Living in the Northwest definitely has it's perks. Outrageously good coffee (not Starbucks), gorgeous surroundings from the mountains to the sea, a very competitive music scene and of course one of the best venues to catch a show. The Gorge Amphitheater is about a 2-3 hour drive from Seattle, heading into the eastern part of our state. The Vans Warped Tour comes here every year. I look forward to it like a child looks forward to Christmas. When the counting down of days is left to one hand, I get those goofy little butterflies.

The Gorge has offered camping for years. An absolute must for all the drunks who could never possibly make it home, and for others like me, who are just too exhausted to make the trek back. The campsite is located beside the Amphitheater and offers 2 types. General camping, which is basically a big ass field with a bunch of porta-potties sporadically placed, and premier camping. I always opt for premier camping which is more money, but still less than a motel. It has a fenced off private field, private showers , REAL toilets, and you have access to the shuttle. The shuttle is Godsend if you're an out of shape smoker like myself. Why? Because the walk to the Ampitheater is like climbing Mt. Everest, twice. Hacking up half my lungs just to get there is not my idea of fun.

I arrived at my "Premier" camping spot at about 9:30 am, and caught the shuttle over to the venue @ 10:45am. The shuttle alone is reason enough to fork out the extra cash, if only for entertainment purposes . It's like a punk rock school bus stuffed with students ready for their long awaited field trip. Just a tip, it smells WAY better going to the venue, than at the end of the day. I also enjoy eavesdropping and listening to which bands people are excited to see. This year Paramore and Chiodos seemed to be the 2 frontrunner's. I was personally looking forward to a local band who won the spot to play on the Ernie Ball stage. The band, Ameretta, is formed by 4 young guys who really bust their asses and produce a great sound. Their performance is very mature for their age, and not what you'd expect from teenagers. So it was a real treat to catch them playing Warped.

I checked in, got my credentials and headed to the press trailer. I walked with Dia (of Meg & Dia) for part of the journey downhill. We didn't actually say anything to each other, just happened to be going to the same place. I was a few steps behind her, so she probably thought I was some sort of freaky stalker girl, at least that's what i assumed when she quickened her pace. My interviews were short and sweet and I managed to get out and shoot some of the bands in between. Instead of asking every band seperate questions, I decided to ask them all the same 5 questions. The day went smoothly. Almost too smoothly. It was so smooth that I knew something would have to give. Say a riot, maybe. I'll get to that later. For now, here are the interviews with Big D & The Kids Table, Bayside, As I Lay Dying, All Time Low, The Rocket Summer, Evaline, The Starting Line, Envy On The Coast, The Matches, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Chiodos & Hawthorne Heights.

Shawn Harris of The Matches

1) What made you decide to join Warped Tour this year?

BIG D & The Kids Table: We were asked, we're kind of the underdogs of the tour, so to be asked was an honor and of course we said yes.

Bayside: I've been going to Warped Tour as a fan since 1998. It's been a dream of mine to play Warped, so when they asked, we came.

As I Lay Dying: Warped Tour is so diverse, and to be able to play in front of new people is a terrific opportunity.

All Time Low: We played 12 days last year. we're always into having the opportunity to be a part of Warped Tour, it's like offering a fat kid some cake.

The Rocket Summer: Warped Tour is a great opportunity to play, meet new people and new bands.

Evaline: We played last year, and this year our management decided we should do it again.

The Starting Line: We got asked.

Envy On The Coast: We got offered to play, we were a little scared at first after hearing some bands hated it, but we're glad we came.

The Matches: This is our 3rd time, we really wanted to play again so we put a restraining order(pretend of course) against Kevin Lyman convincing him to let us play.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: This is our 3rd year. Our first year we played the Hot Topic stage and about 2500 kids showed up. There wasn't enough security so we had to stop after our 3rd song. Then last year we got signed and played 80% of the tour, so after all that we decided we had to do it again. It's an amazing opportunity.

Chiodos: We had a great time last year. We love and support everything the tour is about.

Hawthorne Heights: Cuz it's the best summer tour out there.

Evaline

2) What does Warped Tour mean to you as a band?

BIG D & The Kids Table: Reminds me of 5th grade . It's like you're shy meeting all the new people, you get crushes and all that stuff. It's also kind of like a travelling circus. Kevin organizes some wild people. It's awesome.

Bayside: Warped is like the cornerstone of our music scene, it's such a n honor to play it. It's like the Hall Of Fame for Punk Rock.

As I Lay Dying: It's just an awesome opportunity to play really big shows and meet new people.

All Time Low: Hot, dirty, sweaty, fun.

The Rocket Summer: Warped is like a huge community of people trying hard to make it and there is this comradery amongst everyone.

Evaline: It's hard work and a lot of physical work in the heat. You can play for anywhere from 20 people to 100 people. It changes each day you play.

The Starting Line: Warped is this awesome community of bands and different people. It's a lot of fun and cool to expose kids to different music.

Envy On The Coast: Warped is a monumental and prestigious tour. It's awesome to be able to see and meet bands you grew up worshipping.

The Matches: We've grown so much through this tour and it generates other tours. It's like a big party, and if you don't go, you're really missing out.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Well last year was our first year playing it nationwide and we really enjoyed it. It's a great experience.

Chiodos: It's a tour we have respected for a long time. I attended my first one as a fan back in 2002, and I just love everything it stands for.

Hawthorne Heights: It's a chance to play to new people and show them who we are.

The Starting Line

3) Have you connected with, or formed any new friendships with other bands?

BIG D & The Kids Table: Definitely, The Matches and The Unseen, also made friends with a lot of the crew. I believe good people find each other.

Bayside: We reconnected with a lot of bands we sort of knew, but I would say New Found Glory, The Matches & The Almost.

As I Lay Dying: Meeting Pepper was cool and New Found Glory, Chiodos. We've met lots.

All Time Low: We got to play poker with New Found Glory, Paramore is really cool. We've met lots of new friends, there is really a large sense of comradery.

The Rocket Summer: As I Lay Dying, Still Remains, All Time Low and Paramore.

Evaline: My American Heart, Bleed The Dream and Escape the Fate.

The Starting Line: Paramore is really cool.

Envy On The Coast: We kinda started playing during the middle of the tour, so we're like the new kid in High School. We've met lots of cool people in catering, Bethany (press) and it was cool to see New Found Glory.

The Matches: Envy On The Coast, Circa Survive, All Time Low, Bayside, The Starting Line. Lots of great people.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Circa Survive, Killswitch Engage, Chiodos, Amber Pacific, the bass player for As I Lay Dying.

Chiodos: Circa Survive, My American Heart, it seems like you meet new people every day.

Hawthorne Heights:Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Amber Pacific, New Found glory, Chiodos, All Time Low.

As I Lay Dying

4) Do you have a favorite Warped Tour moment from this year?

BIG D & The Kids Table: I actually have 2. The first one was the pinata competition. It's where we try and break the pinata open, I talked so much shit about it saying I would win. And ya know what? I brought it and won!!! I got like $100. The 2nd one was our first mainstage date. We all partied a bit the night before, and so our first mainstage performance was done hungover. It was just a funny visual.

Bayside: I think my favorite moment was in Toronto, Kevin threw a big Mexican fiesta and we all had to wear sombrero's .It was a lot of fun.

As I Lay Dying: When catering did Mexican food.

All Time Low: I think it would have to be playing our hometown show in Maryland, we got to play main stage.

The Rocket Summer: The first day we were late but we played for like 6000 people, and then the next day there was like only 30.

Evaline: Our guitarist came on the bus drunk and went to his bunk and started puking. We told him to go outside, so he did, and the next thing we know he is standing at the bay with no pants on. It was hilarious.

The Starting Line: Coming to The Gorge.

Envy On The Coast: Probably on the bus when Ryan brought out his guitar and made up an Irish folk song about Bobby.

The Matches: Watching Biffy Clyro play and we made some little God like figures. Musburger is the main dude, he's a sports announcer and brings us luck.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: I think probably the AP party, I got a little drunk and started to climb up the metal frame of the tent. It was awesome.

Chiodos: Before we played today, our buddy came onstage and was in the dirty bunny costume, "Scruff McGruff" and he was totally drunk.

Hawthorne Heights: I think playing Cleveland, it was an amazing crowd, it was packed all the way to the back. After playing we went to the Rock & Roll Hall OF Fame, when we came back theplace was totally soaked. I guess we just missed it.

The Rocket Summer

5) What are your plans after Warped Tour?

BIG D & The Kids Table: We're going to the U.K. and Europe. After that we're going to make a DVD to help younger musicians with info about touring and stuff.

Bayside: We'll be touring all Fall headlining the Victory Tour.

As I Lay Dying: We'll be headlining tours in Europe, Canada & the US.

All Time Low: We're going to the U. K. with The Plain White T's and then a Fall tour with Boys Like Girls.

The Rocket Summer: We'll be on a 3 month tour with The Academy Is.

Evaline: We're going to finish writing and recording the new album.

The Starting Line: We'll be co-headlining a tour with Paramore and The Almost.

Envy On The Coast: We'll be going to Australia with The Receiving End Of Sirens and then touring the U. K. with Madina Lake and My American Heart . After that we'll be touring with Saosin, Alexis On Fire and Norma Jean.

The Matches: Gonna hibernate for a bit and then work on the animated video and then MORE TOURS!

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: We're gonna have some time off and then we'll be going on a tour through Canada and the U.K. .

Chiodos: The new album comes out on September 4th, I'm getting married on September 15th and then on September 23rd we're doing 2 headlining tours.

Hawthorne Heights: It's kind of up in the air right now, but we might go in the studio sometime in October, if we can't record then we'll probably go back on tour.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

By the time the last band was to play, Coheed & Cambria , I was completely knackerd. Between the heat, long ascention hikes up and down between stages, and no food, I decided to head back to the campsite. By the time I reached the shuttle, I felt like a deflated balloon. The bus was stuffed to capacity and then some. The smell of sweat and booze was nauseating. Between the 5ft girl who had to stand under my raunchy armpit and the fat lady's elbow in my boob, I still managed to listen in and hear the buzz of the day. Once again, it was Paramore and Chiodos that were discussed. However, As I Lay Dying and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were also mentioned with a lot of passion. I finally reached my stop and got off the smelly train. Cooked up some hot dogs and bunkered in for the night. As always, the roar from the other campsites was almost deafening, and the fireworks were let off at regular intervels. I somehow allowed both to lull me to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, my bladder was like a maxed out credit card. It was obviously time to get rid of the 3 gatorades and gallon of water I drank. As I made my way out of the site to head to the ladies room, I noticed a tank. Yes, i said tank, as in like a bloody army tank! I am the first one to admit when I wake up, I am barely coherent, but a tank? I rubbed my eyes (like in the movies) and it was still there. This time my eyes also saw about 30 members of a SWAT team, the tank, and what looked to be about 20 or so cop cars. My bladder was having no part of standing around trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I made my way to the bathroom and quickly returned to make sure I was not delusional. I was not. These guys had on bullet proof vests and had really big guns in hand. I think I actually said out loud, "Holy shit , WHAT THE ?!?!!!". I stopped one of the guys working for the campsite and asked him what was going on. Apparently during the night, a flock of drunks decided it would be fun to start a riot and trash the campground.

Originally one cop car responded to a "man being down/injured". When he arrived , he was met with flying debris and an angry mob. Backup was called and came in the form of the swat team. The port-a-potties were set on fire, fence posts were removed and burned, liquor bottles thrown, basically an all out campsite war. How the hell did I sleep through that? I dunno, but I did. I should have been out there documenting it, on the other hand, I would have been really pissed off if any flying debris, be it bottles or shit, managed to find my equipment. So there I was dreaming of pink ponies and puppy dogs, while there was a full blown riot taking place around me. Am I badass or what? The link to the video on youtube is http://youtube.com/watch?v=70-fP7SDbdQ and you can read about it here http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003845843_gorgeriot21m.html?syndication=rss .

All in all I guess you could say this year really was Punk Rock Summer School , with the riots, and such. It also happened to be Bob's debut on Warped Tour. Hell, it's probably the best Warped ever, I sure as heck know I won't forget it.

Jenn Dohner

For more candid band shots go here....CANDID BANDS

ANd to see how Bob made out with the bands (not literally you perv) go here...BOB & THE BANDS