Movie Review: Big Daddy

By Jesse Lauritz
Daily Cougar Staff

The Vans Warped Tour was all about rainbow-colored hair, tattoos and the unmistakable frenzy of youth.

More than 30 bands rocked the tour's four stages Saturday in the Astroarena parking lot. The remaining space was crowded with little booths selling or giving away everything from stickers to concert paraphernalia, while overpriced food and drinks were handed out to hungry kids.

When it began a few years back, the Warped Tour was a movable, shoe-sponsored shrine to skateboarding, extreme sports, driving punk rock and third-wave ska. Bands like Rancid, Social Distortion and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones found it an ideal site for connecting with their eager listeners.

The extreme scene's tastes have since broadened, however, and the Warped bill had to change accordingly.

The tattooed mainstays were still present this year: old-school punk groups such as Suicidal Tendencies and Agnostic Front, and the latter-day hard-core of Pennywise and the Bouncing Souls.

But there was also some hip-hop on hand, ranging from the groovy Black Eyed Peas to relatively new rap star Eminem.

Slim Shady, as Eminem is also known, put on a good show, but many were apparently disappointed with the white Detriot rapper. He finished with the infectious "My Name is," which -- naturally -- the entire crowd got into.

Industrial metal got a nod with the inclusion of Sevendust, while Lit, with its modern-rock smash "My Own Worst Enemy," represented the alternative angle.

Lit rocked the Astroarena as the members came onto the stage and drenched the audience with Super Soakers. Then they performed their hit "My Own Worst Enemy" and their new single "Zip-lock."

The Anaheim-based band will tour with Offspring later this summer.

The audience was even treated to high-energy rock from down under by The Living End and Grinspoon, making the Warped lineup one of the most diverse on this season's festival circuit.

The highlight of the scorching-hot day, however, cane in the last hour, when Blink-182 came on.

Already weary from a full day of sun and sweat and excitement, the loyal Blink-182 fans pushed and hurried over the stage where the band played.

It was as if a whole power surge of adolescent madness coarsed through the crowd.

The Warped Tour was the perfect event for any kid out there. It was definitely worth the sunburn.