“It’ll be fun to be outside, and play in front of a bunch of people,” says Head of their planned two-week stint with the festival—his first experience with Warped since joining the band in 2007. “It’s not going to be how everyone’s experience is with Warped Tour, being super long and no showers and stuff.”

Kline fondly remembers the tour from five years ago. “It wasn’t so much a fraternity house. Maybe a little bit summer camp. It was sort of like a whole season of school. You were really excited, you went and you met new people. But it’s also like, ‘Ohh, I’m so tired!’ And by the end, you can’t wait for it to be over, and then it’s over and you’re like, ‘Oh, that was great!’”

A lot has changed for the band since they last graced a Warped stage. Last November, after a split with their longtime label, Drive-Thru Records, Hellogoodbye released their sophomore album Would It Kill You? via their own imprint, Wasted Summer. Both Kline and Head agree the shift has allowed them greater freedom in making and distributing their music. “We make a song that we like, we put it out. There’s no ‘demo for a few more months,’” says Head, relief in his voice.

“We haven’t officially planned anything yet, but we’re talking about a day when we can just give our record away,” adds Kline.

While Hellogoodbye aren’t quite ready to hand out free tunes to the masses, they are using their newfound flexibility to release more music, more often. Currently, the band are busy prepping an EP— and while they’re coy about specific details, they do promise a sound that’s “a little bit sexier than the last record.” Future shows could involve mood lighting and slow dancing… “or grinding!” laughs Kline.

As the band members have grown up, swapping vocoders for acoustic guitars and an established indie label for a more homegrown approach, they’ve watched their fans grow up as well. And while their style and sound may have been developing since they were teenagers, their fanbase now extends far beyond the schoolyard. “When you’re 19 and there are 16-year-olds at the show, that’s fine. But when you’re 27 and there are 14-year-olds at the show, that’s a no-go,” says Kline.

Although the band loves their fans of all ages, even keeping in touch with them via a frequently updated Q&A section on their website, Head agrees with Kline’s assessment. “We’re actually gaining older fans, which is nice. It just feels better to play to people you can relate to on some level.”

In song, Kline and Head are able to tap into their youthful sides. However, doing the same in real life hasn’t always garnered the best results. “Last summer, we tried to take up skateboarding. We all got hurt and realized we were too old to skate,” recounts Head. “Some kids at the skate park asked us if we were too old to be skateboarding.”

“If a 10-year-old asks if you’re too old to skateboard, you’re like, ‘Yes, I am,’” cracks Kline.

Hellogoodbye have come a long way since their formation a decade ago—evolving from youthful start-up to power-pop stalwarts. And while alternative sports may be off the table, Kline isn’t beyond a bit of reflection on past identity. “I liked high school and I liked all the people there, but I just hated waking up. I don’t know what advice I could have given to myself at that time. I still hate waking up! ‘I’m with you, buddy!’” Kline laughs. “I probably wouldn’t have listened anyway. Even to myself. ‘Screw you, old man! You’re clearly old! What are you, like 57?’ I would have been like, ‘No! I’m visiting you from 10 years in the future!’”

Where will Hellogoodbye be 10 years from now? No one—- except perhaps Kline’s alt-dimension self—- can tell for certain, though no matter how time progresses, their sense of humor is sure to follow. R