One Toka Over The Line: Matt Toka Warped Tour Blog #3
June 26 – Chula Vista, CA
Today was the Vans Warped Tour’s 5th Annual Charity Bowling Tournament. A friend of mine won the auction, and I was stoked knowing the money was going to the T.J. Martell Foundation, which funds cancer and AIDS research. I haven’t bowled in years and probably should have had a few more beers to be in “the zone.” I bowled a 70-something, but still had a blast.
June 27 – Chule Vista, CA
Best part of the day was watching Falling In Reverse rock the fuck out. I really love all those guys.
June 28 – Glendale, AZ
109 degrees! I woke up, drank a gallon of water, didn’t piss all day and when I finally did only sand came out. This was by far the hottest show I ever played. Chris Wilson ate a grilled cheese and cigarette ash sandwich that was cooked on the ground of the parking lot. I was surprised how many people knew all the words to “Ode To My Family” when I played it during my set. I strangled myself a little too hard with the mic cable and had a nasty bruise. Later that night, Chris put lotion in a condom, wet the outside, then put it on Eliot Lorango while he was in his bunk. He then put it in Nick Annis’ bunk, which he later found. It was beyond fucking hilarious. You have to see the video. I posted it on my YouTube channel.
June 29 – Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico was so humid, but it felt like a vacation compared to Arizona. I was able to catch Skinny Lister’s set earlier in the day and really enjoyed the rowdy, fun, folk-punk they brought to the stage. I also got to watch Vampires Everywhere, Mod Sun and the Used. This is all still a dream come true.
June 30 – San Antonio, TX
It was raining in San Antonio when I woke up, so I decided to wander inside the AT&T Center. I got to check out the court for a bit before heading to my merch tent to hang for the day. During my set, I covered Nirvana’s “Negative Creep” and then stripped down to my underwear right before “666” because it was so hot. Later in the day, I watched Yellowcard, and the crowd went ape shit from start to finish for those guys. LP (Longineu W. Parsons III) is such an entertaining drummer to watch. I also got to do an interview with Pat Thetic of Anti-Flag, which was badass. He was so friendly and overall, such a cool dude!
July 1 – Houston, TX
I met so many awesome people today. The crowd was the most responsive yet! The Mexican food at catering was bomb, too. Later that night, I went to the BBQ and got my drink on. I was too lazy to take a shuttle to the showers, so I just washed myself outside my bus with a bar of soap and a few bottles of water. I have the day off in Dallas tomorrow. Goodnight!
