VANS WARPED TOUR 1999 CONCERT REVIEW

Alright, well, i don't know where to begin, and I don't know where this all is going to end. I will give a review based on a combined effort of what some people I know saw at the Warped Tour on July 17, 1999. The acts will not be in order, so, just deal with it.
There were 8 of us that ended up going. The day started mindlessly early for me. A couple people wanted to be on the road to Northampton for 8:30. The show started at noon time. I saw this as being ridiculous because it only takes about two hours to get there, and, there was no reason for anybody to request a sit-down meal, as to we already had lunches and other shit packed. The three vehicles met up at the previously arranged destination, when the third car finally arrived, we left. Time : Approximately 9:30 a.m.
I believe there was a request for a stop to get gas and/or smokes on the way up, so, a short way from the house, we did so. Then, somebody wanted to stop at Dunkin' Donuts another 15 minutes up the road. After that, we finally were able to get on our way. With mindless travel, chit chat, and one more stop along the way, we finally made it to Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Massachusetts. Time: Just under noon time. When we got there, some asshole was waving his arms like a chicken either trying to get on the Letterman show, or directing traffic. As we found our parking spot, we escaped our vehicles and gathered ourselves. I was prepared to go away for the day with all necessities necessary. Because of last year's fiasco, watching kids getting their outside water bottles being confiscated, I chose against bringing any water inside the event this year.

As we got closer to the entrance, a man with a pile of newspapers approached us. I first thought nothing of it, but once my brother started busting the guys balls, I felt the need to hop in and ask random stupid questions. My brother replied with something along the lines of "What if I don't know how to read?", and the guy launched on us like he was an army of thousands and rifled off words from his sniper-like mouth and telling us about how thousands of Asians can't read, but they learned how to. Then I asked him if any of the newspaper was in Chinese, not my lucky day. He said to me that there was a section that was printed in Spanish. I'm not good with foreign languages, so, basically, I was screwed. After the man passed by long enough, I tore his newspaper in half and dropped it to the ground. Moving on.
Finally, after about 20 minutes of waiting, the ticket-takers did their job, and we were on our way. I could already feel the sun beating down on me like a police officer in a race riot. The 96 degree temperatures were going to show me who's boss. Yes, they were. I was a little ticked at the fact that I was stupid and didn't think to take water in with me. I didn't see anybody taking drinks away, although, I was up at 8 that morning, I still wasn't fully awake.
As we got into the scenery, we somewhat broke up into three groups, as we started off with three vehicles. I branched off with the two people I came up with, and my brother followed along with us. As we checked the schedule, the two bands playing at the time we got there were:
Frenzal Rhomb
H2O

I chose to go over and see Frenzal Rhomb play, I wasn't all that fond of H2O, and Frenzal Rhomb doesn't come around near me that often to see them. Now, I will admit that I don't know many of their songs, but, I figured to enjoy myself. The sun god was feeling very angry this day, my friends, no matter where one stood(except in a covered area), you were gonna get attacked by Mr. Sun. Frenzal Rhomb was playing over on the 2nd stage, which was substantially smaller than the two main stages.

They came out on stage and introduced themselve and played some unrecognizable tunes. Well, I recognized them by lyrics and such, but I could not identify them with a song title.
Example: If you were to introduce a song to a jock and you knew he didn't know who they were, you would play this song and he would bob his head a couple of times and flash his teeth and go "Awww, yeah!" as if he knew what he was listening to.
That's how I felt in a way. Except, if I heard the song on CD, I would know what it was. After about three songs, they played "Punch In the Face", now, there was one song I definitely knew. It's simple, and fun to sing along to. "All we need is A PUNCH IN THE FACE!". Frenzal Rhomb was plenty loud, and plenty good. Another song I recognized that was played was "Genius". One thing that made me remember this was played because of the line "He's a fucking genius..."
Then, the lead singer asked the crowd to sing along because he said the words were easy to figure out and sing along to. This song was called "All your friends think you're a fuckhead". Nice!
In summing up Frenzal's set, I will say this: In the half hour time slot they got, I wish they were able to play a longer set, I don't recall why, maybe I either enjoyed them or the band after them wasn't all that to my liking. But, if you ever do get the chance to see this band, I recommend you go. You will enjoy yourself if you're into the Australian punk sound.

Next up was $1.09, better known as Buck-O-Nine. You may have heard a song of their's on the radio. Yes, I kid you not. I like a couple of their songs. In all, I heard about 5 of them, they seemed to be geared more towards pop-ska than pop-punk or ska-punk. Once again, a band that I knew very little about and even less about their songs.

Funny that I don't remember what happened after the $1.09 set, I think there was a little bit of walking around and just taking in random scenes, and buying ripoff 8 oz. cups of ice with an accidental spill of water in it for $2 a pop. At 1:30, Living End was playing on the main stage, and on the second stage was 7 Seconds.
7 Seconds. That's about how long this next review is going to take me. I don't know alot about this band excepct that they've been around for awhile. A couple of the kids that came along this year liked this band and owned some of their cds. Me on the other hand honestly don't know shit about them. From what I caught of their set, I thought it was pretty good. During the last three songs, the lead singer was highly promoting Avail, another punk band on the Tour this year. Apparently, from what he says, this is their last show, or rather, it was. I once bought an Avail cd, just an impulse buy. I must say, I wasn't all that impressed with it, guess it just isn't my style. Anyway, I'm drifting further from 7 Seconds. The crowd really seemed to be into this band, and there was a large crowd around the second stage of which they were playing on. Like I said, I didn't know anything about their songs, so I played the dumb jock just going along pretending I knew their songs, although, I'll admit, I wasn't playing like I knew their songs.

After 7 Seconds played, we wanted to get a spot for Less Than Jake's set, they were up on the main stage at 2:30. Unfortunately, we had to suffer through the Black Eyed Peas set. I'm sorry for anybody that likes them, but, that's why you have your homepage, and this is why I have mine. I caught about a handful of their songs, the band members kept encouraging the crowd to show them their "motherfucking hands". More than some needed to know, but, I choose to provide you with the best review I'm capable of. For those who missed the show, this is what happened.
I didn't know what to expect of the Black Eyed Peas, really, I never heard their music, so, that just gave me ammunition to declare that they sucked. In my opinion, I wasn't too far off from the truth. It felt like they were playing for hours, when they were really only on for a half hour. With their being one gigantic main stage, the fans wanting Less Than Jake to come out started to become restless and annoyed with the BEP's antics. Quite honestly, I was, too, but, hey, I wanted to give them a chance. Out of their whole set, I will say this: I actually found ONE song that they played that I showed a minimal interest in. Lucky for them.
Now on to Less Than Jake. That's right, it's now 2:30. Apparently Less Than Jake is very popular now among the ska community and others.(I'm just being stupidly sarcastic here)
I'd estimate the crowd from front to back on the stage LTJ was playing on at about 4,000 people(at least). I tried to find some shade, and a good viewing spot. I thought I found one, until some rude assholes kept "swimming" through the crowd and pushing me further in. A roadie from the band came out dressed in the "grim reaper" costume. A friend of mine turned me onto Less Than Jake, but, as ska became popular, I was growing tired of the music and this band. Still, I knew several of the songs. Even though, I don't own the new album, I still knew a couple of them off the album. The ones I know that they played included: Al's War Automatic All My Best Friends Are Metalheads Just Like Frank Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts
And they closed with "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore". I should've known what I was getting into, because one of the LTJ band members demanded that a circle pit get started up. It was already hot and sweaty enough where I was, but you needed to mix up the elbow swinging monkeys to make things a little more fun. That's when I tried to get out, and got belted in the neck on my way out. As I turned around, I was lucky enough to catch the guy in the eye. That's when I was finally able to escape the crowd and sweat.
I enjoyed the LTJ set even though I'm not as big a fan of them as I used to be. It's good to see them like the once a year on the Warped Tour, but, I couldn't see myself following them around to every show.

S.T.! S.T! S.T.!

That's right. Next up was the Suicidal Tendencies. This band has been around for awhile now. They play a good mix of hardcore/metal/punk sounding stuff. I don't own any of their albums, but, I did recognize one of their songs. Deftones did a cover that I got from an MP3. That song was "Subliminal". Unfortunately, I didn't know any of the songs to sing along to. I heard alot of coaching from the lead singer for the crowd to go "S.T.! S.T.! S.T.!", which gave me a good laugh. There was plenty of "S.T.!" goin around to last a week, if there is such a thing. Like I said, I didn't know much about their music, but, from what I heard, it was alright. Nothing that would make me go out to buy an album of theirs. But, I wouldn't rule out going to see them at a club. I didn't get too close up to see them, by this time, I needed to blow some more money on cups filled with ice and a splash of water. I found a seat on the grass and sat down and took in the rest of their set. That was that. After S.T., the Vandals were up next on the adjoining main stage.

I'm not a big fan of the Vandals, but, I wanted to get close up on the other stage because of the next act that was coming up. Oh, c'mon now, I wouldn't want to ruin this Vandals review for you by telling you who was next. Just read.
I only know one song by the Vandals, "It's a Fact", which was the second song they played. The rest of the songs they played were pretty good, except, when it got to the last two songs, it was really starting to drag on. A roadie dude from the Vandals hopped up onto a speaker and pulled his shorts together from the back end to flash his Casper-like ass. Many of the fans on the other stage, as they looked on, were fairly disgusted by this, tossing up the middle finger and yelling "Faggot" and "Fucking queer" at the guy. Of course, they were like 150 feet away, and a little voice isn't going to matter to him. This went on during a song called "I Have A Date" where the lead singer brought the roadie out because he said this was something he always wanted to do. Well, he was doing this to a chorus of cheers and some seemingly not so pleased fans. After "I Have A Date" was finished, they launched into another song, much to the disappointment of me along with most of the other overreacting fans on the other side of the stage with me. I felt that enough was enough. And, after about another 5 minutes, so did the Vandals.

Up next was the guy that goes by the name of Eminem. His stage decorations consisted of two giant fake mushrooms and a dj. He came out wearing a Suicidal Tendencies jersey much like the ones that wee being sold.
On stage with him was an unidentifiable(to me) guy rapping with him, and getting the crowd into it, or at least attempting to. He frequently let out with a "What's up Massachusetts?!?!?! I can't hear you!!!" and other silly sayings. For Eminem's set, I got as close at the 8th row, where i had strategically placed myself while the Vandals were on, I just wanted to get myself a good spot for his set. Little did I factor in that I have asthma, so, once "Brain Damage" started up, I realized I couldn't handle much more. Include in the heat(at least 97 degrees), the additional heat with the bodies packed in like cans of tuna, the sweat ridden bastards who've been up front all day, the dirt and dust, and oh yeah, did I mention it was pretty frigging hot out there ?
Like I said, he started out with "Brain Damage", which was pretty intense. I didn't anticipate that as his first song, but, hell, he only had 30 minutes and it's one of the best songs on the album. I must say that it sounded 100x better live, maybe it was the whole thing altogether, being there and everything, that made it sound cooler.
After "Brain Damage", next was "Just Don't Give A Fuck". So far, two songs down, two songs I could sing along to. I was getting some weird looks because with the placement of the bodies, at times I was practically screaming along into kids ears. Hey, not my fault you're standing there. Next up was a total surprise. With a second rapper on stage, this song was possible, and I totally would never have predicted this would be played.

Nuthin But A G Thang
The two of them went back and forth spittin off lines and then they cut about half way through and bust into "Lounge". If anybody who owns the album can relate to what I'm talking about, good, if you never heard it, well, sorry. Then, playing "Lounge" coordinates with the next song that came up, "My Fault", the song about Eminem going to a rave and meeting this girl and she chows down the whole bag of mushrooms on him and she gets all fucked up "and now you're sittin in the corner cryin and it's my fault, my fault...."
He's so sorry
After "My Fault" was a track I could not identify. I believe it may be off his first album he put out, "Infinite", so, if there's anybody who stumbles upon this by accident and knows what I'm talking about, please fill me in. For the most part, I enjoyed the song, it was a let down because I could not sing along to this song, not knowing what the hell it was. Then, the next song was a personal favorite of mine, "Role Model". By this time, I had gotten out of the vicinity of where the sea of bodies was found. It took a little additional effort because two white hats(jocks) stood their ground like security guards(with their combination of brains, they'd be lucky to get such a high ranking job). As they stood their with arms crossed and elbows pointing at me(probably couldn't tell their ass from their elbow, either), I looked up at them and they still wouldn't move. Finally, I cut by them and stepped on one of the white hat's feet on the way around. Fine, I'm sorry Mr. Fila, but your size 13's were in my way.

After that mini-incident, I made my way to like the 20th row, just when they were getting back into "Nuthin But A G Thang", apparently a Part Two to it. After they finished that up, the second rapper continued to get the crowd into it by trading verbal jabs about the crowd with Eminem, saying that he thought the ladies were more into it than the guys, and he asked for the ladies to yell out "Assholes!". Little do I remember what the Eminem asked the guys to yell out during this comical shenanigans.
After the second part of "Nuthin...", Eminem bust into "Still Don't Give A Fuck", the last track on his new album. The crowd seemed to really get into this one, as he shoved the mic out as far as he could into the crowd for certain parts of the chorus. I continued to sing along to this song, further drawing weird looks from mixed parts of the crowd. Then, of course, his finisher was "My Name Is", the radio hit that may have started this whole Eminem craze. Once again, I found myself singing along to this song, loving every minute of it.

For "My Name Is", the dj started off the song with some scratching and the onstage rapper with Eminem kept yelling out different things like "My Name Is ?" "What's My Name?" "Slim..... Shady!" To sum up his set, I must say I was not disappointed one bit, and, even if he was the only good act all day, I would be happy with that. To anybody that has yet to see him, and wanted to, I recommend it if he is playing a show in your area.

After Eminem ended his set, the show moved back over to the other main stage. Pennywise was now on. This is the third time I've seen them on the Warped Tour. This year, I was a slight bit let down by them. I don't know what it is. Even though I say I was let down, doesn't mean that they weren't good. I can always enjoy some Pennywise, and, they still were worth listening to this year. They opened up their set with "Fight Til You Die", a track off their "Full Circle" album. I lost them somewhere because I was back in line coughing up my money so as not to dehydrate. So, I may have missed a track, and I can not offer as in depth a playlist on these guys as I did with Eminem. The songs I know they did play include "Straight Ahead" and "Alien"(off their new album titled "Straight Ahead"), and, which it was that track that so-called legendary skateboarder, Steve Caballero jumped in to play guitar on. Other songs I recall them playing include : "Perfect People", "Pennywise"('It's the clown they call.... Pennywise!'), "Bro Hymn Tribute", another track off of "Straight Ahead" that I don't remember....

That about sounds correct for all songs they played. I will get back if there were any that I missed. All together, as I said, for what I heard, they were pretty good, not the best I heard from them, but, Pennywise is always a crowd pleaser. The always shy Fletcher Dragge commented that he was a little put off seeing people just standing around, and wanted them "front to back, make a fucking pit". Easy for this to be said playing under a covered area without the sun beating down on you all day and swimming with the sea of people, too.

After Pennywise' set, it was time to go over to the local bands stage. Anti-Flag, a Pennsylvania area punk band was up next. I've seen them once before, so, in a way, it was like a repeat. I do enjoy their music, but, the whiny voice of their singer, who resembles Pee Wee Herman(in voice only) provides me with a different view of this band. I suggest that maybe if he could spend his time singing and not talking, that'd be pretty cool.
They played my favorite Anti-Flag song, "Safe Tonight", as he before the song made comments about jocks, and beating up on people, and how everybody should stick together and not resort to violence. That's pretty cool that bands convey this message to their listeners, because, their are always the occassional meatheads who want to go to a show just to swing their fists around.
I unfortunately lost my other data on this band's set, so, in closing on them, they finished up with the usual song, where they rant about how the government running this country is total shit, and that maybe this country would be better if they changed up a bit. So, that, my friends, leaves you with "Gotta Die For Your Government", which, the times I've heard it live, has been slowed down for some odd reason as opposed to the cd. The chorus line of "Die for your country.. that's shit!" is met with quite the response from the sing-along crowd. All together, they were alot better this time around than when I first saw them play. Maybe because it was late night and I was sleepy headed then, and this was middle of the day. Whatever.

After Anti-Flag, Fenix Tx, aka Riverfenix, was playing on the second stage, so, once Anti-Flag was done with their set, that's who we went over to see, unfortunately, they were apparently just finishing up their set, and we caught about the last 15 minutes of them. This band seemed to be more about talk than their music. The two songs I did catch, however, were alright, bearable, tolerable. I can't say anything special about what I heard. For the most part, the lead singer was hooked on asking the guys in the crowd if they "Got big cocks?", and "If you got a big cock, raise your hand, this next song's for you guys."

After Fenix Tx finished their set, I think we were moving back over to the mainstage, for what reason I don't remember, but, the Dropkick Murphys were still playing. A little note if you're not familiar with this band: They used to have a different lead singer, but I believe they dumped him in favor of this new guy. Well, this is opinion only: I think the new singer is total shit, and they should've kept the old guy in the band. With that said, this brings us to 6 p.m. Grinspoon was playing on the main stage, but, I wanted to believe I didn't know anything about this band. Turns out that one of their songs is played on 107.3 WAAF, which is a Boston station for those who aren't familiar with it.
Yes, 6 p.m. was roaming time because we were under the impression that Grinspoon blew. We then made our way over to the local stage again, where this hardcore band I never heard(Reach The Sky) was playing. From what I heard, they were pretty good. That being from what I heard them play there! If you're a hardcore fan, I'd recommend buying the cd if it's available in stores. I don't know any of their song titles, and therefore I CANT COMPILE A PLAYLIST. I spent most of my time near the little shade that was offered at this venue. There was a little area of benches against a wall in the area of this local stage. I sat down, and could still hear the damn music playing. It was good. See Spot run.

Moving on.... that about does it for the Warped Tour. After we all assembled at the gate to leave, the parking lot was a mess to escape from, so we didn't attempt to get a spot in the line to get out, rather, some of us were throwing the football around, some were munchin on some food, and some of us were just plain bored. Oh yeah, plus we all got a pretty sunburn to go with the additional funds we lost after purchasing drinks inside the venue. By the time we got inside the car and fired up the ride to get away, it was just about 8:00 at night. exactly 12 hours to when I was awake. The day seemed alot longer than that, probably because I'm not accustomed to being awake so early, but, I was more concerned about cooling off and getting some food before getting some rest. And, some rest from the hell of this review you shall get.

If anybody has any comments, feel free to send something to my email for me to read, whether it be a slightly sincere compliment, or something beyond harsh tearing my ridiculous review to pieces, I'd like to hear what has to be said about it. Thank you, if you've made it this far down here, and, "if I offended you.... good, 'cause I still don't give a fuck." - Eminem