Most musicians on tour began as fans, bonding over the music, the fun and the inevitable heat.

For many, the Vans Warped tour is a necessary rite of passage. Often referred to as "punk-rock summer camp," the tour began in 1994 and most musicians on tour began as fans, bonding over the music, the fun and the inevitable heat, a heat that was especially obvious at the St. Louis stop July 1.

"We've been going five years now, but this is our first playing it," We the Kings drummer Danny Duncan said.

Lead singer Travis Clark added, "We all walk around going, ‘Which band are we going to see next?' the same way we were when we showed up with tickets."

"Warning: our music might make you dance," Nothing Less lead singer Tim Waters said, offering headphones and a CD player to individuals waiting to get into the show. Some bands tag along on tour without the promise of a stage, playing acoustic sets from merch tents and walking the lines at the beginning of the day, like Columbus, Ohio's Nothing Less and All Left Out from Auckland, New Zealand. Often times, merchandise sales pay directly for gas and other road expenses for these bands

For some new acts, such as Farewell, signed to Epitaph Records, this is their first time playing as a billed act.

"It is our first time actually playing on tour," guitarist Will Andrews said. "We've played a couple of times, when they were just in North Carolina, one or two shows. But, this is our first time actually being on the tour. We're on until the July 23 Boston date, so we still have a ways to go."

For Japanese ska band Oreska, it is their fifth time in the United States, but their first time on the Warped Tour. "It's hard to meet other bands because of the language barrier," trombone player Leader said through a translator. "But we watch each other's sets and we support each other through our music."

For seasoned veterans Eric Roberts and Matt McGinley from Gym Class Heroes, though, Warped Tour has become a frequent, comfortable pastime. "I think the catering's better this year," bassist Eric Roberts said.

"Quality of food or length of line?" drummer Matt McGinley asked.

"Definitely quality of food. Length of line never really goes away," Roberts responded, laughing.

With over 900 people on the tour this year, bands and crew combined, the lines really do not ever go away. However, one thing remains true: For all the bands, whether newbies or veterans, Warped Tour is a great opportunity to get music to the fans, meet other bands and rock hard. Here's what some of the bands on tour are doing this year, whether it's new albums, new lineups or just new outlooks on life.

We the Kings

As four fresh-faced guys from Bradenton, Fla., We the Kings is excited to be out on their first Warped Tour, playing shows and promoting their new self-titled disc.

"It's going well. None of us are that sunburnt yet," redhead and lead singer Travis Clark said, laughing. "You know, we've heard these horror stories of Warped Tour from all our friends' bands, but you know, we're Florida kids, so this is easy for us."

Not only have they accomplished making it onto the Warped Tour, but they have also checked off a couple other things on their to-do list.

"We got on the radio, which was a goal to do the whole Wonders-hear-yourself-on-the-radio kind of thing. We made a music video, which is awesome and it's getting a lot of play on TV. We've toured, but we want to see Japan, Australia and the rest of Europe. It'd be cool to have a gold record or something like that hanging up in our house," Clark said.

"Oh, and we all want to buy a castle! One giant castle with a moat and live Florida alligators. It has to be in Bradenton, though," they all agreed, laughing.

Most of all, the guys emphasize the importance of being in a band with their best friends.

"We were always like, ‘Oh, we're going to make it big' and all that. You know, childhood dream stuff. But, it was never to the point where we wanted to bring an awesome guitarist in or sweet lead singer or something. We were all friends hanging out and playing. It's all about friends. If you don't have good friends out on the road, it's pointless. Find your best friends, play in a band, and if you make it, that's great, but if you don't, you will still have the best time of your lives," Clark said.

After the Warped Tour, the boys plan on going on a co-headlining tour with The Academy Is... in the United Kingdom.