I stuck to the main stages for the most part, foregoing lots of the smaller groups that can make an afternoon like this an eye-opening experience. Sadly, I am sure I missed some exciting music, but the payoff on the mainstages was well worth it. One band after another took the stage like clockwork in this well-produced and finely scheduled event. Highlights of the afternoon included a fantastic set by Green Day, who were surprisingly under MXPX on the bill. Billy Joe was his old self, joking and smirking it up, but it seems like they never strip down and play naked while in New York. What’s with that? Come on, guys: the mood of the city is perfect for you.
Including virtually everything one could want to hear except for “Time Of Your Life,” Green Day played a performance was as exciting and invigorating as their infamous Woodstock ‘94 gig. Time is definitely on these boys’ side. MXPX closed the show with a set of their typical short, blunt songs, keeping the mosh pit going until the last chords were struck on their guitars. With so many acts, BMX riding, and skating demonstrations, with an entire shopping center thrown in, music was only a part of the scope of this event. If you caught a few bands, you were ahead of the game, since it was obvious that many folks were there for the atmosphere as much as the music.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones played a hot set, but they disturbed this critic when they suggested that you “...punch the guy next to you in the face if you see him throwing things at the stage.” I do understand the plight of musicians being targets, but advocating pure violence doesn’t seem to be the answer. If you don’t want a cassette or two thrown at you, don’t play the Warped Tour! What do you expect with your own audience? You know who makes up your crowds.
Other standout moments included a great party set by The Long Beach Dub All Stars, in which they opened up with, according to Opie, “...a song for all you hippies out there.” Surprising anyone who might have known it, they broke into the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias.” Even after speaking with these guys earlier in the day and being thoroughly impressed with them, they completely blew me away with this ska-ified rendition. Of course they broke out plenty of new and old stuff to satisfy the crowd, who absoluted loved them.
Jurassic 5 played an interesting set, with a guest appearance by Green Day’s Tre Cool on drums. NOFX had everyone moshing up a storm (or was that a dustbowl?). A surprise appearance by Save Ferris, apparently taking the place of the absent, yet much desired Papa Roach, was a lot of fun, but their lead singer sure has put on some poundage since last summer! Suicide Machines were great, an interesting Irish outfit Millencolin was passable. Needless to say, all had a great time at this extremely well put together afternoon show. The one question I will reiterate from last year is this: why does everything have to shut down before 9 p.m.? I mean, that isn’t really very hardcore... is it?
(Randall's Island, NY)
review and photo by j bloomrosen
