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NEPA Singer Making Name in NYC
By Michael Meade
Posted 1/5/10 12:00PM EST
 
Scranton Pennsylvania native Hollis "Holly" Mahady has been singing solo and in various bands for about seven years. After graduating from college, Holly moved to New York City in the quest to attain her dream of rock stardom; and with the recent reformation of her namesake band Hollis, Ms. Mahady is closer than ever!
 
After a few false starts, Hollis is back and at it's strongest since the original line up formed in 2005 from the cover band Mr. Pink, as they jumped from covers to original songs.


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Hollis L-R: Hash, Holly, Mike, Roland - Courtesy Hollis



Hollis, through it's three incarnations, has played legendary venues such as the late CBGB, The Continental, and Kenny's Castaways in New York City; and The Viper Room and Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. They've also played several regional favorites including Crocodile Rock Cafe and The Sterling Hotel both in Allentown PA, The Front Row in Stroudsburg PA, The Library Bar in Brooklyn New York, and most recently Southpaw in New York City with The Queers.
 
Hollis has also shared the stage with a wide range of incredible bands and artists including Alexa Ray Joel, Fosterchild (featuring Kevin Miller of Fuel), Brett Scallions of Fuel, Quiet Riot (almost a year to the day before Kevin DuBrow's untimely death), and Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club to name a few.
 
Besides her vocal skills, Holly is also a talented guitarist, harpist*, and pianist. Hating to stand still on stage, Holly has recently added a keytar to her musical arsenal. Finally being able to utilize her ability on the keys, while still being a kinetic ball of chaotic Rock 'n' Roll energy!
Headbanging, stage diving, crowd surfing, jumping, screaming, climbing on whatever fixtures she can reach, and the time honored tradition of leading the crowd in a sing-song chant of "1... 2... FUCK YOU" are all Mahady mainstays. And there has yet to be an audience that hasn't loved every second of it, including this writer.
Holly's greatest strength in performing, next to her musical abilities of course, is how she can pump up the audience in this way, it makes them feel a part of the fun instead of making their own fun out of observing.
 


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Top L-R: Hash, Mike, Roland. Center: Holly. Center Front: Holly's Keytar. Courtesy Hollis


Rounding out Hollis is Queens NY native Mike Klein on guitar, Mike is also an award winning composer and producer. Brooklynite Hash is on bass, playing music since age six, he discovered bass guitar at twelve. Hash's inspiration comes from his uncle, Sekou Bunch, who played with Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, and Tom Brown. On drums is Roland, with over twenty years of experience under his belt, he began playing drums at the ripe old age of four. Roland has performed on different occasions with several "big name" bands including hed P.E. and N Sync.
 
Beginning January 12 2010 Hollis is undertaking a nine day tour of Hollywood! Stops include this year's Winter NAMM Show** in Anaheim, The Whiskey A-Go-Go, and hi jinks in Disneyland are planned.
 
World you better keep an eye and both ears peeled, because here comes HOLLIS!
 
For full tour schedule and other show dates, as well as a listen to demos from Hollis's upcoming EP, check out www.myspace.com/hollisrules.




 
 
*Harp referring to harmonica, for those thinking of the ancient string instrument.
**NAMM is the trade association of the music products (musical instruments and equipment) industry.

 

Peter Steele Passes at 48
By Michael Meade
Posted 2:55PM EST 4/15/10

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Peter Steele

Peter Steele, lead singer of Type O Negative, died of apparent heart failure overnight from April 14 - April 15 2010. Steele was plagued by health problems since 2004 when Type O Negative was forced to cancel a tour on account of Steele's need to be tested for "medical anomalies"  found during a routine medical check.
 
To pay respects to the band and family please visit Type O Negative's website.

 

The Bamboozle Roadshow hits Philly hard in June
By Michael Meade
Posted 5/17/10 2:54PM EST

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The Bamboozle Roadshow is coming to Philidelphia this June with one of the most impressive line ups yet in the Bamboozle Festival's history.
 
The Roadshow this year features:
Third Eye Blind, All Time Low, Boy Like Girls, LMFAO, Good Charlotte, Hanson, A Cursive Memory, Cady Groves, Cartel, Drive A, Forever The Sickest Kids, Great Big Planes, Hellogoodbye, Mercy Mercedes, Shwayze, Simple Plan, Stereo Skyline, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vedera, Vita Chambers.
 
Bamboozle is hitting the brakes to stop at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing in Philidelphia Pennsylvania on Sunday June 20th, the set breakdown for the day has not been released yet but regardless of the order it's going to be an awesome day!
 
For those in Pennsylvania that can't make the Philly stop, Bamboozle is also making stops in Pittsburgh on Wednesday June 23 at the Amphitheatre at Station Square, and in Hershey on Friday June 25 at the Hershey Park Pavilion and Stadium.
 
The Bamboozle Roadshow kicks off Friday May 21 in Colombia, Maryland and runs through Sunday June 27 with the last stop in Boston, Massachusetts.
 
Here's the full calendar (line up alternates daily):

May 21 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion – All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 22 – Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheatre @ The Music Factory – All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 23 – Atlanta, GA – Six Flags Over Georgia - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 25 – West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 26 – Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 28 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theatre (No 2nd Stage) -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Six Flags Fiesta Texas -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

May 30 – Arlington, TX – Six Flags Over Texas -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Cricket Amphitheatre   - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, 3OH!3, Cobra Starship, Good Charlotte, Travie McKoy, Forever The Sickest Kids, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, I Fight Dragons, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set

 

June 5 – Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord – All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Shwayze, A Cursive Memory, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 6 – Chula Vista, CA – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – Parking Lot -- All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Shwayze, A Cursive Memory, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, The Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 10 – Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze Plaza – All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Readt Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 11 – Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 12 – Chicago, IL- Soldier Field - Parking Lot - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Cadt Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 13 – Eureka, MO – Six Flags St. Louis - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 15 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 18 – Cleveland, OH – Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre @ Tower City - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 19 – Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion @ Riverbend Music Center - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 20 – Philadelphia, PA – Festival Pier @ Penn’s Landing - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vita Chambers

 

June 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Amphitheatre @ Station Square - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vedera, Vita Chambers

 

June 24 – Jackson, NJ – Six Flags Great Adventure  - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set,  Vedera, Vita Chambers

 

June 25 – Hershey, PA – Hershey Park Pavilion & Stadium - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vedera, Vita Chambers

 

June 26 – Nassau, NY – Nassau Coliseum - Parking Lot - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vedera, Vita Chambers

 

June 27 – Boston, MA - Comcast Center - All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Cady Groves, Great Big Planes, Mercy Mercedes, Stereo Skyline, The Ready Set, Vedera, Vita Chambers

 
For Tickets visit Bamboozle's webpage here.

Bamboozle Roadshow bamboozles City of Brotherly Love
By Michael Meade
Posted 6/29/10 11:00PM EST

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The third year of the Bamboozle Roadshow began on May 21 and is running until June 27, included in this year’s line up was All Time Low, Third Eye Blind, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Hanson, The Ready Set, Great Big Planes, Cady Groves, Cartel, Mercy Mercedes, Hellogoodbye, The Downtown Fiction, Drive A, Vita Chambers, and Stereo Skyline. On June 2 the Roadshow joined with The Too Fast For Love Tour featuring 3OH!3, Cobra Starship, and Travie McKoy for one day combined performance.

On Sunday June 20 Bamboozle came to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to rock Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, and despite being the hottest as well as last day of spring the bands did their best to show Philly a good time. The second stage was geared up to start the day off with Drive A, Mercy Mercedes, Vita Chambers, Great Big Planes, Cady Groves, Stereo Skyline, and The Ready Set.

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Great Big Planes - Photo: Michael Meade

Great Big Planes had the crowd swaying with their music, bringing couples together for hand holding and public cuddle sessions in spite of the day’s intense heat. Also throwing in a few up tempo party songs to get the people pumped. Cady kept the front of the stage mobbed with fans from beginning to end of her set, the cute popster with depth displays a maturity in her lyrics that shows an old soul; certain overexposed pop princesses could learn a lot from Ms. Groves. While The Ready Set later got the audience jumping with a few attempts at crowd surfing that didn’t take. The Ready Set brainchild Jordan Witzigreuter and his backing band kept the fans gathered around the second stage jamming to the twenty year old singer’s groove laden alt pop compositions. The second stage was the center of attention from noon until four when the main stage took center stage.

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Courtesy Coca Cola

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Cady Groves - Photo: Deborah Meade

In between second stage sets though, focus fell on the Coca Cola Swelter Stopper tent with its Coke sampling station, frosty photo booth, DJ, and band meet and greet ticket giveaways. The Swelter Stopper remained a force to be reckoned with for crowd draw throughout the day as people wanted to stay cool and try for a shot at meeting their favorite acts.

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Coca Cola Swelter Stopper - Photo: Michael Meade

Competing for attention with the Swelter Stopper between sets was of course the merch tent! Partly for the chance to meet the bands that were visiting their booths and partly for the air conditioning, at the height of the day’s heat wave the tent was impossible to walk through as people crammed in as much as they could; many taking up residency on the floor until their favorite bands were on stage.

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To Write Love on Her Arms booth - Photo: Deborah Meade

Standing out from the usual suspects of tables full of band shirts and other souvenirs was the booth for To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit organization dedicated to instilling hope and finding aid for depression, addiction, self inflicted injury, and suicide. Began in 2006 as an attempt to help a friend in need, To Write Love on Her Arms started by telling a story of pain and hope, addiction and getting clean, finding freedom and a better life. T-shirts sold through Myspace to pay for treatment for their was just the beginning for the organization, over the years TWLOHA has been in operation they’ve responded to over 80,000 messages reaching out to them for help from 40 different countries.

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Forever The Sickest Kids - Photo: Michael Meade

At four the main stage queued up and all eyes and ears were peeled for Forever The Sickest Kids, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Third Eye Blind, LMFAO, Boys Like Girls, and All Time Low. Forever The Sickest Kids started the main stage off right, coming out swinging and revving the gathered people back up and making them forget the heat as the sun beat down in its last hours. Water bottles and beach balls flew threw the air from the first cheer to the last cheer for FTSK, the first band to finally inspire people to really dance and cut loose in the hundred degree sun that beset Philly all day long. Despite the heat Forever The Sickest Kids kept pumping the crowd and themselves up to make the first performance on the main stage a hit.

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Simple Plan took the main stage next, keeping the energy FTSK generated by kicking off their set with “I’d Do Anything” to cheers and the audience joining the band for each verse. Later lead singer Pierre Bouvier prompted the crowd to sing along with the band for “Welcome to My Life”, and organized the one for “Addicted”. Regrettably Simple Plan didn’t include “I’m Just a Kid”. Cheers rang loud for Simple Plan as they finished their 20 minute set, they really gave the Roadshow goers one of the highest energy and most fun shows of the day.

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Simple Plan - Photos: Michael Meade

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Good Charlotte - Photo: Michael Meade

Good Charlotte kicked off Happy Hour with “The Anthem”, which also brought the first mosh pit of this stop of the Bamboozle Roadshow. Further moshing and crowd surfing continued through GC’s stage time, as well as water bottle fights and plastic beer bottle tossing. Surprisingly the fiercest mosh pit broke out during one of Good Charlotte’s only pop oriented songs “Dance Floor Anthem (I Don’t Want to Be in Love)”, while their ending song, also their breakout single, “Life Styles of The Rich and Famous” only inspired mild slam dancing and more crowd surfing than any other song all day. At one point Caleb Turman (lead guitarist of FTSK) joined GC on stage to play along with Benji Madden. In between songs, Benji and Joel Madden worked the crowd up with jokes, a few tour stories, and brotherly comedy.

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Third Eye Blind - Photo: M. Meade

Seven o’clock saw Third Eye Blind taking the stage to a roar of cheers from devoted fans, which only grew louder as front man Stephan Jenkins donned a top hat and urged the crowd to enjoy the last day of spring and welcome summer in. He then continued in this train of thought for the people to make it the best summer of their lives and to live fearless lives. 3eb’s set included “Jumper”, “Never Let You Go”, “How’s It Going to Be”, and of course “Semi-Charmed Life”. “Semi-Charmed Life” flowed for about ten minutes as the band drifted into other songs after the bridge, and then left the stage leaving drummer Brad Hargreaves to perform a five minute drum and percussion solo. Jenkins and new comers Kryz Reid (guitar) and Abe Millet (bass) returned to the stage for a powerful finish to “Semi-Charmed Life” and ended the set with a few songs from from 3eb’s current album “Ursa Major”.

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Stephan Jenkins - Photo: M. Meade

The Bamboozle Roadshow was then finished out by the hip-hop/rap/comedy styling of LMFAO, the soulful pop of Boys Like Girls, and the pop punk of All Time Low. The roar of the crowd for each could be heard far outside Festival Pier, even beyond Spring Garden Street. Whether the Roadshow bamboozled anyone can’t be said for certain, but it definitely left fans happy they braved the intense heat. The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010’s Philadelphia stop made every bit of sunburn worth it.
 
 
 
 

Drive A is Bruno Mascolo (vocals, guitar), Jason Nott (guitar, vocals), Cody Root (drums), Taylor Knowles (bass), find them at www.myspace.com/drivea.
Mercy Mercedes is Nate Smith (vocals), $B-Real$ (lead guitar, vocals), Ben Carter (guitar, vocals), Tom Donahue (bass), and Mike Arnette (drums), find them at www.myspace.com/mercymercedes.  
Vita Chambers can be found at www.myspace.com/vitachambers.  
Great Big Planes is Josh Moran, Patrick Campion, and Chad Sabo, find them at www.myspace.com/greatbigplanes.  
Cady Groves can be found at www.myspace.com/cadygroves.  
Stereo Skyline is Kevin, Brian, Rob, and Clayton, find at www.myspace.com/stereoskyline.
The Ready Set is Jordan Witzigreuter backed for live performances by Andy Snyder (bass) and Travis Roundtree (drums), find The Ready Set at www.myspace.com/thereadyset.  
Forever The Sickest Kids is Johnathan (vocals), Caleb (guitar, vocals), Marc (guitar), Austin (bass, vocals), Kent (piano, synth), and Kyle (drums); find them at www.myspace.com/foreverthesickestkids.  
Simple Plan is Pierre Bouvier (vocals), Chuck Comeau (drums, backing vocals), Dave Desrosiers (bass, backing vocals), Sebastian Lefebvre (lead guitar), find them at www.myspace.com/simpleplan.  
Good Charlotte is Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Billy Martin, Paul Thomas, and Dean Butterworth; find them at www.myspace.com/goodcharlotte.
Third Eye Blind is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), Brian Hargreaves (drums, percussion), Kryz Reid (guitar), and Abe Millet (bass); find them at www.myspace.com/thirdeyeblind.  
LMFAO is Redfoo (Stefan Gordy) and Sky Blu (Skyler Gordy), find them at www.myspace.com/lmfao.  
Boys Like Girls is Martin Johnson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Paul DiGiovanni (lead guitar, backing vocals), Bryan Donahue (bass, backing vocals), and John Keefe (drums); find them at www.myspace.com/boyslikegirls.  
All Time Low is Alex Gaskarth (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jack Barakat (lead guitar), Zack Merrick (bass, backing vocals), and Rian Dawson (drums, percussion); find them at www.alltimelow.com.  

And now courtesy of Coca Cola here are interviews and special performances from the stars of the 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow!

All Time Low interview in the Coca Cola Swelter Stopper

All Time Low Acoustic Performances


"Damned If I Do"


"Dear Maria"


"Weightless"

Boys Like Girls acoustic perfomances

"The Great Escape"


"Two is Better than One"


"Love Drunk"



Warpage set to Warp Plaid at Montage Mountain
By Michael Meade
Posted 7/28/10 1:00PM EST
 
 
The 2010 Vans Warped Tour hit the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton Pennsylvania on Thursday July 15 2010 for a day of revelry and great music to a crowd of thousands. Despite the heat of the day the grounds of Montage were filled with fans, street team members, vendors, even monks! Summer at the Warped Tour was never better than it was this summer in Scranton. Spread around the Toyota Pavilion’s grounds were the seven stages of the 2010 Warped Tour including the Stewart Teggart Main stage, the Altec Lansing Stage, the Skull Candy Stage, the Glamour Kills Stage, the AP Advent Stage, the Kia Kevin Says Stage, and the Ernie Ball Stage.

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Hosted on these stages for the Scranton stop were: Motion City Soundtrack, Bring Me The Horizon, We The Kings, Face to Face, Bouncing Souls (their last day on the Warped Tour), Alkaline Trio, Reel Big Fish, Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Andrew W.K., The All American Rejects, Attack Attack, Parkway Drive, Emmure, Whitechapel, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, You me at Six, Hey Monday, Breathe Carolina, Pierce the Veil, Suicide Silence, Confide, AM Taxi, Of Mice and Men, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, We Are The In Crowd, Call The Cops, After Midnight Project, In Fear and Faith, Breathe Electric, Far From Finished, Fight Fair, I Can Make a Mess.. (Ace Enders), Alesana, The Summer Set, VersaEmerge, Sparks The Rescue, Sum 41, I See Stars, Enter Shikari, Artist Vs. Poet, The Cab, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Casualties, Polar Bear Club, The Rocket Summer, The Pretty Reckless, NeverShoutNever, Fake Problems, Anarbor, Mike Posner, The Heisman Hopefuls, Kelsey and The Chaos, Left Alone, Dr. Madvibes, Set Phasers to Stun, Middle Finger Salute, Gardening Not Architecture, The Bigger Lights, Automatic Loveletter, The Mighty Regis, The Flatliners, Flatfoot 56, The Downtown Fiction, Motionless in White, A Clear Blur, Kaeyo, An Oceans Glance, Terror on The Screen, The Groundbreaking Ceremony, Eyes Set to Kill, The Sparring, Riverboat Gamblers, Closure in Moscow, The Swellers, Emarosa, Mayday Parade, Dinner and a Suit.

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Motion City Soundtrack - Photo: Peter Yang

The 11 o’clock hour saw performances by Motion City Soundtrack on the Teggart Main stage, Attack Attack on the Altec Lansing Stage, The Cab on the AP Advent Stage, The Heisman Hopefuls on the Kia Kevin Says Stage, Confide on the Skull Candy Stage, A Clear Blur on the Ernie Ball Stage, and I Can Make a Mess.. (Ace Enders) on the Glamour Kills Stage. Motion City Soundtrack kicked off the day with their alternative flavored songs that including hits “A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)”and “Her Words Destroyed My Planet”. During their set MCS took time to plug their latest promotion, The Give A Little Help Campaign*; a contest where MCS gives $3,500 to three lucky winners to be used for a charity of their choosing.

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Alesana - Photo: Michael Meade

Noon heralded Bring Me The Horizon on the Teggart Main stage, Kelsey and The Chaos and Left Alone on the Kia Kevin Says stage, Parkway Drive on the Altec Lansing Stage, AM Taxi on the Skull Candy Stage, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band on the AP Advent Stage, Kaeyo on the Ernie Ball Stage, and Alesana on the Glamour Kills Stage. Alesana turned the Glamour Kills Stage into a showcase of hardcore fury and brought about the first circle pit of the day TLR! was witness to. The crowd stayed on the edge of frenzy for Alesana until the end of their set, with thunderous applause for the inclusion of a young punk from the crowd on vocals for their second to last song.

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Amethyst Jeans Giveaway - Photo: Michael Meade

The first long line in the vendor section wasn’t for a band meet and greet as would be expected at Warped Tour, no it was in fact for Amethyst Jeans’ Denim Tour Jean Giveaway. Amethyst Jeans has been touring with Warped for all of their 2010 stops and will be until the conclusion of the tour. The line for the 1PM giveaway was at least 100 deep and growing as people signed up right to the last second for a chance at a free pair of jeans from Amethyst, and there were a few fights that came close to breaking out over the free Amethyst t-shirts randomly tossed to the crowd during the giveaway. Even some hardcore skate punks wandered over from the Vans Skate Ramp to see if they could score during the product toss. Amethyst Jeans gave away well over 500 pairs of their jeans at the top of every hour from twelve noon until five.

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We The Kings - Photo: Michael Meade

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The Summer Set - Photo: Michael Meade

Meanwhile We The Kings were keeping the crowd amped during the height of the day’s heat for their 1PM performance on the Stewart Teggart Main stage. Couples dancing during We The Kings’ romantic numbers, beach balls flying through the crowd, people on each other’s shoulders; all the sights that make you think of a summer concert all taking place in a half hour set. We The Kings kept their performance on high throughout their set with hits like “Check Yes Juliet”, “All Again For You”, amongst others. The hour also heard sets from Emmure on the Altec Lansing Stage, Of Mice and Men on the Skull Candy Stage, Dr. Madvibes and Set Phasers to Stun on the Kia Kevin Says Stage, Terror on the Screen on the Ernie Ball Stage, The Casualties on the AP Advent Stage, and The Summer Set on the Glamour Kills Stage. The Summer Set jammed out their indie/pop sound to the support of their fans while earning a lot of new fans in the Scranton area. The crowd was serenaded with Summer Set songs that included “The Boys You Do (Get Back At You)”, “Young”, and “Close To Me”. The Summer Set sports solid musicianship across the board, and vocals; that despite their pop pep are enjoyable. Drums stand out particularly well thanks to drummer Jess Bowen’s jamming prowess; she provides a solid backbone to The Summer Set’s sound.

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Jess Bowen of The Summer Set - Photo: Michael Meade

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VersaEmerge - Photo: Michael Meade

Hour four of Warped Tour held Face To Face on the Teggart Main stage, Four Year Strong on the Altec Lansing Stage, Polar Bear Club on the AP Advent Stage, The Ground Breaking Ceremony and Eyes Set To Kill on the Ernie Ball Stage, Middle Finger Salute on the Kia Kevin Says Stage, VersaEmerge on the Glamour Kills Stage, and Tomorrows Bad Seeds on the Skull Candy Stage. VersaEmerge was definitely the stand out band of the relatively up and coming acts featured on the Glamour Kills Stage this year, keeping the crowd’s attention rapt and focused on their performance with experimental alt-pop songs, including the title song of their current album “Fixed At Zero”.

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Sierra of VersaEmerge - Photo: Michael Meade

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Tomorrows Bad Seeds - Photo: Meade

Tomorrows Bad Seeds also kept the crowd entranced at the Skull Candy Stage with their fusion of rock, reggae, and ska. Dancing, a small circle pit, and deep grooves colored TBS’s set, proving to be a definite favorite on the Skull Candy Stage; Tomorrows Bad Seeds was truly one of the best bands playing the two o’clock hour on any stage of the Warped Tour with “Uplift”, “Only For You”, and “Warrior Poet”. TBS also spent time signing and greeting fans in the official tent for the Lion’s Gate feature film The Expendables; TBS was chosen to be their official Warped Tour liaisons.

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Alkaline Trio - Photo: Michael Meade

The halfway point of the day had jamming sets from Alkaline Trio, Set Your Goals, Sparks The Rescue, The Rocket Summer, Call The Cops Gardening Not Architechure, and The Sparring. Each respectively played the Teggart Main stage, the Altec Lansing Stage, the Glamour Kills Stage, the AP Advent Stage, the Skull Candy Stage, the Kia Kevin Says Stage, and the Ernie Ball Stage. Alkaline Trio inspired a wave of crowd surfing larger than any other band on the Main stage excepting The All American Rejects and Andrew W.K. Joining them on stage was Bouncing Souls guitarist Pete Steinkopf as a goodbye to the 2010 Warped Tour.

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Pete Steinkopf - Photo: Michael Meade

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Reel Big Fish - Photo: Meade

The four o’clock slots had Reel Big Fish on the Teggart Stage, You me at Six on the Altec Lansing Stage, After Midnight Project on the Skull Candy Stage, Automatic Loveletter on the Kia Kevin Says Stage, Sum 41 on the Glamour Kills Stage, The Pretty Reckless on the AP Advent Stage, The Riverboat Gamblers and Closure in Moscow on the Ernie Ball Stage. Reel Big Fish was in fine form for their 2010 Warped appearance, as soon as the applause for their entrance died down, the band waved at the crowd and thanked them for an awesome and walked off stage… the running gag for their whole set. Crowd surfing, circle dancing, jumping around, and mild hysteria ensued among Reel Big Fish’s longtime fans; culminating when the band played their biggest hits “Sell Out” and “Beer”. Though “She Has A Girlfriend Now” garnered a loud uproar from several ladies throughout the crowd. Reel Big Fish gathered together one of the larger crowds the Teggart Mainstage saw for the day, showing that real fans don’t care how often a band charts (which in Reel Big Fish’s case is not enough, due to the decline in popularity of ska on mainstream radio). Automatic Loveletter’s set on the Kia Kevin Says Stage drew quite a crowd as well, keeping the people jamming in the afternoon heat with Juliet Simms’ awesome vocals serving as focal point to their alt/indie-pop sound.

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Aaron Barret - Photo Michael Meade

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Anarbor - Photo: Michael Meade

Happy Hour sported performances from Dillinger Escape Plan on the Teggart Stage, Hey Monday on the Altec Lansing Stage, In Fear and Faith on the Skull Candy Stage, The Mighty Regis on the Kia Kevin Says Stage, I See Stars on the Glamour Kills Stage, Never Shout Never on the AP Advent Stage, and The Swellers on the Ernie Ball Stage. Hey Monday lit the Altec Lansing more than the sun with their brand of powerpop, waking the audience up from the beating sun reaching a new level of scorching as the day drew closer to sunset. The front of the stage was jammed deep and tight by fans wanting a closer look at the quartet during their set; including “Hey You Love Me Now”, “Wish You Were Here”, and “Run Don’t Walk”.

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Andrew W.K. - Photo: Meade

The final hours of the Scranton stop of Warped Tour featured Every Time I Die, Andrew W.K., and The All American Rejects on the Teggart Main stage; Breathe Carolina, Pierce the Veil, and Suicide Silence on Altec Lansing Stage; Breathe Electric, Far From Finished, and Fight Fair on the Skull Candy Stage; Flatfoot 56, The Downtown Fiction, and Motionless in White on the Kia Kevin Says Stage; Enter Shikari and Artist Vs. Poet on the Glamour Kills Stage; Fake Problems, Anarbor, and Mike Posner on the AP Advent Stage; Emarosa, Mayday Parade, and Dinner and a Suit on the Ernie Ball Stage. Andrew W.K.’s 30 minutes on stage brought the assembled throng of people to a circle pitting, moshing, crowd surfing frenzy unmatched all day. People were literally thrown across gaps in the crowd toward the stage where security pulled them down sending them back into the madness. Bras were thrown en mass onto the stage at Andrew and his crew, and between every song he or one of the band would do their best to make sure the people made even more noise and pumped up the party as hard as they were capable of without bringing security down on themselves. The explosion point during the Andrew W.K. set was of course his break out hit “Party Hard”; there are no words for the unity of the crowd’s party meltdown.

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Andrew W.K. - Photo: Meade

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The All American Rejects - Photo: Meade

The All American Rejects came close to matching the affect on their fans. Fans sang out with their favorite songs including “Gives You Hell”, “Dirty Little Secret”, “Move Along”, and new song “Bonerville”. Vocalist and bassist Tyson Ritter continually egged on the crowd with overt sexual innuendo and proclamations of Scranton being the best stop to date on the tour. Fans became so excited that one could hardly see through the mass of water and beer bottles among other things being flung through the air, this reporter was in fact hit by a flying stick of deodorant… The All American Rejects were the last act of the day and earned the reaction of the audience with their performance, even throwing in charity work by sending out a storage tub into the crowd asking each person to throw in a dollar to aid a still devastated Haiti; which front man Ritter claimed he would be building a clean water well with.

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Tyson Ritter - Photo Michael Meade

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Main Stage VIP loft - Photo: Meade

Regardless of the band a person came to Warped Tour to see, this reporter can honestly say there were no unhappy faces in the crowd at any point of this awesome day of music, merch, revelry, and camaraderie. There were plenty of overheated and dehydrated faces among the people present but never were there any unhappy to be there in the midst of the crowd, even navigating the overcrowded midway between stages. Warped Tour has proved once again that music can and will bring people together in unison, even in the more violent mosh pits that sprang up there was never seen, by this reporter, true malice in the eyes of any involved. Days like this have become rare, even in music, in these times of economic trials and environmental instability; making it all the more important when they do happen that they should be remembered and modeled after by fans, promoters, bands, and reporters alike. Sun burnt, sweaty, and laden with swag at the end of the performances, each person in attendance seemed satisfied walking out of the Toyota Pavilion’s grounds as their day enjoying the 2010 Vans Warped Tour came to an end with the first cool breezes of a summer night stilled filled with the echoes of 79 incredible bands.

For more on Vans Warped Tour and the great bands that played the 2010 tour visit www.vanswarpedtour.com.
 
 
 
*for more info on The Give a Little Help contest click here.

 

Warped Imagery
2010 Vans Warped Tour captured in Photos
By Billy Zhao
Posted 8/12/10 1:55PM EST

Pierce The Veil
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Jaime "The Architect" Preciado of Pierce The Veil
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

You Me at Six
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Josh Franceschi of You Me at Six
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Cameron Hurley of We Are The In Crowd
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Roughton "Rou" Reynolds of Enter Shikari
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Every Time I Die
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7/17/10 Nassau Coliseum NY - Photo: Billy Zhao

Tyson Ritter of The All American Rejects
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Michael Jersey Moriarty guitarist of Hey Monday
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Travis Clark of We the Kings
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Devin Oliver of I See Stars
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Sierra Kusterbeck of VersaEmerge
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

John Gomez and Brian Dales of The Summer Set
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Deryck Whibley of Sum 41
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

Joey Thunder of The Cab
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7/18/10 Monmouth Park NJ - Photo: Billy Zhao

For more photos from TLR's newest contributor Billy Zhao visit his photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/billyzhao.

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Long Live The Uproar!
By Michael Meade
Posted 9/9/10 12:30PM EST

The first, and hopefully, annual Rockstar Uproar Festival made its NEPA stop at Scranton’s Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. The eight hour hard rock and metal festival was split between two stages, the Jägermeister Stage and the Uproar Mainstage. Festivities kicked off at 3 when the gates officially opened and fans began filling up the grounds and making their way to the Jäger Stage for the day’s first band stopping only for food, drink, and autographs from the bands that had meet and greets at their merchandise tents and at the Best Buy tent.
First band of the day was Candlelight Red; Jägermeister’s Battle of The Bands winner for a spot on the Uproar Tour, hailing from Williamsport Pennsylvania the hard rock quartet, consisting of Ryan Hoke (vocals); Jeremy Edge (guitar, vocals); Adam Zimmer (bass, vocals); Josh Hetrick (drums); is quickly approaching their major break out point with their sponsorship from Jager. Candlight Red also opened for Kiss back in July when the legendary band played the First Niagara Pavilion in Pittsburgh PA. Candlelight Red set the day’s pace right with their high energy, hard rock sound that got the crowd pumped for the day ahead!

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Candlelight Red - Photo: Michael Meade

The only thing that distracted the crowd from Candlelight Red was Halestorm’s meet and greet autograph session at their merch tent. The autograph line extended at least a hundred feet before curving around the fencing half way back up to the Jagermeister Stage. Halestorm made time for each person in line, signing autographs, taking photos, and talking to each fan that waited to meet them. The only thing that tore them away from their fans was their next meet and greet in the Best Buy tent.

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Lzzy Hale signing autographs - Photo: Meade

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Hail The Villain - Photo: Meade

Canadian rockers Hail The Villain stormed the Jäger Stage next. HTV brought their A-Game for the Montage Mountain stop of Uproar, the canucks kept the crowd hot with their metal edged rock and between songs frontman Bryan Crouch’s riffs about not being sure if he and the rest of the band were still Canadian or if they’d finished the transition to being American over the weeks touring the US. Hail The Villain’s almost 30 minute set showcased songs from their album Population: Declining, originally released in 2008 on Warner Music Canada and re-released earlier this year on Roadrunner Records. Saving their hit single “Take Back The Fear” for last worked well as the crowd erupted in cheers, jumps, crowd surfing, and middle fingers flying; sending Crouch, Joseph Stamp (guitar), Chad Taylor (bass), and Drew Dockrill (drums) off in rock star style.

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New Medicine - Photo: Meade

Minneapolis natives New Medicine followed Hail The Villain and soon took over the high HTV left the crowd and make it their own. New Medicine’s set featured several songs from their new album Race You to The Bottom, dropping September 28th, including “Laid”, “Little Sister”, and “Race You to The Bottom”. Guitarist Dan took time to flip the audience off several times and goad them into crowd surfing… which at least five brave kids did, only two were dropped; the crowd though large was not tightly packed in the area they were surfing. The dropped stood back up laughing at their unintentional souvenir bruises.

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Airbourne - Photo: Meade

Aussie hard rock outfit Airbourne drew the second largest crowd of the Jägermeister Stage with their hits “Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast”, “Running Wild”, “Chewin’ The Fat”, and “No Way But The Hard Way”. The crowd quiteing their cheers only enough to hear their favorite songs, they soon upped the volume again as loud as they could for vocalist and lead guitarist Joel O’Keefe’s antics and banter; which at one point included the shirtless rocker climbing atop one of the larger amp cabinets and repeatedly smashing plastic water bottles into his head until they burst. The resulting prism effect of the sun through the mist of water in the hazy heat of the midday was a big hit with the fans along the left side of the stage, finished with a grand jumpstrum back down onto the floor of the stage.

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Joel O'Keefe - Photo: Meade

Hellyeah was the next and final act for the Jäger Stage, drawing the largest and loudest crowd of fans. The jam packed fans were so tightly crowded that TLR! couldn’t fight through to snap any photos. The cheers of Hellyeah’s fans could be heard from one end of Montage Mountain to next, the metal supergroup consisting of Mudvayne’s Chad Gray on vocals and guitarist Greg Tribbett, Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, Damageplan bassist Bob Zilla, and the one and only Vinnie Paul of Pantera on drums; blew the crowd away with hits “Alcohaulin’ Ass”, “You Wouldn’t Know”, and their latest single “Hell of a Time” to name a few from their 35 minute set. Cheers for Hellyeah continued to sound even as the assembled dispersed from the Jägermeister Stage across the grounds to the mainstage in the Toyota Pavilion Aphitheatre.

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Photo: Michael Meade

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L-R: Joe Hottinger, Arejay Hale, Lzzy Hale - Photo: Meade

Halestorm was the first band featured on the mainstage, as is tradition for Halestorm, Lzzy Hale began singing acappella off stage which remained darkened until she blasted a guitar riff and the whole band stormed the stage. Pun intended. Halestorm treated the assembled to highly amped up performances of “It’s Not You”, “I Get Off”, “Familiar Taste of Poison”, and more from their self titled album. At the half way point of the band’s set Arejay Hale took centerstage for an awesome drum solo, switching to giant drumsticks as Lzzy, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bassist Josh Smith returned to the stage with trash cans and all four did a tribute to street corner percussionists the world over.

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Joe Hottinger and Arejay Hale - Photo: Meade

For the guitar enthusiasts and Lzzy Hale fans reading this, as always she rocked her collection of Gibson guitars showcasing her white Gibson Explorer, white with silver flames Gibson Flying V, and of of course her white Gibson Les Paul; which Lzzy has become most associated with through photo shoots.
Unfortunate were the crowds of people that wandered in from getting food and drinks as Halestorm was finishing their set because Lzzy, Arejay, Joe, and Josh definitely gave one of the best performances of all the bands touring with Uproar that day.

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Lzzy Hale rocking her Gibson Explorer - Photo: Meade

Stone Sour was welcomed by a full amphitheatre of screams and shouts, launching into their list of hits from Come What(ever) May and songs from their new album Audio Secrecy, which just dropped September 7th, including “Through Glass”, “Made of Scars”, “Say You’ll Haunt Me” amongst others. The night was finished off by Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed, both given applause and cheers that could be heard in the parking grounds of Montage Mountain.
Avenged Sevenfold sent the audience into a massive wave of cheers fot their singles “Almost Easy”, “Beast and The Harlot”, and the title track to their latest album “Nightmare”.
Disturbed ended the night with hits spanning the band’s career including “Stricken”, “Another Way To Die”, “Indestructable”, “The Night”, “Inside The Fire”, “Liberate”, and “Down With The Sickness”. Ten years after it’s release “Down With The Sickness” still brought the loudest cheers from Disturbed’s fans. Ending the night with a true bang.
Uproar Festival kicked off August 17 and will be continuing until October 4. The remaining dates for the Rockstar Uproar Festival tour are:
Sept. 10 in Dallas, Texas
Sept. 11 in Corpus Christi, Texas Sept.
12 in Houston, Texas
Sept. 14 in Denver, Colorado
Sept. 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Sept. 17 in Irvine, California
Sept 18 in San Diego, California
Sept. 19 in Phoenix, Arizona
Sept. 21 in Bakersfield, California
Sept 24 in Spokane, Washington
Sept. 25 in Seattle, Washington
Sept. 26 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Sept. 28 in Edmonton, Alberta
Sept. 29 in Calgary, Alberta
Sept. 30 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Oct. 2 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Oct. 3 in Fargo, North Dakota
Oct. 4 in Madison, Wisconsin

For more info on Uproar Festival and all the bands appearing on tour visit www.rockstaruproar.com.



Atreyu’s Brandon Saller Debuts Black Cloud Collective
By Melissa Anderson
Posted 10/4/10 10:56PM EST

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Brandon Saller - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

“Black Cloud Collective”, if you have not heard of them yet, you have now. Brandon Saller of Atreyu fame has assembled this project of passion and love of music creating one of the best shows you will ever see. If you missed him at the Vibe in Riverside, CA, on Friday Sept 10th, you missed the debut show of Black Cloud Collective.



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Brandon Saller - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

I asked Brandon why he named his new project “Black Cloud Collective”? “It rolls off the tongue nice and I see clouds and think of thunder and lighting, and lighting never strikes the same place twice. This is so different from Atreyu. Playing these smaller venues gives me a chance to experiment and get comfortable being in front.” Saller and his band put on a performance that left the intimate crowd wanting more. That is what Saller plans on giving. He and his collective of friends and musicians have been in studio compiling an album to be released early next summer.




Since the age of twelve Saller has been playing music. It is no wonder that he is able to do it all for his side project. “Its all me”, that is the response I got when I asked about the writing of the lyrics, and the vocals. Most fans know Brandon as a drummer, but seeing him as a lead singer and guitarist blew me away. He gave the crowd the same passionate performance that he gives as a drummer. In fact, Saller looked as if being the lead vocalist and guitar player may have been his true calling. Most of the set was originals, but Brandon threw in a few high powered covers.

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Brandon Saller - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

Saller was not the only crowd pleaser at the Vibe for this show. The show spotlighted four additional bands. The bands included Eyes of Aurora, Hyla Brook, Fall Into Mourning, Mi Stiletto, and What Hands Are For. Promoter and local Rock Star Steve Wilson has been putting together shows with up and coming local talent as well as nation bands. He is also the guy who “plans on bringing the music scene back to the IE.”



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Black Cloud Collective - Photo: Rockwell Anderson



Vibefest 2: Bringing Metal Back to the IE
By Melissa Anderson
Posted 10/6/10 11:44PM EST

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AchronicA - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

“The IE used to have a great music scene and I want to bring that back,” that was the answer I got when I asked what is Vibefest and why? Steve Wilson, the founder of Vibefest, promoter, member of Fall Into Mourning, and CEO of BellaKay Productions, put together an amazing montage of bands that shook the ground at Vibefest not once but twice. All of this was done to help re-build the once great music scene that inspired him and many of the acts that played the fest. Vibefest 2 played host to bands such as AchronicA, an up and coming metal band from Temecula, Bleeding Through, a national band local to the OC who has never before played the IE, After the Burial, The Word Alive, and twelve other local and national bands.

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After The Burial - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

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Bleeding Through - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

Vibefest is not an annual show, rather an event intended to happen every few months. The goal is to revive the dwindling music scene in the Inland Empire. The first Vibefest was held in May 2010 at the Vibe a club in Riverside, headlined by Death By Stereo. Wilson’s vision is to keep the IE rocking by doing shows often and on a rather large scale. Vibefest hosts up to 20 bands. Each band takes an active part in filling the house by selling tickets to their fans. In return they get to play a show with a national band. The concept is both helpful to bring fans a show they will not soon forget, and a way to bring big acts to the IE.



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For Today - Photo: Rockwell Anderson

Wilson plans to keep the IE music scene alive is rocketing forward. With endless energy he pushes forward connecting with bands for his next festival. He and his band also put on a great performance of their own, and even played Vibefest. They have played with Brandon Saller of Atreyu on more than one occasion and with national bands as often as they can. Fall into Mourning is also a local favorite and has been nominated by SteetOffical.net for best new artist. They have also completed their first music video for their single “Angel” to be released in the near future. With the talent, energy, and passion of this project, the IE is sure to see more great acts coming.


Fall Into Mourning to Debut Music Video at House of Blues Anaheim
By Melissa Anderson
Photos by Rockwell Anderson Media
Posted 11/8/10 2:38PM EST

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Official Video Image for the song "Angel"

Fall Into Mourning, a rock band on the verge of breaking out of the Inland Empire's music scene and on to the stage of the world, is proud to debut their first music video,"Angel". The premiere will take place at Anaheim House of Blues in California on November 7th. The show line-up will be; Fall Into Mourning, The Young Modern, Idasas, and Divide the Day (a national act).

Angel the song, was written and performed by Fall Into Mourning. The video and concept is the brain child of Video Director Wes Anderson of Rockwell Anderson Media. He and front man Steve Wilson of Fall Into Mourning worked together to create "Angel". Both agreed to the idea and concepts and the video is a first for the band and for Mr. Anderson.

Steve Wilson of Fall Into Mourning, is not only a band member and the founder of the group, and he is also a promoter for his company BellaKay Productions. His stated goal "I want to bring the rock scene back to the IE." He is well on his way. His credits include a show featuring Brandon Saller of Atreyu. It was at Wilson's event that Saller debuted his new side project "The Black Cloud Collective". Not only has Wilson brought Saller to perform in the IE, but his lists include, Bleeding Through, Death By Stereo, For Today, Stray From The Path, After the Burial and more. Wilson has also performed with National acts including Korn.

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Brandon Saller (Atreyu & Black Cloud Collective) & Steve Wilson (Fall Into Mourning)

Steve Wilson of Fall Into Mourning, is not only a band member and the founder of the group, and he is also a promoter for his company BellaKay Productions. His stated goal "I want to bring the rock scene back to the IE." He is well on his way. His credits include a show featuring Brandon Saller of Atreyu. It was at Wilson's event that Saller debuted his new side project "The Black Cloud Collective". Not only has Wilson brought Saller to perform in the IE, but his lists include, Bleeding Through, Death By Stereo, For Today, Stray From The Path, After the Burial and more. Wilson has also performed with National acts including Korn.

As a promoter, Wilson books up and coming bands in the IE and SoCal area and gives them the opportunity to do a show. He then adds a national act to the mix and this combination of hungry artists and national acts create a powerful line-up.

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Actress Jobeth Wagner and Ligeia the snake as they appear in the video "Angel"

For the debut music video of Angel Wilson has decided to give a thank you to our Soldiers. He has asked people who want to support him and his music to come out to the show, and if they can not make the show to purchase a ticket for $10.00. That ticket will be given to a Soldier and/or family member of a soldier. Steve is a supporter of our military and he comes from a family of service men. This includes his grandfather, Richard Loy Etchberger, a recent recipient of The Medal Of Honor. This is Wilson's way of saying Thank You to them.

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Fall Into Mourning with some of their fans on location for their music video "Angel"



Paramore Kicks Off U.K. Tour in Nottingham
By Ben Smith
Posted 11/20/10 4:36PM EST

Pop-punk band Paramore from Franklin, Tennessee kicked off their sold out UK tour with a date in Nottingham.

2010 really has been Paramore’s year. Their fan base has grown considerably after the release of third album Brand New Eyes, which has gone platinum in the UK. The band have also headlined the Honda Civic tour, and played on the main stage at Leeds and Reading festival. And to add to all that, they gained even more momentum by winning their first MTV award just one day before the UK tour got underway as they took home Best Alternative at the MTV European Music Awards.

As you would expect, the audience had very few members past their mid-20s, all of whom were in awe of front woman Hayley Williams, who made a quick appearance joining B.o.B for their hit ‘Airplanes’ before Paramore took centre stage. Spotting girls basing their image on Kerrang Reader’s poll’s sexiest woman was not difficult, and spotting men seemingly obsessed with her was just as clear-cut, with frequent yells of ‘I love you’ which Hayley subtly acknowledged.

Georgia-based rapper B.o.B’s set went down pleasantly well with the Paramore fan-base, and warmed the crowd up for the cardiovascular workout that was to follow. This workout came in the form of Hayley Williams, who marshalled everybody in the arena throughout the course of the 90 minute set, beginning with the muscular ‘Ignorance’, and followed up with the equally angry ‘Feeling Sorry’. ‘That’s What You Get’ and ‘For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic’ from the band’s second album ‘Riot!’ then followed, to a rapturous reception, before even further nostalgia as they rocked ‘Emergency’ from the debut album released in 2005. Hayley then introduced the group’s latest single ‘Playing God’, one of the band’s strongest songs lyrically. ‘Decode’ was up next before the dehydrated audience were given a much needed breather and recuperated their energy as they were given a 4-song acoustic interval, beginning with Hayley and her band-mate and ex-boyfriend Josh Farro paid tribute to their hometown with a Loretta Lynn cover. Josh’s younger brother Zac, bassist Jeremy Davis and newest member Taylor York then rejoined them for the mellow anthem ‘When it Rains’, which was the most calm and joyful moment of the night. ‘Where the Lines Overlap’ and ‘Misguided Ghosts’ concluded the acoustic set before red-head Hayley ordered the crowd to dance to the next track, as she promised “I’m going to make sure you get all sweaty”, before belting out ‘Crushcrushcrush’. 21 year old Williams continued her crowd interaction, asking questions which encouraged reactions, as well as welcoming those who were at their first Paramore gig to ‘the family.

‘Pressure’ was dedicated to the long-term fans of the band. Halfway through this, incidentally their first single, Hayley introduced the other band members, all of whom got a great reception from the Nottingham crowd, but no reaction compared to the one Hayley got when introduced by lead guitarist Josh, before Jeremy leaped over Josh and the five-piece picked up where they left off. ‘Looking Up’ was the penultimate number before the encore, as ballad ‘The Only Exception’ forced every lighter and cell phone to come out of the pocket, and pyro to make the experience even more attractive. The band then left the stage, as chants of ‘We want more’ emerged. They duly obliged, coming out and playing ‘Brick by Boring Brick’, which instigated a mosh pit for the first time on the evening.

Hayley then had “one more piece of business to take care of”. The band’s biggest hit ‘Misery Business’ then closed the set. Two members of the crowd were invited to take to the stage and perform with the band, a young girl took lead guitar, and another woman took the microphone in what was a heart-warming moment, and an incredible spectacle as confetti filled the arena and the band bowed farewell.

Every member of the young crowd went home happy, as many headed for the merchandise stalls after the show, still on a high from what was a riveting evening. There is no reason why any youngster should not enjoy the live atmosphere and experience that comes with a Paramore gig. Whether it’s front woman Hayley Williams, who it is difficult to take your eyes off as she works the stage, the sound of the guitar riffs that echo throughout the arena, or whether you just have a lot of energy to burn, it is something you won’t forget in a hurry. Paramore aren’t going away anytime soon, and are growing in stature as each tour and album progresses.


AchronicA Bringing Heavy Metal Back
By Melissa Anderson
Posted 11/28/10 4:20PM EST

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Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

“Our goal is to put the Heavy back in Metal,” and if you ever heard AchronicA that is what they are doing. With influences like Tool, Black Sabbath, Slipknot, and Pantera this Temecula California Metal band is the real deal. The guys, Nic Hultman (guitar), Derek Harstook (drums), Jeff Sills (guitar), Josh Wilson (Bass), and Tyler Hartsook (vocals) are a newly formed band, only an “official band” since August of 2010.

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Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

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Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

This band knows that it takes more than great music to become famous, it takes getting out there. How do they do it? “We have killer merchandise, stellar fans, computer lit friends, and we are working our asses off taking any and all shows. We are also constantly in the studio working on new material and releasing cds.” Achronica has played the Vibe fest 2 , a show with NILE at Brick by Brick in San Diego, and the Infamous Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood. Their play schedule is a busy one and they are loving it.









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Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

Seeing the band perform 3 live shows I can tell you they are not what you would except metal to be. Tyler with his washboard abs and short, yes short hair looks like the boy next door. Then the music starts and your blown away by the true metal vocals that thunder out. AchronicA does not rely on the long, head banging hair and theatrics to blow their audience away. Instead they rely on talent and in that department they are off the charts. I had the rare opportunity of hearing an acoustic song from the band. The song flowed and was amazing and that for me was the moment that I knew Tyler had talent and a true vocal range. Talent coupled with work-ethic is what is separating this band from most other metal bands.

If you have not heard of Achronica yet keep your ears peeled you will. They have been burning up the Inland Empire metal music scene and will soon be world wide.



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Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media



2/5 Candlebox and 3/5 Live = 100% The Gracious Few
By Melissa Anderson
Posted 12/17/10 5:37PM EST

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Kevin Martin - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

What happens when you cross 2/5 of the band Candlebox and 3/5 of the band Live? You get the super group "The Gracious Few" featuring Chad Taylor (guitar), Chad Gracey (drums), and Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) from Live with Kevin Martin(vocals) and Sean Hennesy (guitar) of Candlebox. You get one smooth, tight rock band that gives the crowd a one of kind rock and roll experience known as The Gracious Few.

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The Gracious Few - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

On Thursday December 19th, the House of Blues San Diego was rocked by The Gracious Few. The night started when the band hosted a meet and greet to an eager group in the VIP lounge. “Hey everybody - we are here to meet and greet” was what I overheard them say as they came out of the Green Room and into the lounge. Every band member went around and shook the hands of everyone in the room, took photos, and hung out for quite awhile before the show. The band was very appreciative to their fans.

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Kevin Martin - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

Soon after, they left the VIP lounge, the room cleared out, and the crowd gathered around the stage. With great concert lighting and superior sound, I felt and experienced one of the best rock concerts I have ever seen. In fact, I have to call it an experience because the whole night was just that. No one in the room was disappointed by what they saw or heard. In today's world of Autotuned singles and performances, it was amazing to see and hear true, un-adulterated music and musicians perform even better live than their studio release (the studio album is very good). The Gracious Few put on one hell of a show. Their 2010 tour is over, but if you have the chance to see them in 2011 you need to experience them live.

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The Gracious Few - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media



Idasas kick Assas
By Melissa Anderson
Posted 12/29/10 5:35PM EST

“We are going to do this whether you like it or not. We are going to do what it takes to make it.” Idasas, a Redlands, California Rock Band, is on its way and you will meet them here first. The guys; Dave (vocals), Eric (guitar), Dean (bass), and Kevin (drums) are Idasas.

What does Idasas mean? Dave just smiled and replied, “It is a made up word from our past drummer Jason Figs. The fun of it is fans and friends come up with what the acronym means and they send it to us. I see the name as what we do and the point of music. It can be changed to whatever it means to you. We enjoy getting everybody’s reactions to the name.”

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Idasas - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

Idasas has been around since Dec. of 2004. The band has undergone some changes since then including the line up as well as the sound. The band started out with a Pop Rock sound. “Over time we have become a bit harder”, Kevin, the drummer, added. The band calls themselves rock-alternative, pop-metal. Lead singer Dave explains “You see a progression of a band that draws on their experiences. The last 5 years we have been through so much both as individuals and as a band. What drives us has not changed; it’s been about sharing experiences.”

It is not only experiences that drive a band, it is also influences. Dean, who grew up in a musical household has been influenced by Italian Opera, classical music, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Blues, and Rock. He mentions Al Greene, Pennywise, and Incubus as being influential to him. Kevin also came from a family of music with a fond appreciation of Jazz Cats. Dave mentioned Mariachi music that he remembers his mom listening to when he was a boy. However, it was The Eagles and Hotel California that made him want to be a musician. “Dad put on the Eagles Live record, the second I heard it I knew that is exactly what I wanted to do.” Dave also has a high regard for Joe Walsh. “He still rocks out.”

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Idasas at the House of Blues, Anaheim, CA - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media

Idasas plays local and often. Some of their most memorable shows include the House of Blues Anaheim, The House of Blues Hollywood, and the Orange Blossom Fest of 2005 in Riverside. I asked each member why these shows were special or memorable to them. Kevin’s choice was House of Blues Anaheim. “I felt like a VIP. It was my best experience live.” Dean agreed with him. Dave’s most memorable was The Orange Blossom Fest in Riverside. “There were about 3000 people there. The crowd was singing along to our songs. It was the first time I felt like a rock star.”

Idasas is serious about their music and where the band is headed. In 2011 there goals include making the band more like a business. This would mean that they would have sponsors, merchandise would be paid for, they would get paid to play, tour expenses would be covered, and other business matters would be handled. A new album is also in the works. Idasas is currently signed to NirtoRocks Studios, San Bernardino, CA.