|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
 | Warped Tour 2002live in St. Paul, MN2002 live show  Review by: guitarer1c2 See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on August 9th 2002 For the first time ever, the Vans Warped tour invaded the beautiful regional park Harriet Island here in St. Paul, MN. Featuring a wonderful view of the picturesque St. Paul skyline and the tranquil Mississippi River flowing a few feet away, the site was an oddly-perfect place for a punk show. When I arrived at the gate, it was unbelievably hot! The temperature was well into the 90’s by 12:00 p.m. and I highly doubted it would get any cooler. My friends and I had a little time before the first band we wanted to catch so we surveyed the area. In my opinion, one of the coolest parts about the Warped Tour is that first glimpse you get when you arrive. Tents and stages always seem to go on for miles and this year was no exception. What a view! By 1:30, we were ready to go check out the Alkaline Trio on one of the main stages. The Alkaline Trio never fail to impress with their unique take on the proven pop-punk formula. Their performance was tight, if somewhat unremarkable. They mostly played songs off their first two albums, neglecting some of my favorites off of “From Here to Infirmary.” I tried to stay in the pit for their whole set but it was way too hot! It didn’t help things that the Trio’s music really isn’t suited for a 1:30 p.m. performance. All in all, they were OK, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the band’s actual performance. I would still see them in a club, any day. My friends and I immediately sought shade after the Alkaline Trio set. We amused ourselves for awhile by watching people on the pirate-themed slip ‘n slide thing, though I admit it was hard to watch all that water being wasted when they only had one freakin’ water fountain for the whole area! Oh well, what can ya do? By the time 3:00 p.m. rolled around, we headed back to the main stages to catch one of my favorite bands of all-time, Reel Big Fish. If there is one band that fits in perfectly on the Warped Tour, it’s RBF. Their fun, catchy rock-with-horns sound was welcome relief from the heat. No one cared that it was 90 degrees, we just wanted to have a good time and believe me, a good time was had by all. In between the beachballs and the skankin’ pit, RBF found a way to cram about nine or ten songs into their set. The band were accompanied by the trombone player from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and, though I didn’t catch his name, he added a lot to the overall sound of the band. They ripped through a bunch of new tunes and then, with the final bars of “Sell Out,” they were gone and we were off to catch them at a tent signing autographs. After chatting with the fish for awhile, we walked over to the Drive-Thru stage to see the Rx Bandits. Unfortunately, before this show, I had never had the opportunity to see the Rx Bandits live. Let’s just say that I am kicking myself in the ass right now because they totally blew me away. I have (and love) their album “Progress” but I had no idea how explosive they could be live. Their entire set pulsed with energy and their on-stage movements were, in all honesty, insane! They rocked through a bunch of tunes and I was sad to see them leave the stage. A word of advice: catch the Rx Bandits if they come to your town! After being rocked by the Rx Bandits, we were un-rocked (can I say that?) by New Found Glory. I admit, I like this band a lot. I have all of their full-length CDs and I really enjoy them. Seeing them at this year’s Warped Tour, however, left much to be desired. First of all, Jordan just CANNOT pull off some of those high notes live. Instead, he substitutes a different (and far worse) melody line in the original’s place. Here and there is fine but come on, it gets really annoying after awhile. The other main gripe I have with their live show is the lack of harmonies. All NFG albums are loaded with double- and triple-tracked Jordan-sung harmonies. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the show. The songs seemed somewhat empty and lifeless at times and this was a major downer. The band did display a lot of energy, however, so I have to give them some credit. Mediocre at best. Ok, well you’ve made it through my long, boring review and I bet you are wondering where it gets interesting. Right about...now! Just as Ozma was finishing up their set on the left main stage, it began to lightly sprinkle. Flogging Molly took the right stage at 6:00 and the light sprinkle turned into a total downpour! I cannot describe what followed but I will definitely try. Try to imagine thousands upon thousands of punks all doing a jig in the pouring rain while listening to an Irish punk band. It may sound a little bizarre but that’s only because it really was. Singer Dave King remarked that it reminded him of “fuckin’ Ireland!” I’m not sure if that is a positive thing or not but he sounded pretty enthusiastic about it. In any case, the rain continued to fall and Flogging Molly continued to play. The pit was absolutely insane during their set! We were all completely soaked but nobody really cared. I chanted “oi!” along with everyone else, sang myself hoarse, and ran around in a giant puddle of mud. It was amazing! The band, to say the least, was tight. They played a bunch of songs from their newest record and a few from “Swagger”. I would have to say, however, that the crowd really pushed their set over the top. By the time Flogging Molly left the stage, I was completely soaked and pretty cold. Nevertheless, we headed over to the other main stage for the next band, NOFX. Unfortunately for the thousands of people still left at Harriet Island, they never actually played. It quickly became obvious that the rain wasn’t going to let up anytime soon and our chants of “RAIN OR SHINE!” (as printed on our tickets) didn’t do much to help matters. After about 20 minutes of this, El Hefe directed us back to the other main stage. Apparently, the rain had shorted out the power on one stage. What followed could probably be considered one of the most random and cool things I have ever seen at a show! Someone plugged in a guitar amp and gave El Hefe a guitar. Hefe and Fat Mike proceeded to play a few different NOFX tunes with just vocals and guitar. Jay from Bad Religion gave Mike his bass and Mike thanked Jay by playing and singing the BR classic, “Do What You Want.” Some more cool stuff followed with two dudes from Good Charlotte playing Weezer’s “El Scorcho” and Morgan Heritage doing a few Bob Marley tunes. After about 45 minutes of randomness, we were finally kicked out of the park.
All in all, the 2002 Vans Warped Tour was definitely the coolest show I have ever been to. From the great bands early in the day to the awesome ending, the day was perfect. Even weeks later, a smile comes to my face whenever I hear a Flogging Molly song. I highly doubt that I will soon forget that day/evening in the rain!
People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
ok so i read through and saw one person from the dc area who chocked on the dust with me time for me for my review, this was actually my first warped. i had a blas Did anyone see the fukkin awesome Casualties set? I'm not sure what his name is, but a midget dirtbiker came on stage with his custom mini dirtbike to sing along and flick off the crowd. Jorge put the mic up to the exhaust pipe while the rest of the band rocked. That was my favorite set (next to Flogging Molly) of the St. Paul Warped Tour. Well Everyone, I would just like to say that the St. Paul Warped tour was probably the best show ive ever been to. The man at the top covered it well. I would just like to add a couple comments. No Use For a Name rocked my pants off. I never noticed the high vocal notes that the rythym guitar player can knock off. Its fucking amazing. On another note: Anti-Flag... For a while these guys have been my favorite band. And until that (what seemed like) 1,000,000* degree saturday, I hadnt seen them play live. I have never seen such a powerful performance in my short life. Not to say that I agree with all of their standpoints, but I do agree with many of them, and am proud to say that this performance gets my blue ribbon. Epitaph is still owned by Brett; however, he doesn't do the day to day things anymore. Andy does that. What pisses me off is how you bastards can call Epitaph,Fat and A-F all major lables. The owners of these lables all worked their asses of to get where they are. They finally get on the "Punk Rock" map and you call them major lables! you dumbass "i also hated the rap station that played a bunch of bullshit rap really loud and what was supposed to be a punk show. "Ignorant people piss me off... especially when they make fun of people for spelling things wrong and then they go and spell something wrong themselves (Sharlett.. or however you spelt it... good try fucker)... Anyway, yea I dont think you ever got the point of Warped Tour you whiny complaining piece of shit. For the 3 years I have gone to warped Tour I have always thought of it as a skate and music festival... and to tell you the truth rap has just ask much to do with skating as punk does. The rap culture has definitley adopted askating as one of their sub-cultures just as punk has. You dont have to like it but you definitley have to respect some rappers for their talent. I hate the fuckers that booed Jurrasic 5 2 years ago... I hate the shitheads that booed eminem 3 years ago, even though I hate his music and basically him in genral. And I also apologize that you had a shitty time because you cant control your bowel movements and you left your depends at home. Maybe next time your mommy can go with you and change your diaper. If you arent having a good time doing something thats nobodies fault but your own. An event is only fun if you make it fun.Assholes....-pat41 I saw Jesse Ventura there. Hey, did anybody else pick up the Skiba/Seconds split at the Alk3 booth? I thought that really kicked ass. Getting it a few months early. that and the motion city soundtrack disc in the floppy container. That and I got a beer wrist band. all in all, camp was great. I went to the Virginia Warped Tour at Nissan Pavillion on the 8th and the sound sucked there as well. It sounded as if the left and right speakers were taking turns cutting out, occasionally working in unison to produce a quality sound for approximately 5 seconds. Fucking annoying. Also, the dust there was insane. Anytime a band started playing and people started moving a huge cloud would rise up essentially limiting all visibility. I was equally impressed with the RX Bandits, I love their albums but first time seeing them live. While they rocked, the end of their set, frankly, sucked. They just walked off after a song. No "Goodnight!" or "Thanks!" They just peaced out. Ah well, the whole tour was a good show overall. Question for all those at the Asbury Warped Tour yesterday... Did anyone else notice that the speakers on the main stage were FUCKING HORRID?! I could barely hear Guttermouth's guitars for their first 3 songs and even after that it was bad, lagwagon was fairly inaudible and I couldn't even tell what songs MxPx was playing half the time. Honestly every band I saw on the main stage sounded like the worst possible bootleg ever... I know its supposed to sound like that AFTER you record it standing 500 ft away with a $2 microphone in your pocket but come on... It just plain sounded like shit. Luckily Bigwig played on the side stage and rocked the fucking place... circle pit around the sound tent. flogging molly is almost a gay as travis barker I've noticed that no one mentioned one of the only worthwhile bands on the Warped Tour: Ultimate Fakebook. I'll take UFB playing to thirty people over Flogging Molly playing to 500 dumbasses anyday, thanks. Nuts to Flogging Molly and the kids who don't realize that the Pogues were way better. Fuck the Celtic "resurgance." i was at this show too, i think the best sets of the day were on the other side of the park, the boys sets fire set, and death by stereo. i'd never seen death by stereo live before and they blew me away. i just caught the end of tiger army but they sounded really good too. flogging molly was fucking crazy. great time I attended warped tour Friday, and it was really great. I had a lot more fun than I thought I did... i didn't need to hear that shitty story. "Almost all the major lables are owned by punk bands " - some smart guy below I would like to tell the idiot who thinks major lables aren't punk to Fuck Off, Epitaph is not 51% WB, I dont know where you are getting your info but you need to find a new sorce, Epitaph is owned by a member of the Godfathers of punk Bad Religion. Many punk bands switch back and forth between major lables and independent for many reasons but Almost all the major lables are owned by punk bands well i just got back from my first warped tour. and i just have one message for all you punk elitists who say warped tour sucks. "fuck off". that was the best time i've had in a while. short but sweet sets from some of my favorite bands. Flogging Molly was awesome, quarashi was alright, no use, bad religion was incredible, Nofx...it was all great. i loved it. now i must get in my shower and see just how hot my water can get. Ya gotta remember, I live in Minnesota. 90 degrees is pretty damn hot for up here. 90 degrees hot as fuck? Try going to Dallas Warped.. 115 last year on Asphalt in the less-than-shade-friendly Smirnoff Complex. waped tour sucks, anyone go to any of the hootenany's in cali? haha hehe ha hooo, did anyone else get as much of a kick out of that "MAJER LABLES R NOT PUNK" post as i did? good review. i would've liked to have been in on that flogging molly set. Epithaph is not punk becuz majer lables r not punk!!! To the Anonymous guy that thinks my review sucks, I say...thanks! You should have asked members of Bad religion or NOFX if warner bros owns 51% of epitaph, that's what i heard. I saw warped twice this year and I'd have to say flogging molly blew me away with their set both times. fuck! i left before the "randomness" took place. i was too cold and wet to stick around. This day was a great day for me to poop on. NOFX RANED OUT. BOOOOOOO!!! and i didnt stay until they played unplugged. BOOOOOOO!!! If only ALK3 would have played 'my friend peter' or 'steamer trunk' the day would have been completely recovered'it was quite a great show none the less. It sounds like you missed many a bands though. You missed the absolutely awful set by mxpx. I had to leave it was so bad. I did catch some of allister's set though. Also, Ilan Rubin of F.O.N. That kid is ridiculous on the kit. Great sets were also performed by Finch, The Starting line, OZMA and hot water music. Being my first summer away from chicago, it was nice to experience warped on grass. It was really cloudy by the time lagwagon came on stage. They have never been so tight. They were awesome. I had to catch the last 10 min. of Further seems forever. PITIFUL!!!! they were so bad live. Their new lead singer seemed completely out of breath the whole time. Riddlin' kids - very good. Homegrown. No shot dueling times w/ lagwagon. NFG - i was about a mile from the stage. It was abercrombie and 14 year olds in spaghetti straps as far as the eye could see. My they grow up fast. I am not a big flogging molly fan but standing soaking wet in the pouring rain watching 3,000 punks dance and throw there fists in the air to some fast celtic music was really cool. I must say......i will never type again. |
