Rock star Energy Drink UPROAR 2012 – Comcast Center, MA
Review by Micah Gummel
Photos by Micah Gummel
Venue: The Comcast Center, MA
More photos from the show HERE
I attended the 2012 incarnation of the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival. The festival rolled through my backyard of Mansfield, MA . This festival goes across the United States every August-October and promotes some of the biggest names in active rock and metal.
Here is the 2012 Uproar Festival line-up:
Shinedown
Godsmack
Staind
Papa Roach
Adelitas Way
P.O.D.
Fozzy
In This Moment
Redlight King
Deuce
Mindset Evolution
Candlelight Red
With so many bands at this show I decided to cover the headlining bands here.
Adelita’s Way
The edgy Las Vegas-based hard rock band was one I had never heard before tonight. In some ways they sound like a mix of Chris Daughtry and Nickelback. They had a lot of energy just like the bands to follow. Their performance of “Hurt” was exceptional, Keith Wallen, the guitarist was great laying down some outstanding rifts and runs on several of his solos. While playing “Cage The Beast” vocalist, Rick DeJesus, told everyone get their hands in the air. He also said “I don’t know if you can tell, but I love playing music with my band! We’re just a bunch of kids up here having a good time” Before playing their song, “Sick,” Rick said to the crowd, “Come see us after the show we don’t want to just herd you off. I want to look you in the eye, shake your hand and see how you are keeping rock alive” During their closing song “Invincible,” Rick trustfully fell into crowd and went crowd surfing! This was a great end to their set. Hats off guys!
Set List: The Collapse – Hurt – Alive – Cage The Beast – Criticize – Sick – Invincible
Band Members:
Rick DeJesus-Lead Vocals
Keith Wallen-Rhythm Guitar & Backing vocals
Derek Johnston-Bassist
Robert Zakaryan-Lead Guitarist
Trevor “Tre” Stafford- Drummer & percussion
Stained
Aaron Lewis entered the stage (at his home state concert venue) and began playing “Not Again” without any hesitation. They were confident and this heavier upbeat tune showed talent from every band member. Strobe lights shined everywhere, the people behind me said impressively “WOW!, I did not expect that from Staind.”
They slowed it down a bit with the next song, “Right Here ” from their fifth album Chapter V. Everyone was singing along. The song “For You” showed, guitarist, Mike Mushok’s talent and passion for what he does. “So, what up? Home sweet home, gotta love it!” says vocalist, Aaron. A little over half way through their set they nailed “It’s Been A While”; their hit single from the Breaking the Cycle album. Fans in the crowd were holding liters and cell phones in the air, taking pictures and videos with their phones and singing along. Closing song “Something to Remind You.” The rest of the band backing Lewis is one to be noted. Guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April and newcomer drummer Sal Giancarelli were precise and on point. The set list was a great mix of all the hits with just a taste of their latest self-titled 2011 release. Clearly, Staind as always, understands what the people want to hear!
Set List : Not Again – Right Here – Now – For You – Paper Wings – It’s Been Awhile – Eyes Wide Open – Outside – Mudshovel – Something to Remind You
Band Members:
Aaron Lewis-Vocalist & Rhythum Guitarist
Mike Mushok-Lead Guitarist
Johnny April-Bassist
Sal Giancarelli-Drummer & Percussions
Godsmack
“For Those About to Rock,” by AC/DC, played in the background, while they showed a video of Godsmack’s recent tour, filled with great blunders and hilarious back stage shenanigan’s. All at once the curtain dropped, the stage light was red, and their backdrop had their symbol right in the center, with a skull overlaid on center above the logo in large letters read Godsmack. The crowd was cheering, vocalist, Sully Erna (in his home state) says “Boston raise your god damn fists with me!” I saw everyone put two fists in the air as bassist, Robbie Merrill, guitarist, Tony Rombola, and drummer, Shannon Larkin, began playing “The Enemy.” The energy they brought to the stage right from the start made everyone only want to see more. Their hit single “Stay Away” again showed the extensive talent from the Rombola and Larkin, who as always schooling the crowd in his percussionary skills tossing his sticks in the air and catching them without missing a beat. The vibrations rocked through the Comcast center and the fans with each beat of the drums.
During “Alive,” another one of their notable singles, the crowd was singing along … I could see the stage filling up with smoke and the strobe lights fill the stage with an array of colors, creating an appealing appearance. “Speak” lending praise to the skills of bassist Robbie Merrill. Hit single “Voo Doo” “If there is any song that reminds me of growing up here playing in clubs it’s this one. Thanks for fifteen years of support.” says Sully.
The crowd was treated to what’s become a Godsmack tradition in their live set with Sully Erna – master of all musical trades – Taking the thrown of his on drum set on wheels and engaging in a war of drums with Shannon Larkin, set to the tune of ‘Batalia De Los Tambores,’ proving that just about anything can be made into a percussion instrument. The Drum Solo was perhaps the highlight of their performance. The whole stand the drum set was on moved in all directions and spins around in circles. A second set came out from the side stage with Sully behind the drums. They were on different stages, playing away from each other, with Sully playing bongo drums and Shannon playing the customary drums. Then at the same time the stands spun around making Sully and Shannon face one another while they played. Shannon throws one drum in the air and catches it with out missing a beat Sully following suit with one of his drumsticks. They ended the drum solo playing “Black in Black” by AC/DC with their stands spinning in circles. The audience was truly drawn in by this performance! Getting the crowd spun up and interactive with their performance of “Whatever” Sully had the crowd sing “Go Away” as loud as they possibly can and go crazy. Godsmack was hard driving rock from the moment it started until the very end. They gave a great performance and I was on my feet the whole time. They played to the real connection with the band, and an appreciation for the fans.
Set List: The Enemy – Keep Away – Cryin’ Like a Bitch – Straight Out of Line – Awake – Re-Align – Speak – Voodoo – Batalla de los Tambores – Whatever – I Stand Alone
Band Members:
Sully Erna-Frontman & song writer
Robbie Merrill-Bassist
Tony Rombola-Guitarist
Shannon Larkin- Drummer
Shinedown
As the stage is being set up and just before the curtain falls “99 Problems” by Jay Z blast over the sound system what better way to kick off Shinedown’s performance. The melodic hard rockers from Jacksonville, Florida started off their set with “Sound of Madness.” Showcasing the talent of guitarist, Zach Myers. strobe lights, lasers, and the sound of a shot gun echoed throughout the venue. Jets along the sides of the stage shot up red flames that burst into fireworks. What a impressive entrance, a great hook everyone was overjoyed to see what was next.
They followed their entertaining start with “Diamond Eyes” from their Sound of Madness album, which was written for the movie “The Expendables.” It was a two level stage, the second level of the stage was “U” shaped. It consisted of two ramps that lead up to a long narrow flat stage. In the center of the second level was Berry Kerch playing the drums, which sat upon a stand camouflaged with strobe lights. Every time Brent Smith sang “Boom-Lay, Boom-Lay, Boom,” the strobe lights mimicked the the song by Flashing the wood BOOM. A quarter of the way through their set they played one of their singles from Sound of Madness, a song specifically for the ladies, “If You Only Knew.” During “Devour” all band members were head banging and jumping around, they had a great energy all night. A surprise guest came out to sing with Brent, Maria from the band “In This Moment.”
Before continuing Brent and the band wanted the crowd to know that, they’re not guessing, they know there will be one person in your life that you will go through everything with and that will love you through it all. That is what the next song “I’ll Follow You,” from their new album Amaryllis is about. Shinedown, geared down the night with their popular hit singles “45” and “Simple Man” from album Leave a Whisper. Followed by one of their most successful singles of their career “Second Chance,” and then ending the evening where their career started with their very first hit single, “Fly.” Throughout their performance they had crowd completely engaged.
Set List: Sound of Madness – Diamond Eyes – Enemies – If You Only Knew – Devour – I’ll Follow You – Unity – 45 – Bully – Simple Man – Second Chance – Fly
Band Members:
Brent Smith-Vocals
Zach Myers-Guitarist
Eric Bass-Bassist & Pianist
Berry Kerch-Drums
From the rail:
One of the things I like about this venue is the views and sightlines at the Comcast Center are pretty decent; you can see the stage even if there is a muscular 6 foot tall man and his beautiful wife in front of you. Even without the screens that are evenly distributed around the venue, it would still be a good view. There were many T-shirt stands selling merchandise for all bands apart of the rock event. There were a few food and drink stands but, expensive is not even the word for them, especially when it came to the alcoholic beverages. It was a little disappointing, but hey, if that’s as bad as it gets for a night of rock I’ll take it! It is one of the larger venues I have been to and it’s a plus if your there for festivals that utilize more than one stage. At the UPROAR Festival there were three stages, the Jegermister stage, the Earny Ball stage and the Main stage. The headliners were Adelita’s Way, Staind, Godsmack, and Shinedown!! What a rocking show it was for sure!!!