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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2004)
B A •r ■r A I- I o M o Hi c ■ le Or o i ■WB: Entertainment The Battalion Page 3A • Tuesday, May 4, 2004 Vans Warned Tour 2004 Come this summer, neo punk rockers around the country will strap on their multicol ored wristbands and add an extra dabbling of mascara to their lashes in preparation to see some of the hottest rock and punk rock acts from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The Van’s Warped Tour will make this new-age music euphoria possible by criss crossing the nation, bringing the bands and anthems of this generation, as moshing and crowd surfing acts release hate of school and parents. Tour veteran Sugarcult, which recently cel ebrated its latest release, “Power Trees and Powerlines,” is looking forward to orchestrat ing the madness this year. “Warped Tour rules because it is just like summer camp,” said the band's lead singer Tim Pagnotta. “You meet new friends, you hang out with old friends from last summer and it seems like everyone is there. For the per- formers, it’s also great to play music for so many fans.” Pagnotta said everyone who attends the tour will find the main problem is the relentless summer heat. “It's like this huge traveling party,” Pagnotta said. “This will be our third year to play the tour, and I always love see ing Rancid. I miss the days that Green Day was on the tour. 1 also went (to see the tour) as a spectator and I remember what it was like. Great music, but really hot. And just for the record, it’s just a little more fun to be on stage as opposed to sweating it out among thousands of people.” Pagnotta said he is looking forward to the tour’s Texas venues for several reasons. “I can’t wait to be in Texas,” he said. “Not only do 1 love the people and craziness of the state, I love getting away and doing a little fishing." It is difficult to imagine the black-haired, converse-wear ing punk rocker sitting on the banks of the Brazos River try ing to score a small-mouthed bass, but don’t forget that rock stars are real people too. Sponsored by the shoemakers, Van’s, the Warped Tour is the largest traveling punk rock festival in the world. When it was started in the early 1990s, original headliners included the likes of mega-superstars Blink 182. This year’s festival will also be a highlight for Texas as Dallas-bred Minority will take the stage. The band will be joining the tour for the Texas leg. Minority was featured at the Northgate Music Festival where the rockers, who range in ages from 12 to 15, held the attention of a college crowd. Come this summer, the group will be sharing the stage with TOURS headliners: Yellowcard, Sugarcult, Good Charlotte and Simple Plan Texas venues and dates: FBI - 6/25 - Houston Reliant Center SAT - 6/26 - Dallas Smirnoff Music Center Lot SUN - 6/27 - San Antonio The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre prices: Vary by venue Alternative rock band Sugarcult is among the the tour to promote their latest album ‘‘Power bands such as New Found Glory, Yellowcard and the Vandals. Lead singer Joel Russell said Minority’s involvement in the tour required some networking. “We know someone who is friends with the tour founder,” Russell said. “She told him about our band, and he agreed that he wanted us on the lineup.” Although Russell said the band is excited about its per- formances at the Warped Tour, the members simply see it as a way to do what they love. “We don’t really know what it means for our career, but we do know that we’re living our dream,” Russell said. “We just like to play music, especially in front of big crowds. To be able to play on the same bill as these bands is totally awe some! It just keeps getting better!” These youngsters will have stars in their eyes when they get to hang backstage with the heroes who have inspired their music. When asked who they are looking forward to meeting, the band said basically every band on the tour, but Russell was able to whittle the list down a bit. “There are a lot of great bands, but we would have to say Good Charlotte, Autopilot Off, New Found Glory, Rufio, PHOTO COURTESY OF SUGARCULT.COM headliners for this year’s Van’s Warped Tour. The band will join Trees and Powerlines,’’ Senses Fail, Simple Plan, Story of the Year, Sugarcult and Yellowcard are the bands we are the most excited about see ing,” Russell said. , The Warped Tour is a time to catch a large gauntlet of bands that would cost a fortune to see individually. Aggies are well accounted for at the Warped Tour and have experienced some interesting things. “I went to the Warped Tour when I was still in high school,” said junior management major Flip Simms. “It was wild because it was the dead of summer, everyone was in bathing suits and it was probably the most moshing I’d ever seen. I just couldn’t believe how people were jump ing and yelling in over 100-degree weather. It was easily the most fun 1 have had at a concert.” With an immense number of bands that each play a short set, every ADD-ridden rock fan will have no problem focusing on his or her favorite band. Hot, steamy and loud, there is no better way to waste a few hours of the summer. - Daniel Chapman headliners; P.O.D., Switchfoot when and where; From July 1-4 in Marietta III. prices; vary by date Cornerstone Music Festival 2004 As the summer is fast approaching, the concert season is kicking off w ith all the usual popular summer festivals such as Woodstock, Lollapalooza, Ozzfest, Bonnaroo — and Cornerstone? The annual faith-based concert is a relative new comer to the summer stadium tour scene. The event, which started in 1984 in Illinois, might not be on many people’s radars. But with attendance numbers going into the ranges of 25,(KH) attendees, this five-day event is starting to garner serious attention and continues to grow. John Herrin, the festival’s director, said the event entails more than just concerts. “It is almost a Christian Woodstock. There are over 300 bands,” Herrin said. “This is the 21st year of our main festival.” Herrin said Cornerstone is a festival in the truest sense of the word - providing an art show, lectures, discussion groups and even an independent film festival to its attendees on the festivals exclusive 450-plus acre ranch. “(Cornerstone) is a national gathering of independent Christian artists,” Herrin said. “Tons of creative artists that are people of faith but not necessarily in the so-called ‘Christian Industry,’ come to Cornerstone — people who have a touchstone with a Christian faith. People like P.O.D. and MxPx feel comfortable coming to Cornerstone to have fun and to entertain. We are the bridge between mainstream music festivals and Christian music festivals.” Curtis Joseph, a senior business major, said he is stirred by the idea of such a large gath ering of Christian artists, the music festivals and the camping, biking and outdoor activities that accompany Cornerstone. “I think music festivals are a great way to see a lot of bands of a similar genre with only having to make one trip,” Joseph said. “It’s definitely a draw to be sunounded by people that have the same tastes in music and will appreciate the music, not just there to hang out or get high.” Some attendees, such as Megan Barrett, are excited by the opportunity available in the Cornerstone Festival, as well as the entertain ment value provided by the 10 stages and myr iad attractions. “Cornerstone is something different,” said Barett, a sophomore marketing major. “It is something that people can go and learn about another side of themselves that they normally mask.” Herrin said the staff is excited about how this year’s festival is shaping up. “We are looking at like 25,000 kids - peo ple of all ages,” Herrin said. “The crowd should be made up of high school to college age kids, but we have parents that come with their kids and even some old fogies like me who have been involved with the festival for years. “ While the prospect of a Christian music festival might not be the most engaging summer plans for some, Herrin said Cornerstone is aimed at just that crowd. “I feel sometimes that the church is asleep at the wheel, as far as cul ture goes, but I can applaud some youth group leaders who bring their group to see a lot of good bands and art as well as faith, altogether,” Herrin said. “Cornerstone is the black sheep of the Christian Music Festival family, and we get kids that are more punk and the artsy crowd — at least more than some other areas. Photo Courtesy of • SWITCHFOOT.COM - Will Knous This year’s Cornerstone Music Festival headlining performers will be faith-based rockers P.O.D.(above) and California based alternative rock band Switchfoot (below). BOMMTOO BOOM The Dead, Dave Matthews, Damien Rice and Bob Dylan make up the tiniest tip of the artists playing at the 2004 Bonnaroo Festival, which will be held in Manchester, Tenn., from June 11 to 13. The full lineup will bring a tear to many music fans’ eyes as a large majority of the most exciting, explosive and revered musical acts will convene for one weekend and tingle the eardrums of eager barefoot listeners. Sophomore accounting major Blair Phillips is a multiple-year attendee of the Bonnaroo Festival and said the event has its own interesting entertainment. “I didn’t know what to expect, but honestly it was absolutely amazing,” Phillips said. “What made it so great was the atmosphere of everyone taking care of each other and hav ing a good time. It was nice to see everyone dancing and enjoying the music. They also had a midnight nude parade which I didn't participate in, but was an avid spectator of.” Not only does the Bonnaroo performance bill have arguably some of the most talented and explosive acts, it holds activities that will keep those needing a break from dancing and singing just as entertained as they would be at the feet of Dave Matthews. Event coordina tor Juliette Kim said the festival will include a 24-hour movie tent that will play current and classic films, a “Brooers” Festival that will feature craft beers from around the world, Yoga class taught every morning before the music starts, swings, slides and monkey bars of a playground, a “Shop and Splash” 20-foot lighted fountain and baseball batting cages. Senior finance major Tara Simon attended the festival last year and said these extra activ ities were what sold her on the event. “Last year I really enjoyed the music, but also there were a lot of vendors selling all sorts of interesting crafts,” Simon said. “There is good food and lots of things to do besides fight ing the crowds all day trying to see Bob Dylan. The ‘extras’ give even those who get burnt out the fuel to keep going.” Texas is also well represented at the festival, with three of the greatest musicians to come out of this great state since Stevie Ray Vaughn and ZZ Top, performing. Sophomore educa tion major Karen Moor said that although Texas has much to be proud of, the representation of the state in these fine acts is surely a testament to the richness of music in the heart of lone- star state. “I have seen both Robert Earl Keen and the Los Lonely boys, both which are in a league of their own, and I cannot wait to catch Willie Nelson,” Moor said. “I can’t believe that I have been alive 21 years and still have not experienced Nelson and I wish 1 could see him in Texas, but I’m sure it will be great to see him at Bonnaroo.” A few other bands that will light the night air on fire are Maroon 5, Leftover Salmon, Soulive, Grandaddy, Glister, Yonder Mountain String Band, Ani DiFranco and many more. The Bonnaroo Festival is an opportunity to take a road trip to a large field in Tennessee, throw on a tie- dyed shirt and pretend to hate the materialistic world we live in. To create a memory that will not be soon forgotten, fill up your tank and throw a sleeping bag in the back of your car. Enjoy! - Daniel Chapman Festivals ■ Bob Dylan, Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, String Cheese Incident wlieti cartel wli-ercsu June 11-13 in Manchester, Tennessee Photo Courtesy of • EPIC RECORDS Photo Courtesy of • MAROON 5 Music legend Bob Dylan (left) and pop-rock quintet Maroon 5 (right) are among this year’s headliners for the Bonnaroo Music Festival.