Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way first. A lot of people are whining about the line-up. The fact that there is not enough pop-punk and whatever. Well, it’s frustrating and I’m tired of hearing it. And this is coming from a pop-punk fanatic. I love the genre. It might be my favorite, not sure however as emo is up there too. Real emo, not this crap you kids call emo. I’m talking about bands like Texas is the Reason, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Get up Kids, American Football, and Embrace. Anyways we can talk about emo at another time. This is about Warped Tour and its amazing line-up.

Somewhere along the lines warped tour became a pop-punk festival and when there isn’t the right pop punk bands or enough, people cry about it. Let’s get this straight, Warped Tour is NOT a pop-punk tour. It’s an alternative tour. That’s what its root lay as. You can go back to the first year in 1995 and see that. Bands such as No Doubt, Deftones, L7, Sick of it All, CIV, Seaweed, and Quicksand played. Do you see any pop-punk there? No, you don’t. The next year had bands such as Pennywise, 311, some dude named Beck, Dance Hall Crashers and a little-known band called Blink-182. Whom as we all know would go on to rule the world.  In other years acts such as Sevendust, Limp Bizkit, Eminem, Katy Perry, All That Remains, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, D12, Incubus, Matisyahu, and many many more have played the tour. And the interesting thing is a lot of these acts used Warped to help them breakout. Warped has always served as a stepping stone for bands.

This year Warped has received a lot of slack because it’s not too pop punk enough. Well if you pay attention, you would know that this was not going to be what most are used to. Warped founder, Kevin Lyman told us back in December/January that this year Warped would be a return to its roots. So why are people so surprised? He told us what to expect. I think it really comes down to the fact that most of the kids that go to warped today have no idea about its roots. While older folk like myself have no issue with this lineup. So with have said that here are ten bands to make sure you don’t miss this summer.

Hawthorne Heights-With the exception of local pop punk saviors, Heroes Like Villains, I have not seen any band more times than Hawthorne Heights. I just can’t help myself. After all these years they still have it and they show that every night. Or maybe you just want to reminisce a little. If so this is the band you need to catch.

T.S.O.L.-These punk rock legends have been around since the late 70s. They are one of those bands whose sound seemed to change from release to release. They have covered hardcore punk to art punk to horror punk. It was their horror punk phase that I came to know of them. They had a song called, “Code Blue” on Punk-O-Rama 2. If you don’t know those compilations, then you should go look them up. That was how my friends and I learned about new and old punk bands. T.S.O.L. are only on the tour from 7/22-8/6. So I’ll miss them but I’m considering going to the Chicago date to see them. Who knows how much longer these punk pioneers will be making music.

Sick of It All-Do I really need to say much about these hardcore legends? I know this is a band I will not miss.  And you shouldn’t either.  These cats have been making music since 1986. They are fixtures in the hardcore scene and the genre wouldn’t be what it is today without their influence.

Microwave- I’m going to say this now, Microwave will be the breakout band of the summer. By summer’s end, they will have been moved to the main stage because their crowds will have gotten too big for the Skullcandy stage. Besides the fact that they are incredibly talented. The other reason is that all the pop punk kids will have to watch someone, as there really aren’t that many pop punk bands playing.  So once it catches on how good they truly are, the love of Microwave will spread like a wildfire.

Carousel Kings-While they are only on the tour a short time, 6/15-7/5, they are one of the bands that can gain a lot from this tour. They also are one of the few pop punk bands. One that I’m willing to bet are not well known, they should be. They released a new album, Charm City earlier this year on Victory records and as of now, it might be my album of the year. And their live show is one of the best in all of music.

Creeper-This is a band I was sure was going to be on Warped last summer, alas they were not and I was heartbroken. So I cried my little callous heart out. But a year later, here we are. And I’m writing about them playing the tour. This is much deserved. I have been following this band for about two years now and I have nothing but good things to say about them and why they are a band that should not be missed this summer but I’ll just leave it this, if you miss My Chemical Romance, this is the band for you.

Anti-Flag-This is a band that needs no introduction. In Trump’s America, we need bands like Anti-Flag.  It would not be Warped Tour without a political band. And Anti-Flag are at home on this tour. Trust me, don’t miss this set.

Silent Planet-This metalcore unit from California has been building an army the past few years and let me tell you it’s massive. This band is well of the most loved bands in all of metalcore. The reason is simple, they are good at what they do. Their songs are some of the most honest heartfelt songs you will hear, their live show is out of this world, and they are genuinely nice guys.

GWAR- GWAR is playing warped!!!! ‘Nuff said!!!!

Knocked Loose- There are some that are saying these guys are the future of hardcore. I’m not sure if that’s the case or not. But what I do know is this band has made a name for themselves in the hardcore scene and it doesn’t appear that they are going away anytime soon. I got a chance to witness the chaos that they ensue a few years ago at a festival and I was in complete awe. I am very aware that metal and hardcore bands play warped but I’m not sure that warped is ready for the pits that are going to happen every day because of this band.