|
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.
Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.
From Warped to Bonnaroo and back:
Two concert staples, two very different experiences
from: studentaffairs.sass.uab.edu
by Bethany Johnson
Ahh, Warped Tour. Try as you might, it seems as though you can never quite guess what it’s going to be like each year. Some years are better than others – great bands, decent crowds, nice weather. Some years are just the opposite – less than stellar bands, annoying people and rain. (Although it seems inevitable that there are always condom balloons floating around during someone’s set.)
I’d have to say that Nashville’s Starwood Amphitheatre hosted one of the better years for Warped Tour this year. There were some really great bands on the bill and I was looking forward to not having to endure hearing bands like AFI, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance and Simple Plan this time around.
With about 10 different stages set up throughout the amphitheatre, there was never a shortage of bands to see. This year’s bands tended to lean more toward up-and-coming bands (Birmingham’s Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Motion City Soundtrack, Family Force 5, Paramore) and old school bands (JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, The Casualties, Anti-Flag) rather than the more mainstream, pop-punk bands that have played in years past.
I made my way through the assortment of naked people and old school punk rockers to look at the schedule board to see who was playing when and made it there just in time to catch Saves the Day singing the only song I know by them – "At Your Funeral." Content with hearing the one song. I decided to walk around and check out some of the other stages and the merch tables.
One thing I’ve always liked about Warped Tour is how much free stuff I can accumulate throughout the day. Even if it’s completely useless, I still like getting free stuff. I got a nice bag and some cool free stuff from The Pink Spiders’ merchandise table, a couple of free pins and stickers from the Flicker Records table, a flyer for just in case I’m ever interested in opening up my own music store, a Vans Warped Tour 2006 Official Program, some stickers from a band called The Angry Penguin and some more good stuff from another band called Family Force 5.
Another thing that’s always been cool about the Warped Tour is how friendly and outgoing so many of the bands are. There were also a lot of non-profit organizations with tables set up, like the Surfrider Foundation, Amnesty International, Anti-Racist Action, Music Saves Lives, Shirts for a Cure and Plea for Peace.
As great as Warped Tour is, I was really disappointed that not only does it not ever come to Birmingham, but it doesn’t really have any Birmingham-based bands on the bill, either.
Warped in the ‘Ham?
Solomon Olds (a.k.a. Soul Glow Activator), guitarist and lead vocalist for Marietta, Ga.-based band Family Force 5, says he’s always enjoyed playing shows in Alabama and thinks the Warped Tour should make a stop in the state.
"We played at Workplay (Theatre) one time and we played at a church," Olds says. "Workplay was definitely a really posh club, but we didn’t really have anybody there but a couple of people drinking coffee, I think. The other place we played was packed out. It was incredible. We love Birmingham.
"I definitely think Warped Tour needs to come to Birmingham or somewhere near Alabama. Alabama is a great (state), and at most of the shows we’ve ever done in Alabama, the fans who have come to shows have been crazy, so I definitely think that Warped Tour has to come to Birmingham."
Luckily, there was one band that came shining through for our seemingly forgotten state – Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. They brought a great crowd as well as an amazing performance to the Smartpunk Stage, which isn’t surprising since these guys rarely, if ever, disappoint.
"Yeah, we’re probably the only band that’s ever been on Warped Tour from Birmingham," says Maylene vocalist Dallas Taylor.
"There are a lot of good local bands from Birmingham, but it’s hard on Warped (Tour) if you’re not a bigger band. I’m not saying we are, we’re a small band, but it’s really hard, and it’s a lot of work," Taylor says.
"I think in the future, there will be a lot of bands from Birmingham who will play on the Warped Tour."
I love rock ’n’ roll
The legendary Casualties didn’t even have to try hard to be great — it was just inevitable. They played a great cover of The Ramones’ "Blitzkrieg Bop," and the fans were completely into every minute of the set. And who could be disappointed with a performance by ‘80s rocker JOAN JETT? She was all decked out in leather (and only she can pull off a studded leather bikini-style top) and started the set with "Bad Reputation," played a few songs from her new album "SINNER" and ended with "I Love Rock ‘N Roll." Whatever she had in the ‘80s, she still very much has today.
Up-and-coming "crunk rock" band Family Force 5 sadly played a less-than-perfect set on the Ernie Ball Stage. The guys just seemed to have less energy than usual and played a very short set. New listeners seemed to have a great time while they played, though, and they had an impressive turnout.
Another band that seemed to give a performance a little less up to par was Underoath. They played plenty of crowd favorites from "They’re Only Chasing Safety," and a couple of great songs from their newly released album "Define the Great Line," but I missed hearing some of my favorites from "The Changing of Times."
Drummer Aaron Gillespie’s microphone wasn’t turned up enough, either, and it was hard to hear him singing at some points, not to mention the most disappointing slip-up of all — vocalist Spencer Chamberlain almost completely missed what is arguably the climax of "A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White" by missing the line "don’t shake, I hate to see you…" and finally came in on "tremble."
Aside from a few disappointing performances, Nashville’s Warped Tour shaped up to be better than any Atlanta Warped Tours I’ve been to.
Although the enormous amount of gravel and dirt everywhere proved to be annoying, the layout of the Amphitheater, parking and Warped Tour fans in general were much better this time around.
|
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
