When summer rolls around I get pretty excited for Warped Tour, especially when Big D and the Kids Table play; I have the privilege of being friends with my favorite band. Usually Warped Tour for me is filled with layers of sunscreen, lots of water, chain smoking, and waiting around for the bands you want to see. This year was different though, I had all access.
Big D and the Kids Table put me on their guest list, a no escort needed pass was given to me for their Southern California dates. I wasn't expecting that at all, I was so thankful. With this pass, I had little to no rules on where I could and couldn't go. I spent four days roaming around back stage watching bands from the side of the stage, not getting sun burnt and most importantly getting to hang out with people I look up to and aspire to be like. If you encounter any legal issues at events, a personal injury lawyer can help.
The first day was in San Diego, I have never been to that date of Warped before, so I had no idea how things worked. Once we arrived the line for guest list wound back and forth like a snake. I got my wristband and head for the gates, no waiting for security or anything just walked straight in. I found the guys to hang with and to find out what time they play. They had a late set so we adventure to see the other bands we wanted to see. We took a minute to watch Reel Big Fish, and Goldfinger from backstage. It was a strange but awesome feeling, like being some where you weren't suppose to be. Once Goldfinger did their twinkie gimmick I had to walk away.I headed back to the bus to hang out, and to go see Motion City Soundtrack. Watching my best friend, Nikki, and Brie (one of the Doped Up Dollies) sing along to the songs they loved. The Boston Bruins versus the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup playoff game was on the bus we watched as much of it as we could before it was time for Big D to play.
We head over to the Domo stage, and instead of being backstage for their set we take our place front and center, right against the barricade. This is where we always stand regardless of what kind of pass we have. It's where we feel the most comfortable, it's a feeling that I can't explain. They kick their set off with "Little Bitch" and once they started up it was like there was no stopping the energy they had brought to the stage. I nearly lost it when they played "51 Gardner" and then "Those Kids Suck". Seriously, some of my favorite songs by them ever. Their thirty minute set never seems like enough, but at the same time seems like the best thirty minutes of my life.
Back on the bus we finish the game, which was now in over time. The Bruins lost, so that meant it was time to start drinking and smoking more. Sitting outside the bus under the stars shooting the shit and playing catch up. I took a minute to take a look around, not many people have this opportunity, and I was in awe. They were heading to the nightly BBQ for the bands, it was late and we had to drive back two hours home to get rest to do it all again. So, we said good night and headed home. As we walk back to the car my best friend and I basically turn into little fan girls and recap our amazing day.
Pomona's Warped date is like home for us, it was the first place we ever went to for Warped. We know how the buses are, how they set the stages set up, and little short cuts to get passed the crowds. The guest list line was just as long as San Diego, only problem was that Big D's set was at 12:45 and the time was 12:00. Once we got our wristbands it was 12:45 on the dot, so we rush over to the stage, without dropping our stuff off. We push our way to the front and rage as if we hadn't just seen them the day before. Still in shock over their set, I light up a smoke and head backstage and let them know we were back and still very thankful for being so cool.
The rest of the day we sit under their tent in front of the bus and people watched, talked with friends and just hung out. I saw the owner of Van's driving a checkered hightop sneaker, stopping to take pictures. Motion City Soundtrack's bus was right next to us, my best friend was pretty stoked and Brie made jokes about how we all were going to hang out later. Also parked near us was MC Lars, a post-punk rapper that has a Legends of Zelda gold chain. I have the biggest fan girl crush on him and I made a comment to the group about how I really wanted to get a picture with him one of the days we were going to be there. It was like a warped tour goal of mine.
They were having a Mexican BBQ, we were stoked! Headed over and waited in a crazy line for nachos and tacos. These BBQ's are put on by bands that aren't paid to play the tour. They throw the BBQ and take donations to help them tour. It's a pretty cool thing to be able to play the tour and host the party afterwards. What's really awesome about these parties is to see all the bands come and hang out with each other. After lots of drinking we head back to the bus to collect our things and head home to return to Pomona for their second date there.
Friday, I didn't spend much time back stage. I wanted to catch all the bands I wanted to see from a fan's point of view instead. It was very convenient that they all played one right after each other. First was Reel Big Fish, then an hour later The Aquabats, MC Lars, Big D and the Kids Table, and Goldfinger. Our day was finished by 4:30 and since we had been in the sun for the past couple of days we decided to split early to rest up. The tour left Pomona and headed north to San Francisco so, I stayed home and baked on Saturday!
The last day for us was Sunday in Ventura. We drove out bringing double Oreo, peanut butter brownies. To get to the parking lot was this crazy long line of cars that took about 30 minutes to get to the front of to realize that the cops had redirected everyone to different lots. In this line, a car opens up its passenger side doors for a girl that we thought was puking, turns out she was holding up traffic to pee. Once out of the traffic we turn the corner to see a girl actually vomiting, all before we even get inside. We got in, got to the merch booth to see the boys doing an early fan signing because Ron Jeremy was on his way to hang out. So, we wander around and come across a mechanical bull. I had to ride it, and I did alright for it being my first time, lasting a whole 13 seconds. Then we drop off the treats and grab a beer, eat some food.
Ron Jeremy is a huge fan of Big D and the Kids Table, two years ago he came to Warped to introduce the band. That year I made cupcakes and I found out that Ron is a fan of baked goods. He praised me on my cupcakes then, so I was excited to hear what he thought about these brownies. Sitting on the tour bus watching The Hedge Hog eat baked goods of mine is seriously something I never thought I could talk about. Big D's set was right around the corner and I had already lost my beer count. We mosey over to the stage and claim our spots, while waiting I watch the crowd build up. People could see Ron and were chatting about what he might be doing there. Jeremy takes the stage in his Big D and the Kids Table shirt, navy blue sweat pants with his face on them, and Crocs. He introduces himself and introduces the band, the crowd goes wild and the boys spill out on to the stage.
I went particularly hard durning this set. I was a little bummed from something that happened the day before with a boy. So, I had some aggression to get out, and I couldn't of thought of a better way but to go all out screaming, dancing to my favorite band. By the end of their set I had no voice, just like I thought would happen. After their set we waited for them to clean up and Dave (lead singer) and Ryan (Sax) wanted to catch a punk band called The Exposed. Beers were grabbed for the trip and make our way to find the stage they were on. As we're walking we run into Ron and his posse, he sees me and asks me if I was bald. I took my hood off and he motioned for me to walk towards him and I explained my hair condition. He rubbed my head and put his cheek on mine and told me was I was still sexy. It was awkward but awesome at the same time.
Still trying to find the stage, I see MC Lars! He was walking to the backstage area and like a 15 year old fan girl I chase after him. He doesn't hear me calling his name, so I tapped him on the shoulder and asked "Can I be really annoying right now?" He smiles at me and says, "You're not annoying, what's your name?" I nearly melted, I tell him my name and ask if we can take a picture, and if I could wear his sweet chain. He agreed, and proceeded to tell me he likes my style and put his chain on me. We posed for the photo and he said,"You look real good.", it basically made my life complete. I had fulfilled my Warped goal, I couldn't even believe it.
After walking in almost a complete circle we make it to the correct stage, and we hadn't missed a song. The Exposed won the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, as they should of. They're full of energy and have great presence. One of their guitar players had an eye patch that said 'Out of Order', they brought up fans to help sing songs. The same guitar player with the eye patch climbed a metal rack in the middle of the crowd having the people mosh around him as he played a solo. All around great showmanship, and it was cool to see them get the crowd involved. Heading back to close our night out, we stop at the merch booth to help pack up.
It was time for the BBQ! Ryan walks with us towards the billowing smoke of the grills and we discover the massive crowd people that made a winding line as far as the eye could see. So, we decided that we were going to stand on the outside of the chaos, and wait for it to calm down. Also having the same idea was Aaron Barrett from Reel Big Fish and his lovely girlfriend Crysta. They have the cutiest puppy named Walter that I see on Instagram all the time. He couldn't make it to the tour, but Aaron made sure to show us many pictures on his phone with adorable outfits. All sorts, from pirates to matching Hawaiian shirts to match Aaron. It was a great moment to share with someone who has been such an influential part of the third wave ska scene.
Finally getting through the line, it was burger time! I find it awesome that they had a vegan option, even though I'm not vegan it was a nice touch. We finish eating and realize we were beat, it had been a long 4 days. As much as we wanted to stay it was a hundred mile drive home. So, we start saying our good byes and the last person we say good bye to is Dave. He's seriously one of my favorite people, just a great person to be around. He gives me a hug and then my best friend Nikki. As he's hugging us he says, "You're leaving?! Oh, don't go, I love you guys!" It could not have gotten any better.
Not many people can say they're friends with their favorite band. I can't express how thankful I am. It was possibly the best four days of this year, and Warped Tour's motto this year is, "Best Day Ever". From a fan and friend I got to experience all Warped had to offer and it is definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life. I'm honored to have such wicked cool friends.