Matt Skiba's 10 Favorite Warped Tour Bands
For more than 15 years, the Vans Warped Tour has united the best in punk, hardcore, metal, and indie for one of the most consistently potent annual touring lineups.
As the 2010 edition winds towards the West Coast for its conclusion, we asked Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, whose band is one of the biggest draws on this year's bill -- along with All American Rejects, Motion City Soundtrack, and dozens more -- to pick his favorite acts on the tour.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
Matt Skiba says: "Far and away my favorite band on the warped tour. I have never seen or heard anything like them and have never met a cooler, more eclectic group of guys. We watch each other's bands every day."
LISTEN: The Dillinger Escape Plan, "Farewell, Mona Lisa"
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BOUNCING SOULS
Matt Skiba says: "They made the first month of Warped Tour go by in a flash. They are some of our best friends we've made out on the road over the years and we were genuinely sad when they left after the first half. It hasn't been the same since."
LISTEN: Bouncing Souls, "So Jersey"
EVERY TIME I DIE
Matt Skiba says: "We met these guys for the first time on this run and they have become really great friends and serious comrades out here on Warped. They are the funniest and coolest people we've met in ages and we spend endless hours making each other choke on beer from laughter."
LISTEN: Every Time I Die, "Wanderlust"
FACE TO FACE
Matt Skiba says: "These guys got us our first break. They were the first big band to take us out under their wings and allow us to play for big crowds. We are honored to be sharing a stage with them and so thankful to call them our friends. They kill it every day and we spend many a day out here reminiscing and cracking each other up."
LISTEN: Face to Face, "The Take-Away"
I actually couldn't find that song on youtube, so here is 'Disconnected' instead.
PENNYWISE
Matt Skiba says: "Such great guys and such an inspiration. This band has been through and survived just about anything you can imagine and still come out every day and throw down like it's the first day of their lives. We set up camp next to them every day backstage and they have become our big brothers and some of our dearest friends. Pennywise are legends and gentleman and maniacs. We LOVE them."
LISTEN: Pennywise, "Something to Live For"
ALL AMERICAN REJECTS
Matt Skiba says: "We brought these guys out with us before they were a huge band and we have been friends with them ever since. They are the coolest and sweetest guys out here. Like the Souls, we lost them halfway through the tour and it hasn't been the same since. Beautiful people and a great band that go out of their way to help people less fortunate than they are (they raised money for Haiti every day with a bucket and a megaphone!). I have so much love and respect for them and it's always an honor to share the road with them."
LISTEN: All-American Rejects, "I Wanna"
VERSAEMERGE
Matt Skiba says: "I was out on my BMX bike checking out bands on the tour one day and caught their set by chance. They blew me away with their songs and presence and made me feel that I was watching the next big thing. They already have a huge following but they also have a big and bright future before them and seem to be really cool kids. They're sexy and they rock. Shit is gonna be huge."
LISTEN: Versaemerge, "Fixed At Zero"
Eh, I used 'Lost Tree' instead.
THE CASUALTIES
Matt Skiba says: "One of the few true punk bands on the tour. They have become really great friends and drinking buddies over the years and i am proud to know them and call them allies. We spend many a night out here drinking beer and listening to the Clash together."
LISTEN: The Casualties, "War is Business"
AGENT ORANGE
Matt Skiba says: "One of my all time favorite bands. They have written some of the best punk rock songs ever penned and I can honestly not believe we get to say we are on a tour together. I LOST MY SENSE, I LOST CONTROL, I LOST MY MIND!!!!"
LISTEN: Agent Orange, "Wouldn't Last A Day"
SUM 41
Matt Skiba says: "We met them years ago on tour with Blink and have been homies ever since. We watched them rise to fame and glory and have also watched them stay true to what they do and have a blast doing it, which to me is what punk rock is all about. We party together. A LOT."
LISTEN: Sum 41, "We're All to Blame"
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