More than often, I go through phases where I listen to the same songs repeatedly. For no reason, other than the fact that they’re all bangers. I’m always down to discover new music and share songs that I’m obsessing over to others so here are few songs that you need to add to your playlist immediately.

“Enjoy Your Slay”- Ice Nine Kills. I’ve been waiting for this track ever since Ice Nine Kills had everyone vote between The Shinning or Psycho for their next book-inspired hit. This song was inspired by The Shinning and it’s killer. Nothing warms my heart like anything horror related – especially when it involves Ice Nine Kills.

“Moshpit”- Attila. Okay, so this song has been in my head since I saw them back In April. This song is such a bop and I cannot WAIT to get in the pit during this song when I see them at Warped Tour.

“On Her Mind”- Volumes (ft. Pouya). This is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head, If I’m not listening to this song I’m humming the beat to it. If you haven’t heard Volumes before now, do yourself a favor and get familiar. They recently released their album Different Animals and it’s a must have. Their sound is so unique and addicting. Definitely don't sleep on these guys.

“Hard Times”- Paramore. Paramore is back and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This upbeat, pop-infused track is phenomenal, along with so many other songs from their latest release After Laughter. The song is catchy and makes you want to dance but the lyrics are so much deeper, as it talks about struggling with mental illness. Many of the tracks on the album are like this (similar to As It Is’ Okay), where they use their music as an outlet to discuss the reality of living with mental illness.

“Mess”- Real Friends. Pop punk realness. Let me just go grab my snapback and skateboard so I can kickflip and ride around my shitty hometown. Plus, just look at this music video - all those Halloween vibes. You know I was hyped about this! Side note: If you ever get the chance to see Real Friends live, GO. They are some of the chillest dudes I’ve ever met. Anyone that’s willing to share their Starbucks, dance to Destiny’s Child AND put on a hell of a show is okay with me.

“Bite Marks”- The White Noise. This is one of the latest singles off their debut album AM/PM. It’s so damn good. Their songs have a great mix of heavy and soft vocals, so no matter what you’re into you’ll find a track you love. While you’re at it, check out their track “The Best Songs are Dead” as well!

Give me some new music recommendations in the comments!

I’m a huge advocate for supporting women, especially in the music scene. The music scene is no longer just a boys club and there are a huge number of women from all different walks of life, dominating and tearing up the scene and it’s not going to stop any time soon. Seeing strong women make a name for themselves and grab rock n roll by the balls is more than inspiring. Whether you’re an aspiring musician, someone that wants to work in the music business, or just want to some positive role models in your life – just experiencing these women live or hearing their stories can impact your life in some shape or form.

One of my biggest influences is Lindsey Way, the bassist in Mindless Self Indulgence. For years, Lindsey has been a role model for me and so many other young women. From being an incredible performer, a talented artist (despite not even finishing art school), being an advocate for fiercely supporting women’s rights and equality, on top of being an amazing parent. You know those people that are just effortlessly cool and you’re like “oh wow, I need to be their best friend”? That’s Lindsey. My girl taught herself to play bass in a week and completely nailed the audition to be MSI’s bass play by almost setting the room (and lead singer Jimmy Urine) on fire. If that doesn’t inspire you to go after what you want, then I don’t know what will.

One of more frustrating things about being a woman in the music business has to deal with those that want to discredit you simply because you’re female. Hearing things like “whose girlfriend are you?” “You can’t be back here unless you’re working.” "What's it like to be a girl in a band?" The list goes on. Because clearly, you can’t be backstage at a show unless you’re trying to sleep with the band, it’s not like there’s female musicians, techs, merchandising managers, tour managers, and so on. In times like this I’d like to refer to one of my favorite tweets from Lindsey, “I’m not fucking the bass player, I AM the fucking bass player.”

Now, before this turns into an essay about my love for Lindsey, I’d like to shed light on a few other women in rock that have inspired me in one way or another. Whether they’ve inspired me to love myself, fight for what I believe in, to go after what I want, or to stand up for myself and live unapologetically. Here are a few of the bands and women that have made an impact on me, the music scene, and are continuously paving the way for those to come.

1.      Lindsey Way and Jennifer “Kitty” Dunn (Mindless Self Indulgence):

2.      Hayley Williams (Paramore):

3.      Chantal Claret:

4.      Ash Costello (New Year’s Day):

5.      Brody Dalle (The Distiller’s):

6.      Sierra Kusterbeck (VersaEmerge):

7.      Lynn Gunn (PVRIS):

8.      Courtney Love (Hole):

9.      Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill):

10.  Cassadee Pope (Hey Monday RIP):

11.  Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless):

This is only a glimpse of the many women that have inspired me. Huge shout out to all of the women in the music world that have impacted my life. Cheers to the women on stage, and especially those behind the scenes that continuously make things happen and help run the show. The women in the audience thrashing around in the pit, screaming every word back at the artists on stage. The future of rock is in your hands.

“Every night I sweat, I hurt myself and I don’t stop until the job is done because I want every little girl in the audience to walk away thinking that this is possible, that they can do this.”- Lindsey Way.

For some, the thought of wearing makeup to Warped Tour is like a death sentence. It’s hot, sweaty, and no one wants to have to worry about their makeup melting off halfway into the festival. But for those that do want to wear makeup, the key is going to be making sure your makeup lasts all day without sliding all over the place.

When looking for products to wear to Warped, keywords to look for are “smudge-proof”, “Waterproof” or “sweat-proof”. You’re going to want products that are gonna last all day no matter how hot you get in the pit. So here’s a list of products to try out that can fit an array of budgets. Because the less you have to spend on makeup, the more you have to spend at Warped.

Eyeliner:

Maybelline Gel Liner: This gel pot is great for winged liner, as well as the water line. It’s extremely black and doesn’t fade throughout the day. It might smudge a bit in your outer corner but your wings will still look bomb. It’s about $9. Pro tip- set your eyeliner with an eyeshadow for extra staying power! It’ll help with the smudging.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes: This gel pencil is waterproof, budge-proof, jumping in the pit all day-proof, you name it. It comes in a ton of intense shades, perfect for whatever look you’re going for. It’s a bit pricey at $21 but it lasts forever. Make sure you have a good makeup remover; something oil based will help take these waterproof products right off at the end of the day.

Colourpop Gel Liner: These pencils are only $5 a pop and they come in a ton of shades! They glide on and last all day.

Mascara:

Wet N Wild Mega Volume Waterproof Mascara: This stuff is amazing. It’s about $4 and it doesn’t budge once it’s dried. It stays on so well that just using a makeup wipe doesn’t even do it justice.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara: The regular mascara is one of my faves so I’m a huge fan of the fact that there’s a waterproof formula! It’s about $23 at Sephora.

Brows:

NYC Brow and Eye pencil: These pencils are literally 99 cents and they’re they bomb.com. It lasts all day, doesn’t smudge and at this price you can’t go wrong. I couldn't find a link to the 99cent pencils so definitely check the NYC section in stores. It's available in drugstores, Walmart and Target!

NYX Microbrow Pencil. This pencil is a perfect dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wix at a fraction of the price. It’s waxy so it stays in place no matter how hot it is. It’s about $10 at Target or Ulta.

Jordana Fabubrow Gel: This brow gel is about $4 and it comes in various tints or in a clear gel depending on your preference. This will ensure that your brows don’t budge while you’re out in the hot sun.

Face:

Now, I don’t wear foundation because I have incredibly sensitive skin and I hate how it feels on my face. But If you want to rock some face makeup, my suggestions are to go as light as possible with the coverage and then get a setting spray! The lighter the coverage, the less cakey the makeup will be and the less likely it’ll melt all over the place.

Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturizer: Okay, now this is about $40 at Sephora but finding a good tinted moisturizer in my shade that won’t feel heavy on my skin is rough. This moisturizer is lightweight, has good coverage for a moisturizer, plus it has SPF and that’s gonna be your best friend at Warped Tour!

Pacifica Ultra Radiant CC Cream: This is a great alternative to the Nars tinted moisturizer because it’s more affordable, and still has SPF and it’s lightweight. It’s about $18.

Setting Sprays:

NYX Stay Matte Setting Spray: This stuff kept my makeup on during a double feature of Rocky Horror, while dancing, singing, and crawling around under extremely hot theater lights. This is about $7 and you can’t beat it.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Spray: It’s like you can’t even suggest a setting spray without bring up this bad boy right here. It’s worth the hype. It keeps your makeup in place all day and will keep your face from melting off. It’s about $30 BUT you can get the travel size for $15.

Lipstick:

Now, I most likely will be sticking to lip balm with SPF because chapped lips are the devil. But If you’re brave and want to rock some lipstick, my suggestion is to go for a liquid lipstick. Go for something long-lasting and smudge-proof that won’t let you down throughout the day.

Colourpop Ultra Matte and Ultra Satin Lipsticks: These lipsticks are $6 and have never let me down. These babies are highly pigmented and long lasting. The ultra mattes are smudge-proof but keep in mind that they are matte so they’re very drying. The ultra satin lips are long-lasting but not smudge-proof. They are however, really moisturizing!

Even if you’re rocking lipstick, I still recommend applying some lip balm with SPF underneath to help keep your lips from drying out plus to add some protection from the sun.

If you have anything you’d like to recommend let me know in the comments below!

I’ve travelled hours to see bands before, but there’s only one band that I’ve travelled hours for through severe weather and a tornado warning to see. Frank Iero and the Patience just wrapped up their  North American tour and I had the pleasure of attending their show in Baltimore, MD in April. They hit the road with Dave Hause and The Mermaid and If you've never heard of them I suggest you do yourself a favor and become familiar with them quickly. They put on a hell of a show and I for one always appreciate artists that can make me laugh, sing, and get in my feeling all in one set. If you're going to start somewhere, I suggest the song "Dirty Fucker", you can thank me later.  No amount of rain, lightning, or twisters could have stood in my way of this show. (Okay, so maybe the twisters could have but fortunately the warning was a few counties over).

After spending time at home to recover from injuries sustained from a bus accident during their time in Australia, Iero finally announced the band was going back on the road and I could not have been more thrilled. My boys were alive and healthy and their fans could not have been more ready to see them back on the road. Baltimore was the closest city for me and I had no problem dragging my family all the way to Maryland to see my favorite artist.

The last time I saw Frank, he was with his first solo project The Cellabration. This time, he was back with his new project The Patience and a new album, Parachutes. The album was one of my favorite recent releases. Frank puts so much of himself into everything he does and this album was no exception, each track contains a different piece of him and his experiences and it’s a masterpiece. Being in the crowd and experiencing these songs live was incredible, especially when you get to scream your favorite lyrics back at him. Each song offers a different perspective on Iero's life and gives us a way of connecting with him through his lyrics and the ones we relate to the most. The first single from Parachutes, "I'm a Mess", is one of the many tracks I connect with. The chorus goes:

"Maybe I'm just lost they said.
Maybe I'm just tired or dead inside.
Something's wrong with me.
Maybe that's just how I am.
Maybe I'm a mess and I ain't gonna change."

And I felt every word deep in my soul.

Frank’s fans are nothing short of extremely passionate and halfway through the first few songs a pit opened and that’s when the fun began. I’m no stranger to mosh pits or crowd surfers but it was clear that some of the kids had never been in a pit before. Sometimes, you can kind of pinpoint good spots to stand if you want to avoid the pit. Pretty much any spot in the very back or on the outside of the crowd is a pretty safe bet. But, if you want to stand near the front or towards the middle, you’re going to deal with being pushed and getting closer to the people around you in ways you’ve never thought possible. Personally, I don’t care. The pit is where all the fun is and even if I don’t wanna be in the pit those that are push me towards the front of the crowd so it all works out in the end. Bottom line: whether you’re into it or not, don’t let people get hurt. Help people back up, don’t let someone hit the ground, don’t be an asshole. I’m not one for crowd surfing but I’ll pick others up and help them along their way when I can. I have a lot more fun when everyone around me is on the same level as I am. I love seeing everyone simultaneously jumping, headbanging, fists in the air, getting into the show. If the people around me as are hype as I am, it’s going to be a good night.

This show was also special because it’s the night that I finally got to me one of my long-time internet buds, Eden. After 10 years of friendship, we finally met in person. It was fitting that we met at a Frank Iero show because one of the things that brought us together all those years ago was our mutual love for My Chemical Romance. Frank and the boys are responsible for so many amazing bonds over the past few years and I am so thankful for that.

P.S. I’m already making plans to see him on the road again.

With only a few short months left before Warped Tour begins it’s time to start getting prepared for what you’ll need to make it through your Warped date. Warped Tour can be a lot of fun but there are a few things you can do to make it even better and ensure that you’re making the most out of your festival experience. So, here’s a quick guide to Warped to help you along your way.

Make sure you have your ticket with you or on your phone. This should be a given but things happen, things get left behind or deleted and the last thing you want is to arrive at your Warped date and discover your ticket is gone.

Get familiar with the lineup and the stages. Warped Tour can be very hectic and a little overwhelming. There’s a lot happening at once and there’s a ton of different stages all across the venue where you can enjoy all of the rad music there throughout the day. Plan and figure out what bands are your priority and what stages they’ll be at. Set times are released at the start of each show so you’ll have no idea what time the band’s go on until the morning of your Warped date. Keep an eye on social media and have a schedule with you so you won’t miss out on any of your must-see bands at Warped and hopefully none of your faves will be performing at the same time. You can keep up with a paper copy or install the free Vans Warped Tour app on your phone and keep a mobile schedule, complete with notifications for when your faves go on.

Bring a small backpack to keep with your belongings. You’re going to want a bag with you to help keep up with your things as well as help you keep up with the merch you’re going to buy at the festival. On top of all the band merch and official Vans gear that’s available at the show, there will be a ton of amazing non-profits and brands that will be at each date and all of them will have their own booths full of merchandise and other cool handouts that you’ll want to keep up with. Even if you don't have your own, most booths will be giving away tons of cool gear, including backpacks.

Make sure your phone is fully charged. We know all too well how the battery life on our phones can let us down when we need them the most. You’re going to want to take pictures and document your time at Warped so make sure your phone is fully charged. Portable chargers are also a huge help and you can throw one in your bag to use to give your phone some extra life during the show. I also believe there were charging stations throughout the venue, so be on the lookout.

Bring cash. Obviously, you’re going to want to bring some cash along with you. You know you’re going to want to pick up some merch or buy food or drinks while you’re at the show so bringing along some cash is a must! One thing to consider is that some booths might not have a card reader or they may have one and it’s suddenly not working so always have some actual cash with you just in case that happens.

Wear sunscreen. I cannot stress this enough, you’re going to need sunscreen. I don’t care how impervious you think you are to burning, that hot summer sun is not going to care and you will end up looking like the most pop punk lobster that ever existed. Put some on before you get the show and bring it with you so that you can reapply it as needed at the festival. And trust me; you’re going to need it.

Wear practical clothes and shoes. It’s going to be incredibly hot and the last thing you’re going to want is to wear something that’s going to make you miserable.  Those black skinny jeans and leather jacket may look amazing but it’s definitely not Warped Tour material. You’re going to want to wear something light and comfy so you can enjoy the show without feeling like you’re about to die of a heat stroke in the middle of your favorite band’s set. The stages are scattered across the venue and you’re going to be doing a lot of walking so wearing comfortable shoes are a must. Whatever shoes you feel will be the best for walking and standing around for hours are the ones you’ll want to go with. If you plan to accessorize, be smart about it. Bring some cheap sunglasses so that if something happens to them or they end up breaking, you won’t be too crushed about it.

Bring water and snacks. Staying hydrated and refueling is super important so make sure to bring some water and some light snacks with you. You don’t want to end up getting sick or passing out so it’s important to have something with you to prevent that. Plus, if you’re not trying to pay ridiculous concession stand prices for a simple meal or drink you’re going to want to bring your own stuff. You can bring bottled water or if you have a refillable water bottle you can fill it up for free at the Cool Gear booth.

Locate the shade tents and other ways to beat the heat. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s going to be hot and if the heat starts to get to you there are plenty of ways to cool off. There will be multiple shade tents around the venue where you can take a break in the shade and get out of the sun. There’s also a slip and slide if you’re looking to really cool off. You could also get a tiny portable fan to throw in your bag.

If you’re going to wear makeup: sweat-proof is the key. For those that wish to wear makeup to Warped, it’s all about making sure your face doesn’t melt off while you’re jamming in the pit. Try to go as light as possible with your products so that you won’t have to worry about heavy makeup sitting on your face all day. You want to be comfortable and you don’t want to have to worry about your makeup getting in the way. Try to use waterproof and smudge-proof products so that you won't have to worry about your winged liner flying away halfway through the day or your mascara running down your face.

Alright guys, that’s it for this survival guide. Let me know what sort of things you have in your survival guide or any tips you want to add.

Till next time.

It’s that time again to prepare for one of the biggest events of the summer for music fans everywhere – Vans’ Warped Tour. Music lovers of all-ages gather to rock out to a huge number of bands from metal, hardcore, pop punk and more. There are several stages located around the venue where you can catch bands performing at all hours of the day. Plus, there are vendors, non-profits, and other cool organizations that have tents set up throughout the venue where you can visit and pick up a ton of merch, fill up your water bottles for free, meet the bands, get photo ops, and learn about all of the amazing things the non-profits do for their community and the music scene.

One of the best things about Warped Tour is the fact that there are so many bands attending from many genres, giving you a chance to experience new music and discover bands you might not have normally listened to. Plus, it gives you a chance to finally catch that band that you’ve been dying to see live as well as see some of your most beloved favorites hit the stage. I’m a huge advocate for going to concerts and finding new music; I’ve gone to shows only knowing one or two of the acts and left with new favorites to add to my playlist. So even if you’re not completely sold yet on this year’s lineup – don’t sweat it! There are so many bands, there’s literally something for everyone to enjoy.

To kick things off, I’m going to be giving you my list of must-see bands on Warped this year. Everything from band’s I’ve previously seen live to bands I NEED to see live. Let’s get started.

-Andy Black – I’ve been a fan of his for years now, since the first time I heard "The Mortician’s Daughter". I missed him when he came to my state during his solo tour so I’m more than stoked to see him hit the stage solo at Warped.

-Attila- Y’all already know how I feel about this band. You can find me in the mosh pit when they hit the stage.

- Bad Omens- I’m definitely looking forward to seeing these guys hit the stage again. They killed it during the Let’s Get Abducted Tour.

-Beartooth- I’ve heard some amazing things about their live shows so I’m looking forward to catching their set at Warped.

-BlessTheFall- I basically died when I saw their name on the lineup. This will be the third time I’ve seen these guys so I’m beyond ready for this. If you’ve never seen BTF live, I highly encourage it. Also, I’ll literally pay them in Chick-Fil-A if they play “Hey Baby, Here’s That Song You Wanted”.

-Counterparts- I’m a big fan of hardcore punk and after listening to these guys, I can only imagine how they are when they hit the stage.

-Creeper- The fact that they’re described as “horror punk” has me shook. I’ve heard nothing but praise for this band since they hit the scene and I’m more than ready to see what all of the fuss is about. One of my top picks for this year.

-Doll Skin-  All-female punk band? I’m all over it.

-Fit For A King- These dudes kill it every time they hit the stage. I can’t wait to see them again.

-Hawthorne Heights- The emo in me has been screaming about this since the lineup was announced.

-I Prevail- I’m going to be playing “Stuck in My Head” on repeat until I see it live. Their latest release Lifelines was one of my favorites of 2016 so I’m looking forward to hearing those songs live for the first time.

-Memphis May Fire- I just recently missed them when they came to town so I’m not making that mistake again.

-Movements- Such a hidden gem. I’m so ready to see these dudes live; I’ve been jamming to their stuff since they hit the scene. Outgrown Things was such a bop. If you love pop punk, you’ll love them.

-Neck Deep- Because I’m pop punk trash.

-Never Shout Never- Because I owe it to my 13 year old self.

-New Years Day- I’m so passionate about this band, you guys –if you’ve never seen NYD live I’m gonna need you to make sure to catch them during Warped. They put on a hell of a show, I’m pretty sure I got whiplash from the last time I saw them from all of the head banging. If you get the chance to meet them, please do. They’re one of the nicest bands I’ve ever met.

-Stick To Your Guns- Another band I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing live and I’m ready to make it a second.

-Sworn In- These guys are the newest additions to Fearless Records and I could not be more stoked to see them at Warped. They have such a cool vibe and I’m curious to see what they have in store for us.

-Sylar- This band always delivers a great performance. Their shows are energetic, fun and you definitely don’t want to miss them.

-The White Noise- Aren’t You Glad was phenomenal and I’ve been dying to see them live since I first discovered them. If you love post-hardcore then you need to know about The White Noise. You’re welcome in advance.

-Too Close To Touch- I saw them on the Retrograde Tour last year and immediately looked up all of their music when I got home. They are such great dudes and even better musicians.

-William Control- I’m still kicking myself for missing the Aiden farewell tour but he's yet again, about to bless me with his presence and I’m all for it. Their shows look like so much fun and I can’t wait to finally see it for myself.

Let me know who some of your must-see bands are on Vans’ Warped Tour 2017! You can find dates and tickets here. Go-ahead and download the Warped Tour app so you can keep up with all of the bands that will be playing in your city so you can find what stage they’ll be at. Set times for your city will be released the day of so finger crossed that your top picks won’t be playing at the same time.

Go forth and discover some new music.

In 2007, Mayday Parade released their debut album A Lesson in Romantics after signing to Fearless Records. The Florida natives crash-landed onto the scene after the release of their first EP Tales Told by Dead Friends in 2006, which featured a few of the tracks that made it onto the debut album. While the EP sold over 10,000, it was their debut album that really pushed them into the heart of pop punk lovers everywhere, earning the band a spot on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour as well as two MTV Video Music Award nominations.

In celebration of its release 10 years ago, Mayday Parade decided to do an anniversary tour as a way to reminisce with the fans, especially those that have been there since the beginning. It’s crazy to see just how far the band has come over the past couple of years, how their music has matured and their fan base has grown. The fan will be joined by Knuckle Puck and label mates Milestones. I caught the very end of Knuckle Puck’s set while at Warped last year so I’m really excited to see them perform. Milestones signed to Fearless last year and released their debut EP Equal Measures. This band hails all the way from the UK so I’m even more stoked to see these guys hit the stage.

Since the anniversary tour is the band’s way of reminiscing with fans, I decided to take a look back at how I first became acquainted with Mayday Parade. A friend of mine introduced me to their music on MySpace one day and I’ve been hooked ever since. “Black Cat” was the first song I had ever heard from the band and it quickly became one of my most played songs on my iPod. A Lesson in Romantics was among some of my favorite albums growing up, alongside From Under the Cork Tree from Fall Out Boy, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out from Panic! At The Disco, and many more. Almost every girl on MySpace had "You be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, And I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Head in the Clouds" as their headline. That particular song was the final track on the album; the band originally wrote it because they were trying to be "poetic". It worked out perfectly because if you wanted to be deep and express how dramatic and heartfelt your teen years were - that was one of the songs you quoted. The first track Mayday wrote was "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" and that was the song that really made an impression on me. To this day, it's still my all-time favorite Mayday Parade song. I'm still bitter that I haven't copped a pair of those iconic shorts that say "Girls Make Boys Cry" across the back. I haven't given up hope yet so, fingers crossed. 

I first saw Mayday Parade when I was a sophomore or junior in high school. I forced my friend to listen to their music the week leading up to the show so that she'd be prepared because I was definitely going to make her sing with me during my favorite songs. I got my first piece of Mayday Parade merch while I was at the show – a shirt that said “Without @Mayday_Parade, I’d Be Miserable At Best.” I still rock that shirt today. I took pictures on my shitty cell phone and posted them all over my MySpace. After the show Derek came out to do an encore acoustic set and it was absolutely beautiful. I watched Mayday Parade perform for the second time at Warped Tour last year and they're just as amazing now as they were back then. I was still that teen, passionately screaming the lyrics to "Jamie All Over" at the top of my lungs, surrounded by people who love them just as much as I do. I can't wait to be surrounded by them again when I see them for the third time during their anniversary tour in May.

Make sure you catch Mayday Parade on their A Lesson in Romantics 10 year Anniversary tour! Get your tickets here.

Use this Spotify playlist to get pumped for the anniversary tour.