July 18, 2002
Warped speed ahead

CALGARY -- It's every band for itself.

That, in a nutshell, is the idea behind the Vans Warped Tour, the most socialist (i.e. punk rock) festival you'll come across.

And, for that reason, probably the most interesting.

Every act, no matter how big or how small, is on the same footing when it comes to getting seen and heard.

Of course, you could argue the two main stages, which feature the bigger acts, are the centrepiece of the day, but the random draw held every morning of the tour determines no one is assured a prime-time lineup spot.

With five music stages, at times simultaneously vying for your attention -- not to mention the various merchandise booths, Playstation tent, skateboard ramp, motocross jumping, etc. -- it can bring out the best in bands which have only 30 minutes to show their stuff.

As a result, yesterday, 12,000-strong were treated to an impressive assortment of very punk acts (Lagwagon, NOFX, Bad Religion), fringe punk acts (The Alkaline Trio, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Ozma) and non-punk acts (Morgan Heritage, Quarashi).

In fact, it was those in the latter category that provided some of the best moments of this year's Warped.

Maybe, it's just because they were offering something different than the majority of artists, but a band such as straight-up reggae group Morgan Heritage was as refreshing as the breeze that blew steadily across the hard, hot concrete of Race City.

There was no schtick, no selling point except the solid reggae delivered with much love and good vibes.

In fact, when the Rasta act was on stage, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in the islands.

Except for the lack of trees. And water. And rum.

Icelandic hip hop act Quarashi was another un-punk highlight.

The cool seven-piece had a great Beastie Boys thing going on with their sound and stage show, incorporating tight raps and rhymes with a DJ and live band.

They may have been relegated to a side-stage beside the beer gardens, but they drew a fairly sizable crowd and should have a handful of people looking for their latest CD.

Another couple of side stage acts that drew attention were: The remarkably manic, slightly psychotic and appropriately named Destruction Made Simple; super powerful and melodic outfit Finch; new wavy group The Start, which was fronted by an edgier Debbie Harry; and the solid almost-all-female outfit The Eyeliners.

The last two are especially notable because they illustrate a change in the sexual makeup of Warped this year.

On the two main stages, throughout the day were the acts that most people paid the ticket price for, and few people were likely disappointed or, for that matter, surprised.

The Bosstones, who played under the blistering 3:30 p.m. sun, showed everyone why they're the godfathers of ska-core -- energetically dishing out a healthy dose of good-time ska, punk, pop, and rock.

Boston's best have a soft spot for Calgary, thanks to vocalist Dicky Barrett whose wife is from our fair city, and they put on a set that showed it.

Alkaline Trio was one of the buzz acts of Warped and it's not hard to ascertain why.

AT would probably fall under the emo category, but their music is simply smart, catchy power-pop.

L.A. quintet Ozma fall into the same category, and the great pop element was heightened with fine keyboard action.

Attempting to do the same thing, but unintentionally illustrating it's not as easy as it sounds, was Something Corporate, a rather banal band that came across extremely hollow and lifeless.

They're doing well for themselves, but there are so many better acts, it makes them seem rather contrived.

Although they also have a sound that's fairly contrived, Flogging Molly is also a whole lot of fun.

The Celtic punk act did its best to summon the spirit of folk fest coop-flyer Shane MacGowan and his former band The Pogues.

Their 3 p.m. spot may have been a little too early for the beer tent to have taken its full effect on the audience, but Flogging Molly brought together the best of pub and punk.

The early evening main stage acts, on the other hand, while all solid acts, underline the main complaints anyone could possibly have.

Gob, MXPX, Lagwagon --not wanting to sound like Old Man Bell, but there isn't a tremendous amount of diversity.

They're all good at it, they all have the poppier punk thing down well and they've all built successful careers on it.

But the cheeky covers, the bouncy tunes, it all blends into one fairly long set spread over three separate ones.

Luckily, we had Bad Religion stuck in there.

Twenty-two years, 13 albums, a revolving lineup -- none of it seems to have had a negative effect on the old guard of California punk.

There are no new tricks, but they still put on a tremendously entertaining show, sprinkled with tunes from their two decades, and they command the stage like most of the younger acts could only ever dream of.

The same should be said about fellow vets NOFX, an act with a tremendous number of faithful fans.

That's because they up the ante on snotty, smirking punk and make it all their own.

New Found Glory may not have had the chance to build a following like either of the two Epitaph Records mainstays, but there was a significant buzz around their set.

Purveyors of hook-filled, meaty, mid-tempoed, anthemic punk, NFG put on a superb set that deservedly earned a huge pit of pogoing.

They were one of this year's Warped Tour's best. And one of the reasons the event, no matter how samey it can be at times, is one of the year's best bets.