Brand New

If you weren't lucky enough to make it to one of the Brand New discography shows on either coast, check out these videos uploaded by SupreFan on YouTube.  Someone kind enough to catch full albums in HD.

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Packing for Festivals : The Utilitarian Way

Every year when festival season rolls around, dozens of retailers roll out "festival fashion" - trendy, overpriced and usually pretty ugly clothes you can wear to show how hot the underside of your ass looks as you sweat your way through Coachella.  For those of us going to festivals for the music and not to be seen however, there are a few staples we should all remember when packing our bags.  

1. Comfortable shoes you don't mind walking around in all day.  The worst thing you could do is wear something the first day that will inhibit your ability to walk because of blisters for the rest of the fest.  

2.  Always bring your favorite pair of black jeans.  They go with everything, will keep you warm at night, have pockets, and you can wear them for a couple days in a row if needed. 

3. A comfortable pair of shorts if it's gonna be warm at all.  Still try to stick with denim because it's easy and comfortable.  If it's gonna be cold at night though I would bring a pair of pants to change into once the sun sets.  

4. Sunglasses are crucial.  You don't want to be squinting trying to see your favorite band that you paid all this money to come see.  Don't forget the sunscreen, too!

5.  A couple comfy tanks so you don't get too hot.  

6.  If it's a cold weather festival, make sure to bring a warm jacket.  I've underpacked too many times and spent the entirety of multiple festivals freezing my ass off.  I like my North Face because it's warm, has zippered pockets, and I can fold it up small enough to keep in my backpack during the day.  

7. Once again, if it's a cold weather festival make sure you pack a pair of all weather boots.  You never know when the sky is gonna open up and pour on you while you're trying to see Brand New.  I wore a pair of horse mucking boots (basically combat boots) and they were way more comfortable to walk around in all day than rubber rain boots.  

Good luck and enjoy the music.  

Download a checklist here.  

Warped Tour : How to Avoid Getting Sunburnt, a Beginner's Guide

Warped Tour is my favorite summer holiday.  The music, the friends, the sun, the experiences.  A problem for many a Warped goer however, is the awful sunburn.  I'm a sun safety maniac, and I try to go to at least a week of Warped Tour every year.  These may seem like conflicting goals, but after years (I think seven?) of learning, I've finally perfected a sunscreen regimen over the last two years and have left Warped Week sunburn-free!  I'm here to share the knowledge.

No, really.  I'm obsessed with sunscreen.

Step 1: Stock Up

Make sure you go a day or two before Warped and stock up on all the sunscreen that you need.  I always buy new sunscreen before Warped because once sunscreen is over a year old the ingredients become inactive and it's pretty much useless.  I've become partial to baby sunscreen for festivals because it's less harsh on the skin and if it's made for babies it must be really protective.  This year for Warped I got a clear zinc (that white stuff the lifeguards use) sunscreen for the lower half of my face and shoulders, a baby stick for the top half of my face, and then a spray lotion baby sun screen for the rest of my body.  Make sure everything is at least 30+ SPF.  

My personal Warped arsenal.  

Step 2: Apply Right

You should be reapplying your sunscreen every two hours.  Diligence is key.  If you know you're gonna be rushing to see a band at the two hour mark, reapply before then so you're covered AND you get to see the music you want to see.  Zinc is a very strong sunscreen, which is why I wanted it for my face.  But, it hurts like a bitch if you get it into your eyes and then you're tearing everywhere for the rest of the day.  So, to avoid that, I applied the zinc on my face everywhere from my cheekbones down, and on my nose and neck. This way it would not drip into my eyes.  If I was wearing a sleeveless shirt, I would also apply it to the tops of my shoulders.  

Next, I took the baby face stick and applied it on my forehead and around my eyes.  This is gentle and "guaranteed tear free", so when I sweat (which is inevitable at Warped) it would not hurt my eyes.  

Finally, I applied the spray sunscreen to all the other parts of my body that were exposed to sun, as well as my torso if I was wearing a thin or light shirt.  

Now just repeat this every two hours.  It takes ten minutes, tops.  

Step 3: Wear Sun Safe Clothing

This includes really rad hats, like adorable floppy sun hats or super rad snap backs.  If you don't plan on getting in the pit, I would opt for a sun hat.  Not only does it shade your face, but your shoulders and chest as well.  If you want to mosh, go with a snap back that won't fall off, and you can just clip the snaps around your bag or belt loops while you mosh so it doesn't get lost.  Both options will protect your face.  Also, if you can, wear a short sleeve t-shirt instead of a tank top.  That way, your shoulders are covered and those burn easiest!  

The options are endless!  I promise you'll look rad when you are poorly photoshopped in front of the inflatable.  Or, you know, actually there.  

That's all the advice I have to offer.  Do you have any Warped sun safety tips?  Enjoy your sunburn-free Warped Tour!