Warped Tour Wrap Up: Backstage and Overage

Warped tour freakin' rocked! This was easily the most fun that I've ever had at a concert venue. As we entered the gates, I remarked to Jenna that it felt like we were in an issue of A.P. Magazine come to life in 3-D Imax! Everywhere we looked, I saw some person from some band that I had read about or seen on MTV. Honestly, it was a little hard to keep my cool because I kept wanting to grab Jenna's arm and point out which rocker had just passed by us.

As a general rule, most of the guys in bands seemed to have a girlfriend either back home or by their side looking bored. Just throwin' that out there. So, it was a little dicey to try and mack it. So it goes.

We shared some shade with the dudes from Forever the Sickest Kids and drank some of their warm Red Bulls. I met some guy named Caleb and we chatted for a few. He seemed really sweet. A few young fans somehow got backstage access and they were pestering them for autographs and stories. Let me tell you, those bitsy mallpunks had balls of steel for hounding their idols as relentlessly as they did. They didn't just bother them once--oh no--they kept coming back to pester them! They did it, like, three times at least. I mean it's one thing to ask for an autograph then scurry away, but to keep coming back and just sitting down and being awkward; what the fuck?

Those annoying lot lizards were killin' my buzz. So, we decided to kick it up a notch and the huge, test tube yardstick-looking frozen drinks seemed like the best way to do it. Here I am taking a big ol' gulp of a frosty margarita. *Slurp slurp*


Here's Ryland, in his dingy whites [thanks, Jenna!]. Lookin' spiffy, Champ!


We got to hang out on stage during their set, which was the headlining slot. Here's the view we had. It was so rad to see everyone get all pumped about the music. I got a vicarious adrenaline rush! There's Ryland rockin' out.


Afterwards, we retreated to the tour bus, along with their girlfriends and parents. We had a few more drinks, which loosened us up a bit. I got to give Gabe a hug, and I can say with some authority that he is the funnest guy to hug. Seriously, that guy gives great hugs! Love it. Mean it.

Speaking of their tour bus, we scoped this amazing gem hanging up on the wall. I'm not sure if it's fan art or what, but these renderings of Ryland and their drummer Nate are pretty amazing! I told Ryland that he should have this picture printed on pillowcases and mousepads. He looks so dreamy it's ridic. If those aren't bedroom eyes, then I don't even know what.


A ton of people from the bands were milling around in the parking lot by the tour buses, so we popped over to see what was shakin'. I got a blurry pic of Katy Perry and Travis from Gym Class Heroes scootin' away on his bike. Keep in mind that it was at night and they were in motion, so this is the best I could do.


Katy was a total sweetheart, even though I was slightly-starstruck to meet her. I mean, she has the #1 song in America right now. Not too shabby. I gave Travis the limpest handshake ever and I kinda of wished that I could've traveled back in time for a do-over. Shrug. Hopefully he was too stoned to even notice.

Here's Katy's tour bus. It was admittedly pretty over the top:


I met the other Travis from We the Kings a few times too. Here's the back of his head. He's the one wearing the red t-shirt. He was super short: Big surprise there! I was too nervous to take a picture of his face, so I just did the retarded thing where I took a picture of the back of his head when he wasn't looking. Man, that guy's hair looked like a rat's nest. Long hair, don't care, indeed! I have zero idea who that guy is in the foreground. Shrug.


As the night was winding down, I snapped this one of Ryland, Kristen and Jenna. Too cute!


Holy shit, was that fun! A huge, heaping thanks goes out to Ryland and Kristen for hooking us up. It was a blast!

[NYT Agrees With Me That, Yes, Warped Tour Rocked]

Cobra Starship Indulge Me on "Guilty Pleasure"

I can't believe I've slept on this for TWO WEEKS.

Here is the new video for "Guilty Pleasure," by Cobra Starship. It stars Patrick Stump as their cheapo video director who insists that the band spend the entirety of their video budget on renting a Delorean. The rest of the video is shot in total low-budget mode to compensate for their outrageous expense. It is hysterical! I love it. Watch:

Really, how could I not love it? Patrick looks adorable, as always. Well, almost always. And, I love the whole aesthetic of a poorly made used-car commercial. This kind of thing has been done in the past, but these Starship boys (and girl) pull it off in a way that doesn't feel forced and seems genuinely light-hearted. Oh, and Ryland's outfit gave me a good belly laugh.

As for me, I'm down at the Shore with Ruthie and Joey. We are having a total blast soaking up the sun. I figured after my media blitz yesterday I could use a quick getaway. Ok, I'm off to go chillax.

THIS

is freakin' hysterical.

Cobra Starship Brought It

And, by "it," I mean the Rock. Oh yes. Cobra Starship cranked up the noise in the most rock and roll band this side of the Rockies! They were in town doing a spot on MTVU's Campus Invasion tour along with All Time Low and Wyclef, among others. Even though the weather was unseasonably chilly, we didn't let it dampen our spirits.

Here, they play "The City is at War." If you've ever seen them live, you know that they always kick off their set with this one. It gets the crowd going. You can see why!

They keep things rolling with a rollickin' rendition of "Kiss My Sass."



In the part in the song that goes, "And I ain't gonna lie/ I can be a nasty guy," Gabe does this little hip swivel move that made me blush blush blush. Oh, and around 4:34 you can see Ryland point to us in the crowd. Jenna and I started jumping up and down and waving. We are such nerds.

Afterwards, we got to go backstage and drink some Jack and Cokes. There were candy bars and snacks strewn everywhere and I remarked that it felt like we were at a slumber party. I asked Gabe when the pillow fight was gonna happen and he cracked a smile. Here is a picture of Ryland with Jenna. Awww, how sweet!

I wanted to show 'em around Philly but they had to head back to New York as soon as the show was over. That's too bad because those boys look like they know how to party.

And, I would've loved to get Gabe on a dance floor with me. That kid's got some killer moves on him. I'd bet that he'd show me a thing or two about waggin' it. Wooo, Lordy!

Once that Jack started coursing through my veins, I worked up the courage to finally ask the band what it was like working with Patrick Stump on their last record. Ryland said that he was a genius and all-around great guy. Gabe nodded his head and said that he was awesome. They didn't seem to have any dirt on Patrick and I was feeling kinda creepy for even bringing it up so I left it at that.

I love those Cobra Starship kids and I can't wait to see 'em on the Warped Tour this summer. Jenna and I are gonna represent the over-25-and-still-mallpunkin' it crowd. I strongly encourage you to check our their latest album, Viva La Cobra, if you haven't already. I'm gonna blast it all summer.

Heels Up On the Back of the Bus and Flying High

1. Ok, ok, my heels weren't up, but I was on a tour bus the other night night. And it belonged to reigning mallpunk heartthrobs Cobra Starship. No, I didn't win a contest to meet them or anything, although that is something I'd do. The boys are friends of friends. A huge thanks goes out to my girl Sonya for the hookup. Wow, I love my life sometimes!

I know it's kinda corny to say this, but the Starship boys I met, Ryland and Alex, were the nicest boys ever. They both made me feel so welcome. I mean, I've been on tour buses before (not to sound braggy!) and usually the boys in the bands act like lobotomized zombies who obsessively check their text messages from their girlfriends back home. But not these Cobra Starship dudes! They made me feel totally at home on a cramped bus, which is a social feat few dudes could accomplish. Upon entrance, Alex immediately lept up to pour me some wine and Ryland greeted me with a huge hug. So sweet!

During their show, we watched the band from the upstairs bar with the rest of the oldheads. We bopped around, safely removed from the sweaty masses below. Their fans--most in their tweens--went insane for them. The energy was electric. I had a blast!

Here is the video for their song, "The City is at War." Check it out, if you haven't already.

You know, I didn't realize until afterwards that my beloved Patrick Stump produced Cobra's last album, Viva La Cobra. And, Cobra opened for Fall Out Boy a few tours ago. Holy shit, I was, like, one degree away from Patrick! I didn't even ask them about what it was like working with him. Ok, next time I see them--which will be in April, I'm thinking--I will be sure to be better prepared.

Speaking of Fall Out Boy, I just found out that they will be releasing a live DVD on April 1st. Hopefully it will be packed full of extras and bonus material. And, conveniently, now all of my birthday stragglers know what to get me.

2. This has been a huge week for Shmitten Kitten, my pet project Web site with my bff Shannon. Philberity gave us a shout out that spiked our traffic significantly. Along with mentions on friends' sites and myspace bulletins, we had a nice little buzz goin' on. Thanks to everyone for their support. We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response. Now, we have boys freaking out that we are gonna draw them or, conversely, they are convinced that they are the inspiration for some of the ones that we posted. Sorry dudes, my lips are sealed!

3. In other news, my litte sister Rachel designed a flyer for my birthday party at the end of the month. I love it. What do you think? Are you gonna go? GO!


4. I am on Spring Break this week. Woohoo! I plan to catch up on my episodes of the Wire and find a J-O-B. Oh, and I'll be jumping up and down until March 28th.