PunkROC Warped Tour Best of Awards 2010

Warped was the annual sweaty, humid, punk-fest that we have come to know and love year after year. Just like last year, we did the rounds and observed dozens of bands. Below I present my votes for the best of the best of the Warped Tour 2010.

Mr. Congeniality
It was a tie this year between Roc/Syracuse-locals Polar Bear Club and Bouncing Souls. Before PBC got deep into their set on the AP stage, lead singer Jimmy Stadt humbly thanked the huge crowd that had turned out for their support and yielded some serious cheers from their Western NY fanbase. Bouncing Souls on the other hand, though drawing hundreds to their show on the main stage, offered pieces of their time slot to a few smaller acts to get their names out to a bigger audience.

Best West Coast Import
Ok, it has become increasingly obvious that I am crazy in love with this band, so I'll keep it short. Best West Coast Import goes to Set Your Goals of San Francisco, CA.

Most Motivational
Without a doubt in my mind this winner is Buffalo natives Every Time I Die. Though Flatfoot 56 was able to coax an Egyptian-themed circle pit out of only a couple dozen fans, ETID was able to move their hundreds of fans to follow instructions, even in the height of the steamy Darien heat. Although I'm sure their request to acheive the biggest Warped circle pit for The Guinness Book of Records was just a ploy, they sure did rock out the main stage with a vengeance.

Best Bioootch
Ok, so this one is a satirical award this year. The best bitch I saw was Tyson Ritter of All American Rejects. Somewhere along the way between 2005 and present day, I think some exec thought it was a good idea for them to "stay relevant" by emo-ing themselves out in image while maintaining their poppy rock tunes. Ritter looks like he crawled out of his coke den just long enough to put on a white suit (?) and stumble through the songs that made them big years ago. Lamest. Warped. Act. Ever.

Best of Show
I was going to reluctantly settle into watching Suicide Silence, when on a whim I rechecked the schedule of bands. Already pissed I had missed the early showing of The Mighty Regis, I saw that I could catch my other Celtic recommendation, Flatfoot 56 just around the corner. True to their roots, they rocked out with bagpipe and mandolin. In fact, I now want to marry Brandon Good, the mandolin player, based solely on his enthusiasm and stage presence. They stuck to true punk roots with their styling and execution and the fans responded like they were the second coming. Overall in the Celtic-punk arena they are my new favorites and highly suggest that everyone should check them out too.