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Winner! The Price is Right - Bus Contest!

Posted on July 31, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Hey folks! We have a winner! The other day I had a contest for you to guess how many buses travel on the Warped Tour. The answer was 61 and Bryan Perez was closest with 55! Congratulations! 

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Spreading The Word About Skate4Cancer

Posted on July 30, 2009 at 04:33 PM

If you’ve been to Warped Tour there’s a very good chance you were walking around and then out of nowhere, was blinded by the pearly whites of a guy named Rob Dyer, founder of Skate4Cancer.  What is Skate4Cancer you might ask? Well prepare to find out!

You know how much I love a good run down of a great organization and Skate4Cancer is sure up there on my list. Skate4Cancer helps people learn about how to detect cancer early and also to prevent it in the first place. One thing that struck me about this cancer awareness group was how Rob got the word out about his mission. He felt like he needed to do something that would really get people saying “wow” and as a result, came up with the idea of skateboarding all across Canada and the United States! How crazy is that?! I can barely even skateboard uphill! 

Rob started his skateboarding journey across North America in 2004. Throughout his travels, Rob told his story to the locals of every town he passed through in addition to making stops at multiple hospitals all across the two countries. After two months of pushing himself to the limit and over 5000 miles later, Rob finished what he started.

Come 2009 and Skate4Cancer is still rocking stronger than ever! Skate4Cancer has deep roots in the music scene and continues to hold events all throughout the year. Rob is out on every single date of Warped Tour raising awareness about cancer and selling some pretty nifty shirts for $5 dollars to keep his dreams of spreading awareness by doing what he loves alive. Speaking of which... for doing a good thing and looking super fly, there’s no excuse for you not to buy one! 

When you make it out to Warped be sure to check out Rob’s booth and say hi. He’ll make your day for sure. Get Skate4Cancer’s and Rob’s full story at their website, www.skate4cancer.com.

Is anybody feeling like they need to start changing the world!? There’s so many proactive people on this tour! I love it!!!

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Dreams Do Come True!

Posted on July 28, 2009 at 10:00 PM

It's funny how everyone at the BBQ in St. Petersburg was throwing around the phrase “We’re done with Florida!” It got us all thinking about the fact that we’re halfway done with the tour and helped us realize that we’re all a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Heck, it’s Warped Tour for crying out loud! I remember when I couldn’t wait to simply just go to my local Warped Tour and here I am touring on it with some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. It’s crazy and a dream come true for most of us.

One thing that’s definitely for sure is that everyone here has a lot of emotion and even more passion. No less than a week ago I was writing about how everyone was starting to feel the strain about these amazing, yet long, nine weeks away from home. Everyone, no matter what their title is here, have been doing some soul searching and figuring out why they are on Warped in the first place. A lot of new bands are finding their groove and making fans all across the country and getting the much deserved exposure they need follow their dreams. Some bands, like The Maine and Bayside, are seeing their crowds grow each and every day as their songs get more and more airtime on TV and on the radio. Even a photographer like Erin Caruso is chasing her dreams here by showcasing her photography as the blogger for Hurley. The list goes on and on and everyone’s passion shows no matter where you look, no matter if its on stage, the kitchen grill, or even a computer. It sure is a sight to see and makes all the hard work we do even more worth it than you could ever imagine.

Most importantly a lot of us are realizing how lucky we all really are. You might think that if you were a band out here... you’d have much better things to do than hang out with the “other” folks out here like the bloggers, hard working set up crew, or the talented chefs who travel with catering. That myth is far from the truth. Everyone here is out to have a good time and make the most of their summers, which includes making relationships that can last for years to come. Getting to know people like Justin from Anti Flag or Nick from Aiden is more like getting to know Justin and Nick. Although there are some egos out here, it’s the ones who are down to earth who really give this tour the personality it’s known for and make thistour ever more special. It’s what brings these “employees” back each and every year and gives Warped Tour the famed reputation it has today.

Woo, what a post. I think it’s time to loosen up a bit! You just wait till I see what I got up my sleeve in the next few days! See ya in Hotlanta!

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The Price is Right - Bus Contest!

Posted on July 28, 2009 at 01:25 PM

The other day I had the chance to hook up one of you awesome blog readers with some backstage passes since he answered one of my trivia questions correctly! Now it's time to make it happen again! 

I'll be hooking up the first person who comes closest to guessing how many buses are traveling on the 2009 Vans Warped Tour without going over! No double entries! Good luck!

Post your answers by 10 AM on 7/30 and I'll make sure you and a friend get to see one of your favorite bands from ON STAGE! Did we already come to your hometown? Then I'll send you some cool swag! 

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Sayonara Florida, Hello Sponsor World!

Posted on July 28, 2009 at 03:01 AM

Oh Florida! We hardly knew you... yet for some reason I think we're all pretty relieved! We've had some pretty crazy weather this summer but the Sunshine State sure did take the cake for the most humid dates we’ve had all tour! (Knock on wood!) The bugs were out and the smart ones who listened to mom and stayed away from TaDa Catering’s very tempting bananas, made it out with the least amount of bug bites! But enough of that... let’s talk Warped!

I have to give some props to the guys in A Day To Remember, and even more so to their fans. We played in their hometown the other day and I kid you not, have NEVER seen such a big Warped crowd after 8 PM before. You would think that once you survived the heat for nine hours... you would just call it an early night and head home to shower, hit the lights, and pass out on your comfy bed. Not in Florida! That parking lot was filled to the brink, and in front of the Hurley Stage no less! Look out main stage... I think you have some major competition for the best bands here on Warped.

Oh! How could I forget? Here’s a little video I made for you! It’s about all the cool things that go on in sponsor world at Warped! You know... that place where you get TONS of free stuff!!! After all, if it weren’t for the sponsors... there would even be a Warped Tour! We’ve got all sorts of awesome folks in here like Flogging Molly, Alana Grace, and A Day To Remember! Let me know what you think and be sure to check out all the cool stuff around the festival when you’re not watching bands!

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Hometown Heroes and BBQs!

Posted on July 25, 2009 at 01:49 PM

I must say... I don’t think ANYONE on this tour was looking forward to Florida. Ok maybe a few Floridians were, but definitely not most of us (sorry Florida!).  We’ve all heard stories about how hot and humid it would be... and we definitely were not let down. I swear no matter where you looked, you saw drops of sweat falling off EVERYONE. It wasn’t too fun at first... especially if you were waiting in line to get inside. But once you walked through those gates and saw what was going on... you all of a sudden thought, “Well this isn’t too bad. All my favorite bands are here!”

So there are TONS of Florida bands out here on tour with us!  We’re lucky enough that we get to play three shows here... the crowds have been awesome! One band you all need to check out it is Hello Danger. These guys, who just happen to be from right across the state in Jacksonville, tore it up on the Kia Kevin Says Stage! They are a perfect example of how a local band can make their dreams come true here on Warped Tour. Hello Danger had all their fans singing along and made new fans of everyone who passed by. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again... I love new talent! Check out their MySpace and let me know what you think!

Another thing I was lucky enough to witness today was the sincerest thank you that I’ve ever seen on this tour, and that’s pretty darn sincere! While I was taking a stroll past Therefore I Am’s set, I noticed the lead singer got up close and personal with the crowd... but he wasn’t using a microphone like most bands do so I decided to listen in. He gave a speech that was so relatable, it was kind of scary. He thanked each and every person in the crowd for working at jobs they hate and buying their ticket to Warped Tour so that bands like themselves can do what they love, really touched everyone there. That’s the passion I love to see out here! Catch Therefore I Am all summer long, I promise you won’t regret it!

How do we end the night? With an EPIC BBQ!!! The BBQ band, Longway, served up the best burgers and dogs we’ve had all tour and what made it even better was the fact that Westbound Train was playing. They broke out songs from their latest CD and at one point even had Shad come up for a bit of Warped free-styling fun! Everyone including the boss man himself, Kevin Lyman, was dancing it up! Good times with good people my friends, that’s what we like to do here at Warped!

 

West Palm Beach...here we come!!! I think these shows are changing our perception of the sunshine state.

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Which Stage is Your Favorite?

Posted on July 24, 2009 at 02:00 AM

After checking out all the stages... I have to wonder which stage are you guys most excited about? You’ve got quite a few to choose from so let the world know below!

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A Wonkafied Warped Walking Tour!

Posted on July 23, 2009 at 02:56 PM

The other day in Virginia Beach I had the chance to show my brand new (and super awesome!) bus mate, Jess, around Warped Tour! You’d never guess who she works for either... Wonka! Yes, the candy makers! She might just be the best thing to happen to this tour... can you say free Nerds, Gobbstoppers, and Laffy Taffy?! Oh... life sure just got a lot better.

During our little walk I realized that the simplest things at Warped are what really make it the best festival around. Everyday I run around looking for the story that’s out of the ordinary, something that’ll get you excited no matter how many times you’ve visited my blog. The thing is, with that mindset you tend to forget what really makes this show fun. It’s moments like that when you really get a sense of how great Warped Tour is.  

So what did we do? We hit up the whole festival as if it were our first Warped Tour ever. We emptied our wallets at merch booths, listened to some new bands on some of the smaller stages, signed a few petitions for non-profit organizations, and even played some Rockband! Sure it was hot and humid outside, but that didn’t stop us from getting some sweet airbrush tattoos, dancing over at the Truth truck, or watching NOFX from on stage! Want to know the best part? We made some kid’s candy dreams come true. Everyday, Jess gives out three “Gold Cards” that get you as much Wonka candy as your stomach can handle... and for six whole months too! Did I mention I think there are going to be a lot more cavities on tour this year? Check out the rest of Jess’ adventures at twitter.com/wonkanation!

On a different note, later in the evening I somehow found my way into a wine and cheese party hosted by none other than TaDa’s Catering’s founder, Shellylyn Brandler! What was being celebrated? The fact that so many old friends were all in one place of course! We had some true Warped veterans in attendance, including NOFX and The Bouncing Souls, who just so happened to be trading places today! (NOFX leaving and The Bouncing Souls joining) It really is one big family out here. Speaking of family... you’ll get to see MY Warped family pretty soon on my “Warped Cribs” video blog coming soon! Stay tuned!

Until next time! See everyone in Florida!

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Boston Showers and Keeping in Touch!

Posted on July 22, 2009 at 03:53 PM

Oh Boston! You never seem to disappoint me! The forecast said rain ALL day but did that stop the show from selling out? NO WAY! All of you came out in full force and made the show as fun as can be! I saw trash-bag ponchos, mud-wrestling, and for the first time all warped tour... hoodies flying out of merch tents!!! That’s right... it was FREEZING! Cold water and rain sure don’t mix well at Warped Tour, but again... what a show! It looked like everyone there was having fun! That’s the warped spirit! Have a fun story? Share it below!

Here’s a little video about keeping in touch on Warped Tour with VersaEmerge, After Midnight Project, and The Architects.  How would you keep in touch?  

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Rock For Health!

Posted on July 21, 2009 at 01:33 PM

Every now and then I like to take a breather from all the craziness of Warped and put the spotlight on some of the amazing organizations out on the road with us. Let's take a look at Rock For Health, one of the sole providers of health insurance to musicians who play for a living.

One problem with health insurance today is that only people who are employed full time actually get the benefits of subsidized health coverage. However, many health organizations don’t see “touring” as a full time gig! The majority of artists who are touring do not get ay health benefits whatsoever! Crazy right?! So what’s an artist to do when they break their arm on tour? Pay $1500 dollars to see a doctor and get a cast? Not all musicians can afford that. That’s where Rock for Health comes into the picture.

Rock for Health is a non-profit organization that helps to educate musicians about their choices when it comes to keeping healthy on the road. They provide everything from advice on how to handle a sore throat to how to get the medical coverage they need to handle an emergency. Started by Kristina Grossmann, a young entrepreneur who loves music, Rock for Health has helped out countless bands including Chiodos and Anberlin. Kevin Lyman even saw promise in her company and has been invited out on Warped Tour every year since 2007!

Want to hear something even cooler? The person who started Rock for Health isn’t even done with school yet! Kristina, an undergraduate at Northeastern University, started her own company using all the knowledge she picked up in her internships, and is now making her dream come true in New York City. How crazy is that? Just makes you want to start your own business with something you love right?

Want to know more? Head over to www.rockforhealth.org! It’s an awesome site and I can guarantee that this little business will be around for quite some time… and may not be so little either!

 

On another note, the last couple of days have been crazy! We’ve seen everything from Lil‘ Jon performing with 3OH!3 to the BIGGEST crowds Warped Tour has seen this year yet! Heck, we even got some free ice cream courtesy of Vans! Just take one look at those flavors and tell me you don’t wish you were here?!

That wraps it up for this post! Got some videos in the works for ya so stay tuned! See you in Boston! 

By the way... what do you think folks? What other good cause of the Warped Tour do you want covered? Let me know if the comments!

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