(PCM) With three full days of rock at this year’s completely sold out Rock On The Range which took place at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH, we have decided to break down our coverage to our highlights from each day, along with exclusive interviews!
Day two of Rock On The Range featured performances by Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer,Chevelle, Theory Of A Deadman (interview here), Pop Evil (interview here) , Fuel (interview here) , Rev Theory (interview here), Suicidal Tendencies (interview here), The Pretty Reckless, Nothing More (interview here), Texas Hippie Coalition (interview here), King 810, We As Human, Stars In Stereo (interview here), Exodus (interview here), Fozzy, Avatar, Crobot (interview here) and Wilson (interview here).
In our opinion day two was probably the strongest line-up of the weekend and also probably the worst weather-wise. It rained off and on for the better part of the day, but yet again the spirit of the crowd was not dampened. It was going to take more than a few rain showers to stop this crowd from rocking out!
Things We Loved Day Two Of Rock On The Range
1. I do not think there is anything that I do not love about Crobot! They certainly won over the hearts of many Rangers during their amazing performance at Rock On The Range. It was wonderful to witness people stopping in their tracks and running over to catch the band’s performance on the Jagermeister Stage. Although the band was performing on the festival’s smallest stage, the energy that poured forth from Crobot while on stage would have been more than enough to fill the main stage arena. They are definitely a band that got people talking and without a doubt will be one to watch throughout the rest of 2014.
2. Fozzy was a breath of fresh air to the cold and rain-soaked crowd as when they took to the stage it was to some of the first moments of sunshine that we had seen all day. Fozzy front-man Chris Jericho know just how to take command of the stage and is never one that is afraid to get up close and personal with the fans. The band’s enthusiasm is infectious. I am highly anticipating the band’s new album “Do You Want To Start A War?” which is due out later this summer. Their new single “Light Go Out” got an absolutely amazing response from the crowd! I just have to wonder if the band will ever tire of the endless Y2J chants leading up to every show!
3. Despite having quite an early set time and having to play in fairly unfavorable weather conditions, I felt that Stars In Stereo put on a fantastic performance at Rock On The Range. The band is gearing up to release their new album this June and the new single “Leave Your Mark” has been receiving some amazing feedback. Definitely another band to keep your eye on in 2014.
4. Of course there is always one band to stir-up some controversy at any festival and at Rock On The Range that band was King 810. The band members were accompanied on stage with individuals dressed up a guards wielding rather large (fake?) machine guns. Many people I talked to throughout the day thought that the whole guards with guns presence was a little over the top, but I say it definitely garnered the band some attention and certainly had many people talking and isn’t that the point? Musically I’m on the fence with this band, but their stage show definitely peaked my curiosity.
5. Watching Texas Hippie Coalition is just a lot of fun! They are a band that truly knows how to get the party started and were a fantastic addition to this year’s festival line-up. Front-man Big Dad Rich is a riot and the band’s upcoming new album “Ride On” is definitely on my list of anticipated albums due out later this year.
6. “Going To Hell” the latest album release from The Pretty Reckless is probably my favorite album release of 2014 thus far. I could not have been more excited that they were on this year’s Rock On The Range bill. The band’s performance was mind-blowing, as front-woman Taylor Momsen seduces the audience with her incredible vocal range and I felt like the band drew one of the biggest crowds to the Ernie Ball stage to check out their set. I definitely feel that The Pretty Reckless could have more than held their own on the main stage this year, but hey, there is always next year, at least I can hope.
7. When Suicidal Tendencies hit the stage it is as if a whirlwind of pure adrenaline has been released. Front-man Mike Muir races around the stage and behaves as if he were getting ready for the boxing match of a lifetime. It is truly something you must witness at least once in your life. What I love is that the music of Suicidal Tendencies can not be boxed into one particular genre or another and they certainly added their very own unique flavor to the Rock On The Range bill.
8. I have probably seen Pop Evil live more than any other band on this year bill and yet they always seem to bring out something new to the table with each performance. It was a truly memorable moment as the band paid tribute to our soldier by having several Marines join them on-stage to close out their set. Also, did I fail to mention that DMC, of Run DMC also joined Pop Evil on-stage to perform their remixed version of Pop Evil’s hit single “Trenches”.
9. SLAYERRRR!!!….okay…one more time…SLAYER!!!!! I almost don’t have to write anything else! Rock and metal fans will never tire of witnessing metal masters Slayer perform live. They are just one hell of a legendary band! While they are a band of little words on the stage, the music more than speaks for itself. The band did pay tribute to their late rhythm guitarist Jeff Hanneman who tragically passed away last year with a large back-drop banner. Exodus band member Gary Holt has been playing with Slayer and does an incredible job, especially when trading epic solo’s back and forth with guitarist Kerry King.
10. A performance by Avenged Sevenfold was the perfect way to close out Saturday night. The band’s use of pyrotechnics and an elaborate stage set was phenomenal and that is surely what kept the audience engrossed throughout the band’s incredible performance. One thing I can not help but note is that while technically the band’s musicianship on stage is superb and the atmosphere on stage is astounding, both guitarists Zacky Vengence and Synyster Gates never really appear truly happy to be on stage. They always seem to have this look of either boredom or indifference upon their faces. I could be wrong, but I sometimes wish they would crack a few more smiles.
Rock On The Range Day Two Photo Gallery
All photos credit: Ken Schuler for PopCultureMadness.com
Check out our coverage of Rock On The Range Day One and Day Three
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