
SHOOTER JENNINGS
The son of legendary country musician Waylon Jennings, Southern rocker Shooter was a bit out of place playing a Warped stage. In fact, when he started his set, less than 20 people were there to cheer him on. More people did come around (possibly to catch a glimpse of his famous fiancée, The Sopranos' Drea de Matteo; who didn't appear to be on hand), but his mellow set just didn't hold up to the more rambunctious acts on the bill.
3OH!3
If you're looking for fun, upbeat, danceable music with ridiculous lyrics, you can trust that 3OH!3's Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte are going to entertain your socks off with tunes like "Don't Trust Me." Throw in a special appearance by rapper Lil Jon and their set was definitely one of the most talked about and well-attended of the day.
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