Looking to get your fix of loud rock, sweaty dudes and bikini-clad chicks with no water in sight? Look no further, it's that time of the year again; the Vans Warped Tour is coming to town on July 29. As one of the longest running festival summer tours, 2013 marks Warped's 19th year as the go-to music fest for fans of metal, punk rock and a host of other alternative sounds. Beginning in 1995 with artists like Sublime, 311 and No Doubt, Warped Tour has since evolved to include the likes of Blink 182, Green Day, Bad Religion, NOFX and Eminem.

Though the tour might now be past its glory days, Warped still remains a rite of passage for fans of the alternative music scene. Nowhere else can you find a metropolis of obscure vendors, pop-up skate ramps, and more than 100 artists, all within a walkable radius. But if you're curious whether the trek out to the Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre in combination with overpriced beer and crippling heat is really worthwhile, here's a look at a few of my top picks from 2013's lineup.

Stick to Your Guns- One of the heavier bands on the tour, Stick to Your Guns veers away from the flood of pop-rock that seems to dominate Warped. With a sound geared toward fans of hardcore and metal, these Florida natives guarantee an intense set... just watch out for the pit.

MC Lars-YES. MC Lars is on the bill. I was so surprised, and so stoked. Lars is a rapper of the strangest variety. Best known for "going hard on that tetrameter" in his Edgar Allen Poe raps, this Baltimore-born MC specializes in nerdcore and post-punk laptop rap.

Defeater- Part punk. Part hardcore. Defeater's unique style has helped the band gain notice within the hardcore scene. Appropriate for fans of La Dispute, Have Heart, Touch Amore and Comeback Kid, these guys fall on the heavier end of the punk spectrum.

The Used- The Used is one of those bands that's managed to survive over the years, despite falling loosely under the category of emo/screamo. Thanks to an album progression that shows the bands maturity, along with a killer live show, The Used has distinguished themselves from similarly labeled artists, and earned their spot as one of this year's headliners.

The Wonder Years- For anyone who grew up listening to pop/punk, you're probably already familiar with The Wonder Years. But if Melrose Diner sounds like a shitty alternative to pizza, click the youtube link below. Lots of energy, and always a good set.

Reel Big Fish- Yep, they're still playing Warped Tour. With "Don't Stop Skankin'," as their latest single, Reel Big Fish ensures that their Warped fans, well, don't stop either. Not even in 2013.