Not much has changed in the 14 years since the Vans Warped Tour first rolled out back in 1995. And many of the bands that are hitting the stage these days are the same ones that have been on the tour for years.
There is one big difference this year, though. Instead of having two main stages where bands put up back-and-forth 30-minute sets, there will be one main stage and bands get 40 minutes to play.
Here's a quick look at some of those performing this year:
3OH!3 -- The Colorado electronic duo is named after their hometown's area code. Clever, huh? The group has been on the Warped Tour for the last two years and released its sophomore album, Want, last summer.
Anti-Flag -- The Pennsylvania-based punk band first got together in 1988, but didn't release its first album until 1996. The band's ninth studio album, The People or the Gun, is due in June.
Bad Religion -- Has there been a year when these guys weren't on the list of bands? I'm sure there was at some point, but these guys are the Warped Tour über-veterans who rock out with their own brand of punk.
Black Tide -- A lot of people quickly wrote these guys off as a bunch of teenage wannabes until they saw them rocking on the main stage of 2007's Ozzfest. That earned them quite a bit of respect around the scene.
Gallows -- This British punk group will no doubt turn some heads with its down-and-dirty old-school style. This is the kind of stuff that would feel right at home at The Milestone more than a parking lot, but does location really matter?
In This Moment -- Another one of the 2007 Ozzfest bands that's finding a new home at Warped. What sets this metal band apart from the rest is singer Maria Brink's more melodic vocals mixed with the usual metal screaming. The band's single "Beautiful Tragedy" also got a bit of attention on national radio.
Shooter Jennings -- Sure, most people probably consider the son of Waylon to be country, but the rebel side of his music will make him a great fit on this year's Warped Tour. A lot of his stuff leans more toward rock, and if Katy Perry's pop fit in last year, why not a bit of the South this year?
The Devil Wears Prada -- This post-hardcore band may have hit the stage late last year, but its fans were content to wait as long as necessary to hear them.
Among the other bands playing are: A Skylit Drive, Aiden, Alexisonfire, Bouncing Souls, Dear And The Headlights, Escape The Fate, InnerPartySystem, Less Than Jake, Madina Lake, Meg and Dia, Millionaires, Saosin, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Underoath and a whole bunch more.
The Vans Warped Tour will be held at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on July 23. The gates open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $23.25 in advance and $32.75 on the day of show.
