Make America Rock AgainBrooklyn Bowl This was the return of the Las Vegas for a great crowd and a full lineup of rock! Winding down to the last week of the present tour, the bands were in prime shape and ready to make Vegas rock! tour to Las Vegas, and this year took place at
Opening the show was Vegas locals Adelitas Way, a band that has been kicking around Vegas since 2006, and is a good solid band led by lead singer Rick DeJesus. Their sound is hard rock and they have toured with some of the biggest bands and festivals around the last few years. For Make America Rock Again, in their hometown, the band was allowed 5 songs, and seemed a bit upset and stated this was the shortest set they have ever played in front of their hometown fans - a short but solid set from the Vegas boys.
Adelitas Way Photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos
Trapt was net on the Make America Rock Again lineup, a band that was scheduled for earlier Rock Into Spring festival but were not on the final lineup - and having not seen them before was pleasantly surprised with how good they were. Formed way back in 1995 Trapt broke out into the mainstream with their hit song "Headstrong", and the band’s set consisted of hits including "Still Frame", "Who’s Going Home With You Tonight" - a solid performance, Trapt kicked ass for their slot at this show.
Trapt Way Photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos
I was surprised that next up was Sick Puppies, as they were billed as going on after Drowning Pool, but the lineup must have had a last minute change. Sick Puppies is always a crowd favorite and has an energy about them very few bands have. A star of this band is definitely bassist Emma Anzai, who is considered one of the better bassists in rock n roll, along with Mark Goodwin on drums/backing vocals and most recent member Bryan Scott on lead vocals/guitar, and it's hard to believe that this band has been around for 20 years now., a solid band which seems to only get better over time.
Sick Puppies Photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos
Next was Drowning Pool, and this band also surprised me, as it has been a few years since I have seen the band perform. Formed back in 1996 the band has dealt with the tragedy of losing their former lead singer Dave Williams, but current singer Jasen Moreno is a solid replacement and has fire and intensity when performing onstage. Drowning Pool is a hard, heavy band whose songs are dark, and at times evil, and are know for their monster hits "Bodies" along with "Sinner" and "Tear Away". This is a band who brings it each and every show, thoroughly enjoyable and a band I would see again and again.
Drowning Pool Photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos
I am a huge Creed fan and I was really looking forward to seeing Scott Stapp. When we saw Stapp earlier in the year at the Rock Into Spring festival he was playing with the band Art of Anarchy, so on his solo tour I was hoping to hear some Creed material, and he didn’t disappoint. Opening the show Stapp sang the hard hitting Creed song "Bullets", and his intensity was off the charts, and Stapp was very animated when performing onstage. During the middle of the set Stapp sang the emotional song "With Arms Wide Open", and he talked about the birth of his last child, and also announced that he and his wife are expecting another child in November.
Other Creed songs performed included "My Own Prison", "What If", "Higher", "One Last Breath" and closing with "My Sacrafice". Stapp's voice is as strong as ever and his stage is filled with lots of flashing lights and smoke canons that create an energetic show. After reading his book I am surprised how he is even alive, he has been dealing with an internal struggle and conflict with the real world and religion his entire life. Most people are either a Scott Stapp fan or they are not, but Stapp is a very talented singer, artist, and he gives 200% to his shows and it definately reflects his love for his fans.
Scott Stapp Photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos