Things to do on a 17 hour drive

1. Watch movies

2.  Blog

3.  Both simultaneously

I, clearly, have chose option 3.  However, as The House of Flying Daggers draws into the credits I'm slowly fading into option 2.  Hopefully another movie will appear on the Bus 11 TV before too long.  

There are a couple of cities in the US that I've always thought I'd be able to live in fairly easily.  One is San Francisco, which we talked about last week, and the other is Denver.  Well on Sunday Warped played (corporate sponsor name at) Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO.  (FYI The Hills Have Eyes 2 just came on, reverting to #3)

Hold on guys, we just pulled off to get some food, brb.  (FYI 2, check out the Kansas video blog to see where I went) 

Ok, back. Denver was amazing.  The weather was perf and most importantly, I got to shower in the Denver Broncos locker room.  I'm basically in the NFL now, if you think about it.  I'm finally living my dream of being a pro cornerback.  I mean basically, I've already won a Super Bowl.  And caught an interception.  That I ran back for a touchdown.  To win the game.  With time expired.

Totally the same thing.

Before all that glory though, we had the gentlemen in August Burns Red make their first stop of the summer in the AP booth for a signing.  For as brutal as their music is they are very polite men and it was a pleasure hanging out with them for their stay.  

Once the day wound down we had the first official Sumo Saturday (which was postponed to Sunday, just let it roll) of the tour.  Once again, check out the video blog to see what thats about.  Nothing like sweaty rockers fighting in sumo costumes to release some stress.

That basically brings us up to speed.  Everyone was trying to stay up fairly late so they could sleep in as long as possible for the drive 17 hour drive to St. Louis today, which if you've been wondering about why I'm pondering things to do in such a situation, is exactly why.   Alas, pretty much everyone was up as early as usual.  All I can say is that Kansas is every bit as exciting as you'd imagine.  And the Hills Have Eyes 2 is absolutely hilarious.

xoxoChrisAtAP

PHOTO GALLERY: Denver, CO

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

*click the images in the photo gallery for larger view

PHOTO GALLERY: Salt Lake City, UT

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

*click the images in the photo gallery for larger view

This tastes like the cow got into an onion patch. Yesssssssssss.

This is probably the most cliche way to start this, but honestly all I can think about today is the movie SLC Punk.  The strange part about that is this: I don't really remember anything about that movie other than the fact that I think that dude who wound up being a killer in one of the Scream movies was in it.  Who was also in Spanish Judges with Dennis Keiffer, who was in Death Sentence, which also starred. . . Kevin Bacon.

None of those people were at Warped Tour today.  

AP, however, was squarely positioned smack in the middle of the Smartpunk/Hurley.com stage set-up and the Highway 1 mainstage.  This lead mostly into a mash-up of Against Me!/FTSK, Angels & Airwaves/Katy Perry, Relient K/3OH3 and other unlikely combos of the sort.  The Almighty Norma F'in Jean (I think only 2 of those words are actually part of their name.  I think?) and Anberlin stopped by to sign the glorious AP program guides.  Thankfully the NJ boys refrained from punching any babies in the face during their tenure.  Just ask them about that, their new album incites such activities, so we all dodged a bullet on that one.  The venue today was super tightly packed.  A whole lotta people in not a whole lotta space.  There was, however, a building simply labeled "Sheep" so there's always that.  

Back to SLC Punk though.  I saw the movie when I was fairly young, maybe like 13 or 14 (does that timeline even work?  I think so. . . yeah fact checking!).  I think it was a post-season party I had with my hockey team celebrating our 60-8 dual-championship winning season (oh yeah, w-i-n-n-e-r-s).  It's not so much that I wasn't paying attention to the movie or that it was really even that long ago, it's just that nothing about the movie really stuck with me other than the simple fact that, yes, it does exist.  So why is it then, that when in Salt Lake City this relatively obscure movie that I don't really even remember is the only thing that comes to mind?

xoxoChrisAtAP

Slowly adding to the "states i've been to" list

I have never in my life been to New Mexico.  I say this not as a point of pride, but simply as a statement of fact.  However, as of yesterday, I have now been to New Mexico.  I now understand the wonderment that is Las Cruces.  The AP tent was parked in perfect, unmuffled earshot of the main stages so between signings with Gym Class Heroes, the Color Fred and We The Kings, I was able to take in sets from Norma Jean and Say Anything, 2 of the bands I'm most excited about on Warped this year.  

Now here's where I have to get all preachy on you.  Actually, it's more of a word of advice to all of you that will eventually find yourself working on Warped Tour in some capacity.  Do not fuck with the set-up and production crew.  If they tell you to break down at a certain time, you better not start taking your tent down before that time.  Why not?  Well, if this happens across all the sponsors then guess what, YOU get to help load the trucks back up with everyone's equipment.  Apparently tents all across sponsor world took a few liberties on when they started breaking down in Phoenix (not the AP tent mind you, we are rule followers, thank you very much) and we paid the price for it in Las Cruces.  An hour and a half of loading tables, chairs, tents and road cases into the truck will definitely drive home the point.  

The spectacular Mr. Kevin Lyman did throw a great BBQ for us afterwards though.  I know for sure that there were hot dogs and cheese, because by the time I wandered over there that's all that was left.  And to answer your question, yes, a hot dog wrapped in cheese is fairly fulfilling.  I did notice things like chicken, burgers and corn on the cob around the busses, which, when I think about it, saddens me greatly.  I heart me some food.

Today we are in some place called Gallup, NM.  If you have any idea where that actually is you're better off than me.  As with most off days, I will be huddled in a hotel room catching up on all the "office job" things I can't quite get done on show dates.  Pure excitement, I promise.

xoxoChrisAtAP

PHOTO GALLERY: Las Cruces, NM

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
*click the images in the photo gallery for larger view

PHOTO GALLERY: Phoenix, Az

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
*click the images in the photo gallery for larger view

Pomona, I Take It All Back

Every hurtful thing I said about you,  I didn't mean a word of it.  "Way hotter than any place should actually be" is lies.  I would take your heat any time.  "Giant middle finger."  More like a pinkie at best.  Your slender lady fingers may caress my skin any time.  "Rude welcome."  Hardly, more like a welcome surprise.

Dearest Pomona, I had to see Phoenix today and I realized the error in the way I spoke about you.  Phoenix is the one I hate.  Phoenix is hotter, dirtier and more parking lot-ier than you, dearest Pomona.  I miss your soft grassy field under my shoes, for the asphault of Phoenix is far less forgiving.  I miss your 100+ degree temperature, for the 110+ degree temperatures are far, far less forgiving.  

Please Pomona, forgive me.  Let's reunite and put aside all the fighting.  My harsh statements were clearly meant for Phoenix.  I apologize and look forward to our next encounter.

(A note to Phoenix Warped attendees:  The above love letter in no way reflects my feelings for you, only the weather pertaining to your beloved city.  I have a deep seeded love for the people of Arizona that has a track record dating back to at least the Tucson date of the AP Tour.  Seriously though, the heat in your state is nothing short of ridic.)

xoxoChrisAtAP   

PHOTO GALLERY: Ventura, CA **update**

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

PHOTO GALLERY: Ventura, CA

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Hello?

Ventura, I don't know what to think about you.  

On one hand, you're on a beach and have amazing weather.  By far the nicest day we've had on Warped.  On the other hand, I think I only saw about 8 of you all day.  Where were you all?  I know the AP booth wasn't in the best spot ever, but seriously, I need a little more effort than what I saw yesterday.  Highly disappointing.  That being said, we did see great support for our Say Anything signing, so thank you to those of you that showed for that.  Also in attendance for the signing, Mama and Papa Bemis!  Yes, Max's mom and dad stopped in and hung out for a while during the signing.  Check out the video and see what Max's dad is like!

Today, we're are on an off day in San Diego.  Check back in a little later, We're working on some hilarity for you to consume here at whatever "resort" we're at is.

xoxoChrisAtAP 

PHOTO GALLERIES: Pomona, San Francisco

POMONA 1
*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE


POMONA 2
*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

POMONA 3
*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

POMONA 4
*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE


SAN FRANCISCO 1
*VIEWABLE IN THE GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

I have some flowers in my hair

So, honestly, that is not that obscure of a reference, but it's a reference nonetheless.  SooOOo, how about you guys figure that reference out and then bring me a prize when you come to the tour?  Yes.  You have to do the work and then reward me for giving you the challenge.  (BTW, I'm on until Dallas, so chop CHOP!).  I don't care what the prize is, but I'm a hardcore foodie, so think about that.  

Moving on.

Lets talk about San Fran.  The boys in 3OH!3, the Briggs and Anberlin stopped by the AP booth on the gorgeous SF piers.  I would like to thank the fans and, for SURE, the bands, because each signing was amazing and we had a great turn out for all three (seriously, show up early guys, you've been warned).  I would also like to thank the city of SF and all of your beautiful people for handing us a relatively cool day.  I, however, fully chastize you for the general disposition of your Anemoi, which is apparently super pissed off, seeing as they caused the complete debaturazation of the general AP tent area (ed. note: the word "debauterization" is courtesy of Marc, from Atticus, who is also on the bus that AP is on.  Its validity as a real "word" is currently in debate in front of the US Senate. . . or nowhere.) (ed. note 2: readers of ChrisAtAP's Rockstar/AP Tour blog may remember that the blog author super-sucks at names and "Marc" from Atticus may very well be named Matt, Miles, Matias or even possibly Willis.  Willis, however is the outside option.  And I'm pretty sure it's Marc).  How so you ask?  Well.  We had massive winds completely destructor our 8 foot tall banner stand all day, resulting in the repeated knocking down of said banner stand.  Not cool San Fran, totally not cool.  

Despite the winds, I did video blog for you.  Yes, I filmed a video for your eyeballs and yes it was partially sideways.  In utter defiance of my 5th Amandment rights, in defense of myself I will tell you as I told Mr Heisel, "Maybe I'm a sideways kinda guy."  I did, however, agree to only shoot correctly aligned video from this point forward.  So we'll see how that works out.      

Or maybe you should see how it works out.  

(get it?  that's  a total ploy to get you to come back and keep reading/watching the blog.  there.  now we're on the same page.  see you tomorrow?  please?  PLEASE!!)

xoxoChrisAtAP

Warped Tour: Day 1

AP blog readers! This is Chris at AP; you may remember me from blogs such as The AP Tour Blog, and . . . well, that's probably about it. Gimme a break, there are only so many tours I can handle. We kicked off Warped today and there's something I need to get off my brain. Pomona, CA is hot. Like, for real, way hotter than any place should actually be. It's almost like Warped Tour sticking a giant middle finger at everyone who wasn't ready to be out on tour because Pomona was a rude welcome to how some days of Warped can be, which, most notably, is: HOT. Despite 100+ degree temperatures the AP booth rocked on with amazing signings with The Devil Wears Prada and The Academy Is. I say this as a word to the wise for all you AP blog faithful out there: show up early to signings! The lines for both bands stretched what felt like across the entire venue and as sad as it is to admit, some people had to get turned away. We've got a long, air conditioned bus ride up to San Fransisco for tomorrow's date, so if you don't mind, I'm going to continue trying to cool down from my 11 hour roast in the frying pan that is Pomona Fairplex.

I'll chat at all your beautiful faces tomorrow

xoxoChrisatAP

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the AP/Warped Tour mini-site! I'm Scott Heisel, AP's music editor and just one of many hosts for this summer's extravaganza. On this blog, you'll be able to find daily updates from AP staffers slogging it out in the Warped trenches, with exclusive behind-the-scenes looks no one else will have.

Speaking of behind the scenes, we've hooked up four of our current favorite bands -- Angels & Airwaves, the Color Fred, Every Time I Die and Forever The Sickest Kids -- with video phones, and their mission is to document all the weird, wild and wacky stuff the typical Warped concertgoer never gets to see. We'll have new video clips daily, so make sure to check back often. You never know what you might miss (or whose bare butt you might see)...

If that's not enough, our crack photography team will be at nearly every single stop of this year's tour, and we'll be bringing you plenty of exclusive live photos you won't see anywhere else. And who knows -- you might even spot yourself in the crowd!

Oh, and one more thing: See that link on top left? Make sure to click it and check out the online version of our annual Warped Tour program, featuring profiles on the tour's biggest, hottest and coolest acts, plus a whole host of enhanced audio/video content -- it's completely free to check out, and you can even download it to your hard drive. (Of course, you'll still want to swing by the AP Booth at your local Warped stop to get a real, physical copy for autographs, unless you want Tom DeLonge and Max Bemis to sign your iPhone screen.)

Thanks again for stopping by our mini-site, and we hope to see each and every one of you this summer!