The year was 2003. The age…well let’s not talk about that one. I was just a young punk rocker Jersey kid. My favorite bands were the Ramones, Dropkick Murphys, Operation Ivy, Rancid, Green Day, and Blink 182. So it goes without saying that it was my dream to be in a land of punk music for an entire day. So, when I got the opportunity to go, I was STOKED! Warped Tour was (and still is) a magical musical place. I’ve had the pleasure of attending Warped Tour twice after my first time, and those were just as amazing and awesome as the first. I was more of a “roadie” than the “concertgoer” the second time around, but it was still a great experience. For those that aren’t aware, here’s a little video of the music madness and awesomeness that is the “Vans Warped Tour”:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/TVJf0WN2apk[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjZyu-sLVco[/youtube]
I’m SO EXCITED for this year’s Warped Tour. Not only is it the 20th anniversary, but one of my favorite musicians ever (and good friend), Shira will be bringing back her girl-powered female music stage and my company is going to be a part of it (and the little punk rocker in me is super excited)! I’m a huge fan of female empowerment and making a statement, and this stage does BOTH! Shira and I have been friends for many years, and in those years I’ve been a fan of her music, and occasionally a part of the band, and both were equally amazing opportunities with some wonderful (and not so wonderful) memories. One of my favorite releases of all punk music is from her “Scream! Spit! Sing!” record, which I’ve done a review on (check that out here), so to be a part of her stage’s re-emergence is extra special.
Over the years on the tour, I’ve seen rocker bands, dance bands, metal pop, power pop, and everything in between, and they were mostly male-fronted. There was the occasional female artist sprinkled about, but they didn’t really have a presence in the sea of bands. What makes the ShiraGirl stage so super awesome to me is, being a pseudo-feminist myself as well as musician, it’s an opportunity for female artists to get noticed despite the sea of male bands around them. Another cool thing about the Warped Tour this year is that my company Conquer Entertainment is running a talent search for female artists and musicians, and giving them a chance to be heard from their small town in wherever, California (or New Jersey) and be a part of music history on the legendary ShiraGirl Stage.
(For female fronted bands or artists reading this post, check out this link to register)
So if you’ll be at this year’s Vans Warped Tour, look out for Conquer Entertainment, and hope to see you there!
