Leisurely Geeks

This is one mans account of the events that happened at the Vans Warped Tour held on July 17, 2012. This may not be for the weak of heart or people with high blood pressure, also you must be at least 5’10 to ride this ride. Ok, so that last statement may not be true.

Band 1. Ballyhoo!
Ballyhoo! is a rock, pop, punk, reggae band based in Baltimore, Md. This is the first time I have heard of this band, and my friends and I decided to check them out while waiting for the Polar Bear Club set to start. Ballyhoo! has a decent stage presence, and are fun and full of energy. Their reggae sound made me feel like my summer has finally began.

Band 2. I Fight Dragons
I Fight Dragons is a rock band from Chicago. Their music combines pop/rock songs with original electronic sounds and even some metalcore and nintendocore influences. The electronic sounds are made using Nintendo Game Boys and Nintendo Entertainment Systems. Again this is a band I just discovered at this point, and was drawn by the guy jamming out on a guitar hero guitar. Pretty impressive sound and I would suggest this band to and of my geek friends.

Band 3. Polar Bear Club
Polar Bear Club is a post-hardcore band from Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Formed in 2005, the band currently consists of vocalist Jimmy Stadt, lead guitarist Chris Browne, rhythm guitarist Nate Morris, bass guitarist Erik Michael “Goose” Henning and drummer Steve Port. I was super excited to see this band live for the first time as some of the members are from my hometown of Syracuse, NY. Polar Bear Club energy of their live performance was off the chart. I even decided to mix it up in the pit when they played my favorite song by them, ‘Living Saints’. They also played favorites such as “Bottled Wind” and “Hallow Place”. One of my favorite sets of the day.

Band 4. Bayside
Bayside is a Punk Rock band from Queens, NY which formed in 2000. This was one of the band I have seen live before and was extremely excited to see again. While they did play many of the songs I like, this performance lacked the energy and intensity of past Bayside shows. They played many of their older songs, which I was hoping for, including “Masterpiece” and “Devotion and Desire”. Overall I was not impressed by their set.

At this point my friends and I wandered not paying particular attention but stopping to hear various songs by “We the Kings” “Every Time I Die” and “Yellowcard”

Band 5. Falling in Reverse
Falling in Reverse is an post-hardcore band. I have heard of this band and wasn’t very impressed with what I have heard before. With that in mind I figured to give their live show a chance before I wrote them off. I was impressed. Their catchy songs such as “I’m Not a Vampire” and “Good Girls, Bad Guys” were enough to keep me interested.

Band 6. Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Rockville Centre, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), John Nolan (lead guitar, back-up vocals), Eddie Reyes (rhythm guitar), Shaun Cooper (bass guitar) and Mark O’Connell (drums). This is the one band that justified my ticket to this whole tour. I have loved this band ever since first hearing them in 2002. Seeing a live performance before I anticipated nothing but another stellar show, and I was not let down. Taking Back Sunday took the stage to a huge roar from the crowd, and went right in to a awesome set including majorly songs from their first two albums. Just hearing the songs that got me through my college years took me back a few years and made me feel a bit younger.

Band 7. Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil is a post-hardcore band from San Diego, California. This band only had one song I was familiar with and as the day was winding down I had no objection to sitting in a seat at the pavilion and watching from a distance. These guys came on stage with a flash of energy and kept it up the whole set. The whole band seed genuinely happy to be there, which in turn made them far more enjoyable to watch.