WARPED TOUR

Eleven voices on Timberlake, Andrew WK and Solo cups

By LUKE O'NEIL

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There are a couple of things you can expect every year at the Vans Warped Tour: brutal heat, highly dubious fashion choices, plus punk, emo and hardcore kids living the dream. We asked some of our favorite bands making the stop this week how shit is going down on their end. TO THE EXTREME.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST WARPED TOUR AS A FAN AND AS A PERFORMER?

Phil Labonte (All That Remains): It was actually 10 years ago. I was singing for Shadows Fall—we had won a battle of the bands and got to play the "local" stage. We played right after Hatebreed got done on a bigger stage directly opposite us. They finished and said, "Thank you, we're Hatebreed! Now turn around and check out our friends in Shadows Fall!"

Michael Guy Chislett (The Academy Is ... ): This is my first time as a performer and as a fan! I'm Australian and it doesn't reach my shores, but I have always known about it. It sounded like festival heaven ... and it is!

Stephen Christian (Anberlin): I went in high school. I saw all these amazing bands, but never thought that I would ever play at one—the thought never even crossed my mind. A year later, one of our friends got to play one date, and we were so jealous. Eight years later, we are playing the main stage, and I couldn't be happier. In your face, Upperoom!

WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS ABOUT PLAYING THE TOUR?

Nathaniel Motte (3OH!3): Best: getting to watch Justin Timberlake Live From Madison Square Garden on repeat at all times. Worst: having to sometimes sleep and not being able to watch Justin Timberlake Live From Madison Square Garden on repeat at all times.

Billy Pruden (Confide): The best part is all the people we get to meet and play to, but the worst part has to be the weather and the heat.

WHO IS THE BAND THAT IS KILLING IT EVERY NIGHT?

Matt Wilson (Set Your Goals): August Burns Red consistently killed it. They were the only band I saw that wasn't on the main stage who drew a huge crowd.

Charlotte Sometimes: Evergreen Terrace tears it up with their huge rock sound and their synchronized flying tiger kicks.

WHAT'S THE WEIRDEST SHIT YOU'VE SEEN GO DOWN THIS YEAR?

Jake Turner (Say Anything): In St. Louis, during Gym Class Heroes, a fan said some shit to (lead singer) Travis from the crowd, and Travis hit him over the head with the microphone. Really crazy, but the dude totally deserved it!

Joey LaRocca (The Briggs): Andrew WK played on an off-day of the tour, but he just played on a keyboard and an iPod. He mostly just said random things and danced around like an idiot. It was kinda sad.

Matt Manning (From First to Last): Kids getting carried off in an ambulance after chugging hot sauce.

Warren Oakes (Against Me!): Two dirty weirdos go into a port-a-potty, in 100-degree heat, in Miami. They proceeded to "get it on" in the hot, stinky port-a-potty. Is that weird or just gross?

Matt McGinley (Gym Class Heroes): My bassist and I were caught out in a gnarly Kansas rainstorm when an anonymous band member comes streaking by with a Solo cup covering his privates, all the while screaming, "Where's the BBQ?!?"

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