Of all this year's Warped Tour virgins, it's safe to say that We the Kings might stand the best chance of blowing up after the trek. (Just ask Forever the Sickest Kids, who told us as much in their own "Warped Tour Warm-Up.") But the guys have been there before, as attendees – and as lead singer/guitarist Travis Clark told us, he actually saved bandmate Danny Duncan's life at one of the gigs.



Actually, the band didn't just go to one Warped show as fans – as they admitted to Buzznet, they used to sneak into the fest. Clark – whose flashly, long red hair is helping the band gain recognition – also revealed that he'll be packing some hard-core sun block (SPF-190!) and that the band might break out "piñatas filled with Slim Jims" (clearly, he's got a good sense of humor).

Could these plans help make We the Kings, who will be playing the entire trek and have a spot on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on June 27, this year's big breakthrough band? Maybe our chat with Clark will help you with your predictions.

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

Travis Clark: As kids, we never had enough money to pay for tickets, so we always had to sneak in (sorry, Warped Tour!). But we did what we had to do to listen to the music we loved! I remember one year we got backstage just by using our fake tour passes and talking on our cell phones, making it seem like we were important, just to get back there. We ate the catering food, and [drummer] Danny [Duncan] choked on some of the veggie food they were serving. I had to save his life by giving him the Heimlich Maneuver. :)

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

Clark: I think all of the guys and myself are really looking forward to seeing and meeting all of the bands at Warped Tour. We do have some personal favorites and some really good friends that we just can't wait to tour with again. As far as who will blow up after Warped, I'd have to answer that question at a later time, after we've had a chance to see everybody. :)

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

Clark: Most likely hanging out with friends, playing video games and sleeping. We plan on bringing our bikes and a scooter, so you might see us flying through Warped Tour in our rides.

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

Clark: Well, since I'm a redhead, I know all about keeping cool in a warm atmosphere. I've found that a few bottles of SPF-190 works great against sun UV rays ... as well as plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. It gets ridiculously hot out there, on the stage and off, so it definitely helps to have a few bottles of water. Light clothing and maybe a haircut would help? Haha, I shouldn't be talking about haircuts.

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

Clark: I think it has evolved in some aspects of music, because the scene does change. For the most part, though, it's always been the same thing: Fans who love music, and bands who love to play music, and when it comes together, it's just a massive party.

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

Clark: We've tried in the past to ask four kids who look like us to be on our rider so that they can go onstage and fake the crowd out, but it never seems to work out, so now we just ask for the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, water and towels, because you could never go wrong with that. We also like to have piñatas filled with Slim Jims and cheese, because that always makes for a fun afternoon. :)

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

Clark: We may have a little surprise that may help keep the fans cool, but I've already said too much.

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

Clark: Nothing too spectacular because we really just want to concentrate on our music. I've been working on some dance moves, though.

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

Clark: The energy from all the kids. Even with the hot sun and everybody nearing dehydration, the crowd is always insane. It's amazing to see how many kids have such a huge passion for music that they will stand outside in 100-degree weather with a park full of $5 waters. Also, meeting the fans. It's great to meet the people who actually buy your CD and really support our music.

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

Clark: Well, this is out first year playing the Warped Tour, so I'm sure that us and the people going to the show will have something in common. But we think you should bring comfortable clothes and dancing shoes. We're from Florida Beach, so we're bringing what we call "beach attire." Also, rest up the night before, because it's going to be one of the biggest parties you've ever been to!!!

Don't miss our nonstop Warped Tour coverage:

"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"
"From First to Last Call Themselves 'Romantics,' 'Fatties': Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Midnight to Twelve Want Some McLovin: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Motion City Soundtrack Extend Warped Stay; Fear Just on for One-Night Stand"
"Academy Is ... Bassist Prefers Leap Frog Over 'Halo': Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"All-American Rejects Drop Off Warped Tour"
"Warped Tour '07 Retrospective"
"Be Your Own Pet Talk Trash About Warped Tour: 'It's Like the New Hair Metal' "
"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"
"Pennywise Can't Get Enough of Warped Tour, Add More Dates"
"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"
"1997 Keyboardist Longs for the Slip-N-Slide: Warped Tour Warm-Up"
"Warped Tour '08: The VIP Guide"
"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"
"Two More Killer Bands Added to Warped Tour Main Stage"

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:


[Click on picture to view the rest.]

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


[Click on picture to view the rest.]

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

Win Warped tix on Buzznet right here!

Get your Warped fix with our nonstop coverage right here.

Check out We the Kings' FriendsorEnemies profile right here.