Vans Warped Tour 99
Kareela Park, Sydney, 8 January 1999
by Owen McGregor-Hart

On Friday the 8th of January the Vans Warped Tour of 1999 travelled to the southern suburb of Kareela. I got my ticket for Christmas so it wasn't that far away from the event day.

The lineup has such international bands as Pennywise, The Deftones, Unwritten Law, MxPx, 22 Jacks, Less Than Jake and a whole heap of other bands. The local scene included Grinspoon, Frenzal Rhomb, The Porkers, Area-7 and Nancy Vandal. There is a local stage for the less known bands, such as Game Over.There is also a vert ramp with Skateboarders, Roller Skaters, BMXers. The gate had opened around 11am and there was a crowd eager to get in. The first band to play where Latex Generation. There was one big stage which was divided into two so when one band was playing on stage 1 the next band to play would be setting up on stage 2, this was a very good idea so there wouldn't be a duration between bands.

The stalls where merchandise was being sold were quite good with a variety of t-shirts, stickers, badges, pins, beanies and CD's. There were also a couple 'hippie' stalls and one body piercing stall. The food was there with some kebab sellers and just plain Chicken and chips. A great thing was a 'Shave Cone' which was crushed ice in a cup and you had a variety of flavours, cola, lime, strawberry, mango and blue something. The first band I saw were Unwritten Law who were THE BEST! I also had the chance to talk to Scott the singer who was really friendly and we had a very small talk about the band. It was the second time I have seen UL and I was in the 'pit' getting thrown around like being in a washing machine. I went in clean, came out sweaty, sore, gasping for breath and REALLY dirty especially my shoes and my legs. I was eager to see them plus Area-7, MxPx and Game Over. The other highlights bandwise were 22 Jacks who requested everyone to run a circle around the sound tent and suprisingly alot of people did! There was also a fire breather and a crazy person who was hanging from the bars holding up the tent over the stage, if he fell it would have been a 4 to 5 metre drop to the ground (ouch). Pennywise, who have been on the tour for the since it came to Oz were definately the crowd favourites were great, they played some covers and their tribute to an ex band member who accidentally shot himself in the head while doing a CD cover, it was most expected that Pennywise were to play this song (Bro Hymn) as it was a crowd favourite last year and now this year. The Deftones who are more heavier than the other bands (except Suicidal Tendencies) were another crowd favourite and I think that they created an awesome sound. MxPx were treated like kings (which they are) by the crowd. There was one minor mishap with the guitarist, Yuri, breaking a string on his guitar in the middle of their most known song, Chick Magnet, so there was a short bass and drum delay while he changed guitar, these guys RRROOOCCCKKKEEEDDD!

Every band were good in their own special way but my faves were Unwritten Law, The Deftones, Game Over and MxPx. In the sport face there was a comp which has a first prize to America for the American Warped Tour.

For the day I would give it 9.8 out of ten because there wasn't enough shade and I only found two bins, so the cleaners must be getting well paid! But a high point were the porta-a-loo's, which there was heaps, so the stink wouldn't be all in one toilet (eerrccgghh).

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!