Hey DFO community-
I’m out on the warped tour with the band Bayside, representing the organization To Write Love On Her Arms! We’re on our thousand mile drive up to Vancouver for our first two Canada dates, and we just finished the first three in California. I cannot tell you how incredible this tour is. I’ve been able to see about 1/4 of the bands so far, and not one has let me down.

In Pomona, I dropped by Cute Is What We Aim For’s set, and regardless of what you think of them, the addition of Dave Melillo on guitar/vocals adds even more to this band’s incredibly addicting music and sharpens the live show, performing tighter than I’ve ever heard them.

Ventura allowed me to see a little more music, starting with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Regardless of the fact that they’re one of the most genuine bands on the tour, they have crafted a nearly perfect live show. Ronnie’s vocals are more passionate and powerful with every note. I could, and probably will, watch this band every day. Later in the evening, I got to see my tourmates and winner’s of that day’s long performance, Bayside. Bayside is not your typical warped tour band. They don’t sound like a wanna-be Bad Religion, or emulate the same typical metal sound so many bands have adopted. Bayside is a rock band, and they do nothing but that, rock. Chris was telling me he hates it when people say “you rocked!”…well sorry, but you guys did. Half the crowd knew every word, and the band never missed a note. Bayside is a MUST-SEE on this tour.

Mountain View, because TWLOHA was so low on merchandise, gave us a lot of freedom during the day. Between The Trees played an incredible set on the Hot Topic stage, never failing to disappoint. Then I jumped over to The Spill Canvas, who delivered yet another stellar performance introducing a couple new songs as well. One of our volunteers, David, and I caught the last few songs of The Almost, and Aaron was as exciting as ever without the drums restricting his motion. Boys Like Girls played to a huge crowd, many fans screaming the words so loud you could hear them over the Amphitheater’s sound system. Later in the day, we all made our way over to support our friends in Paramore, and I will tell you this flat out. I would go to Warped Tour and lay face down on the cement in the sun for the entire day, if it was the only way I could see Paramore. Their new songs are unbelievable live. Everyone in the band is within one year of my age, yet they play with more passion, energy, and accuracy than most bands on the whole tour. Lastly, we got to see the always-pleasing Anberlin camp play the Smartpunk stage. On their first tour, you can tell they’re not quite used to playing in the sunlight rather than in sold out clubs, but they’re still just as good as ever, and well worth a half an hour of your Warped experience.

I know that’s a lot to read, but it was a lot to experience as well. Please send in your requests for interviews, and reviews and tell me which bands I should see!

Warped in Canada
7/3 Vancouver

After roughly 26 hours straight driving from San Francisco, the Warped crew made it up to the University Of British Columbia. A vastly different setting than the previous three, a smaller crowd but a larger area quickly tired my legs that were so accustomed to bus living. One of the most interesting and frustrating parts of the tour is Canada’s policy on bringing merchandise into the country. Any merchandise you bring across is automatically taxed, which forces the 50+ groups on the tour to ship their merchandise to the venue. The band I’m riding with, Bayside, shipped about six days early. The merchandise arrived in four days, and was then sent to the back of the delivery line since it  couldn’t be delivered till the day of the show. Unfortunately, for the band and that hundreds who voted for them to win the Energizer Long Lasting Performance time (an extra ten minute set), no merchandise ever came for them. We’ll see if their luck changes for Calgary.

I’d like to take a few minutes and talk about one of the other non-profits on the tour. I’ve set up the last couple days next to Kelsey and her Boarding For Breast Cancer tent. Their goal is to raise awareness and teach how to properly examine for breast cancer. One of the most startling statistics is that 30% of cases are discovered by partners. They’ve been able to raise a considerable of money in donations, as well as teach hundreds how to properly check themselves or their partners for the lumps indicative of cancer.

Lastly, I said this is in my last update, but you cannot go to Warped Tour and miss The Spill Canvas. TSC are seriously four of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, not to mention arguably the most talented band on the tour. Their set, which blends older tracks with brand new songs from the new EP and upcoming full-length. Take a half an hour of your day and head over to the Hurley stage for their set, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.