Warped Tour 2009: Flogging Molly

As expected, Flogging Molly put on one of the day's best performances at the Warped Tour stop in Columbia, MD on July 14, 2009.






Check out all of my Warped Tour 2009 pictures here.

Warped Tour 2009: Chiodos

Chiodos managed to bring both the intricacy and intensity of their sound to the Main Stage of the Warped Tour on July 14, 2009 in Columbia, MD.






Check out all of my Warped Tour 2009 pictures here.

Warped Tour 2009: Streetlight Manifesto

Streetlight Manifesto brought their soulful ska to the Warped Tour's Hurley.com stage in Columbia, MD on July 14, 2009. While it was one of the event's smaller stages, they showed that they could have held their own against any band on the tour. Unlike many of today's ska bands, these guys understand that the genre is ultimately soul music.






Check out all of my Warped Tour 2009 pictures here.

Warped Tour 2009: VAMPS

VAMPS was one of the Warped Tour's handful of hard rock acts. They flavored their version with equal parts of goth and sleaze, making them a unique act on the tour.





Check out all of my Warped Tour 2009 pictures here.

Warped Tour 2009: The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada brought their screamo madness to the Warped Tour main stage in Columbia, MD on July 14. They were, hands down, the most intense band I saw that day.





Check out all of my Warped Tour 2009 pictures here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Russel Hornbeek of Music Saves Lives

Providing yet another way to do some good while you're catching a Warped Tour stop, Music Saves Lives addresses the dire need for blood and marrow donors. Not only do you get to save a life, but you get to go backstage in the process. Russel Hornbeek took some time to tell me a little bit about the organization's goals and accomplishments.

RnRnMN: What inspired the founding of Music Saves Lives?

RH: It's didn't seem right that in the summer the blood supply dropped so low. I wanted to find the students that normally donated during the school year and get them to donate in the summer.


RnRnMN: In the three years since Music Saves Lives was formed, how many life-saving donations have you accounted for?

RH: With this year almost finished we will hit almost 90,000 blood donations and that does not count the blood drives at all the colleges and high schools in spring between February and May. We have also reached over 12,000 marrow registrations.


RnRnMN: Why do you see rock fans as such a fertile ground for your work?

RH: It's all good ground. You can find anyone to care some, be it at country, rock or rap. I just love Warped bands and what better place then the Warped Tour. (laughs)


RnRnMN: Why do you think it's a demographic that hasn't been tapped until now?

RH: It's the way we go after the donor. I could not see a Red Cross employee running around Warped Tour, could you?


RnRnMN: How has being on the Warped Tour helped?

RH: That's who we reach. It helps that Kevin Lyman lets donors backstage too.


RnRnMN: Have you had a chance to catch any of the music? Who have you enjoyed the most?

RH: Shwayze is great and Gym Class has been off the hook. Love the live show. I have even found a few parking lot bands that I liked.


RnRnMN: How can music fans get involved?

RH: The best way is to donate or run blood drives in your city. We would be glad to help you even start a club at your school.


RnRnMN: Tell me a little bit about the Gibson Guitar Project.

RH: We'll we get young great artists, give them a Gibson with nothing on it and have them create. It's really great to see what they come up with. This year's Gibsons are amazing. We have had signings by Katy Perry, Jack's Mannequin, Bouncing Souls and Reel Big Fish. We then auction them with Unite the United to support our efforts at saving lives.


RnRnMN: How do you see Music Saves Lives growing over the next few years?

RH: If we keep getting the same support, I see us saving thousands more in Canada, and other countries soon. This is a global program and everyone bleeds red.



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Johnny Rioux of Street Dogs

This year's Warped Tour may have been a little short on punk quantity, but not quality and Street Dogs were among the best. I caught up with bassist Johnny Rioux to find out how the tour's been going, the reaction to the new album, State of Grace, and what's coming next for the band.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

JR: Warped has been treating us really well. We've made a ton of new friends out here. We've also been able to play for people that generally wouldn't know us, which was the goal, I guess. That isn't to say that it hasn't been hard, long hours, long drives, portapotties, and lack of sleep, but it's been a blast.


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

JR: The simple fact that we are putting out a record on a new label that knows how to promote bands on Warped. We were also offered main stage which was a first for us. We've been able to make new fans and set up for our fall tour and a 90 minute set (as opposed to the 30 minute warped set) nicely. A lot of our fans are older and work 9-5 so (they) can't come to Warped Tour. It created a great opportunity to spread the message to new fans. I think it's exceeded expectations.


RnRnMN: That gap between the stage and the barrier on the main stages inhibited a lot of fan/band interaction. You were one of the few bands to breach that gap and really connect. Do you find it difficult that the fans are a good ten feet back from the stage?

JR: You could put Mike on a skyscraper and he'd find a way to connect with fans on the ground. We are a "peoples band", so we will always bring it to the people.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has been known as "punk rock summer camp," but there aren't as many punk bands this year. As one of the few punk bands on the bill, do you think the diversity is good or bad?

JR: I didn't know 90% of the bands before Warped Tour. I've discovered a couple bands that I could listen to, but yeah very few. That said, we've had a posse of people we've been hanging out with every day: Aggrolites, Briggs, Bouncing Souls, Rise Against, Horrorpops, Broadway Calls, Pennywise, GBH and Against Me! (to name a few). We are out here! Kids are into different music nowadays, and Warped tour doesn't have to have bands like us anymore to sell tickets, but the fact that we write real life lyrics with real melody, and the kids have responded so well to it makes the diversity worth while and interesting. I have discovered Ipods and noise cancelling headphones too!


RnRnMN: In the past, there has been tension between punk bands and others (NOFX versus Underoath a few years ago, for instance). Is that true this year or is there a good sense of community?

JR: No direct tension. If we see someone acting like rock stars or assholes we are the type of guys that will confront them ourselves. It's in bad taste to air that stuff to music fans on a stage in front of thousands. No offense to Fat Mike of course! That was pretty funny.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

JR: Hands down, no competition, The Aggrolites are the best and most talented band on Warped Tour.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

JR: Real songs. Every note and lyric at every performance in front of 5 or 5,000 is from the gut and soul and done with 100% conviction.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

JR: I trust Kevin Lyman and Warped that the corporate sponsors they choose are not part of an evil empire and are fair and just companies. Warped Tour is the longest running festival tour in history and has helped give many of my friends a career and made punk rock a house hold name, for better or worse. I honestly hope Kevin Lyman has the biggest house on his block. He deserves it.


RnRnMN: How has the reaction been to your newly released State of Grace album?

JR: So far so good! We have the best fans on the planet. So long as we are sincere they support us and vice versa.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

JR: Headlining tour starting 9/11 in Houston with Time Again and Flatfoot 56. Then its off to Europe with Flogging Molly on the Eastpack tour. Its gonna be a busy year!



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Chris Youngblood of To Write Love On Her Arms

One of the many organizations that joined the Warped Tour to spread their message, To Write Love on Her Arms simply reaches out to people in trouble, whether it be addiction, depression, suicide or any other trouble faced in today's world. Chris Youngblood, TWLOHA's representative at their Warped Tour tent, gave me some more info on their goals and achievements.

RnRnMN: Is the focus of your work suicide and addiction or any difficulty that young people face?

CY: The work we do focuses on difficulty any person, young or old, can face. We believe these issues of suicide, addiction, self-injury, or depression can affect anyone. We don't focus on just the issues of suicide and addiction either. One of the most common issues that we get questioned about, that isn't something we address in our "mission statement," is eating disorders. So we're definitely looking into how to address those things in our find help section and educate ourselves on as well, so we can give people somewhere to go when they ask about them.


RnRnMN: In such a plentiful time and place, why do you think it is that so many kids in America suffer?

CY: I think no matter how many advantages a person can have in their life, or how many materials they can be given, it doesn't mean they're immune to feeling alone. We realize it's hard for a lot of people to communicate and trust and have a strong community around themselves. We want to be a voice that encourages those things. To tell your story...to have people you can turn to and trust in.


RnRnMN: Obviously, things have gotten pretty serious by the time you get involved, but what can someone do to help themselves before things get to that point? What can friends do?

CY: It goes back to my previous answer. One of the biggest things we do is communicate and encourage the people that turn to us. We want to encourage and challenge people to have someone they can turn to and trust in. It's an amazing feeling to know you have that in your life. Friends can be a catalyst for this. Be genuine to their friends when they ask, "How are you?" Let them share what's going on in their life and in their head. Paying attention can mean the absolute world to someone who needs their story to be heard.


RnRnMN: You're a Christian organization, but you're very explicit that your services are open to everyone because "Christian" can alienate people. Why do you think that is? Do you see dispelling that notion as part of your mission or is it incidental to your work?

CY: We actually wouldn't even consider ourselves to be a Christian organization. We, as people and staff, have our own beliefs and we think that's where labels should stay. You're right, labeling an organization "Christian" can alienate people. There are many people out there who feel like there's a judgmental stigma that goes along with the word and the people who call themselves Christian will guilt them with everything thing they have done wrong, or tell them the only way to be better is through the lord. We want people to know they have a place to come to and trust, where they won't be judge and they won't get the words from a bible waved in front of their face. We're here for everyone and we feel good about who we've been able to reach by putting ourselves out there like we have.


RnRnMN: Both religion and rock and roll seem to play an important part in how you reach people. Many people on both sides feel the two are at odds with each other. How do you see them working together? Does one lead people to the other?

CY: We saw them work together great at a week-long event we took part in this past July called, Cornerstone. It is known to be a Christian music festival and we were able to connect with many passionate people who felt these issues were important. We heard some great stories from people about how certain band's music and lyrics pulled them through a rough night. I'm sure there are stories out there from people who had no beliefs and heard a band they loved and took a listen to their lyrics and then found out the beliefs of the people in the band, and then from there they were lead to a religious view. And that's a beautiful thing. For someone to find themselves through something like that, and it gives them that light in a room of darkness, then let it be and be encouraging to that person.


RnRnMN: You get a lot of support from bands. Do you approach them or have you found that they come to you? How important is that support and why?

CY: Bands are definitely a huge reason why we are where we are. The response from them coming to us and sharing a little of their story, or how much they appreciate our voice in these issues is something we're very thankful for. I'm currently out on the Vans Warped Tour and the bands out on this tour have been amazing to us. Music can give a voice and words to people who can't figure out what exactly to say. It can make them feel. Bands can make this happen. The fact that the bands out here wear our shirts on stage and that can possibly have a few people in their audience raise their eyebrows and wonder what "To Write Love On Her Arms." is, and then they can find our tent and ask us questions or flip through our information book, is honestly a privilege.


RnRnMN: Two of the organizations you support fight human slavery. How does that tie in to your work fighting depression, addiction and suicide?

CY: In early 2007, Jamie and his sister Emily took a trip to India in an amazing experience where they saw there was a need. There are people there who deal with these issues. That are broken. It's something that makes you realize these issues aren't just something that Americans deal with. People all over the world deal with these issues. Human slavery is a very big issue in that area of the world and that can lead to those people seeing their only outlet being suicide. If they don't turn to that than abuse and depression can be something they will deal with for the rest of their life. We have mentioned how much we like the idea of being a global organization and we're taking the first step in addressing the fact that these are issues that are dealt with not just in our corner of the world.

RnRnMN: If you could give kids a message in a single sentence, what would it be?

CY: Your story is important and we are here to listen.



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Street Dogs

Not that it comes as any surprise, but the Street Dogs put on one the day's best performances at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Audelio Flores of Set Your Goals

Following their first full-length, Mutiny!, in 2006, Set Your Goals have toured with the likes of Anti-Flag, Alexisonfire and Big D and the Kids Table. They also made an appearance at the Bamboozle earlier this year. Now on the Warped Tour, I had the chance to find out how things are going and what's up next from guitarist Audelio Flores.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

AF: Warped tour has been great, just a really long summer camp with good friends. Kids have been awesome. Can't complain. I got used to showering with my solar bag. (laughs)


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

AF: Well we did 2 weeks in '07 and wished we could have done the whole thing. So when we got offered '08, we couldn't say no. It has lived up to its expectations. We've been able to hang out and party everyday.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

AF: They are some of the bigger crowds we've played. Like Boston was insanely huge for us. It always is. It’s like playing at home. Nothing compares to playing the smaller shows. They are more personal and intimate. But the upside of playing the Warped crowds is that we get to play to new audiences.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

AF: It's hard to real say who's the BEST band. There are so many great bands like Beat Union, Four Year Strong, Farewell, Ludo. There's so many good ones. I really liked Bedouin Soundclash. Also, watching 3OH3 is always fun. The Smart Punk Stage has a lot of great bands.


RnRnMN: There are a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

AF: Because we are here to have a good time and we have nothing to prove. We are just here to do what we love and that's music.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

AF: What does "sell out" mean? If Warped Tour didn't have the "corporate sponsors," Warped Tour will no longer keep going. You need their money to be able to fund bands' guarantees. We need to be able to make some kind of money, at least enough to eat and get to the next date.


RnRnMN: Your brand of hardcore is on the melodic side. Do you find that expands your fan base? Does it help get your message out?

AF: I didn't know we were a specific brand of hardcore. I think our fan base has expanded a lot because we are not scared to tour with different styles of bands. We try to get our music out to every kid possible. What helps you get your message out is touring, touring and touring. That's all we do and we love it and we thank all our fans for all the support you have given us. If it wasn't for you guys coming to our shows we would not be a band. Much LOVE!


RnRnMN: If you could give the kids at the Warped Tour one piece of advice, what would it be?

AF: Do what you love on your own terms and don't let anyone tell you different.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

AF: Work on some new material and get a new record out. But also get back to our families. We are all a bit burned out right now and being able to go home to reality will be good for all of us.



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Leader of Oreskaband

There are only a few bands with a trombone player on the Warped Tour this year (unlike the ska heyday a few years back), but only one is from Japan! I got a chance to catch up with Leader of Oreskaband to find out how the tour is going, what's up with their movie, Lock and Roll Forever, and what they have in store for the future.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

L: Great! I feel like time is passing in a flash since the tour started and it’s been a blast! Every single day there are lots of bands playing energetic shows all over the place. Each day is filled with new encounters with good music, good pals and different audience in different cities. We’ve been getting so much inspirations from playing the show, watching other bands playing and just being on tour in general. Unexpected things happen sometimes but we’re just enjoying each day to the fullest!


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Is it all you expected?

L: We played in seven cities at last year’s Warped Tour. Kevin Lyman saw us perform and offered us to play the whole dates this year, after last year’s tour. We were saying to each other that we’d want to play the full tour the next year, so it was a big surprise when we actually got the offer. The tour is a great opportunity for us to get our music out there, so it’s a big honor to be able to participate again this year. Hopefully there will be more people coming to see our own show because of the Warped Tour.


RnRnMN: When you formed Oreskaband back in 2003, you were barely teenagers. Did you think you would be touring the US before you even turned 20?

L: Not at all! We made Oreskaband just because we wanted to play music in a band and had no idea where it was going, but by 2004 when we started playing at local clubs, the band has became our life and started wishing strongly for the band to last as long as possible. We then got signed to Sony Music Japan, but even then we had no idea that we would ever have a chance to tour in America. We get flustered by unpredictable turn of events at times but have fun with whatever that happens...and that’s us.


RnRnMN: What bands got you into ska?

L: The reason we formed a ska band is simply because I wanted to do a band but could only play trombone. I thought a band with horn players is supposed to play ska music...I was ignorant about ska music that much. So that’s how we decided on doing ska, but once we started going to see other ska bands’ shows, we kept being intrigued into the upbeat rhythm of ska music that makes you feel good. Even if you don’t know a song, ska makes you happy and dance. We feel fortunate to have found such music!


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

L: I think so. It is definitely a big-scale event with many bands and various stages and it is our first experience to do a show every day like this. And knowing the number of people who look forward to this festival coming to their cities, I can see how big of a deal this tour is to many music fans. I think the main difference between this tour and club shows is that, with this tour, there is more opportunity for your band to be seen by many people. Also, since this is an outside festival, shows get affected by weather and accidents like storm can happen, but I guess that’s one of the things that makes the festival exciting!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

L: There are so many good bands and it’s hard to find time to check out their shows. To name a few, Reel Big Fish is the band that we’ve been listening to since we started our band and Beat Union is also a super cool band that brings the UK flavor to the Warped Tour. I also love Aggrolites, TAT and Bedouin Sound...their music gives me goose bumps!


RnRnMN: There are a lot of bands to choose from. Why should someone see Oreskaband?

L: Because our music makes you happy. Warped Tour would certainly make your day happy but we make it even happier and more fun. If you’re happy, we’ll make you happier and if you’re feeling down, let’s dance and have a blast together!


RnRnMN: Tell me about the movie, Lock and Roll Forever.

L: We are the lead character and play ourselves, Oreskaband. It was filmed in U.S. and Japan and although it’s based on our experience, the story is a fiction. It’s a story about Oreskaband, a Japanese local band that has no one to believe in them but got a chance to go to America, trying to make it big against all odds with our love of music and through encounter with many people. We also recorded soundtrack to the movie so please look forward to it, too.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

L: We’ll go back to Japan and play some shows and release a new album. We haven’t released an album in 18 months so we want to bring our Japanese fans what we’ve felt and experienced in the past 18 months through the new record. We also got signed by an American label so hopefully the new record will be released in America, too. And of course, we’ll be back to the States to do a tour so please come see us then!



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Broadway Calls

I missed Bedouin Soundclash to see these guys! Here's Broadway Calls at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Travis of From First to Last

From First to Last is following up the Spring release of their self-titled album on Suretone Records with a summer-long stint on the Warped Tour. On the verge of breaking through to the next level, vocalist/guitarist Travis Richter took a few minutes to tell me what's going on with the band and what's in store for the future.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

T: Greeeeat!


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

T: It was a chance to play with a bunch of great bands and hang with good people. It has definitely lived up to my expectations and beyond!


RnRnMN: How does the Warped Tour compare to playing smaller shows?

T: It’s outdoors and you can easily get a bunch of new fans from the people just happening to walk by while you play.


RnRnMN: You seem to finally have yur line-up solidified. How does being on grueling schedule like the Warped Tour affect the dynamics within the band?

T: It makes us come together more and it makes us more on our ‘A’ game since we never know what time we are playing each day.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

T: Four Year Strong.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

T: Because of my short shorts.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

T: Well due to my current status, ending my long term relationship with Craig Beasley, I don’t mind the AT&T sponsorship. I wouldn’t mind it less if they gave us free phones. (laughs)


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

T: Taking a vacation to Costa Rica, aka my home in Orlando, FL.




Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: The Color Fred

I was able to catch some of the Color Fred's set at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Mike Ruocco of Cinder Road

The Warped Tour, having expanded beyond its punk rock base, brought along hard rock band Cinder Road. The tour stop in Columbia, MD was a bit of a homecoming for the Baltimore band. I got the chance to see how things are going on the tour and what they have coming up.


RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

MR: Warped tour has been a very different experience for us coming from the rock world. It is a great look into the true DIY scene.


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

MR: We were given the opp to join Warped from Kevin Lyman. We gladly accepted and looked at his opp as a new challenge for us to conquer. So far is has been a good experience.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has clearly gotten away form being a primarily punk festival this year. As one of the hard rock bands that joined the tour this year, do you feel like it's given you the opportunity to reach a new audience?

MR: Yes definitely. We have had the opp t reach a whole new audience unfamiliar with our music. This is a big goal for us anytime we tour.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

MR: No we recently spent 2 months on the road with KISS playing stadiums and arenas so it is not the biggest crowds we have played to. However your crowd is soley dependent on your advertising abilities and who is competing for a crowd during your time slot.


RnRnMN: How was it coming home to play the Warped Tour stop in Maryland?

MR: It was great to visit home and see some familiar faces. We can't wait to go back!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

MR: Anberlin or Story of the Year are personal favs for me.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

MR: We bring a different musical style and sound to warped. Hopefully the fans are open to new experiences.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

MR: I know that I'd like to have a corp sponsor if that answers your question.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

MR: We are scheduled to go out with Alice Cooped for some shows and then its down to writing a new record!



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Kristina Grossmann of Rock for Health

One of the great things about the Warped Tour is its desire to showcase activist and charitable organizations. Rock for Health is one such organization whose goals center around health care and advice for musicians who are frequently without any resources. Kristina Grossmann, president of Rock for Health, answered a few questions about the organization and its presence on the tour.

RnRnMN: You are a relatively new organization, formed in October of last year. How much have you been able to accomplish in the last 10 months?

KG: ROCK FOR HEALTH has accomplished a great amount in the last 10 months. By December of last year, when we were two months old, we already had Warped Tour confirmed. We received an invitation to SXSW this year, have done numerous press such as FUSE TV and Radio&Records Magazine, locked down a few tours, and have helped countless artists! The organization is growing very quickly - I'm very pleased!


RnRnMN: With the election this year and health care being an increasingly big issue at the state and federal levels, do you do (or hope to do) any advocacy work?

KG: Part of RFH's mission statement is advocating health and preventative care for artists. The biggest misconception about my organization is that we are an insurance provider -which we are not. We partner up with health insurance and health benefit agencies to help artists get affordable care. In advocating preventative care, we work with nutritional companies and other health companies to educate and offer artists healthy alternatives. I created a tour manual for artists that contains locations of free clinics, hospitals, ambulance services, pharmacies, ear/nose/throat doctors, chiropractors - you get the gist - in every major touring city. It also has information on how to stay healthy on the road, such as tour exercises and what to eat when at a gas station. RFH is an organization that makes people thing - "Why didn't I think of that?"


RnRnMN: Is your goal strictly health advice for musicians or do you hope to ultimately provide a means for musicians to obtain health insurance?

KG: One of the companies that we work with is a health benefit agency called MEDILINQ. We have a plan with MEDILINQ that for $39.95 a month, a whole entire band up to 15 members receives 40-60% off on prescription drugs, doctor visits, dental, urgent care, chiropractors, etc. We have already signed a few bands up for this service and they absolutely love it. I had a client save over $600 on a root canal! I have since been dubbed "The Healthcare Angel."

RnRnMN: How has your presence with the Warped Tour helped?

KG: Warped Tour has helped RFH immensely! With over 130 bands on the tour and an average venue size of 15,000 kids, Warped has been great. The best part is seeing how fast the company grows everyday while on the tour. I get more and more people coming up to me on the tour telling me how they heard about us or how they saw a certain artist on the tour wearing one of our shirts. More and more kids buy shirts everyday, more and more artists wear the shirts everyday, and we are helping so many more people in such a short period of time that we ever would have been able to. It's very humbling meeting people that are so genuinely thankful for an organization like this, and seeing the happiness of bands when they find out that someone is
tackling an issue like this. We are the only non-profit on this tour that is for the musicians themselves. With so many bands on the tour and so many people within the scene with connections to other artists, this tour is a no-brainer.


RnRnMN: Have you been able to enjoy the music or has it been all work on the tour?

KG: With me, it's always all work! But I love it. I absolutely get to watch bands on the tour - especially the bands that I am working with. Some of them are so hard to find that sometimes finding them at their set is the only option! I show them support for their support of ROCK FOR HEALTH.


RnRnMN: How do you envision Rock for Health growing over the next few years?

KG: In the future, I would like to have the funds to sponsor research on musician related illnesses, such as an ear/nose/throat doctor studying a singers vocal chords. I'm going to be having ROCK FOR HEALTH sponsored tours, benefit shows, etc, as well as being able to donate money to artists who are in some sort of health bind.


RnRnMN: Other than donations, how can fans help?

KG: To make a donation, you can visit our webpage or myspace. Donations are tax-deductible! Buying tee-shirts also helps, as that money goes into helping the artists. Fans can help by adding me on myspace and volunteering at shows and tours that we participate in. Everything from handing out fliers, posting our banner on your site, wearing tee shirts, to telling people about the organization helps us out so much!



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See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: We the Kings

Here's some shots from We the Kings' set at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem

When you go to a fest like the Warped Tour, there's so many bands that you have to make choices, but the Gaslight Anthem made it easy, because there wasn't anything that could trump catching their set. After a listen to their upcoming album, The '59 Sound, I had high expectations and the band met them. I had a chance to catch up with singer Brian Fallon to find out how the Warped Tour was (this was their last date) and what's up next for them (and a little talk about Springsteen).



RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

BF: The Warped Tour was pretty fun for us. It was hot, but of course it was hot, it's July! We were in a van and trailer, but hey, we make due. We had a good time.


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

BF: We did it to see the Bronx for free. We just wanted to do it. It's all about gaining experiences when you're a touring band and the warped tour is definitely an experience. It's really a pretty good time if you don't sit around and complain all day about the heat.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

BF: Actually we were on one of the smallest stages. We get much bigger crowds on our own tours. We really had to fight to get seen, so we just turned the live show up a notch and it worked. By the last day, there were a lot of kids watching us.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

BF: The Bronx, the Bronx, the Bronx. Amazing!


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

BF: You won't see any other band doing what we do live. I'm not saying we're the best, I'm just saying we're making a noise you don't hear so often nowadays. We've got our hands in the Motown pot. That's where we're drawing from.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

BF: I don't know man. I don't think everything can be mom and pop, but truthfully, I'm not into all that. That's jive to me. To me, it's about treating people right. I haven't gotten that perfect yet myself. When I do, then I'll start pointing fingers. For now, I'm busy trying to sort my own shortcomings out. Everything's sponsored, baseball, everything, but I'm not into all that though. I don't know AT&T from IPods. It's all out of my peripheral right now.


RnRnMN: Your new album, The 59 Sound, is like punk rock Springsteen. Do you guys like Springsteen a lot or is it just something that happens when you grow up in New Jersey?

BF: The Boss is the Boss applesauce.


RnRnMN: Springsteen is clearly not playing punk rock. How do you see the connection between Springsteen and punk? It seems like something that should have been done before. Why do you think that boat's been missed up until now?

BF: You watch live at Hammersmith Odean 1975 DVD and then you see punk rock. I don't think half the kids waving springsteen flags sound like Springsteen, I think there's a bit of a band wagon, tell 'em come down to Asbury Park and spend a few minutes here, then we can talk Bruce.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

BF: We're going to Australia tomorrow and then Redding and Leeds, then the US from fall to winter. We're road tested, mother approved. Plus, we can't get no real jobs.



Website

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See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Gaslight Anthem

Here's some shots from Gaslight Anthem's set at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Dillan Wheeler of A Cursive Memory

Barely out of high school, A Cursive Memory is one of several young bands on the Warped Tour. Don't be fooled by their age though, because these guys are already making waves with their debut full-length, Changes, and the fabulous success of their video for the single "Everything." Here's drummer Dillan Wheeler's take on the band's Warped Tour experience.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

DW: A Cursive Memory and the Warped Tour go together better than cheese and crackers. If I had one criticism, it would be the heat on the east coast is too intense, to which I suggest Kevin Lyman turn the sun down a little bit next time.


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

DW: We had never done it before and the fact that we were able to play this year made it a done deal. We are just happy to be here. It has definitely exceeded my expectations.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

DW: We have been lucky enough to play to pretty big crowds. The Bamboozle Road Show treated us really nicely in that department. The only difference is with those shows we were a small, new band and got to play for a lot of people who had not heard us before. The cool thing about this tour is that we have had plenty of people stop by, just to see us, when there are other bands playing at the same time. It is encouraging to know that people want to come watch us and it really makes our day.


RnRnMN: You guys are among the tours youngest bands. What benefit do you think there has been for you in touring with bands who have been around longer and have more experience?

DW: Playing with older more experienced bands really makes you check yourself. We got to see how they prepare for a show, the way they transition between songs, how they organize among themselves on stage, and the business aspect of it all. It allows us to constantly reevaluate how we play personally and together as a band.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

DW: It is way too hard for me to choose one band that is the “best”, but here have been my favorites to watch: Say Anything, Jack’s Mannequin, Set Your Goals, Every Time I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Dr. Manhattan. I love watching Dr. Manhattan. They are absolutely nuts and I love it.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has been called "punk rock summer camp" in the past. Not really being a punk band, do you think that's still an accurate description of the tour? Does it create any tension with so many different kinds of artists? Are there any cliques?

DW: There definitely are cliques, but none of these groups are completely closed off. I haven’t noticed much tension between groups either. It just doesn’t seem like the kind of issue it was in the past where one band was talking trash about another band playing right next to them (i.e. NOFX vs. Underoath). Maybe I just have not been around it if it is happening. Naturally, bands of the same genre know of each other and tend to hang out the most together. I would still say it is like “punk rock summer camp.” No, we are not a “punk band,” although we do incorporate some aspects of the genre into our songs. The truth of the matter is that if there is a band that you think is not “punk” enough to be on the Warped tour, the REAL punk thing to do is not care.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

DW: People should come see us because if they don’t, they are not invited to my birthday party.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

DW: It is necessary I guess. For all I know the AT&T sponsorship is funding the stage that my favorite band is playing on, so it would be very bold of anyone to yell "sellout."


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

DW: Since we hop off warped tour on the east coast, we are hitting shows on the way back home from 7/29-8/9 and we are getting our fall shows lined up. More soon!



Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Bouncing Souls

No strangers to the Warped Tour, the Bouncing Souls' set didn't disappoint. Here they are at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Review: Protest the Hero - Fortress

Label: Vagrant Records

Released: February 11, 2008

There is a musical gray area that exists between good bands that live within their limitations and great bands that have no limitations. Bands in that gray area are clearly very, very good and deserve credit for their willingness to push the envelope of their sound. At the same time, they get dinged for lacking the self-knowledge to know when to stop pushing and to start concentrating on songwriting rather than theory. These bands avoid the perfection that can be achieved on either side of them and the degree to which they avoid it determines whether their album flirts with greatness or disaster.

Protest the Hero's second full-length album, Fortress, certainly falls into that gray area. These guys' chops far exceed most of their peers'. The rhythms are tight and dynamic, their dual guitar attack can be both lightning fast and beautifully melodic and Rody Walker's vocals are as effective when smooth as when brutal. They incorporate hardcore's brutality and thrash's speed with moments of symphonic metal that actually aren't all that gratuitous. In their best moments they knock on the door of the Mars Volta, but unlike Volta, their songs often lack the cohesiveness that turns experimentation into song. That and perhaps the thinness of the production are the limiting factors of the soaring potential of Fortress.

All members of Protest the Hero are under the legal drinking age (here in the US, but not in their Canadian home), yet they've been playing together for nine years. That may account for both their incredible ability to play together as well as their struggle to write focused songs. For such a young band, they are incredibly literate, writing lyrics that sensible enough to get a feel for the song, yet cryptic enough to keep you guessing. If they could translate that same ability into the music, they would get out of that gray area and do more than just flirt with greatness.

Ratings
Satriani: 10/10
Zappa: 7/10
Dylan: 4/10
Aretha: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

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If you're curious about my rating categories, read the description.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Shwayze

One of several hip-hop acts on the tour this year, Shwayze's laid back jams and good-time vibe stood out amongst punk, hardcore and emo...and the ladies loved 'em.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

S: Warped has been really cool.. I think over the years its become more diverse, which is great for a group like us. We'll play in between two hardcore bands and still have our fan base in full effect, also we get to touch fans that may not normally be exposed to our music.


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

S: When we got the call to do Warped Tour we were stoked to do it. It's been a lot of fun.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

S: I have to say my boys in 3OH!3, these rappers out of Denver Colorado. Check them out!

RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

S: Because we're the dopest! And all the girls come to our stage!


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

S: A necessary evil. I mean the tour has been going on for 15 years. They must be doing somthing right! Right?


RnRnMN: When you guys played, girls went crazy. It was like you guys were the Beatles. What's up with that?

S: Ha ha. I dont know. Girls were the inspiration while making the record so I would only hope they come to the show.


RnRnMN: I'm a happily married guy. I don't drink or smoke pot. What does Shwayze have to offer me?

S: You don't have to drink or smoke pot to have a good time. Our DJ Skeet Skeet is straight edge, so if you come hang he'll be sober with you and as far as the wife goes...you gotta resist your own temptation playa! Ha ha!


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

S: Another tour! We have some shows lined up with Tyga and Sean Kingston. Also, our TV Show premiers on MTV July 23rd and our record comes out August 19th. Keep an eye out for Shwayze!



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Shwayze

Shwayze put on a good show at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Donovan Welsh of Animo

Animo is one of the Warped Tour's younger bands, but this isn't their first time out. A few years ago, they lobbied Kevin Lyman directly for a shot at playing and they've been out each year since. Here's what bassist Donovan Welsh had to say about this year's tour and what the band is up to otherwise.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

DW: Its been pretty rad. The shows have been great and we have had a limited amount of rain out here. The days are long but its so much fun.


RnRnMN: You had to track down Kevin Lyman to get your first Warped Tour gig. How crucial was that to you as a band?

DW: It was one of the most if not the most crucial part of us keeping the band going. The Warped Tour is the perfect place for a band like ours. The audience knows that there will be new bands to check out, and they are geared towards our type of music. Kevin Lyman allows that to happen.


RnRnMN: How have things on the tour changed since those days?

DW: The bands change but the enviroment has always been cool. The biggest difference I think would be gas prices as they affect evrything to do with touring.


RnRnMN: How does paying to the big Warped Tour crowds compare to playing smaller shows?

DW: Playing Warped Tour is totally different as you have to "win over" the crowd. The competiton out here is thick, and you have a bunch of different stuff happening.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

DW: Against Me! is the best sounding band out here, they are nearly perfect everyday.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

DW: Our show rules! Well, you are going to have fun at our show, thats for sure. We give it our all everyday out here and it shows.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

DW: I feel fine about it as it helps keep the ticket prices low and that means kids who don't normally go to shows to see new bands will be at Warped. Where else can you see that many bands for a low price?


RnRnMN: Blood in the Water has been out a few weeks. How has the reaction been?

DW: The reaction has been awesome. The record is selling well and kids are really into the new songs live. The record has been getting really great reviews so thats good.


RnRnMN: Tell me one good story from this year's tour.

DW: They have a sumo wrestling tournament once a week out here with those big suits. Brian, our guitar, player entered the other night and destroyed everyone. The matches are 2 out of 3 and Brian didn't lose once, it was so funny.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

DW: We are up for a few tours and waiting to hear whats happening with that. But look for us to be on the road in the fall!



Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Relient K

Here's a few from Relient K's set early in the day at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish were right in the thick of that third wave of ska ten or so years back, but they're one of the few bands to not only stick around, but to still be vital and their Warped Tour performance on Columbia, MD on July 16th was evidence of that. Singer Aaron Barrett gave me some feedback on why they're still going strong and how the tour has been thus far.


RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

AB: We are having an amazing time on the warped tour! Awesome crowds, lots of great bands and lots of stuff to keep us busy every day!


RnRnMN: How many times have you played the Warped Tour and how has it changed over the years? How does this year compare?

AB: I don't know if it’s just been so long that I don't remember or what but it just seems that the whole thing runs a whole lot more smoothly than ever! The catering is a thousand times better than ever too!


RnRnMN: Ten years ago, ska bands were everywhere, but not so much now. What do you have that's kept you around when so many of your peers have fallen by the wayside?

AB: I think the important thing that has kept us around and going strong is that we never listened to the record company, we listened to the fans! The record labels would cluelessly ask for "modern rock singles" and mixes of songs with "the horns turned off," but we always stuck to what WE wanted to do and we knew that the fans were there supporting us and loving what we did too!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

AB: Against me, Oreskaband, Gil Mantera's Part Dream


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

AB: Well, luckily for us, a lot of people know about our band and have heard the name, so that might draw them over to our stage while we're playing. Also, our reputation of being fun and entertaining helps bring people over too!


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

AB: Well it has always had corporate sponsors like Vans and such, it's just a way to get more money so that the production is better and everybody can enjoy the experience that much more. It does get kind of annoying to be constantly aurally and visually assaulted by ads everywhere, but that's just the world we live in right now, I guess.
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Website

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See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish have been at it awhile, but they haven't lost a step (or their sense of humor). Here they are at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.


See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Jason LaRocca of the Briggs

I was able to catch up with Briggs' guitarist Jason LaRocca to find out how the tour was going, what the reaction has been to their new album, Come All You Madmen, and what's up next.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

JL: Been good, we have our crew of bands that we are having a great time with; The Aggrolites, Against Me!, The Bouncing Souls, Reel Big Fish. It's going very well.


RnRnMN: Have you played Warped Tours in the past? If so, how does this year compare?

JL: We have done bits and pieces of the tour since 2002. I would say that so far this one has been the toughest as far as the punk scene goes. There aren't that many of us out on the tour this year. So far I would say that 2007 was the best line up in my opinion. The tour this year is by no means however bumming me out. It's great. It isn't the same however without a band like Bad Religion on the tour.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for?

JL: Some yes, some no. Sometimes we play very early and a lot of our fans miss our set. Sometimes you play right in the middle of the day and play for a thousand people or more.


RnRnMN: How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

JL: The smaller shows are great. They are intimate and always are a great time. It is fun though to be able to see so much music in the course of a single day. It's a different animal.


RnRnMN: How has the reaction been to the songs off the new album, Come All You Madmen?

JL: A lot better than I was expecting. Even before the record came out when we started the tour there were tons of kids singing along to the new songs. That is a great feeling!!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

JL: Dillinger Escape Plan


RnRnMN: There are a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

JL: Well, in the first place someone who is coming to see a punk show only has about four bands to choose from this year. It actually makes the decision process nice and easy.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

JL: All I know is that I show up and there is a stage and a bunch of kids and we go completely fucking nuts and that's that. It doesn't really affect my world any different than any other "non-sponsored" show would. Maybe it's nicer to someone else's pocket? But not mine.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour used to be called "punk rock summer camp." It sounds like that's no longer an accurate description. Do you think this is the year that changed?

JL: Yes. We are the odd band out on this tour. It feels very strange. The Bouncing Souls are out for a few days though and that's cool. Other than that it's just us, The Aggrolites and Pennywise.


RnRnMN: Has it created hard feelings or dissension within the tour?

JL: Well I don't think that we are very well liked by most of the bands. We call out some of the bands we hate on tour while we are on stage. That hasn't gone over very well with some of the other bands on tour. Oh well!


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

JL: Leeds and Reading Fest in the UK with Rage Against The Machine!



Check out the Briggs' latest video for "Charge At The Sun".

Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Angels and Airwaves

This set is from Angels and Airwaves' set on the Highway 1 stage.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Cory Brandan of Norma Jean

Norma Jean is no stranger to touring festivals. They're one of the few bands that have played both Ozzfest and the Warped Tour. I caught their set at the tour stop in Columbia, MD on July 16th and they tore it up. I got a chance to check in with vocalist Cory Brandan to see how the tour has been going and what else is going on with the band.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

CB: She has been really good to us. She makes us pancakes every morning and showers us with gifts… it’s been a good time needless to say.


RnRnMN: You've also played Ozzfest. How do the two tours compare? Do you have a preference?

CB: They don’t really, two totally different vibes. The age difference alone will make you explode… or at least think really hard about how different the ages are. I honestly prefer Warped though. We have had such a good response on this tour.


RnRnMN: What did you expect from the Warped Tour going in? Has it lived up to your expectations?

CB: We played five dates last year and loved it. We had no real expectations but whatever they were I am sure that they were surpassed. This tour rules. How much more do I need to pump up this tour really??


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

CB: I would definitely say Every Time I Die, they are some of our best friends in the world and it just so happens that they have one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get there and look at the schedule. Theres no way to see everyone. Why should someone see you?

CB: If you come see Norma Jean it will rain million dollar bills and ice cream. You won’t be hot at all and your God will suddenly know English. I don’t know… it’s a freakin party though.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

CB: I have no problem with that at all. They are supporting this tour and these bands ultimately, including Norma Jean, so we have no complaints. I think it’s actually really great they are supporting music.


RnRnMN: For years, Christian rock meant things like Stryper and Petra as well as a host of Christian pop artists that just never seemed all that inspiring or intense. Over the last decade or so though, there seems to be an increasing number of Christian bands playing very heavy and intense music like Demon Hunter, Spitfire, you and others. What do you think accounts for that? Is there any conflict between rock and roll and Christianity?

CB: Not at all… something I always tell people is that a sound can’t hold a belief. Whether its whistling, clapping, humming or a riff. A sound can’t be Christian or non-Christian, good or evil. It’s music. The content behind the music is a different story, but even then we are no different from our peers… we sing about what we believe in as most bands do.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

CB: Our new record The Anti Mother comes out on August 5th in stores and online everywhere. We will be playing this years Revelation Generation festival in New Jersey, after that we be headlining the US on the Solid State Records tour this fall. Heck yeah!!

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Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Every Time I Die

Here's a few from Every Time I Die's blistering set at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.

Review: Cinematic Sunrise - A Coloring Storybook and Long Playing Record

Label: Equal Vision

Released: May 13, 2008

The presense of Chiodos' Craig Owens and Bradley Bell will likely lead listeners to expect that band's bold and expansive offshoot from hardcore, but nothing could be further from Cinematic Sunrise. This project replaces punch with pop and challenges with safety. While that might not make every Chiodos fan happy, it at least gives this side-project a purpose and life of its own.

Cinematic Sunrise leans heavily on 80s pop style and production values and mixes it up with more recent emo crunchiness without creating a harder sound. Whether they're drawing on 80s piano-pop or folk-pop along the lines of the Church, it all taps into that long tradition of teenage drama songs.

These songs are all well-played, but lite and that begs the question: Is the material believable? The hooks make me want to believe, yet they're just so slick that there's that nagging feeling that there isn't much under the surface. Perhaps the answer comes on the EP's final track, "You Told Me You Loved Me." It rings about as true as "Sister Christian" and makes me think more of those K-Tel collections from the 80s that compiled "rock's sensitive side."

While the songs are well-crafted and the packaging (see below) shows a great sense of childlike fun, in the end they are, like the band's name implies, ultimately just an image even when they seem beautiful.



All that being said, I did catch their set on the Warped Tour and the music has some teeth live. Don't get me wrong, it's still nothing like Chiodos, but some of the slickness is tempered by hints of edginess and a lot of good-natured fun.

Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 4/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 4/10
Overall: 5/10

Website

Myspace

If you're curious about my rating categories, read the description.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Chap Stique of Family Force 5

Family Force 5 have played all but a few dates on the Warped Tour since it began last month. Their brand of Voltron-inspired electro-punk certainly makes them one of the more unique bands on the tour. I got the chance to catch up with guitarist Chap Stique to see how things have been going.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

CS: It's been incredible! Warped has seen the debut of the Family Force 5000, a 6 foot-tall, 760-pound drum machine that inhales electricity and exhales lightning. It looks like a giant NASA experiment that illuminates when you punch it. So the question isn't, how as the Warped Tour treated us..." it's really, "How has the Family Force 5000 treated Warped Tour?"


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

CS: The catering rules, the crowds are insane, and the water comes in a can, so it was a no-brainer decision for us. Warped has certainly lived up to our expectations, but the distinct detail in our tank-top tans has been the most awe-inspiring part thus far.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

CS: No, our crowds were a bit bigger on the Van Halen, U2, Devo, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, and Family Force 5 tour. We headlined.

We have a blast playing anywhere. Three years ago, our band played a show in Pittsburgh for two people. We bought a bunch of He-man action figures and threw them around the club while we danced on tables and sprinted in circles. It was one of the most amazing shows we've ever done!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

CS: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Those guys kill it every day. They throw a football with the crowd and smash cans on one another's faces throughout the show. Soul Glow sang with them sans shirt last night because Dallas (their lead vocalist) was sick. Crouton and I played air-guitar and stage-dove during the last song.

I also like Norma Jean, Cobra Starship, Story of the Year, and Katy Perry.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

CS: Because we dress up in Voltron-esque spacesuits! We also have the biggest drum machine in the universe, and our lead singer wears silver hulk fists that glow in the dark. We have a professional dancer named Xanadu...nobody else has that.

Somebody once said, "Watching Family Force 5 is like watching 5 A-D-D kids who forgot to take their Ritalin and broke into the Red Bull truck." That's a pretty accurate description, except now it's progressed to being like 5 A-D-D kids in the future that forgot to take their electrons, and their shocking the system!


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

CS: Although a lot of Warped Tour kids don't think it's "punk" to create a partnership with a company (I respect and understand this stance), they don't realize that without the help of companies like AT&T, Hurley, and Monster, their favorite bands aren't able to eat. It's definitely crappy when bands or tours become overly corporate and lose their identities or compromise their beliefs, but partnering with other companies is essential in an era in which record labels are dying and album sales are plummeting. Sponsors are the new labels, and without them, artists won't be able to tour or record.


RnRnMN: You're considered a Christian band, but your songs contain little overt Christian lyrics. Is that by design or just the way you write? Do feel like you can reach more people by keeping the direct religious references to a minimum?

CS: Christian music has pigeon-holed itself into a predictable formula, and we strive to break out of that mold. God is much bigger than JPM (Jesus' per minute)'s and watered-down, cuss-word-free versions of mainstream pop music. We try to convey that in our message. Jesus didn't simply give answers: he spoke in enigmatic parables that made people think. We feel that Christianity and Christian music should do the same.

Family Force 5 tries to be real and to be relevant. We have written a lot of songs about faith and spiritual experiences ("Luv Addict," "Replace Me," "Radiator," "Face Down," "Never Let Me Go," etc.), but plenty of our tunes are about break-dancing and ex-girlfriends! Our hearts don't desire to have big alter-calls. We'd rather hug a kid who might not normally get a hug than beat him or her over the head with a Bible. We don't believe that statistics reach people the way relationships do, so we spend a lot of time writing our fans, hanging out with them, and giving them high-5's. We find a lot of significance in these interactions.


RnRnMN: Christian bands have made serious inroads into both the punk and metal scenes. What bands do you think have done the most to accomplish that? How do you see your role in that scene?

CS: Stryper, DC Talk, and Jars of Clay were some of the first Christian rockers to gain acceptance from the mainstream audience. They paved the way for the next stream of bands like MXPX, Blindside, and Zao. Now, it's becoming more and more common for spiritual bands to appear on tours like Warped, Ozzfest, etc. Underoath, Norma Jean, The Devil Wears Prada, Anberlin, and countless others are continuing to accomplish similar feats, but each in their own unique way.

Throughout this gradual growth, we have watched the purpose of Christian music change. It used to serve as a safe alternative that allowed kids to listen to music without foul language or explicit material. Now, we hope that it goes much deeper and follows an inclusive approach that allows people to connect on deep, personal levels. We want Family Force 5 to resonate with anybody, and to be relevant to people of any faith, race, gender, or galaxy. We don't want to sound melodramatic, but we're a part of a movement, and we hope that the movement will tear away the box that has been put around "Christian" culture and music. Family Force 5 would rather see the word “Christian” be used as a noun than an adjective.


RnRnMN: What should we expect from the new album, Dance or Die? When will it be available?

CS: Bombs, lasers, explosions, aliens, robots, and love. It's available August 19 in Hot Topic, Best Buy, Wal Mart, iTunes, and hopefully many other locations.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

CS: We start our headlining club tour (called Dance Rawr Dance II) on October 6. It will feature Play Radio Play, Ultraviolet Sound, and Danger Radio. We just had a production meeting for the tour last night, and it's going to be crazier than a Kiss show!

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See all of my coverage from Warped Tour date in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Vans Warped Tour 2008!

I spent all day yesterday enjoying plenty of sunshine and rock and roll at the Baltimore/Washington stop of the Vans Warped Tour. Coverage and pictures are on the way, but here's a quick shot of the huge circle pit that the Street Dogs had going around the sound tent.



See all of my Warped Tour coverage here.