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Warped Tour as a concert is impossible to review because there’s so many groups that it's impossible to see a good cross-section of them, so I just ended up going and hoping I got lucky with the set times. Therefore, my taste mostly dictates what I saw, but a few bands who were in the right place at the right time caught my attention, and I suspect that’s what Mr. Lyman wants.

For the most part, I did get lucky with the set times. Here is my “mix tape” of Warped.

I caught a few of the Horrorpops' songs. They’re quite strong live, and if I was into either genre they played in, I’d be excited for their every concert. Instead of being a gimmick, the standup bass added to their oddball allure. Their set was energetic and filled with audience participation, perhaps reminding the audience, that yes, punk bands wore makeup before the recent explosion.

I briefly watched Boys Night Out. I liked what I saw, but I had to high-tail to see another band. Harmonies seemed nice.

The Gym Class Heroes seemed to get the crowd into their stuff, but viewing from a distance, they didn’t fare too well in my eyes. Then again, I saw the tail end of their set, and was trying to keep a turkey sandwich down. The bassist and guitarist just seemed to sit there and play while the emcee went right into the photo pit to rhyme, which was quite the dichotomy.

Fall Out Boy was terrible. They were sloppy, fucked up their own songs, and no amount of energy and "THANK YOU CHICAGO WE FUCKING LOVE YOU" could save them. Oh, they tried to compensate; the bassist ran across stage doing karate flips and swinging of his guitar, but that’s only cheap theatrics if your band fucks up bad enough that I notice it. The drummer still rocks, though.

Funeral For A Friend had their fans out, and boy, they whipped the fans up good. I had fun, and if they were opening a show, I wouldn’t leave, per se. That said, I wouldn’t go out of my way to see them. Like Atreyu, except without the mascara and satanic fetish, less screaming and more singing.

Big D And The Kids Table was putting all they could into their set. I just didn’t enjoy it. Yes, it was fun, yes, it was energetic, but I wasn’t into it. They did remind me that ska wasn’t dead, and to the contrary, is quite fun. Still wasn’t into it. Being thirsty and miserable can do that to you.

And onto the groups I stayed a while for.

Thrice played “Under A Killing Moon.” That being one of my three favorite Thrice songs, I think it was safe to say they tore it up. And that’s my opinion from way, way away from the pit. Arena tours shouldn’t be out of the question for the band with presence like that.

A Wilhelm Scream played to about 50 people and murdered. “Me Vs Morrisey…” is worlds better live, and that’s from a song that nearly everyone on here admits is pure gold. Nuno went balls out, dashing across the stage with a manic grin on his face, joyously screaming while Trevor and Chris looked like men possessed, slamming their guitars and singing their parts with such force that I wondered if the veins would pop in their necks. It’s the kind of masculine energy that nearly a year straight on tour can give your band, and A Wilhelm Scream had it in spades. If there was any question A Wilhelm Scream is the real thing, their performance was an enthusiastic fuck yes!

Motion City Soundtrack ended the night right. I can safely say this was the best time I’ve seen them, and they only get better with age. Their set list could only have come from my fervent hopes that they played all songs I knew and loved. First good thing: They started their set right with “Don’t Call It A Comeback,” and they didn’t look back. It’s shiny, fuzzy pop at its best, and Motion City Soundtrack deserves all the attention they’re getting. I first saw them at the Bottom Lounge, and from there, they’ve only improved.

But the highlight of the day? That one special group that deserves praise above and beyond the truly excellent performances of A Wilhelm Scream and Motion City Soundtrack?

That band is Bedouin Soundclash. Never heard of them? Neither did I. Sure, I saw Adam’s review of them, found it interesting, and disregarded it. I also saw the CD made his top 20 of 2004. Again, I found it interesting, and disregarded it. I bought the CD a couple hours before I even saw them, again, on Adam’s suggestion.

I must set up the scene, however. I saw Bedouin Soundclash after the Gym Class Heroes on the Volcom/Hurley stages. These stages were two smaller stages made out of a pavilion stage in the Tweeter Center portion of the complex. Suffice to say, this was not an intimate setting. Somehow, the spacious sound of Bedouin Soundclash seemed to grow with this atmosphere. Describing sounds are usually things best left to people desperate to pigeonhole a group, but words like warm, soothing and relaxing don’t do Bedouin Soundclash justice, because those words are whored out to just about every other “indie” group out there. Instead, I think you’d be much better served by their dedications and covers and drawing conclusions from there.

They dedicated a song to Joe Strummer, with both backing bands, the Specials, Desmond Dekker, the Skatalites, and Strike Anywhere and the Explosion, “since they’re no longer with us on Warped.” They also pulled out a chorus and verse from the Clash’s “Guns Of Brixton” as well as an old ska song I didn’t recognize. I don’t know if it's dub, reggae, ska or whatever. What I can say is that these guys floored me, and this three-piece deserves your ear immediately.

Notes / oddities / points of interest / opportunity to get cheap shit:

  • Vagrant has a sale on Warped where you can pick up all their releases they brought with them brand new for $5, save Alkaline Trio’s Crimson for $7.
  • My Chemical Romance apparently takes Visa and Mastercard.
  • Alternative Press is raffling away a bunch of free stuff if you get a one-year subscription for $5. You could walk away with iPod speakers or free House Of Blues tickets to whatever show you want there.
  • Included with the free Floyd comp from Fat is a deal where if you buy three CDs, you get one free.
  • Ironically enough, the Myspace tent is more or less kiddie corner from the Trojan condom tent.
  • I hesitate to throw my hat into the pros and cons of Warped’s seeming corporate sponsorship, but I will say this: I’d much rather have a “corporate sponsored,” inclusive Warped Tour that doesn’t cost as much as opposed to an exclusionary, high-priced Warped that only suburbanites with faux-faded 80’s shirts and designer aviator glasses can afford.




People who liked this also liked:
With Honor - This is Our RevengeMillencolin - Pennybridge PioneersSnuff - Six Of One, Half A Dozen Of The Other 1986-20027 Seconds - Scream Real LoudThe Briefs - Steal Yer HeartWorld/Inferno Friendship Society - Red-Eyed SoulGerard Way and Gabriel Ba - The Umbrella Academy: Vol. 4 [comic]The Ataris - Live At The MetroBalzac - Beyond The DarknessVaux - Plague Music



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    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 5:29 PM (EST)

    Thursday mos def needs to be there next year. Also i think there should be more ska bands like Suburban Legends ans the Forces of Evil.

    Posted by Passion_of_Destruction on 2005-08-13 11:34:34

    funeral for a friend are awesome!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 1, 2005 at 4:48 PM (EDT)

    "I’d much rather have a “corporate sponsored,” inclusive Warped Tour that doesn’t cost as much as opposed to an exclusionary, high-priced Warped that only suburbanites with faux-faded 80’s shirts and designer aviator glasses can afford."

    I'd rather go see a young punk band play a basement show with a keg rather than either of the above options.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 29, 2005 at 2:04 PM (EDT)

    haha nothing can take away from the fact that it sucked

    Posted by primeevil7 on 2005-07-28 22:39:20

    In my defense, Strung Out was at 11 a.m. which was 10 minutes before I even entered the venue.

    Which caused problems because

    a) I didn't know when ANYONE was on
    b) I didn't know where ANYTHING is
    c) I was interviewing A Wilhelm Scream.

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-07-28 16:55:07

    Posted by Anonymous on 2005-07-28 14:31:35

    hey etweils88, tell your mom to stop changing her lipstick, it's making my dick look like a rainbow..you faggot

    k?

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 3:18 PM (EDT)

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007L7ET/qid=112 2578246/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-1488492-6107949?v=glance&s=music& n=507846

    to solve the such great heights mystery

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-28 14:44:20

    It says in the Give Up booklet that the Postal Service covered it..

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 2:43 PM (EDT)

    hahaha dude that put down was so old school and it was a cheap shot but it's true because I know his mom

    ----------POP n LOCK-----------

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 2:31 PM (EDT)

    hey etweils88, tell your mom to stop changing her lipstick, it's making my dick look like a rainbow..you faggot

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 1:18 PM (EDT)

    why isn't jennifer lost the war on the offsprings greatest hits??

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 12:23 PM (EDT)

    "That filth makes me long for the days of Blink 182, because now the impressionable teenagers are taking themselves much more seriously. But on the other hand, at least they'll be committing more suicides."

    Hahaha, comment of the month, at the very least.

    And to the Strung Out fan, I missed 'em too because in Chicago they played at fucking 11 a.m. And I'm still pissed about that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 11:24 AM (EDT)

    "I hesitate to throw my hat into the pros and cons of Warped’s seeming corporate sponsorship, but I will say this: I’d much rather have a “corporate sponsored,” inclusive Warped Tour that doesn’t cost as much as opposed to an exclusionary, high-priced Warped that only suburbanites with faux-faded 80’s shirts and designer aviator glasses can afford. "

    -the tour wouldn't be that expensive if they concentrated on the good bands, compared to the marketable ones.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 10:33 AM (EDT)

    you saw a bunch of shitty bands and missed strung out? wrost review ever.

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-07-27 23:31:34
    My Score:

    Okay. The Postal Service wrote "Such Great Heights". Iron & Wine covered it, for no real reason at all, for Garden State.

    I'm guessing that they used the Iron & Wine version of the song for the commercial due to the success of the Garden State ost and the exposure they've gotten from it.

    Score is for both Ben Gibbard and Sam Beam.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 10:07 PM (EDT)

    the comment below me is by a fucking moron

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-27 20:13:38

    Er, almost.

    "Such Great Heights", I believe, was originally by Iron & Wine. The Postal Service covered it, and it was a huge hit. Which makes me wonder why the I & W version was used for the commercial.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 6:23 PM (EDT)

    Man, the Warped Tour has gotten bad. Has anyone else watched Warped Wednesday on Fuse? I watched it for about 10 minutes today just out of morbid curiosity, and sure enough, only gross screamo bands getting interviewed. I also noticed that every band on it has some fat guy...so if anyone is in a screamo band and needs a little help, contact me. That filth makes me long for the days of Blink 182, because now the impressionable teenagers are taking themselves much more seriously. But on the other hand, at least they'll be committing more suicides.

    BTW, just downloaded the new A Wilhelm Scream album. Good stuff.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-27 17:02:34

    wait...ok...such great heights is a postal service song. iron and wine covered it...and iron and wine's version is in the commercial right?

    i just want to get it straight so i can get my useless info squared away

    - jones

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-27 16:58:20

    Cover.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-27 16:56:46

    its a Postal Service song right?

    such great heights

    - jones

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-27 16:49:57

    "Thats not Iron and Wine dude."

    Such Great Heights isn't Iron & Wine?!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 1:39 PM (EDT)

    The only band mentioned in this review that I have ever heard a song by is Big D and the Kid's Table (mostly because of their split with Melt Banana). This must make me out of touch and old. Good.

    -Ken

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-27 13:35:49

    John_Doe:

    I remember going to all those show, in basements in vfw halls.

    Where do you live?

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-07-27 12:52:33

    Actually it's a pretty good review. Grab a seat at the kiddie table, douchebag.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 12:38 PM (EDT)

    wow this is one crappy review. good job buddy you suck

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 11:16 AM (EDT)

    John_Doe:

    Much The Same is playing bottom lounge with Suicide Machines on August 26 and another show in the burbs september 3.. they said something about playing new songs for the first time at these shows.. i can't wait

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 11:14 AM (EDT)

    i've seen falloutboy live twice, and while i'm a big fan of their cd's, i'll second that they are sloppy live

    their drummer is tight as hell. he's really a great drummer. the bassist has great presence and plays competantly, but his basslines are very very simplistic

    their singer is the downfall. he loses his breath/sounds tired the whole time...definately studio singer.

    paul

    Posted by John_Doe on 2005-07-27 01:41:45

    Thanks niveK82

    I was thinking about going to the Warped tour this year to only see those three bands, but I decided against it (even only living about 20 minutes from the Tweeder Center)

    I was really wanting to hear the new MTS song live. Ive been to a bunch of their shows and never have been dissapointed yet. Hell, I remember when they were struggling for shows out in Orland Park, back when the "Caught off Guard E.P" days were here.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-07-27 00:36:25

    Damn, that offspring set kind of tempts me to go, well honestly I was going for Bedouin anyhow!

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-27 00:17:24

    Did anyone see Gogol Bordello (or however it is spelled) I have heard good things about them, heard a few songs online. How was their live show?

    And also did anyone catch the sets by the Offspring (any noteable songs they played) and also Much The Same's set?

    Thanks.

    Gogol Bordello was AMAZING. I though they were the best act there. It was nuts, Eugene was in the pit for a song. One of the funnest pits too. Go see them with Flogging Molly and throw rag in August.

    Offspring: not in order
    Genocide
    Self Esteem
    Come out and play
    Bad Habit
    All i want
    the new song from the greatest hits cd.
    Kids Arnt Alright
    Staring at the Sun

    the rest is getting foggy, i wished they played session or jennifer lost the war.

    Much the same was great like always. They played some of the new songs. The Greatest Betryal kicks all ass that could be kicked.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-07-26 23:47:37
    My Score:

    warped is warped. anyone still complaining about the kind of tour this has become is living in the past.

    anyway, if anything, i might give beduin another chance. i never thought much of them before but i hear too many good things about them from too many different places.

    um my score is for stars in general. beautiful things they are

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 11:33 PM (EDT)

    the warped tour is the most fucked up commodification of 'punk' ever... its a fucking disgrace when punk is equated with slick corporations and shitty mainstream metalcore bands...

    Posted by primeevil7 on 2005-07-26 23:18:03

    While at Warped, I spoke with Mark Beemer, and there may be Lifetime and Kid Dynamite Shirts for a Cure.

    Note the "may" in that sentence.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 11:04 PM (EDT)

    To answer a question, Much The Same's set was one of few highlights in an otherwise meager day... Strung Out and No Use were both good but MTS delivered not just great music but a high energy live show. A Wilhelm Scream was the only band I saw that day that surpassed them. I hope they tour together again, I missed it last time!

    Posted by John_Doe on 2005-07-26 22:34:53

    Did anyone see Gogol Bordello (or however it is spelled) I have heard good things about them, heard a few songs online. How was their live show?

    And also did anyone catch the sets by the Offspring (any noteable songs they played) and also Much The Same's set?

    Thanks.

    Posted by moldy on 2005-07-26 22:02:08

    so glad i went to lollapalooza

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-26 21:01:09

    hey, i cant read

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-26 21:00:36

    technically you said you were "thirsty and miserable" after you said they were "fun and energetic"

    Posted by primeevil7 on 2005-07-26 20:44:16

    So you said Big D was good, had lots of energy, and put everything into their set, but it still sucked? Only one question, what the fuck is wrong with you?

    Actually, what I said was I wasn't into it because I was thirsty and miserable. Note that before that I said they were energetic, and fun. That should give you the idea that the rest of the people there enjoyed it, but I did not for the reason listed in the first sentence.

    Posted by colossalbandit on 2005-07-26 19:30:35
    My Score:

    So you said Big D was good, had lots of energy, and put everything into their set, but it still sucked? Only one question, what the fuck is wrong with you?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 7:01 PM (EDT)

    Wow. I'm surprised someone actually went this year and then to review it.

    Weird. Did you read the lineup beforehand? Were you super drunk?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 6:17 PM (EDT)

    Thats not Iron and Wine dude.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 5:34 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this review pretty much caps up warped tour, chaotic desperate pushign through the crowd to catch the last 10 minutes of a band and then the first 10 of the next and last 10 of the next and so forth, and never being close to the stage

    good for the reviewer

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-26 16:36:10

    Oh, and no one mentioned the new M&M's commercial featuring Iron & Wine.

    Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-07-26 16:30:54

    iiiiiiiiiii LOVE A WILHELM SCREAM

    Posted by jaxkid1 on 2005-07-26 16:03:25

    Thank you, Chuna.

    Also, good review. Kept me interested, and I'm glad you mentioned how sloppy FOB always seems to be.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 3:01 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Bedouin Soundclash blows; also, why hasn't anyone mentioned that "When the Night..." is featured on a Zellers commercial? You guys had no problems tearing the Transplants apart when they did one for L'Oréal. Hypocrites.

    -Chunatown

    Posted by innocentbystander on 2005-07-26 14:00:42

    the line-up was kind of weak so i didn't go but i'm sorry i missed a wilhem scream. they are awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 1:49 PM (EDT)

    Dude, I was there watching Wilhelm too. DEAR SWEET LORD, they ripped us all a new one.

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-26 13:39:53

    Ironically enough, the Myspace tent is more or less kiddie corner from the Trojan condom tent.

    How is that ironic?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 12:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    indeed this was the worst line-up in years but it was safe to say that thrice killed it. plus, they played 2 new songs which slayed. however, this year's was full of fuck ups. the line up card had a lot of mistakes. the main one being a wilhelm scream being posted at 8:30 instead of 2 when they really played.

    Posted by skaboom on 2005-07-26 12:26:50

    But did you get to steal anything from strike anywhere's merch booth?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 12:10 PM (EDT)

    worst warped lineup in years.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 8:25 AM (EDT)

    What a crappy warped.....I knew people who went and were all decked out in there now trendy lame ass punker clothes. I just laughed, not one fucking decent band on this piece of shit. Atleast last year (or was it the year before?) they had Body Count a few dates. They should call this thing the "eyeliner, hair dye, black nail polish" support tour.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 4:02 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    That really sucks that you weren't feeling well during Big D as they were the best band there. I noticed you didn't see any local bands (FOB don't count...) what's up with that?

    I saw Bedouin Soundclash very early in the day during the Indianapolis spot because Big D said they were awesome both on their website and in person. This band blew me away. I immediatly fell in love with "When The Night Feels My Song" and "Rude Boy Don't Cry". I told the bassist at their merch tent that I thought he was awesome and that thier set was amazing. I got their cd and 4 free stickers (he was basically begging for straight change. I managed to dig out a 5 and 3 singles).

    In short: Bedouin Soundclash is amazing and they deserve a lot more success.

    www.myspace.com/malcontents

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-07-26 03:46:07

    Definitly made the right choice in skipping this year.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 3:42 AM (EDT)

    I went to lolla instead of warped this year. It was so fun!

    Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-07-26 03:07:42

    can't wait to see wilhelm again at randall's island. only strung out will keep me away from their stage.

    good review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 3:02 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is an average of this review and Napoleon's comment below.

    Posted by benz on 2005-07-26 02:38:43

    "hellfest fucking blows"

    but! Lifetime AND Kid Dynamite will be there. holy god damn.

    -benz

    Posted by LMChc on 2005-07-26 02:31:25

    My Chemical Romance takes Visa and Mastercard. I just lost that bet.

    To myself.

    I figured Bane would truck around an ATM after them so kids could buy the thirty five dollar hoodies.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 2:00 AM (EDT)

    gym class heroes a wilhelm scream >>>>>>>> lawrence arms

    Posted by niveK82 on 2005-07-26 01:51:01
    My Score:

    Did you notice that most of the bands on the Bishop stage sounding like crap?

    I though Mxpx and Gogol Bordello were the best there. I forgot how much i liked mxpx. Hell, i almost skipped them completely. Listing to them i felt like i was 10 uears younger fallign in love with them again.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 1:47 AM (EDT)

    hellfest fucking blows.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 1:10 AM (EDT)

    I'm more of a Hellfest person, because it's cheap for what you get, and there are no stage barriers.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 12:55 AM (EDT)

    Nice review.

    Posted by napoleoninrags on 2005-07-26 00:38:23

    instead of epitaph handing out a bag full of shit for signing the mailing list, maybe this year they could do a cross-promomional thing with the trojan tent. that way when someone inevitably yells "fuck pennywise !", they can respond with "at least wear a rubber dude!"

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-07-26 00:30:19

    Interesting review. I liked it.

    And I've heard from practically everyone who's seen them live that Fall Out Boy sucks. I think I'm gonna watch their set at my date just to see for myself.

    And A Wilhelm Scream just announced they're playing the last four days of the tour, so I'll get to see them. Bitchin.

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2005-07-26 00:19:10

    While there are a few good bands here and there I'm more of a Sound of the Underground person.

    But a few years from now, since I'm near Detroit, I could hit this, SOTU, and Ozzfest.

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