When the Make America Rock Again Tour came to The Paramount in Huntington, New York fans got a taste of a killer rock show featuring bands Adelitas Way, Trapt, Sick Puppies, Drowning Pool and Scott Stapp; proving that rock is alive and well in America today!
The Paramount had a full, lively crowd on August 31, 2017 when the Make America Rock Again Tour came to town. As fans anticipated the many acts on the bill, the room filled was filled with excitement. As the first band of the night made their way to the stage screams and cheering could be heard.
Adelitas Way hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada fronted by Rick DeJesus, Tre Stafford on drums, Robert Zakaryan on guitar and Andrew Cushing on bass came on stage ready to show the crowd what they were made of. DeJesus was very vocal and interactive with the fans that were eager to respond back with cheers, hands in the air and sing a long during the set. With powerful vocals DeJesus proved that he is a front man who is truly gifted with the ability to sing and had a stage presence that held the fans attention.
The band’s energy was in full hard rock mode as the members rocked out on stage playing songs such as “Sick”, “Bad Reputation”, “Ready for War”, “Criticize” and “Notorious”. Fans truly ate up the whole band’s ability to entertain and give all of themselves on stage. Adelitas Way is a band that started off the night but left a lasting impression on fans.
The next band that hit the stage was Alternative Rock veterans, Trapt. After almost 22 years in the music industry, the group felt like they were truly confident and ready to rock for the screaming fans who were following along with every song and movement the band made.
The group is made up of Chris Taylor Brown on vocals, Peter Charell on bass, David Sudock on guitar and Brendan Hengle on drums and all four members gave their all during the set. They played songs such as “Still Frame”, “Echo”, “Contagious”, “Stand Up” and “Head Strong”, the song that put them on the map as they started their musical journey. Brown seemed to be at ease on stage and was able to connect with fans during and in between songs by moving around the stage and getting the fans engaged. The band as a whole was energized and fueled by the fans screams and cheers. Trapt proved that after all the years in the industry they have grown even stronger as musicians and performers.
Los Angeles based Alternative/Hard Rock band, Sick Puppies truly put on a show during their set providing some serious rocking out on stage, not to mention getting the crowd riled up. The group made up of Emma Anzai on bass/vocals, Mark Goodwin on drums and Bryan Scott on lead vocals/guitar is a band that gives every ounce of itself. Anzai is a gifted bass player who shines by being able to headbang, move around the stage and play some killer riffs. She and Scott harmonize during songs making for some stunning sections in many of the songs. Scott proves to be a showman who can get the crowd moving with his strong vocals and guitar skills. At one point Scott got the crowd to make a mosh pit. His humble nature plays a role in why fans seem to become animated and participate during the set. Goodwin is a powerhouse drummer making for some outstanding beats.
The band played songs such as “Odd One”, “Black and Blue”, “Your Going Down” and “Stick To Your Guns” that makes Sick Puppies stand out as a great rock band by giving of all themselves on stage, musically and to their fans.
Dallas, Texas hard-rockers Drowning Pool took the stage with a vengeance proving after 20 years of being in the industry they know how to put on a true rock show. Every member of the band during their set was all over the stage rocking out and showing fans an experience like no other. With Jasen Morero on vocals, CJ Pierce on guitar, Steve Benton on bass and Mike Luce on drums, the group provided an energy that could be felt throughout the crowd that truly embraced every minute of the bands set.
Morero as a front man, has the ability to unite fans and the group together through songs by speaking to the crowd. He paced the stage, head banged, jumped off risers and seemed to embrace every word he sang and spoke to the crowd. At one point at the end of the set he even went out into the mosh pit and sang with the fans making for lots of excited people in the audience.
The set consisted of songs like “Sinner”, “Step Up”, “Feel Like I Do”, “Sermon” and “Bodies” which is a fan favorite to this day and is notorious with the name Drowning Pool. Drowning Pool is a band that is one of the greats, still going strong after two decades.
The backdrop that stated “Make America Rock Again” on it, proved that the night already had provided some amazing rock performances and the last artist of the night was soon ready to take the stage. As the lights went dim, middle-eastern music was heard while screams and cheers from fans rang out. As Scott Stapp’s band entered the stage, the crowd went wild.
As Stapp himself came on stage the whole venue overpowered the music. As he started talking out the beginning of the intro of the first song, he paced the stage and then went into “Bullets” with his famous scream of “I think they shoot ‘cause they want it”. Fans were going crazy as Stapp and his band moved around the stage as he continued singing the song”.
For over 20 years, Florida native Scott Stapp has made a name for himself as the lead singer of Alternative Rock band Creed and a solo artist. Fans during his set sang along to every song, danced, had their hands raised, screamed and cheered. Stapp has that special something as a vocalist that comes naturally and is a special gift that resonates with fans. His honesty and openness about his life while talking in between songs, not to mention his powerhouse vocals, make him connect with fans as one. During his set he sang songs that put Creed on the map and a household name. Songs that still seem to hold a special place within Stapp who sings each song with passion.
The set consisted of songs such as “Slow Suicide”, “My Own Prison”, “What If”, “With Arms Wide Open”, “Higher” and “My Sacrifice”. He also talked about his teaming up with CHILDFund in order to help out a cause near and dear to his wife and himself, which is aiding children and making sure none in this world go without. He and his wife adopted a village in the Phillipines and through CHILDFund fans could sponsor a child of their choosing, after the show, by picking up a packet of information.
What Stapp did during the entire set was command the stage and was very interactive with fans who were overwhelmed by his presence as a front man. One thing about Scott Stapp is that he is a Rock star who knows how to put on a rock show and bring all the fans together to enjoy and be a part of his set. Stapp just might be one of the last true living Rock Stars. His persona on stage and way he is with the crowd proves his years as a front man has made him one of the true greats and that is why people connect with him.
The Paramount crowd truly did have an amazing night as the Make America Rock Again tour came through with Adelitas Way, Trapt, Sick Puppies, Drowning Pool and Scott Stapp. Rock is alive and well in America.
