NYS Music 20​13

Tag: monsterenerydrink

  • Review: Monster Energy Drink Outbreak Tour 2013

    Monster Energy Drink’s 2013 Outbreak Tour invaded the Mid-Hudson Civic Center Sunday, Oct. 20 in Poughkeepsie N.Y.

    Matt Tuck
    Matt Tuck

    Headlining the tour was Bullet For My Valentine with special guest Black Veil Brides, Stars In Stereo, and Throw The Fight.

    Bullet For My Valentine
    Bullet For My Valentine

    Opening the show was Throw The Fight. I have never seen this band before, but they totally rocked live.

    Matt Tuck
    Matt Tuck

    Lead vocalist James Clark gave a brief, heartfelt speech about being a cancer survivor and reminded everyone to chase their dreams, because five years ago he was in the crowd as a fan, and now he is on the stage living his dream.

    Matt Tuck
    Matt Tuck

    I recommend going out and seeing this band live if you get the chance. I had a chance to talk with them after their set, and they are a bunch of really cool down to earth guys besides great performers.

    Stars In Stereo were slated in the second spot for this event.

    Bullet For My Valentine
    Bullet For My Valentine

    This is now my third time seeing Stars In Stereo this year. It seems like they are opening for everybody these days.

    Throw The Fight
    Throw The Fight

    Bec Hollcraft is really starting to come into her own as a performer. Last time I saw her, I felt like she was a little bit reserved but not anymore.

    Guitarist Jordan McGraw has a lot of energy and is always playing to the crowd, pumping them up.

    The first two times I saw them, they played a cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” but didn’t touch it this time and just played tracks off their album.

    Outbreak Tour 2013
    Outbreak Tour 2013

    Up next in the three spot was Black Veil Brides. I know this band had their detractors, but every time I see them on a show, they give a really good live performance.

    Andy Biersack of BVB even said during his thank you speech to everyone in the crowd who is not a BVB fan, “Thank you for putting up with us and letting us perform for you before Bullet For My Valentine came out.”

    Just like some of the “boy bands” you see in the pop genre, I think the young female teenage following they have generates most of the negative press they get from fans. BVB seems to be the “boy band” of rock music.

    Welch metal-core rockers, Bullet For My Valentine, are up next in the headlining forth spot for this show.

    BFMV came right out and kicked @$$ from start to finish.

    This was one of the best live performances by a band that I’ve seen all year! This was my first time seeing BFMV and I was not disappointed.

    Bullet is a really solid band, and the crowd just ate up their energy. Lead vocalist Matthew Tuck is just amazing on vocals live, and Jason James was just as good with his screaming/growl backing vocals.

    From drums to guitar to bass, these guys are all very talented musicians.

    Near the end of the set, Matt invited out Jordan McGraw of Stars In Stereo and Ryan Baustert of Throw The Fight. Matt said that “tomorrow is these guys’ birthday,” and brought them out for a drink on stage.

    Throw The Fight
    Throw The Fight

    Matt made them do a head stand as members from BFMV held their ankles and poured a nice alcoholic beverage in a red solo cup down their throats. Ryan failed his first head stand attempt, which made Matt quip in with “you’re not to flexible, are you?”

    Bullet performed “Tears Don’t Fall” as the last song of the night. I don’t think they had a choice. When Matt told the crowd this was going to be the last song of the night, the crowd started an immediate chant of “Tears Don’t Fall,” which brought a huge smile to Matt’s face.

    This was a really good concert from start to finish. It might even be in the top 10 of best concerts I’ve seen in 2013. All the bands were really good on this show, and if you love music like I do, and you don’t get into the band bashing like some fans do because they don’t like a certain band’s image, go out and see these bands when they come to your area. Remember, it’s all about the music and having a good time!

    Black Veil Brides
    Black Veil Bride

  • Review: Carnival Of Madness

    Monster Energy Drink’s Carnival of Madness is finally here, and what a tour it is. With a lineup that consists of Shinedown, Papa Roach, Skillet, In This Moment and We As Human, I think this tour should be renamed Carnival of Bad@$$! Held at the Constellation Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, N.Y., you could not ask for a more beautiful day for a rock show.

    Walking into the venue, everybody was super stoked when we noticed that Papa Roach was in fact there. With all the things going on with Jacoby’s vocals and tour cancelations because of these issues, no one was sure if they were going to make it. Sevendust started the tour, and this is the first show Papa Roach was slated to play on. Rumors even had Avenged Sevenfold replacing them on this show, so with that added to all the vocal issues and the Carnival of Madness Facebook stating that Papa Roach would be there, nobody for sure knew what to expect.

    First up on the Carnival of Madness stage was We As Human. XM Octane has been playing their single “Strike Back,” which is a great song, so I was curious to see these guys live. Justin Cordle was just awesome on vocals. They did a great job getting the crowd ready for the rest of the show.

    In This Moment was up next. Maria and the boys always put on a great energy filled set. Maria is probably one of the only performers I can tolerate standing in one spot for the whole show. This is the first time I got to see Maria with backup dancers, which was pretty cool. The only thing I wish that was different is that they would play some more of their older stuff as well. Oh, well, maybe in November when I see them again on the Hell Pop Tour. In This Moment Also signed autographs in the Monster Energy Drink tent after their set.

    Christian rockers Skillet were slated in the third spot for this show. I really love this band live. I know some people think John Cooper can get a little preachy at times, but if you really listen they are just heartfelt stories he shares. Skillet brought all their props for this one. Yes, they had their usual CO2 blasters, but they also had a stage length l.e.d video wall in the background and two moving platforms next to drummer Jen Ledger that various band members would take turns riding up and down. This band has so much energy live it’s amazing. John was doing this crazy dance that looked like he is having a seizure. Jen literally was rocking the stage, her drums were on as you can see it move back and forth. Korey has an awesome stage presence and newcomer Seth looked like he has been rocking with Skillet for years. I had the chance to meet the band before the show and they are really awesome to shoot the $#!^ with. Jon was kidding with everyone, and Jen is just so nice and polite.

    Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach could be seen watching Skillet’s performance from the side of the stage. Barry Kerch of Shinedown was also seen watching Skillet from the other side of the stage.

    Just when you thought the crowd could not get any more pumped up, Papa Roach hit the stage. These guys brought the f’in house down. Jacoby was just on fire and sounded awesome. I could have watched them play all night. Energy turned up to max. They sang a good variety of old and new tracks. Jacoby even did a lap through the crowd during one song.

    Papa Roach also signed autographs under the Monster Energy Drink tent while We As Human were performing at the beginning of the event.

    Every time I see this next band I am never disappointed. Shinedown is the headliner of the Carnival of Madness tour, and this band always brings a show with them. Shinedown is one of the best live bands you could ever see. Flames, sparklers, pyro and fireworks. They also had a Gypsy/Circus troupe that were performing tricks as you walked into the venue, and also joined Shinedown on stage and performed tricks with fire as the boys played. Brent Smith is just vocally amazing live. He really knows how to take over everyone in the venues emotions. Amazing singer. Amazing talker. Amazing performer.  Zack and Eric just have so much energy moving around on stage. They make you want to go up on stage and start jamming with them. Barry is just kick @$$ on the drums. Thanks, bro, for giving me your drumstick after the show!

    This is an amazing tour that every rock fan must see. I drove over three hours to see this event, and it was more than worth it. Monster hit a homerun with this lineup, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.