While on the Vans Warped Tour’s final cross-country run, Senses Fail decided to incorporate a covers medley, featuring System Of A Down‘s “Chop Suey!“, Drowning Pool‘s “Bodies“, Limp Bizkit‘s “Break Stuff” and Rage Against The Machine‘s “Bulls On Parade“, into their set and during the Tampa, FL date Twiztid got in on the fun. You can see footage of that below:
On June 23, I attended the third date of the Vans Warped Tour’s final cross-country run at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA and it was an amazing day.
About two hours before the event, thousands of fans were already lined up and looking forward to the day ahead. Despite the long line, I was able to get in early by making a donation at the Feed Our Children NOW! tent. Many others followed suit and flooded into the venue with smiles on their faces. However, those that didn’t make a donation had to wait a lot longer to get in, so if people had some canned food, $5.00, or an old cellphone to spare for a good cause, it was worth it.
Once inside, fans were treated to variety of things as they navigated the festival grounds. This included merch booths, food booths, a much needed hydration station, etc. I walked around and checked everything out before the music started, because once the first bands took the stage that is what my focus shifted to. Now, I obviously couldn’t see every group considering there was like 60 bands, but I can give you bit of a breakdown of everyone I did watch.
I officially started my day off with a set from Ice Nine Kills. The band had a horror theme with costumes based on Friday The 13th‘s Jason Voorhees, Halloween‘s Michael Myers, etc. which was pretty cool if you’re a fan of old school slashers. One thing that sucked was the fact that they were only able to get through two songs, before being stopped for a 15 minute intermission so fans could have more time to get into the venue. After some time passed, they picked up again without a hitch. Highlights from their set included: their recently released single “The American Nightmare,” and “Bloodbath And Beyond.”
After Ice Nine Kills, I caught a set from Australian hardcore group Deez Nuts. They put on a fun performance that helped raise the energy early on in the day. The crowd still wasn’t too big yet, but those that did watch them were not disappointed. Some highlights from their set included: “Your Mother Should Have Swallowed You” and “Shot After Shot.”
Next, I went and watched Crown The Empire. The band always puts on an energetic performance and this time it was no different. The music was on point and frontman Andy Leo had some great stage banter moments as well, like when he said he can’t encourage crowd surfing, but he can laugh at those that fall while attempting it. A couple highlights from their set included: “Voices” and “Machines.”
Following Crown The Empire, I got to watch Unearth tear things up. The group was one of the heavier acts of the day and that reflected in the crowd as everyone was going crazy. Their performance was as brutal as one would hope, making it a perfect set for the metalheads at the event. On another note, it was rough day for people in the metal community with Vinnie Paul (Pantera, HELLYEAH) having passed away the night before, but Unearth did their part to honor him by having the audience participate in a toast for the legendary drummer. Aside from that, the other highlights from their set included their brand new track “Incinerate” and “Watch It Burn.”
Once Unearth were done, I took a quick a water break and got back to the same stage in time for Senses Fail. The band drew the biggest crowd I saw up to that point and for good reason. The post-hardcore group knew how to put on an awesome show, and Buddy Nielsen was probably one of the most energetic frontmen of the day. They played a lot of great songs but the highlight was definitely their covers medley, which featured System Of A Down’s “Chop Suey.” Drowning Pool’s “Bodies,” Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” and Rage Against The Machine’s “Bulls On Parade.”
After Sense Fail, I went and watched Twiztid. It was a bit of a change in pace considering they lean more in a hip hop direction, but it was still interesting to check out. They wear makeup and obviously have an Insane Clown Posse type of vibe, but the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Highlights from their set included: “Kill Somebody” and “We Don’t Die.”
Twiztid finished up and then I went over to see Black Veil Brides. The backing band took the stage after doing a bit of setup, and just started shredding before frontman Andy Biersack ran out to break into the first verse of “Faithless.” Say what you want about them, but they always put on a good show. Everything was solid on all fronts and they pretty much proved they aren’t going anywhere, despite the recent breakup rumors. The crowd was huge during their performance and everyone was screaming nonstop, even after the group finished, because they still wanted more. Highlights from their set included: “Fallen Angels” and “In The End.”
As soon as Black Veil Brides wrapped things up, I caught the end of Palaye Royale’s set. I only got to see them play three songs, including a cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers,” but that was enough to confidently say they are a rockin’ live band. Frontman Remington Leith was insane and would hang from the top of the stage, jump in the crowd, and more. From what I saw, a highlight was their performance of “Mr. Doctor Man.”
After Palaye Royale, I went and got my spot for Every Time I Die’s set, and they absolutely killed it. Singer Keith Buckley was extremely energetic and got the crowd going crazy. He was even encouraging them to go past the barricade. The whole thing was intense from beginning to end and it was one of the best shows of the day. If you haven’t seen Every Time I Die live, you are missing out. Highlights from their set included “Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space,” “The New Black,” which included some Pantera mixed in for Vinnie Paul, and “Glitches.”
Every Time I Die finished, and I stayed at the same stage waiting for Motionless In White to kickoff their performance, and once they started they were on fire the whole time. Chris Motionless had the audience jumping and singing along to every word. It was also cool seeing TJ Bell (Escape The Fate) playing with the group as a fill in for bassist Devin “Ghost” Sola, who recently exited the band. This was one of the largest crowds I saw during the event and people were totally losing their minds. Someone even lit a red smoke bomb in the middle of the pit. In my opinion, the group was actually the strongest act of the day. Highlights from their set included: “Reincarnate,” “Soft,” and “Puppets (The First Show).”
The last group I saw at the festival was Chelsea Grin. New frontman Tom Barber (ex-Lorna Shore) is a great addition to the group and he totally slayed everything he sang, new and old songs alike. If you were having any doubts about the band moving forward without Alex Koehler, you can lay your worries to rest, because this latest incarnation may end up being their best. The group’s metal onslaught was a sick way to end the day. Highlights from their set included: “Dead Rose,” “Hostage,” and “Recreant.”
All in all, it was fantastic day. All the bands I watched were in top form, and if you happen to be attending a later date of the tour, these are ones you should consider checking out. However, if these artists don’t interest you, there are still plenty of other options such as The Amity Affliction, Wage War, Harm’s Way, In Hearts Wake, The Used, Knuckle Puck, Mayday Parade, Simple Plan, Reel Big Fish, Makeout, and more. No matter who you decide to check out, it will be worth your time and money, since this will be the last time to experience Warped Tour as we know it.
Senses Fail have shared a new two part documentary via Billboard. The film focuses on the band’s latest album “If There Is Light, It Will Find You“ and the hardships leading up to it, including the complications Buddy Nielsen‘s wife, who has Multiple sclerosis, had while being pregnant with their daughter. Nielsen commented:
“Most of the record reflects on what it was like to deal with the complications associated with my wife’s birth. We were fortunate to have our friend there to document the birthing process and show what a natural birth can be like. One of the most important things in this small documentary is to counter the idea portrayed in the movies of how birth works. Even with the complications that we had the process was beautiful and intimate and some of the most connected times I’ve had as a human. We are happy to share our experience in birth and music and invite the world in to see how art and life are made.”
Senses Fail have been added to the Vans Warped Tour’s final cross-country run. You can catch them on 6/21-7/17, 7/20-7/21, and 7/24-8/5.
Warped Tour Dates Feat. Senses Fail:
06/21 Pomona, CA – Pomona Fairplex
06/22 San Diego, CA – Qualcomm Stadium Lot
06/23 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
06/24 Ventura, CA – Ventura County Fairgrounds
06/28 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavillion
06/29 Las Vegas, NV – Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
06/30 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
07/01 Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
07/03 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
07/05 Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
07/06 Dallas, TX – Starplex Pavilion
07/07 San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
07/08 Houston, TX – NRG Park
07/10 Nashville, TN – Tennessee State Fairgrounds
07/12 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
07/13 Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
07/14 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
07/15 Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
07/16 Pittsburgh, PA – Keybank Pavilion
07/17 Toronto, ON – The Flats at Budweiser Stage
07/20 Detroit, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
07/21 Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
07/24 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
07/25 Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake PAC
07/26 Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
07/27 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
07/28 Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Amphitheatre
07/29 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
07/30 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
07/31 Atlanta, GA – Cellairis Amphitheatre
08/02 Jacksonville, FL – The Old Cypress Lot near Met Park
08/03 Orlando, FL – Tinker Field
08/04 Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Ampitheater
08/05 West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Ampitheatre
The lineup and the rest of the dates for this year’s Warped Tour can be found HERE.
Senses Fail have announced a spring tour with Sharptooth and Lil Lotus. Check out the dates for that run below.
Tour Dates:
05/12 Somerset, WI – Northern Invasion (Senses Fail only)
05/13 Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
05/15 Springfield, MO – Outland Ballroom
05/18 Columbus, OH – Rock On The Range (Senses Fail only)
05/19 Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
05/21 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
05/22 Winnipeg, MB – Pyramid Cabaret
05/24 Regina, SK – The Exchange
05/25 Saskatoon, SK – Louis’ Pub
05/26 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
05/27 Calgary, AB – The Gateway at Sait
05/29 Missoula, MT – Top Hat Lounge
05/31 Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
Senses Fail have premiered a new song titled “New Jersey Makes, The World Takes,” via Alternative Press. This track is from the band’s new album “If There Is Light, It Will Find You,” which will be released on February 16.
Buddy Nielsen said the following:
“Over the years, I have lost a number of friends to drug addiction. This song addresses those losses and how I have tried to intervene in people’s addictions over the years. As someone who has battled addiction, I know that the change has to come from within.
While support and resources are very important, it is ultimately a decision that is on the person who is battling. So many of us in this country have a friend or loved one who has lost their battle, and I thought it was important to highlight that struggle.”
Senses Fail will release their new album “If There Is Light, It Will Find You” on February 16, and to celebrate they will be hosting a special album release party at The Club at the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs on February 11. It will feature a listening party, as well as a live acoustic set.
