The UPROAR begins on Aug 15 in the Motor City with more than a dozen bands, including Godsmack and Seether.
The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival kicks off its fifth year at the DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan on Aug. 15, 2014. The tour launches with a heavy-hitting lineup that includes multiplatinum mainstage bands Godsmack and Seether, along with Skillet, Pop Evil, Escape The Fate, Buckcherry, Redlight King, 3 Years Hollow, Within Reason, Sons of Revelry (2013 UPROAR Battle of the Bands Winner), New Medicine, These Raven Skies, and Tattered.
The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival started in 2010 by John Reese as a replacement for Reese’s Taste of Chaos tour, which he says was “running out of bands that fit within the profile of what Taste of Chaos was.†UPROAR was also created by John Oakes of Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE), Darryl Eaton and Ryan Harlacher from the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and Perry Lavoisne from Live Nation with Rockstar Energy Drink as a sponsor. SGE is one of the world’s premier music festival production companies. With hundreds of live events worldwide each year, SGE works with agencies, brands and musical talent to produce and co-produce concerts across various genres and interests. Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles; from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music.
UPROAR is more than just a music festival. It hosts a number of other activities other than live bands, such as the Miss UPROAR contest, autograph signings, and giveaways.
Formed in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1995, Godsmack has released three consecutive #1 albums (Faceless, IV, and The Oracle) on the Billboard 200. Since their inception, they have had 20 top ten rock radio hits which are the most of any act since 1999. Of these songs, 15 made it into the top five, six of which hit #1 on mainstream rock radio. They have garnered four Grammy nominations and were winners of Billboard Music Awards’ Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. They have sold over 20 million records in just over a decade and have proven to be one of the highest-grossing artists in the United States. Godsmack’s domination continues with the release of their new smash single 1000hp, which debuted #1 on the iTunes Rock chart, and upcoming release of their sixth full length album of the same name.
Founded in Pretoria, South Africa in 1999 under the name of Saron Gas, the band changed their name to Seether in 2002 gaining mainstream popularity with their US Active Rock #1 single Fine Again. They have released seven albums, two of which have gone platinum and two more that are certified gold, along with a live concert DVD that has sold over 500,000 units, for total worldwide sales in excess of 4.5 million. The consistent hit makers have quietly amassed eleven #1 singles and seventeen Top 5 multi-format hits, resulting in singles sales that top seven million which is a level of success few artists working today can match. Their recent album, Isolate and Medicate, peaked at #4 on the US Billboard 200 showing that they are still a dominate force in today’s US rock market.
Formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996, Skillet has released eight albums, two of which received Grammy nominations. Their 2006 album, Comatose, has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their 2009 album, Awake, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified Platinum for sales in excess of one million copies in the US. In addition, the album hit #1 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, garnered three Billboard Music Awards and spawned four hit singles including the #1 Active Rock smash and gold-certified Awake & Alive, the gold-certified Hero, It’s Not Me It’s You and the platinum-certified Monster. Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve RIAA Platinum Certification in 2012, and was one of only three rock bands (the other two being Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys) to strike platinum in 2012. Their 2013 album, Rise, debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts, which led to three #1 radio hits for American Noise, Not Gonna Die, and Sick Of It. Within the past few years, Skillet has sold more than 2 million albums in the US alone and amassed a diehard following (dubbed Panheads) whose members number over five million on Facebook alone.
Formed in Anaheim, California in 1995, Buckcherry released its self-titled début, which included the hit single Lit Up, in 1999 to critical praise and certified gold sales. Their second album, Time Bomb, didn’t fare so well however the band released their third album, 15, in 2005 to both commercial and critical success. It resurrected the band with smash hits such as Crazy Bitch, Sorry, Everything and Next 2 You. Their recent album, Confessions, peaked at #7 on the US Rock charts. Buckcherry remain one of the premier rock bands of the new millennium, having sold more than three million records in the US alone.
Formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2001, Pop Evil first garnered national attention in 2009 with their single 100 in a 55. Taken from their major label début Lipstick on the Mirror, the song peaked at #8 on the Active Rock charts staying on the chart for 30 weeks, making it one of the longest standing singles at Active Rock in 2009. Their next album, War of Angels, peaked at #1 on the US Hard Rock chart with an overall position of #43 on the US Billboard 200. Their recent release, Onyx, has solidified them as a driving force in today’s music world. The album peaked at #3 on the US Hard Rock and US Rock charts and garnered three US Mainstream Rock #1 hits with Trenches, Deal With The Devil, and Torn To Pieces. Pop Evil represents the American Dream. Raised in the heartland, driven by uncompromising passion and goals, self-made from their bootstraps and energized by diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, Pop Evil has used muscle and sweat to put their musical vision into the hearts and minds of hard rock lovers worldwide.
Formed in Pahrump, Nevada in 2004, Escape The Fate received their first big break when they won a local radio contest judged by My Chemical Romance. The gig awarded them the opportunity to open a show on My Chemical Romance’s headlining tour which subsequently led to Escape The Fate signing a record deal with Epitaph Records. After releasing two albums on Epitaph, the band switched to DGC/Interscope for their third album, Escape The Fate. This self-titled album charted #25 on the Billboard 200 while also hitting #1 on the Hard Rock Albums chart. Their recent release, Ungrateful, is the band’s most successful album to date. Released on Eleven Seven Music, Ungrateful debuted at #1 on the iTunes Rock Charts. The album’s first single, You’re Insane, broke the Top 20 in Active Rock radio, and their recent single One For The Money peaked at #11. Their sound has been described by critics as, post-hardcore, emo, hard rock, and screamo. Vocalist Craig Mabbitt has stated he draws inspiration from almost all types of genres while drummer Robert Ortiz states that there is a huge variety in the band’s influences from metal bands Metallica and Iron Maiden to the newer bands that they currently tour with, from movie scores, or from top 40 and rock songs.
Mark Kasprzyk, better known by his stage name Redlight King, released a couple of albums under his own name before adopting the Redlight King moniker on his third album, Something For The Pain. Originally from Binbrook, Ontario, Canada, Redlight King made their US début with Something For The Pain. Released in 2011, the album landed at #3 on Billboard’s Heatseeker chart and #10 on iTunes Rock album chart. It spawned two successful singles, Old Man, which contained a sample from Neil Young’s song of the same name, and Bullet In My Hand. Old Man was the 13th most played song at Alternative Radio that year landing at #24 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Bullet In My Hand shot up to #3 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, while a third song, Comeback, was featured on Avengers Assemble (the musical companion to the mega-hit film The Avengers). The band’s recent release, Irons In The Fire, showcases the super-dynamic sonic and stylistic recipe that first established the, now based in Los Angeles, California, unit as a potent new force in the alternative rock arena. The album hit #4 on Billboard’s Heatseeker chart while its first single, Born To Rise, quickly hit #6 on the iTunes Rock Songs chart within minutes of release. The song peaked at #10 on the US Mainstream Rock chart as did their second single, Times Are Hard.
Formed in Birmingham, Alabama in 2005, Within Reason received their first big break in 2006 when their song Hold received over 50,000 votes online to appear and perform live on the hit TV show One Tree Hill. This gave them an audience of over 4 million. When the episode was filmed, the song they were set to perform was changed to Favorite Sin, and another song, Let It Out, was also featured on the show during the 4th season of the series. The band was voted Rock Band of the Year and Performer of the Year for the 2007 BAMA Music Awards. They joined the 2012 edition of the Uproar festival, and in 2013, the band was selected out of over 2500 bands from across the US to receive the ‘Gig of a Lifetime’ sponsored by CBS Interactive, Microsoft, and the Grammys. They performed a concert at the Clive Davis Theatre in Los Angeles that was taped for a Grammy Live segment. The band was also featured in a commercial for Microsoft Surface tablet playing their song We’ll Have It All, which ran during the 2013 Grammy broadcast and was featured on Grammy Live from the Red Carpet during the pre-show. The band returns to this year’s installment of the UPROAR festival bringing their unique rock genre defying sound, blended with sticky hooks and sing-along choruses, along with them.
Formed in Orono, Minnesota in 2009, New Medicine released their début album, Race You to the Bottom, which peaked at #2 on the US Heatseeker chart. The album spawned three singles which placed on the Mainstream Rock chart ; Laid hit #32, Race You to the Bottom hit #19, and Rich Kids hit #31, respectfully. The band is ready to drop their newest release, Breaking The Model. New Medicine has created a buzz from coast to coast over the past few years by scoring a Top 15 Mediabase Active Rock hit with Race You to the Bottom and touring relentlessly for three years on package tours like Carnival of Madness and the 2010 installment of the UPROAR Festival, selling over 30,000 albums in the process.
Formed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2011 under the name of Dreams of Reason, the band changed their name to These Raven Skies when they realized their new musical direction would require a name change. According to frontman Chris Perks, “The new music was beginning to take on a life of its own. After years of moderate success trying to satisfy everyone else, we decided to make a record that was true to our musical interests and as a result became much different than Dreams of Reason material.†The dramatic sonic shift managed to catch the attention of The Tea Party’s Jeff Martin, who not only agreed to take on production duties but also became involved as a co-writer and unofficial fifth band member. Martin’s eastern-tinged rock influences had an immediate impact on the band’s approach to songcraft and live performance. These Raven Skies follow in the light and shade tradition established by Led Zeppelin, seamlessly blending hard-hitting groove oriented rock with dynamic soundscapes that incorporate folk and world-music influences. The band managed to create its own record label, after signing an international distribution deal with the Universal Music Group, to release their self-titled album.
Formed in Olds, Alberta, Canada in 2010, Tattered are preparing to release their full-length album through Blackstream/Universal Music Group. Before this, Tattered’s hard work and dedication landed them on the radio in 13 countries with their self-titled début EP. Tattered put everything they had into their début leaving nothing behind. This Canadian hardcore band combines ferocious guitar work with screamed vocals and manage to deliver an exciting entry into the post-hardcore genre. Tipping their hats to genre forerunners Anberlin and Pierce the Veil, Tattered serve up soaring vocal harmonies amidst a backdrop of orchestral melodies. According to their bio, they are five musicians with different styles converging all they know into one. “From death metal to funk, we all have different tastes in music. That is what makes the band what it is today†says singer Brad Rempel. The band has amassed a dedicated online fanbase who are eagerly awaiting the release of their next album. With musical influences ranging from blues to metal to radio rock, Tattered’s second album promises to be a unique and jaw dropping sonic experience from start to finish.
Formed in the Quad Cities, on the Iowa/Illinois boundary in 2006, 3 Years Hollow combine driving rhythms with melodic vocals and sweeping hooks. Their 2012 breakout independent single Remember charted at #1 on Octane and the video for Chemical Ride has amassed nearly 450,000 views on YouTube alone. That same year, they emerged as regional victors during the Ernie Ball sponsored Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival Battle of the Bands. They caught the attention of Imagen Records while playing at the 2012 Tinley Park, IL date of UPROAR which lead to a record deal soon after. Merging intensity with melody, 3 Years Hollow is causing quite a buzz with their latest release, The Cracks. The band enlisted Sevendust guitarist/songwriter Clint Lowery to handle production duties on the album which debuted at #23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. The album is full of melodic hard rock tinged with a little progressive rock, hair metal, and pop punk. Add in some bombastic beats, dynamic vocal delivery, and some arena-size hooks and you have the incredible sound of 3 Years Hollow. Ultimately, the band constantly keeps the listener in mind with their honesty. “Everything I write about is a completely personal experience or something I’ve witnessed or experienced myself,†states singer Jose Urquiza, concluding “I talk about things I’ve seen or experienced. I want to give everybody something real.â€
Formed in Brantford, Ontario, Canada in 2013, Sons of Revelry (S.O.R.) spent the past year solidifying themselves as true blue local heroes. First the band earned a place as a finalist in last fall’s Sirius XM Rock the Grey Cup competition, representing the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger Cats and playing before thousands of fans at one of their games. Next, they emerged as regional victors during the Ernie Ball sponsored Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival Battle of the Bands to play at the 2013 Toronto stop of the UPROAR Festival. This was huge for the band as they represented Toronto among 23 other markets on the UPROAR Festival. They got up on that stage and they absolutely killed it! Once the tour was over and all the bands had been judged, Sons of Revelry was advised they were the grand prize winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands. The biggest perk to winning the contest is that Sons of Revelry were added to the 30+ dates across North America of this year’s UPROAR festival. They also get to travel to Los Angeles to record a six-song EP with Jay Baumgardner (Godsmack, Sevendust, Papa Roach, and Three Days Grace) at the prestigious NRG Recording Studios plus a distribution deal for the EP. Add in $10,000 in gear, a professional photo shoot, among other prizes, and the band has pretty much hit the rock n’ roll lottery! There are bands that have been around for years that would kill for the cohesiveness, camaraderie and chops that S.O.R. already have. They took risks and were not afraid to go after things outside their reach. The Canadian rock and roll quartet’s hard work and discipline to fulfill their objectives has paid off big time. They finished recording their EP with Baumgardner and also recorded a second one with Canadian producer Brian Moncarz (Silverstein, Bleeker Ridge, and The Reason) and plan on releasing them as a double EP just in time for this year’s UPROAR Festival.
The Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival will entertain fans for a full afternoon and evening, with performances from the hottest rock bands on the UPROAR Main Stage and Festival Stage, along with a concourse midway featuring band autograph signings, vendors, and other activities.
The Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands returns to the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival for a fourth consecutive year in 2014. The annual competition is underway now for most dates on the touring rock music and lifestyle festival, and runs through September 12 (deadlines vary by market). Bands can enter the Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands—and fans can vote for their favorite band—at uproar.battleofthebands.com. Bands will be chosen one week prior to the UPROAR show at the venue they’ve selected to play. Finalists will compete for the grand prize–valued at over $15,000–which includes a coveted spot on the 2015 Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival, the opportunity to record an EP with legendary producer/mixer Jay Baumgardner at NRG Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA,a Rockford Fosgate Prize Pack, Ernie Ball Guitar String Endorsement, Music Man Instruments, and more.
Since its inception in 2010, the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival continues to receive widespread praise from the media. According to Loudwire.com, it is “one of the most anticipated tours of the summer for rock fans†and Revolver states it is “one of the most electric tours of the year.â€
“We’re excited to welcome UPROAR veterans Godsmack, Seether, Escape The Fate, and Redlight King back for another year and also can’t wait to hit the road with all the other amazing rock bands joining us for the first time. We look forward to creating an incredible UPROAR experience for rock fans in every city we visit,†say festival producers John Oakes and John Reese.
