PRS at the 2016 Vans Warped Tour!

Another summer means another Warped Tour! If you haven’t heard of Warped Tour, we’ll help get you up to speed!

Vans Warped Tour presented by Journeys is a traveling music festival that tours multiple cities throughout the US. It began in 1995 and quickly became the largest traveling music festival in the United States.

This summer’s tour will hit 41 cities, starting in Dallas, Texas on June 24th and ending in Portland, Oregon on August 13th! Thousands of music fans around the US attend Warped Tour to see their favorite bands, and this year there will be more than 80 music acts performing across Warped’s 7 stages.

All along the way, PRS will be a part of the action! We’re now in our third year as an official sponsor, and for 2016 we’re excited to be an official acoustic and electric guitar sponsor!

So, where will you see PRS? First and foremost, on stage! Here’s a closer look at the PRS artists performing at this year’s Warped Tour:

Artist: Braden Barrie

PRS Models Played: SE Angelus, Private Stock Angelus

Bio

Every once in a while an artist comes along who makes music so heartfelt and relatable that he or she become an instant sensation in the underground community – and that can certainly be said of 21 year old Canadian singer/songwriter Braden Barrie, who has been playing under the name SayWeCanFly since 2009.

While SayWeCanFly has previously released four EPs, the Darling EP features his strongest material to date and also sees him expanding on the stripped-down instrumentation he's utilized in the past. "I think just because of how these specific songs were written they needed some heavier instruments to really amplify the feelings I put into them," he explains. "Acoustic music will forever be my passion and it will always come down to just me and my acoustic guitar, but I like expressing certain songs in different ways in the studio." This articulate aggression is illustrated in bittersweet songs like "High School" which illustrates how angry the world can make Barrie at times. "I definitely call out the system in that one," he explains. "The whole theme of this EP seems to be the journey through our darkness trying to find that little spark that makes us feel like we're okay."

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Artist: Mason Gainer

PRS Models Played: S2 Mira Semi-Hollow, S2 Custom 24, Archon

Quote

“I’ve been playing PRS since I started playing. My Mira is light and looks killer, and the Mira and Archon combo gives me the tone and sound I want live – which is what it is all about” – Mason Gainer

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Artist: Billy Martin

PRS Models Played: SE Billy Martin

Bio

Billy Martin is best known as the lead guitarist and keyboard player for the multi-platinum selling band Good Charlotte. He has been splitting his passion for music and art professionally for more than a decade. His art can been seen in Good Charlotte's album art, stage design and merchandise. Billy ran his own clothing line, Level 27, for ten years featuring his goth/horror themed art before he decided to close the line to further his art in the illustration world. Billy has worked for Disney, Upper Deck/Marvel Trading Cards, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, BOOM! Ent. and SLG Comics.

In early 2016, Good Charlotte officially revealed their plans for a brand new studio album due for release near the end of this year, and it's being described as somewhat of a throwback release. The new album serves as a follow-up to 2010's Cardiology, marking the band's first new music in six years, and if it's anything like the band's 2002 album The Young and the Hopeless, pop-punk fans everywhere are sure to rejoice.

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Artist: Dave Baksh

PRS Models Played: S2 Custom 22 Semi-Hollow, Singlecut 250

Bio

Dave "Brownsound" Baksh was born in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, and was heavily influenced by the bands Anthrax, Megadeth, and Metallica, which motivated him to play music. Baksh is best known as the lead guitarist of punk rock band Sum 41. Baksh left the band for nine years, but returned in 2015 after frontman, Deryck Whibley contacted him to discuss a reunion. Now that the news about Brownsound’s return is out, Whibley and the rest of Sum 41—whose lineup also features guitarist/vocalist Tom Thacker, bassist/vocalist Jason “Cone” McCaslin and drummer Frank Zummo -- can turn their attention to making a new album (pre-orders are up now via PledgeMusic) and getting back on the road.

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Artist: Jack Fowler

PRS Model Played: S2 Singlecut

Quote

“The S2 Singlecut is such an amazing guitar, it does everything I need from loud rock and roll to rolled back poppy songs. Definitely something I'll be using from here on out!” - Jack Fowler

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Artist: Louis Malpeli

PRS Model Played: S2 Mira

Bio

Writing and recording their first track ‘Wasting Time’ in just a few short hours, singer Okan Kazdal and guitarist Louie Malpeli knew they created something special. With the addition of drummer Mike Pittelli, This Is All Now is complete.

Following the releases of Supernova EP, Live It Up EP, and their debut full length Nightmare, This Is All Now has just released their fourth studio record, Homecoming.

The new album Homecoming was produced by ZK Productions, who have also produced and co-written records for the likes of Mayday Parade, All Time Low, and Cartel. The album’s lead single ’24 Hour Nights’ features Jason Lancaster and is what FuseTV says is a “Song of the Summer contender!”

The band has had previous successes sharing the stage with acts including Fifth Harmony, Avril Lavigne, The All American Rejects, Against The Current, and Set It Off.

With their fresh sound and insanely energetic live set, a bright future is ahead for This Is All Now.

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Here are some other places you’ll see PRS at Warped Tour!

Reverse The Trend Tent

Reverse The Trend is an Anti-Bullying concert and assembly created by the young band Reverse Order to help combat the rise of bullying across America. Anyone who makes a donation to the cause will be entered to win a PRS S2 Vela signed by many of the Warped Tour bands!

TEI Tent

The Entertainment Institute (TEI) will be hosting a series of workshops during the Vans Warped Tour. The workshops are small group sessions where fans can hear their favorite artists giving instrument lessons in addition to chatting about touring, life, music, and more! PRS instruments will be used during these sessions!

Alternative Press Tent

Alternative Press magazine will be on site at Warped Tour hosting artist signings at each Warped Tour date! Catch PRS artists during their signing times, grab a free PRS button or cinch bag, and take a gander at the PRS guitars on display at the AP tent!

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See you at Warped! If you can't make it to Warped Tour this year, check out the Warped Live Webcast and our blog for content!