The good news is that this year's Vans Warped Tour is kicking off in Dallas. This means the heat will be simply overbearing instead of near-deadly in Fair Park as thousands of disaffected youth roam aimlessly in search of guitar-fueled manna. The bad news is that there may be too many good acts in this year's lineup to see them all. With that in mind, here are a few that are worthy of searching out while adding another layer of sunblock.
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Yellowcard
Any metal or punk band that (prominently) features a violin is a good thing, and Florida's Yellowcard is constantly putting on high-quality shows, especially at festivals. Lift a Sail (2014) showed a band willing to grow and evolve.
Whitechapel
However ominous the deathcore genre description may sound, this Tennessee six-piece produces a wondrously potent wall of noise. The new album, Mark of the Blade, promises that the punishment will continue unabated.
Chelsea Grin
From (of all places) Salt Lake City, this snappy deathcore (there it is again) sextet sets the amps to 11 and never lets up on the accelerator. The band's upcoming release, Self Inflicted, should bring even more fans to the party as Alex Koehler and crew expand their vision while staying true to the metallic base.
Sleeping With Sirens
By far the best-looking band of this year's tour, Sleeping With Sirens also happens to be one of the most consistent. Vocalist Kellin Quinn never lets his photogenic qualities distract from a good tune, and all four of the band's albums are chock-full of hummable ditties.
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!
With a band name inspired by the film The Goonies, don't expect a lot of highbrow seriousness coming from this Parisian metal crew. Instead, look for a welcome relief from the typical dour bleakness that infects most bands on this tour. Check out 2013's Pardon My French for an amusing and potent dose of pop-punk.
I See Stars
Electronicore? Genres associated with Warped are smashed together with alarming frequency. The four dudes from Michigan who make up I See Stars produce a loud and somewhat catchy brand of noise that has an interesting way of getting under one's skin and staying there.
Less Than Jake
Ska is always present on the tour, so why not go with these old-school reggae lovers from Florida? Since 1992, Chris DeMakes has been shouting along to the rock-steady rhythms of bassist Roger Lima and drummer Vinnie Fiorello.
Teenage Bottlerocket
Formed by twin brothers Ray and Brandon Carlisle, this Wyoming punk band has persevered since 2001. Overcoming the sudden loss of Brandon in 2015, Teenage Bottlerocket possesses a spirit and authentic indignation missing from a lot of bands that claim punk as an influence.
Motionless in White
The influence of Marilyn Manson seeps from the pores of this gothic horror show hailing from Pennsylvania. Lead moaner Chris "Motionless" Cerulli may be derivative, but he's also genuinely intense. All the leather and makeup in the world cannot hide this band's perverse talent.
By Darryl Smyers, Special Contributor
