Bamboozle 2009: Day 1

Journey cover band

Being a teenager isn't easy—nor is picking out the appropriate faux rebellious T-shirt/fashion statement ("Fuck swine flu" proved this year’s trump card). The Bamboozle, which took place at the Meadowlands parking lot Saturday, continuing Sunday, was all about faux rebellion; finding an actual "punk" band at the so-called punk festival proved difficult (wait...we see you, Rise Against!). Instead, the 100+ bands were spread amongst every known permeation of pop, from chart-topping headliners (Fall Out Boy) to peppy emo grandfathers (Get Up Kids) to a rejuvenation of ‘90s alternative radio fodder (Third Eye Blind). Also well represented: hip-hop, from Eminem-lite Asher Roth (a great crowd overshadowed college boy's tedious set) to the booty beats of LMFAO. And the surprise guest? A Journey cover band, which got the kids swaying to "Separate Ways," "Faithfully" and "Don't Stop Believin'." The resulting singalong proved that, hey, underneath the ‘80s headbands, inappropriate belly shirts and f-you disease T's (cancer also got the finger), the kids just worship Steve Perry. Real or not.

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