punkROC Warped Tour Best of Awards 2009

Well, we did the paces, walked the fairgrounds and observed dozens of bands. Now, we present our votes for the best of the best of the Warped Tour.

Mr. Congeniality
The Architects earned the spot of Mr. Congeniality for their honest and truthful songs. Ok, so really the lead singer announced "We write songs about two topics: drugs and law enforcement." But, this gritty cross between Bad Religion and Lit really knows how to tear up the guitar solo.

Best West Coast Import
Brokencyde is the proof that not far under their pallid skin and band tee, every punker has a dirty, dirty need for hip hop. As I crested the hill at Darien leaving the lawn behind me, the crowd to see them spoke loud and clear-this band is on the brink of doing big things. Their emphatic MCs and infectious T-Pain-esque tracks satisfies the same need that Travis Barker drumming over Soulja Boi did. We can't wait for more!

Most Motivational
With song after song of "untitled" tunes (Lead singer Craig claimed them to be nameless, only known as "Crowd participation song 1-5"), Chiodos had the massive, undulating, moshing crowd obeying at their every whim. Particularly when they asked for us to beat the record of 73+ crowd surfers simultaneously.

Best Bioootch
British rockers, Tat, won the coveted Best Bioootch spot with their shrewd but sexy female lead, Tatiana DeMaria. Particularly when she zeroed in on the one guy who knew the words in the crowd, fan Shane, and brought him up to duet on their smash Bloodstain. Tat blended ska riffs and power guitar solos, all while DeMaria rocked out smashing-ly.

Next Big Thing/Best of Show
Our favorite neighbor to the north, Toronto, provided us the opportunity to the international award category with our new loves, Down With Webster. Canada's answer to the Gym Class Heroes, septet Webster acts out whole story lines in their theatrical rock/hip hop set. The fact that one of their several MCs sounded oddly like Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys adds to the entertainment.