Warped Memories
Aug 28 '03
The Bottom Line A look back on five years of heat, dust, and the finest punk rock 20 dollars can buy
Since 1999, the Vans Warped Tour has been a summer tradition for me. I've endured blistering heat, massive amounts of dust, and kicks to the noggin by crowd surfers - all well worth it. I've seen some of my favorite bands and lots of other cool ones too. Many memorable moments are stored in my brain, and I'd like to share some now.
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Before I talk about some of my all-time favorites, let me mention some bands that have put on some very good Warped shows as well:
The Planet Smashers, Vendetta Red, Orange 9mm, the Vandals, Avoid One Thing, Pennywise, Eminem (I kid you not), NOFX, The Suicide Machines, Sum 41, Rollins Band, and a whole bunch of others that aren't coming to mind right now.
Flogging Molly: Boston 2000, 2001, 2002
For three straight years, I was able to rock out to this awesome Irish punk band. Not many Warped Tour artists use fiddles to work the crowd into a frenzy, so Flogging Molly is a unique act. While nothing beats a full concert, I can't complain about making FM part of my annual tradition three years in a row.
The Used: Montreal, QUE 2003
Bert McCracken is insane. He did backflips on stage, mooned the crowd (showing us his Butt McCracken), and dove off a huge speaker into the crowd below. The crowd was sick, and the music was top-notch, the highlight being The Taste of Ink. Not even unwelcomed guest vocals from Simple Plan's lead singer could stop this from being the best sing-along of the day.
Dropkick Murphys: Boston, MA 2001 and Montreal, QUE 2003
Montreal deserves a mention for another great set and the band's tricking of Canadians fans into rocking out to a song about the Bruins. But 2001 edges it out because Spicy McHaggis was still piping, homemade flags were flying everywhere, I got their autographs, and they played songs from The Gang's All Here and Sing Loud, Sing Proud, which were neglected in 2003.
Green Day: Boston, MA 2000
As soon as they hit the first note to Welcome to Paradise, the crowd went from standing still to moving like a tidal wave. They ripped through lots of favorites before bringing one lucky fan on stage to play guitar during Knowledge. They ended the show as they ended every one of their sets that year: by torching the drum kit.
Reel Big Fish: Boston, MA 2002
They're a comical band but they were all business as they rolled through hits new and old, packing as many possible minutes of their short set with music. Beer, Take On Me, Ban the Tube Top, and many others rocked Boston so hard that this midday performance felt like a headliner.
Bad Religion: Boston, MA 2002
The Bosstones had the hometown crowd chanting "One more song!" but no one complained when Bad Religion came out to close the show. In fact, they put on such a good show that we all gave them the "one more song!" chant as they exited. Their excellent set proved that in an age of Good Charlottes and New Found Glorys, not only can veterans be appreciated, but they can rock hard enough to steal the show.
Rancid: Boston, MA 2001
As far back as I was, I was still in the "fan zone." It seemed that everyone knew the words to all the songs, not just the people close to the stage. Rancid threw songs new and old at us (no Life Won't Wait material though) and delivered on every single one. A fan tossed his Sox cap on stage and either Tim or Lars (can't remember which) put it on for a couple songs before tossing it back. Later I found out the hat belonged to my friend's brother. He swore he'd never wash the hat again. I'm not sure that he was ever planning on washing it, but the thought was there.
Mighty Mighty Bosstones: Boston, MA 2000
Although they had another stellar performance in 2002, nothing can top the showmanship and fan appreciation they exhibited to close out the 2000 show. They rolled through tons of favorites, putting all their energy into every note. They blasted their dancer from a cannon to a net by the stage. Dicky played to the hometown crowd by wearing a Sox cap and a Celtics jersey.
The highlight was the end. The band and the crowd desperately wanted one more song, but the mics had been shut off and no one would turn them back on. Frustrated, Dicky threw the mic into the crowd before throwing himself in and walking through the mass of people to the gate. As he passed me, I got a handshake and closeup picture, perfect mementos of a concert by a band that gives its all for the fans.
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I don't know if my tradition will continue much longer; I'll have to wait to see next year's lineup. But either way, I'll always have memories of five sunburn-skateboarders-jumpinginthepit-roadtrippin-awesomepunkrock-filled summers. Can't ask for much more than that.
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Member: Matt
Location: Kentucky
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