Something Like Sound

Following Pennywise we were hoping to catch Sum 41, but their set time had been switched with The Word Alive, another post-hardcore band. After taking a few photos (click here to see one), we realized that we could still make it to Andrew W.K.‘s set.

Upon arriving at the stage where Andrew W.K. was playing, the party had already started. In what I will describe as “the strangest, craziest, and most fun” set of the afternoon, Andrew W.K. & Co. had the entire crowd pulsing to their brand of heavy-metal infused, 4-on-the-floor, party music.

Music aside, the performance aspect of this set was mind-blowing (literally). Andrew W.K. and his wife danced around the stage and head-banged nearly the entire time. It was intense physically in addition to being a heavy-hitting listening experience.

I feel that I would have enjoyed staying around for more of Face To Face‘s set, unfortunately the group was scheduled to go on just 10 minutes before The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.

I have made it no secret that I’m a big Rev. Peyton fan. Ever since I saw them at Warped last year I have been hooked. There’s just something refreshing about hearing country blues at a punk festival.

Although, despite the difference in genre, Rev. Peyton & the Big Damn Band still kept things fairly punk-rock by ending their set with the “polar bear of death” and a smashed washboard. During our interview with Rev. Peyton, he asked me to consider what genre they might be. My answer: Boot stompin’ fist pumpin’ country music for punk rockers.

Bands are often quoted with saying “This has been the best stop on our tour,” and most of the time they could be lying. For Chicago-based Alkaline Trio, there is no doubt in my mind that this was their best stop on the 2010 Warped Tour.

While the group did play a few songs from their recently released album This Addiction, they were in tune with the massive crowd that had gathered. Digging deep into their catalog, they played a few older numbers including “We’ve Had Enough” and “My Friend Peter.” As the half-hour set ended, the crowd cried out for more; but alas, it was Warped Tour and nobody got an encore.

Then, when I thought I had seen everything, I saw this: Michael Jackson Oompa Loompas. No further description needed.

Reel Big Fish took the stage after Alkaline Trio, bringing with them one of the best ska sets I’ve ever seen. After their first (and second)  songs they proceeded to begin exiting the stage as if the set had ended. This type of fun-interaction continued throughout the set.

In addition to their on-stage presence, Reel Big Fish kept the crowd engaged through several dance-genre short songs and a handful of covers. Their ska renditions of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and A-ha’s “Take On Me” were truly a highlight for the end of the day.

We headed back to the main stage to hopefully catch Sum 41. Unfortunately all we got was Warped-founder Kevin Lyman explaining that singer Deryck Whibley had come down with some variety of severe sickness and the group would be unable to perform. At this point my colleague and I were tired, so we headed home from what had been an excellent day.