10 years at Warped speed.

MOST PEOPLE NEVER FORGET their 21st birthday--I spent mine on a field watching Pennywise and The Deftones while having my first legal beers at the Van's Warped Tour. Each year since, I've gone to Warped to see some good music and reminisce with friends about summers gone by. This year, I traveled to Boston for the ultimate nostalgialest: Pennywise, Bad Religion, Rancid, Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, and a list of other veteran Warped bands came together to perform at Warped's 10-year anniversary. After a long day of running from stage to stage, I found myself on top of the vert ramp, gazing out on the crowd thinking about how so much has changed. Then I caught a glimpse of Neal Hendrix in the air and realized just how much has stayed the same. The music is still good, the hot dogs are still gross, and there are the same kids (just with different faces) throwing up the horns, crowd surfing, sweating, and screaming. Warped Tour definitely becomes more main stream with each passing year, hut that's what happens when something is successful. I refuse to jump on the "punker than thou" bandwagon, with all those who just can't stand to admit that we're all on this earth together. Let's face it, more people equals more cash. More cash allows for more porta-potty rentals, free water, and more bands. I don't give a shit if there are a few more Iogos to look at. For me, the Warped Tour means fond memories, and every time I come away with another ... Viva La Warped Tour!