Brandon Allin
08/13/06, 09:47 PM
I woke up to the sound of my alarm at 7:00 AM on the morning of August 12th, 2006, and it hit me. On this day, I was to attend my first ever Warped Tour. I'm sure that sounds ridiculous coming from an active member of this community, but after years of cancelled plans and enough setbacks to last anyone a lifetime, I was finally going to experience what all the hype was about. We (myself, along with my brother and a guest) left home at 8:00 AM on the dot. After a quick stops in Newcastle and Oshawa to pick up our remaining guests, we hit the road to Barrie with excitement pumping through all of us.
We arrived at Park Place in Barrie, Ontario at 10:00 AM, exactly an hour before the gates were set to open. Unfortunately, we had to drive about a mile away to the very back of this enormous grassy field which was acting as a parking lot on this day, and which already held somewhere between 200-300 cars. We parked, and began the hike back to the gates. We parted ways with two of our guests, making plans to meet up once inside the park, and checked in at the VIP/Artist will call after a little wait. We were inside the park, and the action was underway. If you're interested, my day went a little like this:
Senses Fail
I was a little surprised to see such a well-known band performing first on the main stage, but it was exciting to see how many people were pumped and ready to go so early in the day. Now, I wouldn't exactly call myself a big Senses Fail fan or anything along those lines, but I made a promise to myself today to take a few steps outside of my niche and see what this tour had to offer. Additionally, I had the opportunity to see Senses Fail late last year, and I was highly unimpressed, so I was eager to give them another chance. While their sound still wasn't up my alley, their live performance was excellent, and lead vocalist Buddy Nielsen was on top of his game. The band ran through the main gems from their debut full-length, Let It Enfold You, including "Buried A Lie", "Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning", "You're Cute When You Scream", as well as the highly-popular "187" from their original EP. Additionally, the band offered the crowd two brand new tracks which are both set to appear on the bands forthcoming, sophomore full-length, Still Searching. The first of the two new songs was undoubtedly the better of the two, but neither were to be considered a letdown. Overall, Senses Fail had definitely stepped up their performance from our last encounter, so you can count me as impressed.
Thumbs Up
The Academy Is...
To be quite honest, I hadn't heard much of The Academy Is... before today, but with my brother being a fairly big fan, I was willing to give them a chance. They were set to perform on the Hurley stage immediately after Senses Fail, so we hurried over there to catch what we could. While the band seemed to be on top of their game sound-wise, I simply couldn't find that much to enjoy out of their performance. However, don't get me wrong, I would imagine the band were quite pleasing to their loyal fans who made sure to get into the park early enough to see them, but I found that if you didn't hold a deep passion for their music, the performance wasn't all that thrilling. In their defense, it might have had something to do with the boiling weather, or the lack of water my system, but that's it. The highlights of the set included "Checkmarks", "Slow Down", and a cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" featuring a member of the Gym Class Heroes, which were all performed in a perfectly accurate manner. All in all, the sound was impressive, but the experience was lacking.
Neutral
Emanuel
The next band on our schedule for the day was Emanuel. They were set to perform on the Vagrant records stage, which just happened to be set up at the complete opposite side of the massive park. Thankfully, we had a 10-15 minute break between their sets, so we were able to visit some tents on our way over there in good time. The band took the stage, and it was evident that energy was pulsing throughout them. Similarly to my statement regarding Senses Fail, Emanuel weren't exactly up my alley genre-wise either, but luckily their peformance packed enough punch to leave me impressive. The band, lead by vocalist Matt Breen, seemed to perform at the top of their game, and it's no understatement in saying that their live show packed in every enjoyable spark that their debut album, Soundtrack to a Headrush, holds. As expected, the band ran through the main favourites from their record including "Make Tonight", "The Hey Man!", and "Breathe Underwater", all of which sounded marvelous. While I wouldn't pop in their album to cure boredom on a regular day, it was nice to see this band in a live manner. Well done, gentlemen.
Thumbs Up
Subb
Unfortunately, I missed most of what Subb had to offer, but I was able to catch the tail end, which I felt was enough to warrant a quick review. The Stomp Records act performed selections from their new release, The Motions, as well as a few old fan-favourites on their label-sponsored stage. It was evident the band were having alot of fun, an element which is also easily found on their records, making it hard not to enjoy their performance. The crowd wasn't as big as I expected for a fairly local act, but the band were impressive all the same. I would highly recommend paying to see these musicians when they make their way to your area.
Thumbs Up
Halifax
Immediately following Subb, Drive-Thru records act Halifax were set to perform on the Smartpunk stage in support of their debut full-length, The Inevitability of a Strange World. Unfortunately, in comparison to the incredible sound of the various stages placed throughout the park, the sound under the Smartpunk tent left much to be desired. But, Halifax stepped on stage and ran through their set list all the same. While their performance was enjoyable, and I'm personally a sucker for their infectious Crue-inspired, rock/pop-punk sound, a noticeable amount of energy was lacking, or at least it appeared so from the center of the crowd. As a matter of fact, it looked as if most of the band were either hungover, or had just crawled out of bed, and unfortunately this hindered their enjoyment. But, the sound on their offerings including "Nightmare", "Anthem For Tonight", the closer "Sydney", and their new single "Our Revolution" were, for the most part, top notch. I'm going to give them a positive score, but I would have prefered to have seen a little more energy on stage.
Thumbs Up
The Johnstones
It might sound a little bit predictable, but a set from The Johnstones was definitely one of my most anticipated moments at Warped Tour. The band hit the stage at 3:00 PM on the Union Detox Stage, and I was instantly blown away. I had the opportunity to see them a few times a couple years ago, but they've improved so much that it is almost mind-blowing. The band, who recently inked a deal with Stomp Records to release their debut full-length, Word Is Bond, played a set that was bursting with energy, and the crowd interaction was phenomenal. I think it's safe to say these five musicians will go down as a refreshing breath of fresh air for the ska scene, and they're already well on their way. The band ran through old classics including the hit "Action", and performed new album tracks including "No Time For The Moment", "L.A.D.I.E.S.", and "Livin' In The Gutter." I whole-heartedly believe these kids will be a success, and they were without a doubt one of the most impressive sets of the day.
Thumbs Up
The Early November
I was fairly excited to have the opportunity to see The Early November once again, and I haven't heard much from their new triple-disc effort, so I was interested to see how this performance would turn out. Ace Enders and the gang sounded top notch, but a bit of energy was lacking, and it was easily noticeable to any critic. But, it was enjoyable to see the band on a smaller stage, as the first time I experienced their live show it was on a massive stage alongisde Saves The Day. In my honest opinion, the new tracks didn't quite appeal to me as much as some of the older material, but they were definitely inspiring. Consider me satisfied.
Thumbs Up
The Bouncing Souls
First of all, I consider myself lucky that I had the opportunity to see this band perform all together, as I've been waiting years and I just about missed it. I showed up a song or two late, but I caught enough of what I came to see. The band sounded incredible, and it easy to see who the hardcore Souls fans were amongst the massive crowd. Greg Attonito has a certain quality that during his bands performances you just can't help but excited, and that's a refreshing light for a punk band on a tour which no longer features much of their kind. But, despite the fact that the Bouncing Souls were playing to what were mainly comprised of first-time listeners, they performed flawlessly, and no audience could call themselves unsatisfied. I mean, there's not too many more powerful things than hearing the voices of over a thousand people sing "We are the true believers!" at the top of their lungs.
Thumbs Up
The Planet Smashers
It's almost unbelievable to hear what I'm about to say coming from a Canadian ska fan, and even moreso one out of Ontario, but this was my first experience with The Planet Smashers. I have been listening to their albums for a long time now, and I've considered myself a loyal fan for years, so you can imagine how excited I was to finally see them in a live atmosphere. The Smashers took the stage at exactly 5:00 on the Union Detox Stage, and they instantly captured my attention and rekindled my love for them. There's an essence about their sound and show that you're forced to enjoy, and it's almost overwhelming. It was hard to focus on much while skanking along with somewhere around 500 people right in the heart of the crowd, but I caught everything I needed to leave me impressed. The most enjoyable factor of the bands set was the song choices though, as they ran through all the expected fan favourites and singles including "Super Orgy Porno Party", "Missionary's Downfall", "Surfin' In Tofino", "Bullets To The Ground", and "Sk8 Or Die." What more could I ask for? Absolutely nothing.
Thumbs Up
Silverstein
I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to catch a set from Silverstein, but I decided to go ahead and watch a band I had never seen before. I was lucky enough to experience this performance from on stage, and I'm not exactly sure how things looked and sounded from the crowd, but they left nothing much to be desired. Unfortunately, I wouldn't call myself a big of their music, and I wasn't overly impressed with either of their albums, but I can now appreciate why fans have a passion for them, and I wasn't unimpressed. Shane Todd performs fabulously as a frontman, and the rest of the band puts enough energy into their show to capture the attention of any audience. If I was a bigger fan, I would have likely been more interested, but I applaud the band for their successful efforts.
Neutral
NOFX
If I had to compile a list of the bands I was anticipating the most, NOFX would definitely place somewhere right near the very top. I used to consider myself a massive fan of their high-energy, punk rock, and even though I'm sort of past that phase, there wasn't a chance in hell I was going to pass up the opportunity to see them play. Fat Mike is a character that you either love or hate, and although I don't really have a strong opinion on any of the band members, his band sure knows how to get a crowd going. As a matter of fact, one of the most enjoyable things about NOFX as a band is that they are just as entertaining off stage as they are on, and that's deserving of recognition. There's a reason why bands like NOFX have been around so long, and even though they only took the stage for a short half of an hour, they did what they came to do and left fans roaring with applause.
Thumbs Up
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake were set to headline the show on the tours main stage at 8:10 PM, and my guests and I could not count ourselves as more excited than we were. Our friend Vinnie (drums) invited the three of us on stage to watch the band up close and personal. The band opened the stage immediately following Rise Against with their Borders and Boundaries/Anthem classic "Look What Happened." Instantly, the crowd reacted, and I can't say I have ever seen more kids jumping up and down and screaming along lyrics than I had before their set. Less Than Jake are without a doubt one of the most impressive live bands out there today, and it was amazing to see how manys people turned up to see them play. The band made a tired, sweaty, and dusty crowd show more energy than I had seen all day, and that is something to write home about. They played classics including "Look What Happened", "Sugar In Your Gas Tank", "My Very Own Flag", and "The Silence of Selling Yourself Short", and performed "Soundtrack of My Life" and "Overrated (Everything Is)" which both appear on their new album In With the Out Crowd. On top of the incredible setlist, the crowd also saw appearances from the t-shirt launcher and JR's world-famous toilet paper gun, as well as a three man (lucky audience participants) beer drinking contest. Besides the fact that the participants drank the entire cooler and left the band with no beer, the set was flawless. I have never seen a more exciting live band than Less Than Jake, and I can honestly say that watching these five musicians from on stage was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Two Thumbs Way Up
All in all, Warped Tour was a complete success, and one of the best concerts Park Place has ever seen. It's just too bad that we'll have to wait another year for the next installment.
I'd like to extend a special thank you to Vinnie from Less Than Jake for all his help and generosity.
We arrived at Park Place in Barrie, Ontario at 10:00 AM, exactly an hour before the gates were set to open. Unfortunately, we had to drive about a mile away to the very back of this enormous grassy field which was acting as a parking lot on this day, and which already held somewhere between 200-300 cars. We parked, and began the hike back to the gates. We parted ways with two of our guests, making plans to meet up once inside the park, and checked in at the VIP/Artist will call after a little wait. We were inside the park, and the action was underway. If you're interested, my day went a little like this:
Senses Fail
I was a little surprised to see such a well-known band performing first on the main stage, but it was exciting to see how many people were pumped and ready to go so early in the day. Now, I wouldn't exactly call myself a big Senses Fail fan or anything along those lines, but I made a promise to myself today to take a few steps outside of my niche and see what this tour had to offer. Additionally, I had the opportunity to see Senses Fail late last year, and I was highly unimpressed, so I was eager to give them another chance. While their sound still wasn't up my alley, their live performance was excellent, and lead vocalist Buddy Nielsen was on top of his game. The band ran through the main gems from their debut full-length, Let It Enfold You, including "Buried A Lie", "Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning", "You're Cute When You Scream", as well as the highly-popular "187" from their original EP. Additionally, the band offered the crowd two brand new tracks which are both set to appear on the bands forthcoming, sophomore full-length, Still Searching. The first of the two new songs was undoubtedly the better of the two, but neither were to be considered a letdown. Overall, Senses Fail had definitely stepped up their performance from our last encounter, so you can count me as impressed.
Thumbs Up
The Academy Is...
To be quite honest, I hadn't heard much of The Academy Is... before today, but with my brother being a fairly big fan, I was willing to give them a chance. They were set to perform on the Hurley stage immediately after Senses Fail, so we hurried over there to catch what we could. While the band seemed to be on top of their game sound-wise, I simply couldn't find that much to enjoy out of their performance. However, don't get me wrong, I would imagine the band were quite pleasing to their loyal fans who made sure to get into the park early enough to see them, but I found that if you didn't hold a deep passion for their music, the performance wasn't all that thrilling. In their defense, it might have had something to do with the boiling weather, or the lack of water my system, but that's it. The highlights of the set included "Checkmarks", "Slow Down", and a cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" featuring a member of the Gym Class Heroes, which were all performed in a perfectly accurate manner. All in all, the sound was impressive, but the experience was lacking.
Neutral
Emanuel
The next band on our schedule for the day was Emanuel. They were set to perform on the Vagrant records stage, which just happened to be set up at the complete opposite side of the massive park. Thankfully, we had a 10-15 minute break between their sets, so we were able to visit some tents on our way over there in good time. The band took the stage, and it was evident that energy was pulsing throughout them. Similarly to my statement regarding Senses Fail, Emanuel weren't exactly up my alley genre-wise either, but luckily their peformance packed enough punch to leave me impressive. The band, lead by vocalist Matt Breen, seemed to perform at the top of their game, and it's no understatement in saying that their live show packed in every enjoyable spark that their debut album, Soundtrack to a Headrush, holds. As expected, the band ran through the main favourites from their record including "Make Tonight", "The Hey Man!", and "Breathe Underwater", all of which sounded marvelous. While I wouldn't pop in their album to cure boredom on a regular day, it was nice to see this band in a live manner. Well done, gentlemen.
Thumbs Up
Subb
Unfortunately, I missed most of what Subb had to offer, but I was able to catch the tail end, which I felt was enough to warrant a quick review. The Stomp Records act performed selections from their new release, The Motions, as well as a few old fan-favourites on their label-sponsored stage. It was evident the band were having alot of fun, an element which is also easily found on their records, making it hard not to enjoy their performance. The crowd wasn't as big as I expected for a fairly local act, but the band were impressive all the same. I would highly recommend paying to see these musicians when they make their way to your area.
Thumbs Up
Halifax
Immediately following Subb, Drive-Thru records act Halifax were set to perform on the Smartpunk stage in support of their debut full-length, The Inevitability of a Strange World. Unfortunately, in comparison to the incredible sound of the various stages placed throughout the park, the sound under the Smartpunk tent left much to be desired. But, Halifax stepped on stage and ran through their set list all the same. While their performance was enjoyable, and I'm personally a sucker for their infectious Crue-inspired, rock/pop-punk sound, a noticeable amount of energy was lacking, or at least it appeared so from the center of the crowd. As a matter of fact, it looked as if most of the band were either hungover, or had just crawled out of bed, and unfortunately this hindered their enjoyment. But, the sound on their offerings including "Nightmare", "Anthem For Tonight", the closer "Sydney", and their new single "Our Revolution" were, for the most part, top notch. I'm going to give them a positive score, but I would have prefered to have seen a little more energy on stage.
Thumbs Up
The Johnstones
It might sound a little bit predictable, but a set from The Johnstones was definitely one of my most anticipated moments at Warped Tour. The band hit the stage at 3:00 PM on the Union Detox Stage, and I was instantly blown away. I had the opportunity to see them a few times a couple years ago, but they've improved so much that it is almost mind-blowing. The band, who recently inked a deal with Stomp Records to release their debut full-length, Word Is Bond, played a set that was bursting with energy, and the crowd interaction was phenomenal. I think it's safe to say these five musicians will go down as a refreshing breath of fresh air for the ska scene, and they're already well on their way. The band ran through old classics including the hit "Action", and performed new album tracks including "No Time For The Moment", "L.A.D.I.E.S.", and "Livin' In The Gutter." I whole-heartedly believe these kids will be a success, and they were without a doubt one of the most impressive sets of the day.
Thumbs Up
The Early November
I was fairly excited to have the opportunity to see The Early November once again, and I haven't heard much from their new triple-disc effort, so I was interested to see how this performance would turn out. Ace Enders and the gang sounded top notch, but a bit of energy was lacking, and it was easily noticeable to any critic. But, it was enjoyable to see the band on a smaller stage, as the first time I experienced their live show it was on a massive stage alongisde Saves The Day. In my honest opinion, the new tracks didn't quite appeal to me as much as some of the older material, but they were definitely inspiring. Consider me satisfied.
Thumbs Up
The Bouncing Souls
First of all, I consider myself lucky that I had the opportunity to see this band perform all together, as I've been waiting years and I just about missed it. I showed up a song or two late, but I caught enough of what I came to see. The band sounded incredible, and it easy to see who the hardcore Souls fans were amongst the massive crowd. Greg Attonito has a certain quality that during his bands performances you just can't help but excited, and that's a refreshing light for a punk band on a tour which no longer features much of their kind. But, despite the fact that the Bouncing Souls were playing to what were mainly comprised of first-time listeners, they performed flawlessly, and no audience could call themselves unsatisfied. I mean, there's not too many more powerful things than hearing the voices of over a thousand people sing "We are the true believers!" at the top of their lungs.
Thumbs Up
The Planet Smashers
It's almost unbelievable to hear what I'm about to say coming from a Canadian ska fan, and even moreso one out of Ontario, but this was my first experience with The Planet Smashers. I have been listening to their albums for a long time now, and I've considered myself a loyal fan for years, so you can imagine how excited I was to finally see them in a live atmosphere. The Smashers took the stage at exactly 5:00 on the Union Detox Stage, and they instantly captured my attention and rekindled my love for them. There's an essence about their sound and show that you're forced to enjoy, and it's almost overwhelming. It was hard to focus on much while skanking along with somewhere around 500 people right in the heart of the crowd, but I caught everything I needed to leave me impressed. The most enjoyable factor of the bands set was the song choices though, as they ran through all the expected fan favourites and singles including "Super Orgy Porno Party", "Missionary's Downfall", "Surfin' In Tofino", "Bullets To The Ground", and "Sk8 Or Die." What more could I ask for? Absolutely nothing.
Thumbs Up
Silverstein
I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to catch a set from Silverstein, but I decided to go ahead and watch a band I had never seen before. I was lucky enough to experience this performance from on stage, and I'm not exactly sure how things looked and sounded from the crowd, but they left nothing much to be desired. Unfortunately, I wouldn't call myself a big of their music, and I wasn't overly impressed with either of their albums, but I can now appreciate why fans have a passion for them, and I wasn't unimpressed. Shane Todd performs fabulously as a frontman, and the rest of the band puts enough energy into their show to capture the attention of any audience. If I was a bigger fan, I would have likely been more interested, but I applaud the band for their successful efforts.
Neutral
NOFX
If I had to compile a list of the bands I was anticipating the most, NOFX would definitely place somewhere right near the very top. I used to consider myself a massive fan of their high-energy, punk rock, and even though I'm sort of past that phase, there wasn't a chance in hell I was going to pass up the opportunity to see them play. Fat Mike is a character that you either love or hate, and although I don't really have a strong opinion on any of the band members, his band sure knows how to get a crowd going. As a matter of fact, one of the most enjoyable things about NOFX as a band is that they are just as entertaining off stage as they are on, and that's deserving of recognition. There's a reason why bands like NOFX have been around so long, and even though they only took the stage for a short half of an hour, they did what they came to do and left fans roaring with applause.
Thumbs Up
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake were set to headline the show on the tours main stage at 8:10 PM, and my guests and I could not count ourselves as more excited than we were. Our friend Vinnie (drums) invited the three of us on stage to watch the band up close and personal. The band opened the stage immediately following Rise Against with their Borders and Boundaries/Anthem classic "Look What Happened." Instantly, the crowd reacted, and I can't say I have ever seen more kids jumping up and down and screaming along lyrics than I had before their set. Less Than Jake are without a doubt one of the most impressive live bands out there today, and it was amazing to see how manys people turned up to see them play. The band made a tired, sweaty, and dusty crowd show more energy than I had seen all day, and that is something to write home about. They played classics including "Look What Happened", "Sugar In Your Gas Tank", "My Very Own Flag", and "The Silence of Selling Yourself Short", and performed "Soundtrack of My Life" and "Overrated (Everything Is)" which both appear on their new album In With the Out Crowd. On top of the incredible setlist, the crowd also saw appearances from the t-shirt launcher and JR's world-famous toilet paper gun, as well as a three man (lucky audience participants) beer drinking contest. Besides the fact that the participants drank the entire cooler and left the band with no beer, the set was flawless. I have never seen a more exciting live band than Less Than Jake, and I can honestly say that watching these five musicians from on stage was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Two Thumbs Way Up
All in all, Warped Tour was a complete success, and one of the best concerts Park Place has ever seen. It's just too bad that we'll have to wait another year for the next installment.
I'd like to extend a special thank you to Vinnie from Less Than Jake for all his help and generosity.