Without a doubt, Warped Tour will have its fair share of crusty punks, sweat-drenched metalheads and other lovable cretins. But on the flipside of the coin, there's a safe, squeaky-clean alternative: Relient K. We caught up with guitarist Matt Hoopes to get the inside track on the K's Warped planz.



The pop-punk guys, who are unabashedly Christian, might be feeling a bit of pressure this summer, as their band is one of the biggest that will be on the Warped bill for the entire trek. But when we touched base with Hoopes, he was cooler than a rainshower on a blistering summer day (and if you're not ready for the heat, Warped-philes, you're clearly unprepared).

"Nothing too crazy," he said a couple of times during the interview, suggesting that Relient K probably won't be dancing to a hailstorm of fireballs (ahem, Norma Jean) or riding horses onto the stage (we're looking at you, Every Time I Die).

In fact, the craziest thing Hoopes seems to have planned is drinking a bunch of soda ("I am a big-time root beer fanatic," he admitted).

That said, it's safe to assume that Relient K will be dipping into their ridonkulously massive upcoming EP, The Bird and the Bee Sides, which will have 26 tracks and drop July 1. Hoopes indicated as such in the interview, during which he also reflected on past Warped Tours, revealed who he's most excited to see and talked about the outreach effort Relient K will be casting a light on throughout the trek.

Buzznet: Share some highlights, good or bad, of past Warped Tours you've played or attended.

Matt Hoopes: I remember going and seeing Blink-182 and Eminem back to back, and I thought that was pretty cool. As far as playing, there are a few stories of not showering and sweating in the heat while pushing our cases a mile across grass and gravel. And then one highlight was getting to meet Tim Armstrong (Rancid), who was out with The Transplants, who gave us some very nice (and undeserved) compliments.

Buzznet: Which bands are you most looking forward to seeing perform? Who do you think will blow up after Warped?

Hoopes: I am looking forward to seeing our friends in Anberlin, Say Anything and August Burns Red. There are a lot of newer bands out this year that might also be good. I think it is hard to say that anyone will blow up, but I would hope for the best for our friends. I think Anberlin has a great shot at doing something cool with their new record.

Buzznet: What will you be doing to kill time on the tour bus?

Hoopes: I like to watch movies in my bunch and play an occasional video game (Wii, Tiger Woods golf). We have a pretty low-key bus normally. We are going to bring a lot of lawn games, such as bocce and Blongo Ball, and maybe get a few games of kickball going if we are lucky ...

Buzznet: What's the best way to cure the heat while touring with Warped?

Hoopes: Ummm ... don't go outside? Or there is always the ever-elusive shower. Although sometimes it doesn't matter, because you take a shower and it is so hot you never really stop sweating. We usually keep our bus pretty cold as well, which is nice.

Buzznet: How has Warped evolved over the years in your opinion?

Hoopes: Well ... there is less punk rock overall. But honestly, there has always been a decent amount of diversity as far as having hip-hop and other kinds of music. And I think Warped has done a great job of sticking to what they set out to do, as far as still taking out punk bands like The Briggs, Street Dogs, etc.

Buzznet: List a few items on your rider that we might not expect.

Hoopes: I am a big-time root beer fanatic, so that is always on there. Other than that ... nothing too crazy. We ask for socks but rarely get them.

Buzznet: Do you have anything unusual planned for your set, whether it be cover songs, tracks you normally don't play?

Hoopes: We might have a cover or two up our sleeve, but we are still in the process of narrowing it down. We might also try to play a song or two from our new EP/B-sides record. But we will still try to play a few of the hits (expected songs). Ha.

Buzznet: Are you planning any props, backdrops, screens or anything else in terms of stage setup?

Hoopes: Well, nothing too crazy, but our label offered to pay for a backdrop, so that is always a good thing, and we will have a few scrims [lighting devices], but no buffaloes or anything like that ... yet.

Buzznet: What's the best part about playing Warped?

Hoopes: I think just the experience of getting to meet new people and hang out with the other bands. It is a long tour, but I think it will be fun, and I am looking forward to playing shows and making some new friends.

Buzznet: Any tips for people going for the first time?

Hoopes: I would say to get there early to check the schedule, because sometimes you can miss your favorite bands. Other than that ... it is obviously hot and crowded ... and a long day, but it is fun for sure. I loved going when I was younger, but usually got music overload by the end of the day.

Buzznet bonus question: Blood:Water Mission [a nonprofit organization that is addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa], which you're bringing along on Warped, was founded by Jars of Clay. Are you close with those guys? 

Hoopes: Actually, we have met them in passing, but never really hung out. They are great guys, though, and we have got to spend a little more time with [singer] Dan [Haseltine] ... and hopefully we will get to hang with the rest of the guys soon. We are really excited about what their organization is doing and looking forward to working with them in the future and being involved.

Don't miss our nonstop Warped Tour 2008 coverage:

"Warped Tour '08: The 411 on Four Year Strong, Against Me!, Every Avenue, The A.K.A.s"
"As I Lay Dying Guitarist: Don't Wear Black Clothes - Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: Who Are You Most Excited to See?"
"Warped Tour '08: A to Z"
"Warped Tour '08: Hip-Hop Acts Might Give You a Reason to Leave Emo Alone"
"Norma Jean Considering Nirvana Cover, Fireball Dance: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Fall Out Boy's Andy Hurley Unveils Clothing Line; Plans For Warped Tour Booth"
"We the Kings Singer Saved Drummer's Life at Summer Fest: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: The 411 on Angels & Airwaves, Bouncing Souls, 1997, Devil Wears Prada"
"Angels & Airwaves Ditching Lasers This Time Around: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Race Through the Aisles of Virgin Megastore Phoenix With As I Lay Dying, Protest the Hero"
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"Midnight to Twelve Want Some McLovin: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Motion City Soundtrack Extend Warped Stay; Fear Just on for One-Night Stand"
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"Every Time I Die on 'Punkguins,' GCH and Sitting in Pee: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: How to Meet the Bands"
"The Audition Buffing Up for This Summer: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Writing New LP on the Road: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: Last Chance to Be a Pit Reporter and Get the VIP Treatment"
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"A.K.A.s to Be Joined Onstage by Gym Class Heroes? Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Forever the Sickest Kids Want 'A Monkey at Every Show': Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: Roll Call - and Dos and Don'ts"
"Charlotte Sometimes Wonders if She'll Blow Up This Summer: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: A Guide to Pit Etiquette"
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"Protest the Hero Singer Says 'We Don't Roll Like Carrot Top': Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Set Your Goals Are Packing Extra Boxers: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: Top 10 Must-Haves"
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Also, feast your eyes on these pics of Katy Perry, Beat Union and more at the Warped Tour kickoff show on April 11 in West Hollywood, California – click on the image below.



Get psyched for summer with Buzznet's Warped Tour 2008 gallery:


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See which females will be rocking out on Warped this summer:


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Check out these bands that will be playing Warped for the first time:


[Click on picture to view the rest.]

Find out which Warped artists are out of their twenties:


[Click on picture to view the rest.]

Warped Tour dates:

6.20: Pomona, CA @ Pomona Fairgrounds
6.21: San Francisco, CA @ Pier 30/32
6.22: Ventura, CA @ Seaside Park
6.25: Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Pavilion
6.26: Las Cruces, NM @ N.M.S.U. Practice Field
6.28: Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
6.29: Denver, CO @ Invesco Field
7.1: St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7.2: Kansas City, KS @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7.3: Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center
7.5: San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7.6: Houston, TX @ Sam Houston Race Park
7.9: Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater
7.10 : Orlando, FL @ Central Florida Fairgrounds
7.11: Tampa, FL @ Vinoy Park
7.12: Miami, FL @ Bicentennial Park
7.13: Jacksonville, FL @ St. Johns County Fairgrounds
7.14: Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7.15: Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7.16: Washington DC @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
7.17: Cleveland, OH @ Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City
7.18: Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park
7.19: Toronto, ON @ Downsview Park Allen Road
7.20: Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean Drapeau
7.23: Boston, MA @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
7.24: Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
7.25: Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
7.26: Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
7.27: Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion
7.28: Englishtown, NJ @ Raceway Park
7.29: Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion
7.30: Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
7.31: Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
8.1: Milwaukee, WI @ Marcus Amphitheatre
8.2: Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
8.3: Minneapolis, MN @ Canterbury Park
8.5: Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
8.6: Calgary, AB @ Race City Speedway
8.8: Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheatre
8.9: Seattle, WA @ George Amphitheatre
8.10: Portland, OR @ Columbia Meadows
8.13: Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
8.14: San Diego, CA @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
8.15: San Francisco, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
8.16: Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre Lot
8.17: Los Angeles, CA @ Home Depot Center

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