TVD Live: Vans Warped Tour, AT&T Park, 6/23

The Warped Tour rolled into downtown San Francisco for the first sold out show on the 2012 tour. The 18th annual Summer festival sponsored by Vans began as a showcase for punk rock bands, but has slowly turned into a pop punk, dance rock fest with a touch of hardcore and metal.

Now, this is not really my idea of a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, but there was one or two bands on the bill that I really wanted to see—one of them being Rise to Remain who are on the verge of becoming the next big metal band from the UK and garnering praise from Kerrang and Metal Hammer who are praising the band’s raw, metal sound. Unfortunately, I missed them because they went on ridiculously early.

The one thing about the Warped Tour that continually bugs fans is that they announce the band’s set times early that morning so you have no idea when any number of the 50 plus bands are playing that day. Even the world of social media does not help, as no one tweeted out the damn set times all day. Very frustrating.

With that being said, there were some truly stand out moments for me that definitely made it worth attending. Let’s take a look at the six bands that I did get to see perform.

Pierce The Veil

Pierce the Veil | Interesting band, great energy, and one hell of a buzz. Not really sure how to classify them, but I think they have a nice future in front of them. Their songs were not terrible and they were quite entertaining. I saw them before the show chatting with fans and taking pictures and they seemed to really get it.

Good for them, and hopefully their new album coming out next month Collide with the Sky does well for them and their new label. Available on LP July 17.

Pierce The Veil

A shot of the crowd waiting for Pierce the Veil to hit the stage.

Taking Back Sunday | How in the hell did I miss this band over the years? This was the first time I had ever heard this band, but of course I had seen the name many, many times before. These guys were spectacular and clearly the standout band of the entire day. The only problem with their set? It was way too short.

These guys killed it playing songs from their self titled “comeback” record which I have been listening to non stop ever since.

Taking Back Sunday

Anti-Flag | The closest thing to actual punk on the tour, these guys delivered the goods and showed the crowd what it truly means to be a rebel.

After a disastrous brief flirt with a major label years ago, the band returned to their roots and continue to succeed in their own right. Their set was absolutely fantastic as they blazed through fan favorites and spread their message of equality for all. If there is a touring version of Cirque-Du Punk Rock, their acrobatics would be a nice addition.

Anti-Flag

Yellowcard | Here’s another band I missed at their peak. Being not too familiar with the them, I think they did a pretty good job. Nice energy, catch songs, and of course the diferentiating violin player adding a new take on the sound.

They have a new record coming out next month called When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes.

Yellowcard

All Time Low | These pop punks from Baltimore just made a bold move to leave Interscope records and go independent. I respect that they are taking matters into their own hands and best of luck to them.

Although there’s nothing truly original here, they write some pretty catchy songs. What’s missing in substance, the band makes up for with personality.

All Time Low

Every Time I Die | Here’s where I really started to enjoy myself. These guys are brutally heavy. I would imagine if it came down to it they could kick every other band’s ass on the tour, literally, but I heard they are really nice guys.

These guys are so heavy, I thought the devil himself was going to burst out from under the stage and condemn everyone straight to hell. Their new album, Ex Lives is garnering rave reviews.

Every Time I Die

Other observations from Warped Tour 2012 | It seemed that every girl in attendance was named Zoe, there were enough piercings to melt down into a tour bus for each band member, tattoos are now mainstream, there is a 12 step program available backstage, the dinner menu rivals most hipster restaurants in Oakland, furry drums are cool, and belt buckles are making a huge comeback.