Warped music, not-so-warped sponsors

Since the Warped Tour’s latest incarnation (the lamest one to date) is hitting arenas and pavilions as we speak, we consider it a worthwhile task to check out this year’s sponsors—the companies that will get heavy promotion on-site (the huge inflatable Yoo-Hoo bottle springs to mind) and thus capitalize on the large crowd’s woefully misguided view of rebellion. This year’s gaggle includes Vans (obviously), record labels like Nitro, Fat Wreck Chords and Victory, as well as noted alternative clothing store Hot Topic.