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Live Local Music

Vans Warped Tour Preview - July 12: Pittsburgh, July 18: Scranton, July 20: Camden, NJ

Posted by Karen Marchuska on 07/12 at 01:14 PM

The 17th annual Vans Warped Tour will be rolling into Pittsburgh this Thursday, and bringing with it lots of great bands and memories.  This tour showcases the best alternative and punk bands of the day, but this year they have outdone themselves with a lineup of impressive bands on the rise as well as some old favorites that will take the twenty-somethings back to their pre-teen years.  Here’s a quick guide to the must-see bands playing this year’s Warped Tour:

Yellowcard - Most people probably only know of their 2004 platinum-certified hit “Ocean Avenue,” but the rest of Yellowcard’s catalogue shows impressive musicianship with soaring violin solos as well as touching lyrics.  After cancelling their tours in 2008 and going on an “indefinite hiatus,” the band came back fully charged with their 2011 release When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes, and haven’t looked back.  Their lead guitarist recently said in an interview that they’ve been “looking for a chance to play Warped” again since their reformation, so it’s sure to be an energy packed show.  Their next release, Southern Air, is due out August 14.

All Time Low - Though recent drama with record companies has made their next album release date uncertain, one thing that’s for sure is All Time Low knows how to put on an entertaining show.  Their witty, though crude, banter between upbeat pop-rock tracks easily keeps the audience amused.  These boys know the meaning of the word showmanship, frequently answering shouts from the crowd and displaying an electrifying presence on stage.  Their biggest hit, “Dear Maria, Count Me In” made it to platinum in 2011 without ever having been played on the radio.

I Fight Dragons - This band will bring out a little bit of the geek in you, in a good way.  They combine electronic sounds made using Nintendo Gameboys and the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with traditional rock chords to get a completely unique and catchy sound.  Though they’re not as well-known as the other bands on this list, but they’re an innovative band bringing something new to Warped Tour, and heck you might even get to see them sing an a capella version of the Legend of Zelda theme.

The Used - This hardcore rock band has sold over three million records worldwide and played Warped Tour four times.  Known for their screaming and emotionally charged hooks and somewhat violent lyrics, The Used has made quite a mark on the rock scene since their formation in 2000.  Their tendency to create giant mosh pits and generally wreak havoc has made them a staple at festivals like Ozzfest, Taste of Chaos, and Bamboozle, so they’re sure to bring that energy and mayhem to Warped this week.

New Found Glory - As if Yellowcard wasn’t enough of a trip down memory lane, go back to middle school days with New Found Glory.  Over their 15-year career this band has released 7 studio albums and has been referred to as “the godfathers of pop punk.”  They hit their peak in the early 2000s with 3 albums achieving gold certifications, but this year they’re back for more.  Though you might think you’ll hear mostly songs from Radiosurgery, their latest release, think again, as New Found Glory is known for playing just as many old songs as new ones.  Their bouncy and infectious hits as well as their decade of experience make them an act you don’t want to miss.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and general admission tickets are still available for $45.  The entire Pittsburgh lineup can be found here.  They’ll be coming back to Pennsylvania, in Scranton on July 18. They’ll also be in Camden, NJ on July 20.

You can get daily Warped Tour updates from their Twitter account and Facebook page.