Rock Allegiance Tour rocks Miami
Rock fans in Northeast Oklahoma took advantage of a warm summer evening to take in a great outdoor music festival on Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami. A decent drive up the Will Rogers Turnpike, the Buffalo Run Casino’s outdoor stage is a great place to pull in fans from the three state area. A pre-show stroll through the parking lot revealed many Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas license plates.
Event organizers assured that the audience had a chance to cool down after standing in the largely un-shaded field that houses the North-facing stage. Upon entering the gate, fans were issued wrist bands that guaranteed re-entry to the grounds. This allowed fans to take an occasional break by walking across the parking lot to enjoy the free air conditioning inside the casino.
Texas Hippie Coalition, Drive A, Crossfade and Red warmed up the crowd with abbreviated sets during the mid-afternoon sun.
P.O.D. then upped the stakes in a very entertaining 30-minute set. Opening with “Boom,” the San Diego-based group powered on through other hits including “Alive,” “Southtown,” and “Youth of The Nation.” They also included a very energized cover of Pantera’s “I’m Broken” along with a cover of Sublime’s “What I Got.”
Gone were front-man Sonny Sandoval’s dreadlocks from the band’s early days, but this Christian Metal group has maintained it’s fans and most importantly, it’s ability to put on one heck of a live show.
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Photos by: Kevin Pyle
Kansas City’s Puddle of Mudd greeted the crowd next and what ensued was a spectacular 40-minute set. Lead singer Wes Scantlin kept the continually growing crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, slapping high fives with the front row and chatting with them between songs. “It’s great to be back in the Midwest,” he said. “We’re from the Midwest. We love Kansas City, and I still love the Sooners,” he said as the crowd roared it’s approval.
Puddle of Mudd started off with 2010’s “Stoned.” The hard-hitting tune was an excellent choice for the lead-off number and featured some tight guitar licks from Paul Phillips. The group followed up with hits “Psycho,” “Away from Me,” “Drift and Die,” and “Control” before diving into their soon-to-be released cover album. Scantlin, along with a very talented female back-up singer did an amazing job covering The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” And as if that wasn’t enough, they followed with a soulful cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man” before closing out with “Blurry.”
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Photos by: Kevin Pyle
As night fell, the stage was re-arranged and following a swift bass line and drum beat, the black curtain dropped to reveal Papa Roach. Papa wasted little time getting to crowd moving, immediately jumping off into “Getting Away With Murder.” Front-man Jacoby Shaddix barely stood still during the entire hour-long set as he poured every ounce of energy he had into the show. “…To Be Loved,” “Burn,” and “Between Angels and Insects,” followed as the band kicked into high gear.
They then took it down a notch for the more melodic “Forever,” and “No Matter What” before taking off once again at top speed. “Kick in the Teeth,” “The Enemy” and “Lifeline” lead into the newer “One Track Mind” which was one of the heavier and loudest songs of their set. The group kept the hits rolling as they played through “Scars,” and “Hollywood Whore” before finishing up with their break through hit “Last Resort.” The set was fast, heavy and loud; It was perhaps the best Papa Roach set I’ve seen.
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Photos by: Kevin Pyle
Los Angeles rockers Buckcherry headlined the show and did not disappoint. Opening up with “Dead,” Buckcherry caught the crowd’s attention early. The opening number highlighted the guitar talents of Keith Nelson and Stevie D. Lead singer Josh Todd was in top form as he didn’t miss a note despite running all over the massive stage all evening long. Stevie D. was a big hit among the fans, throwing water bottles, guitar picks and wondering to the edge of the stage.
Their set-list relied heavily on their 2006 platinum-selling album “15.” “So Far,” “Everything,” “Brooklyn,” “Next 2 You,” and “Sorry” all got stage time as the band mixed them along with “Rescue Me,” “It’s a Party,” “All Night Long,” and “Lit Up.” The night came to a close with them playing their biggest hit, “Crazy Bitch.” The energy level this band exudes is off the chart, they are well worth seeing live.
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Photos by: Kevin Pyle
All of the bands were great, but after all was said and done, one band stuck out in my mind. Puddle of Mudd undoubtedly stole the show. This band has had their ups and downs, like most others, but they seem to be on their way back to the top of the mountain. If you have not heard it, you owe it to yourself to check out their new album. “Re: (disc)overed” drops on Tuesday, August 30 and features their take on such songs as AC/DC’s “TNT,” Steve Miller’s “The Joker,” and even Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”