Friday the 13th 2004 was by far the most influential day of my early pre-teen angst, as I attended The Vans Warped Tour for the first time. I discovered a whole world of music that existed outside of radio rock. I can pin point the course of my life back to this day, where in complete awe that such a world existed, I decided I wanted to be apart of this community.
A mere 11 years later, after years attending regularly, I found myself working on the tour for 17 days this summer slinging cat tees for the one and only Adam Elmakias. I’ve been running his merch store via the inter webs for a while now and this summer he decided to try it out on the road. I am eternally grateful to this dude for all the opportunities he has bestowed upon me over the last five years.
The life of merch dude on warped is rough and it didnt leave as much time as I hoped for shooting but I was just stoked I was able to fit in as much as I had. 10+ hours a day at the tent helps for some quick bonding.
Warped City at night
My tag team partner for the summer @kellymason manned the tent for the first month of the tour and we were able to team up for a day in PA and a day in CA.
@Kellymason caught me merch life-ing
I’ve got so many photos of so many bands over so many days I figured the best way to organize was just make it all alphabetical. You’ll notice with a few of these bands I’ve included a song they most likely forced into my mind cause it was catchy af and I had to listen to it for 17 days straight.
Track: The Lines
Any band Silverstein wants to team up with to form a super band is legit in my book.
Track: Numb Yourself
@jesusisbrown jumpin in on guest vocals
best stage banter of the tour
Track: Ghost In The Mirror
Mikey came to outback with us and hated so hard on the bloomin’ onion
ICED COFFEE THREE DOLLAS
within minutes of meeting this dude he force fed me apple pie moonshine \m/
Track: Bukowski
Track: Fire
Track: Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing
My bus mates for the tour, many thanks to these dudes for an awesome three weeks.
Track: Smashed Into Pieces cuz no more :,-( Bleeds No More
SET OF THE TOUR
Track: What It Is About You
Much needed change of pace on the beatport stage
Track: Skipping Stone