Vans Warped Tour

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 11:33

The annual punk rock summer camp known as the Vans Warped Tour thrashed through Florida this past weekend, and, as usual, I was there photographing in Orlando’s Central Florida Fairgrounds from 11:30am until 6:30pm, for a total of 16 bands captured. Some were interesting; others weren’t, but either way, there was plenty window-shopping to be had.

Story and Photos by John Davisson

Iwrestledabearonce performs at the Vans Warped Tour.

The Warped Tour used to be a testosterone-fueled punk show, but it has branched out a bit. This year’s show sometimes felt like a grungy companion to the Lilith Fair , with plenty of women on stage.

Dirty Little Rabbits was my first band, with singer Stella Katsoudas hobbling out on crutches before throwing them down and thrashing around (which is probably de rigueur for a band featuring Shaun Crahan from Slipknot). I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business (with Arthur “Ace” Enders, formerly of the Early November) was next on the stage right next door, with a softer sound. I then shuffled off to the main stage for Every Time I Die ; maybe I wanted it loud and fast right then. Or maybe I didn’t because I returned to a set by The Rocket Summer , which was more melodic.

But the melodies didn’t last long as iwrestledabearonce brought their new thrash metal to the next stage. The singer sounded like Satan (if Satan were a woman), but I noticed touches of jazz and country thrown into the musical mix, which was nice. I was happy with my photos though, as Krysta Cameron made the shot when she put her mike on a monitor and, uh, sang into it. More like screamed, but that’s metal for you.

Sum 41 performs at the Vans Warped Tour.

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band was next, and it was quite a change, with a country blues feel to the music. The Big Damn Band was only a trio, but they made plenty of noise and were my favorite discovery at the Warped Tour this year. And they’re “Born Bred Corn Fed,” which is always a good thing. And how do you follow the Big Damn Band? With the kids of The Summer Set , including their cover of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me“ (they just re-released Love Like this with not one, or two, but five Taylor Swift covers).

Then it was Diva time, a set by The Pretty Reckless . No media was allowed in the pit, according to rumors, so I brought a long lens. The lockdown was probably because actress Taylor Momsen performed in a skimpy outfit and no doubt one punk photographer would try an upskirt shot. She was probably hot (it’s Florida after all), but next time she might want to try to wear some more clothes.

VersaEmerge , a band I enjoyed at last year‘s Warped Tour was next. Their sound is more in the Paramore vein. (They’re from Florida, so I hope the best for them). The next three bands I caught were more traditional Warped bands: Pennywise , Andrew WK and Alesana . At this point, the crowd surfing was in full effect as the testosterone levels surged. Then I caught the Casualties (Hayley Williams called the singer wanting her hairstyle back). Sum 41 then brought their power-pop punk rawk for the set with the most hits.

Never Shout Never and Alkaline Trio brought the day to a close for me, even though there were still a few bands to go. After seven hours, I was hot and tired and wanted to chill. After 16 bands, some free Willy Wonka Gummy Bears and 1,642 photos, I was done with the fun in the sun.