Warped Tour: The Final Run – Part 7

Sincerely, Me, Glacier Veins, Fenix TX, and Young Lungs – what do all these bands have in common, besides being awesome?!  Well, they’re all on the final Warped Tour roster, and they all chatted to us about their experience.  If you want to catch up with some of the other chats, why not check out these related posts:

Final Run – Part 4
Final Run – Part 5

Sincerely, Me

Sincerely, Me is a pop punk band that reigns from coastal Orange County, California.  Their dangerously catchy jams were noticed by the record label, We Are Triumphant, in 2017, and they have been playing kick-ass shows countrywide ever since.  They have played So What?! Music Festival in Dallas, and select dates on the Vans Warped Tour 2018.  Their goal is simple, have fun writing and performing their music, and hope people around the world can have just as much fun listening and rocking out at a show.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

SM:  We cried.  We were honoured to be a part of the end of an incredible festival that welcomed everybody to the scene every summer.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

SM:  A lot of bands, like us, used Warped Tour as a major milestone in their career.  Without Warped tour, a lot of bands would have been lost and without aspiration.  Warped influenced the musical community by pushing a diverse and open melting pot in an extremely rad fashion.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

SM:  WAAARPED TOOOOOUR.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

SM:  We are in the studio this summer recording our second EP, to be released in fall.  We plan on touring the EP this fall.  2018 will be a year of growth, as we continue to define our sound and passion as a band.

Do you have any last words for your fans?

SM:  Keep an eye for a single soon on all the socials! FB: @sincerelymebandd. Insta and Twitter: @sincerelymeband  Thanks!

Young Lungs

Young Lungs is a band made up of passionate musicians who continuously prove it through their music and hard work.  This band falls into the categories of indie, pop, and rock with their melodic riffs and catchy choruses.  Their releases include singles, covers, an acoustic EP, and a full-length album.  With multiple tours and music videos under their belt, their initiative to make something of themselves is shown in each step they take.  

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

YL:  We couldn’t be more thankful that Kevin Lyman added us onto our hometown date.  The excitement is unreal, and we’re working our hardest to perfect our set.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

YL:  It brings so many different kinds of people together to one magical, musical place time after time.  I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone walks out of the venue with new artists and bands on their radar.  There isn’t a better way to celebrate summer as a musician or a fan.  It’s like homecoming for the music scene.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

YL:  Warped Tour is musical madness in the best way possible.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

YL:  Young Lungs will be heading back down to Austin, TX, this fall to record with Westfall Recording Company.  Until then, we’ll be writing new songs, playing shows, and planning for what’s to come.

Do you have any last words for your fans?

YL:  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We couldn’t do any of this without your love.

Glacier Veins

Glacier Veins is a three-piece ‘dream punk’ band from Portland, OR.  The up-and-coming band is comprised of Malia Endres, Kyle Woodrow, and Jason Espinoza.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

GV:  I am so grateful to have been a part of it.  After attending four years of the festival, then playing the Portland date in 2016, it means a lot that we were able to play during the final run.  I had only ever been to the Portland date, so it was cool to play in Mountain View, attend Ventura, and experience Warped Tour in new settings and, in a way, expand what we’ve done as a band.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

GV:  I think the biggest thing is exposing people to music and giving musicians opportunities.  There may be people attending Warped Tour who are interested in seeing a few main stage bands, but fill the rest of their day watching bands they’ve never heard of, or checking out merch tables and talking with members of bands that they don’t know.  Having the opportunity to play Warped Tour definitely felt like a dream, but it also helped us grow.  We were able to play for and meet a lot of new people who we maybe wouldn’t have had the chance to otherwise, and I think things like that help to connect different people within the music community.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

GV:  Warped Tour is a big connection of music and culture, with new discoveries and experiences for everyone.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

GV:  We’re playing some West Coast shows, and multiple shows at home in Portland.  We’re excited to be releasing a new song soon, too!!

Do you have any last words for your fans?

GV:  Always, always, always so grateful for the support.  Thank you!  Keep dreaming <3

Falset

Utilising a unique blend of metal, modern rock, and djent, Falset has garnered a ton of buzz.  Their energetic live performances, which showcase heavy hitting breakdowns, soaring vocal melodies, and tasteful guitar solos, have earned them a strong (and still growing) fanbase.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

F:  We are so grateful to be a part of Warped Tour’s final run.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

F:  Warped Tour was special.  It started it’s own scene that the youth couldn’t get enough of.  It was a platform for so many unique, talented bands and artists to be heard.  I don’t think the music community would be the exact same today without Warped Tour.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

F:  The best day of the year.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

F:  We’re in the studio recording our full-length album.  It’s honestly some of the best music we’ve ever written, and we are excited to start releasing it later this year.

Fenix TX

Previously known as Riverfenix, the Houston-based group Fenix TX consists of singer/guitarists Will Salazar and Chris Lewis, bassist Adam Lewis, and drummer Damon Delapaz.  Riverfenix formed in 1995, but due to a changing lineup didn’t play or write much until the following year.  1997 saw the group play on the Mullets Across America Tour with groups like Home Grown and the Hippos.  This led to a connection with Drive-Thru Records, and that summer the band recorded their self-titled debut album for the label.  It was eventually picked up and re-released by MCA, and the band hooked onto tours with notable pop punk bands Less Than Jake and Blink 182.  By 1999, Riverfenix had changed their name to Fenix TX.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

FTX:  The band feels very fortunate to be a part of the last Warped Tour.  The first time we were able to do it, it was a dream come true.  The second time was on the Main Stage and it was even more amazing.  To be asked back after so many years is indescribable.  Even though our impact on Warped can’t be compared to the impact that Warped has had on us as a band, we are so thankful that we can be included in the roster of bands coming back to relive those glory days of one of the greatest travelling tours of all time.  

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

FTX:  Warped Tour has acted as a launchpad for so many bands around the world since the late 90’s.  If you were trying to make your way in the punk rock, hip hop, indie rock or any other alternative music community, Warped was the tour you begged to be a part of.  So many bands have Warped Tour to thank for their careers because it was the tour that showcased bands that kids may have not otherwise ever heard of.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

FTX:  It was the punk rock summer camp that introduced so many kids to bands that they might have never heard of.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

FTX:  Work, family, music and food.  In that order.

Do you have any last words for your fans?

FTX:  Thanks for digging our music and giving us a chance to invade your audio space.  We really appreciate it.

Don’t Sleep

Don’t Sleep is five friends playing hardcore and trying to make a positive impact on the world.  Features Dave Smalley (of Dag Nasty, Down By Law, All, and DYS), and members of The Commercials (Blackout Records), Admiral, and Junction (Art Monk Construction).  Our questions are answered by vocalist, Dave Smalley.

DS:  I am so happy to be part of Warped Tour one more time.  I’m sad it’s the last one, so it’s very bittersweet.  It has been an honour and a lot of fun to do two Warp Tours with Down By Law in the 90’s, and now again at the end of its days with Don’t Sleep.  Don’t Sleep is only doing one show in this final tour, but even one is enough to say thank you to our fans, to the tour itself, and to rock the freaking place to the ground.  Don’t Sleep is a serious musical fist!

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

DS:  The Warped Tour had enormous influence, and honestly made a lot of bands’ careers, or at least made them far bigger than what they would have been without it.  For Down By Law, it allowed us to play to thousands of people who might otherwise never have heard of us or known to go see us.  For Don’t Sleep, it is a huge help to get the word out about a new, relatively unknown, raging hardcore band.  

One of the things that is so cool about Warped Tour is that it creates a lot of friendships among the bands.  For instance, DBL shared a tour bus with Blink 182 during one of the early Warped Tours, and for many years after that, I stayed in contact with them.  Unfortunately, I lost contact info for all of them over moves and years, but still, many good times.  That was super cool, and would likely never have happened without Warped.  Same thing with Pennywise and lots of bands.  The fun times backstage and the stuff offstage was really memorable.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

DS:  Warped Tour was the perfect big punk rock tour because it never forgot to be punk rock, even when it got big.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

DS:  2018 is insane.  For the first time in my career, I will have three different albums by three different, amazing, really cool, raging and melodic groups.  I’m in a major productive good spell!

Down By Law’s new album, All In, is coming out at the beginning of August, and is absolutely one of the best albums in my career.  Sam Williams wrote some incredible songs, and his guitar playing is flat out brilliant.

Don’t Sleep, has put out two records within the last year, one on Reaper Records, and a European exclusive on Unity Worldwide Records. We’ve also been recording new songs for some upcoming releases.  I feel like Don’t Sleep is this explosion of hardcore light, lighting the darkness of musical boredom and reminding us all how hardcore was meant to be played and heard.

Finally, the new album by Dave Smalley and the Bandoleros is coming out soon.  It’s this totally unexpected, beautiful rock and roll/punk album from friends in Spain.  It’s an incredible album; blew me away when I heard the musicianship and songwriting.  Seriously, this will be the surprise out-of-the-blue great punk rock album of 2018.   So, all three bands are putting out kickass albums in one year that I’m really excited about!

You know, in life, you need the right mix of good luck, hard work, great talented friends and utilising your own skills to the maximum.  I’m lucky as hell to have found such great players and friends to rock with.  I’m totally psyched to make music that people love, and these three groups all mean a great deal to me.  They capture different sides of the quadrophenic me.

Do you have any last words for your fans?

DS:  I just hope everyone can come out to one of the last few Warped Tour shows, or any other upcoming Don’t Sleep shows, because that’s a way unlike any other to personally connect with and feel it.

Marcaux

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

M:  Honoured.  I’ve been to twelve Warped Tours since 2003 as a fan.  To be a part of the final one as an artist is surreal.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

M:  I think Warped Tour revolutionised festivals, especially a touring festival, years before any festivals were really taking charge.  Also, the unity and variety of genre is super underlooked when Warped Tour is discussed.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

M:  An annual dose of nostalgia and good times.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

M:  Hopefully more music, more shows, more opportunities.

Kill No Albatross

Burlington-based rock band, Kill No Albatross, released their debut EP, Lost in Darkness and Distance, in May 2017.  Bolstered by a live performance on CHCH television and tour stops in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, 2017 saw the beginning of KNA’s amassment of a devoted fanbase.  2018 started with a bang, as the band performed as part of Canadian Music Week and shared stages with notable acts including Picturesque, Sarah Longfield, Archspire, and SECRETS.  Kyle, Josh, Alexander, Alex, and Glenn are incredibly excited to release their boldest statement yet, tour their home country, and expand their growing fanbase.  Our questions are answered by drummer, Alexander Sallas.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

AS:  It’s just so cool, and, admittedly, a little surreal.  I remember going to the 2014 Toronto date with Crosty and thinking how awesome it would be if we could play it someday… now it’s happening.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

AS:  I think it undoubtedly played a huge role in the proliferation of ‘alternative’ music.  One might even say an ironic mainstreaming of it. It was a huge influence for my own musical development; one of the first records I ever bought was the 2002 compilation disc.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

AS:  Probably, pretty long.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

AS:  Hopefully, losing my virginity.

Do you have any last words for your fans?

AS:  If you don’t buy our merch, we’ll die of starvation.

TREADS

TREADS is a Brooklyn-based four-piece founded in the creative partnership between Madge (vocals and guitar) and Glenn (drums).  After the addition of Kris on bass, they released an EP made up of songs that pre-dated the actual band titled IDK how to have fun on an island where I always waste my time.  It wasn’t until the recording of Dear Passion, and the addition of Mike on second guitar, that the band stepped into their own sound and direction.  Our questions are answered by Madge and Kris.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

M:  It feels very full circle to me.  I’ve kept a journal since I was about 13-years-old, so I flipped through to the only Warped Tour date I was able to attend.  I found the page saying that my teenage self left with a strong sense that I could be up there, and now here we are, which is pretty wonderful.

K:  Having always been interested in the punk scene, but not feeling ‘cool’ enough to be a part of it, I’m so excited that I’m going to have the chance to participate before it’s over.  Being different is tricky, and it’s lovely to be invited to do something that involves people who feel different hanging out and supporting each other.

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

M:  Warped Tour has provided a launching ground for so many artists, and a home for so many fans.  I know people who have gone year after year for most of their lives, which is a pretty amazing community to have built.  It does occupy its own niche in many ways, especially as rock music has lost some of its top forty capabilities, but I think that speaks to the strong sense of community this particular tour has.

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

M:  Come dressed in your best concert going self, and leave covered in sweat, dirt, and smiles.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

M:  2018 we’ll be playing some shows, like July 27th at Mercury Lounge, but as the weather cools we’ll be back in the studio to work on new music!

Do you have any last words for your fans?

M:  Start now.  Be honest with yourself about where you are and where you want to go.  Change directions, make mistakes, course correct, take care of yourself, work really hard to be absolutely excellent at whatever makes you happy, proud and/or excited.  Oh, and don’t hesitate to come talk to us, online or at the shows.  We love hearing your stories!

GutterLIFE

One of the punk scenes most exciting and outspoken acts, GutterLIFE, is back after three years of touring, writing and navigating life’s current climate, with their first full-length Radio Silence.  Including all the same elements that made 2015’s Don’t Sleep such a success, Radio Silence is all things GutterLIFE, with sounds that haven’t been heard before.  Dipping into acoustic punk and moving ballads, the band has proven that with time and talent, growth is imminent.  With full sail choruses, anthemic guitar leads, and the unmistakable voice of Matthew Van Rossem that make GutterLIFE so easily recognizable, Radio Silence is the full-length that fans have been waiting for.  Our questions are answered by vocalist, Matthew Van Rossem.

This is Warped Tour’s final run, how do you feel being part of it?

MVR:  Nostalgic!  It’s bittersweet.  A lot of us ‘band kids’ grew up going to Warped Tour and imagined ourselves up on those stages.  I’m sure the Warped experience kickstarted a lot of careers.  I know I’ve always wanted to say I played it, and there was a time I thought that ship had sailed, but I was wrong, and I’m super stoked about it.  Just goes to show how much a little faith can bring you.  I think any of us musicians following this borderline insane dream could tell you that it gets really hard.  It’s things like this, that makes it all worth it. 

What sort of influence do you think Warped Tour had on the musical community?

MVR:  Like I mentioned earlier, I really do think the Warped tour experience kickstarted or put a fire into the next generation of musicians standing in the audience.  Not only that, but appreciation for the art itself.  It’s one thing listening to your favourite record through a headset, but seeing the work that goes into those breakdowns and catchy leads is an entirely different, fulfilling experience. 

If you could describe Warped Tour in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

MVR:  My bandmember Adam had the best one: ‘the only place you could see every band on that pirated mix cd your friend on the bus lent you’.

What else does 2018 hold for you?

MVR:  Hopefully, more time on the road!  Right now we’ve already finished enough material for a new record.  I’m looking forward to really utilising all the different aspects of our sound; we have so many different elements to play with. 

Do you have any last words for your fans?

MVR:  I’ve always lived by this, and lately it’s been ringing really true to me.  Don’t give yourself a ‘Plan B’ when it comes to your dreams and aspirations.  Do whatever you have to do to get there, but don’t give yourself an out.  I’ve been doing this for more than half of my life, and I know I’ve got a long way to go, and I accept that.  Work hard, you owe it to yourself.