This blog is kind of like my Twitter and SnapChat accounts: I forget I have it sometimes. I've been busy with work and some other fiction writing in my spare time, but I felt like sharing my experiences last week out of state, so here goes!
A friend and I decided to attend the Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin last week for the first time. The festival started last Thursday with WWE wrestler Chris Jericho's band Fozzy on the main stage. This was my first time seeing them live, and I thought they did a good job of entertaining the crowd.
Next up were Australian rockers Like a Storm on the Militia stage. This was my first time seeing them in a few years, and they had the crowd rockin' along to their hits and new songs. I made a mental note to check out their new album Catacombs as soon as possible.
The next band on that stage was Nonpoint. This was my eighth time seeing them live, and I enjoyed hearing a few classics along with the new songs "Dodge Your Destiny" and "Chaos and Earthquakes" from their upcoming album X.
Later in the afternoon, we went back to the main stage to see Pop Evil. While I'm not a big fan of this band, I enjoyed being able to enjoy them with the rest of the crowd in the main stage pit.
My friend and I then went back to the Militia stage to see punk/pop rockers Sum 41. Not our favorites, but they had the crowd enthralled and stuck in the 90's for a while with their songs and stage show.
After a dinner break, it was time to return to the main stage to see Gavin Rossdale and the latest incarnation of his band Bush. They've changed a lot since I last saw them live in 2000, but they had the nostalgia factor working in their favor as the crowd was swaying along to hits like "Machinehead," "Greedy Fly," "Glycerine" and others.
Before Halestorm's set, we were able to catch a glimpse of Sixx A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba performing the National Anthem live on the main stage. One of the better performances of the song that I've seen in a while!
This was my second time seeing Halestorm, and they mixed in some familiar songs along with a few new songs from their upcoming studio album.
Closing the first night of Rock USA were Godsmack. I don't know if I've ever seen them live before, but they had an impressive stage set, including a "drum-off" with Shannon Larkin and frontman Sully Erna.
The next day was Friday the 13th and like most Friday the 13ths, it was good and bad. The music started on the main stage with Shaman's Harvest. This was my first time seeing them live, and I really dug their heavy Southern rock grooves!
I stayed front and center at the main stage because I wanted to see my favorite band Sevendust for the 22nd time. While they only played a six-song set, I really enjoyed seeing them for the first time in over a year.
Toward the end of the set, bass guitarist Vinny Hornsby spotted me, and tossed me one of his guitar picks, which landed right at my feet - another cool piece for my collection!
The rain started to fall during Adelita's Way's set on the Militia stage. This was my first time seeing the band in a few years, and they did a good job keeping the crowd entertained despite the weather.
The rain started coming down heavier, and the event staff made everyone go to their cars. Unfortunately in the VIP parking area, the exits were blocked, so no one could leave if they wanted to. They later decided to let everyone in for Seether on the main stage at about 7:30 pm.
I navigated us behind the band trailers in the muddy mess that night to our hotel. My friend decided to skip day 3 of Rock USA, but I decided to head in a little later after finding out what some of my other friends wanted to do.
The first band I saw that Saturday was Trivium. Another six-song set, but I always enjoy their live shows!
The next band I went to see was 10 Years. This was my first time seeing them in a couple of years, and I enjoyed hearing the new songs "Novocaine," "Burnout," and their cover of the Nirvana classic "Heart Shaped Box" mixed in with their classics. At the end of the set, I managed to catch a water bottle thrown by frontman Jesse Hasek.
After 10 Years' set, I noticed the radio booth was doing an interview with Trivium. The interview was with their bass guitarist Paolo Gregoletto, and I had the opportunity to chat with him briefly and take a selfie.
I wasn't pleased with the muddy conditions near the Militia stage and I'm not a big fan of Nothing More, so I decided to take a break and have a bite to eat and put my feet up for a while in the VIP tent, enjoying the music from afar until the Stone Temple Pilots took to the main stage. This was my first time seeing them since the death of original frontman Scott Weiland, but I thought that new singer Jeff Gutt really channeled the swagger and stage presence of their founding singer.
Shinedown closed out Rock USA 2018 on the main stage. While I'm not a fan of the poppier sounds of their last couple of albums, they have a good stage show and I enjoyed getting to hear some of their classics live, ending in the early hours of my birthday morning.
I didn't get much sleep that night, but I woke up a little late that Sunday, seeing my phone flooded with birthday greetings. I took a while to relax in the hotel pool and hot tub, before driving to Belvidere, IL with my friend to see a show headlined by Fozzy and 10 Years.
A few minutes after we got to the venue, I spotted Powerman 5000 bass guitarist Murv Douglas walking around. I managed to chat with him for a bit, and he was nice enough to pose for a few photos with me.
The show started with local rockers Genotype and our friends in Vyces. This was my second time seeing them live, and they were nice enough to give me a signed poster after the show!
The fourth band of the evening was Powerman 5000. This was my first time seeing them since they headlined the second day of last year's Taste of Madison on Labor Day weekend. They always put on a high-energy set!
The final opener was Fozzy, my second time seeting them that week. Chris Jericho is used to drawing attention to himself with his wrestling career, but I think this band was the real fan favorite of the evening.
I was surprised seeing the crowd dissipate a bit after Fozzy's set ended, but I always enjoy a good 10 Years set! Second time seeing them in as many days-they always put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into every show.
After the show, my friend and I chatted with 10 Years singer Jesse Hasek and posed for photos with him. I've chatted with him a few times before, and he's one of the most down to earth and humble musicians I've ever met.
I drove us back to our hotel in the wee hours of Monday morning, and got a few hours of sleep before driving back to Minnesota that afternoon. Tuesday I ran a few errands, had a birthday lunch with my folks and generally took it easy before returning to work on Wednesday. Not a perfect week, but I enjoyed the bands I heard and the friends that I got to interact with that weekend.
That's all for now - not sure when my next article will be, because I don't have any concerts scheduled for another month at the earliest. Rest assured, I'll still be around, though! Until next time, have a great week, everyone!
